BA Physical Education and Sport
About this course
BA (Hons) in Physical Education and Sport, a sport and exercise science degree examining physical education, coaching practice, and sporting structures across communities and educational settings. Core topics include Human Behaviour, Research Methods, and Ethics & Professional Practice. Students undertake a work placement module in the second year and complete an independent research project in the final year. The course begins with a foundation year for students on the four-year route, featuring Professional and Academic Skills for University Study, Applied Learning Project, and Foundation in Sport. The first year introduces foundational subjects through Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology, The Social Context of Sport and Exercise, Sport Coaching Science, and Introduction to Motor Learning and Skill Acquisition. The second year builds professional competencies with Sports Development, Sport Research Methods, Teaching and Learning in Physical Education, and The Developing Athlete. In the final year, students study Contemporary Issues in Sport Development, Critical Issues in Physical Education, and the Sport Development Dissertation. Optional modules in the final year include Physical Activity and Society, Social and Welfare Issues in Sport, and Advanced Professional Practice.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A typical offer for this PE degree: BBC at A Level or, DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or, Merit at T Level Other Entry Requirements: We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications. If you have non-traditional qualifications or have experience working within sports coaching, sports development, physical education and/or youth sport then we will consider your application. For more more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page . If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page . Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS): You will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on admission in order to go out on work placement, which is a mandatory part of the Physical Education course. Integrated Foundation Year Entry Requirements: Admission to this foundation physical sport course is normally: DEE at A Level or, MPP at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or, Pass (D or E) at T Level We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications. However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the course you wish to study.
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What students say
Based on about 41 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 95%
- Assessment and feedback: 95%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 99%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 91%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 130 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 63%
- Gained a higher qualification: 9%
- Left higher education: 26%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 25 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 25%
- Therapy professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 5%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 70 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 41%
- West Midlands: 10%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 13%
- South East: 18%
- South West: 2%
- Northern Ireland: 4%
Who gets in
Based on about 170 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 1%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Professional and Academic Skills for University Study
- Applied Learning Project
- Foundation in Sport
- Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
- The Social Context of Sport and Exercise
- Sport Coaching Science
- Introduction to Motor Learning and Skill Acquisition
- Introduction to Physical Education
- Professional and Academic Skills in Physical Education and Sport
- Sports Development
- Sport Research Methods
- Teaching and Learning in Physical Education
- The Developing Athlete
- Developing Professional Practice
- Sport Pedagogy in Context
- Contemporary Issues in Sport Development
- Critical Issues in Physical Education
- Sport Development Dissertation
- Physical Activity and Society
- Social and Welfare Issues in Sport
- Advanced Professional Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Physical Education and Sport at University of Northampton earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £21,500 after 3 years, £27,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,000 and £31,500. The £27,500 median after five years is the same as the UK median for Sport and exercise sciences.
What do graduates of BA Physical Education and Sport at University of Northampton do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Physical Education and Sport at University of Northampton?
98% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Physical Education and Sport at University of Northampton?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 102 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Physical Education and Sport at University of Northampton?
63% of students continued into their second year, and 26% left higher education.