BA (Hons) Secondary Physical Education with Qualified Teacher Status With Foundation Year Bachelor's degree at Birmingham City University
BA (Hons) Secondary Physical Education with Qualified Teacher Status With Foundation Year at BCU. You'll develop subject knowledge alongside classroom practice, working towards Qualified Teacher Status whilst studying for an honours degree.
About this course
BA (Hons) Secondary Physical Education with Qualified Teacher Status With Foundation Year is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at BCU, based in City South Campus. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Teacher training graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 83% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Sport & Exercise Science, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 85% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year One 6 modules
- The Emerging TeacherCore20 credits
Module details
The role of this module is to encourage you to consider in-depth your first experiences of your subject in your placement school. It will enable you to understand the complexity of the teacher's role and the importance of adopting a professional stance at all times. You will understand the importance of an effective learning environment where all pupils feel safe and can develop to their full potential. It will provide you with practical strategies to support you in managing pupils' behaviour wi
- Introduction to Secondary Physical EducationCore20 credits
Module details
This module introduces secondary physical education to you as you prepare to be a teacher. It looks in detail at what is included from a Department for Education stand point, exploring the purpose, aims and expected content of the 11-16 age phase PE curriculum. The module will discuss where PE fits in to a school's curriculum and what differentiates it from physical activity and school sport.
- The Physically Educated ChildCore20 credits
Module details
This module explores the journey a pupil has made on entering secondary physical education, looking back at the Early Years statutory framework and the national curriculum at the 5 – 11 age phase. Issues surrounding primary physical education will be discussed. You will learn about motor development and how pupils mature through their PE journey at primary and secondary school and into adulthood. This will involve different milestones and consider the theme of being physically active for life. D
- Human Anatomy and PhysiologyCore20 credits
Module details
This module considers the application of the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology of the human body, to real-world sport and exercise settings. There will be a strong focus on musculoskeletal anatomy, The delivery is contemporary in design, whereby the lectures are pre-recorded in the form of online videos. These lectures are supported by practical sessions where the student can apply their knowledge with a life size skeleton, whilst sessions in physiology enable the measurement of physiologic
- The PE SpecialistCore20 credits
Module details
This module provides opportunities for you to explore the nature of your subject in the context of learning and teaching in the secondary school. The module provides a substantial foundation for your professional practice in school, applied through the later professional practice modules.
- Introduction to Academic SkillsCore20 credits
Module details
This module will introduce you to the academic skills required for the Secondary Education in Higher Education, and to the resources needed to support your academic and personal development. You will use the skills and resources introduced in this module throughout the course and after successful completion of your studies, to enable lifelong learning as a competent and autonomous practitioner.
Year Two 6 modules
- The Inclusive TeacherCore20 credits
Module details
This module refers to the wider inclusion agenda, rather than just pupils with special education needs or disabilities. It considers the barriers to learning that pupils may have within the subject specialism, and specific classroom approaches or interventions that can be used to address these barriers.
- Applied Pedagogy through Physical EducationCore20 credits
Module details
This module is a progression from the Level 4 "Introduction to Secondary PE" module. The module explores the use of different pedagogies used in physical education and builds on your understanding of how to teach effectively. The module looks at different models based practice and allows an opportunity for you to participate in "modelled lessons" in order for you to see how these pedagogical models work in practice, but also to see the viewpoint of the pupil.
- Developing Excellence in The Physical Education ClassroomCore20 credits
Module details
This module looks to build upon subject knowledge learnt around anatomy, physiology, learning and socio-cultural factors, applying these within a classroom setting. This module develops the Physical Education teacher away from the practical space and towards the classroom.
- Alternative and Outdoor ActivitiesCore20 credits
Module details
This module will support subject knowledge development of alternative and outdoor activities through onsite and off-site experiences. Through theoretical and practical sessions, you will develop a deeper understanding of the effective teaching and learning approaches when delivering alternative and outdoor activities and how they are implemented in the Secondary PE environment. Over the course of the module, you will participate in a range of activities, considered non-traditional within the PE
- Socio-Cultural Factors in Physical EducationCore20 credits
Module details
Through completion of this module, students will be equipped and up to date with a range of socio-cultural factors within sport. They will explore society and the many different elements which make up society and how this impact sports participation. Sports Governance, Legislation Globalisation and human rights will be explored. Students will also explore Discrimination, Stereotypes and Prejudice as underlying principles within Sports.
- Professional Practice ACore20 credits
Module details
Working in partnership with schools over a sustained period of time, this module, Professional Practice A, provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to meet the professional standards and expectations of teaching through observation and practical experience. You will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced teachers and other education professionals to develop your knowledge, understanding and skill in lessons and the wider school environment.
Year Three 5 modules
- The Professional TeacherCore20 credits
Module details
This module, The Professional Teacher, provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to explore and understand in practical terms the meaning of professionalism in the context of your subject specialism. You will understand the holistic and positive role of a teacher and the practices and policies of the education framework in which you operate. Implicit in this will be the development of your understanding of how children learn in your subject (pedagogy) and how this is organised, deliver
- Subject and Curriculum LeadershipCore20 credits
Module details
You will view this module through the eyes of being a curriculum leader, exploring and discussing curriculum and pedagogical choices in order to offer an effective curriculum in your subject, suitable for effective teaching and learning. This module explores the role of your subject plays in the secondary school. It explores different aspects of your subject, where you will investigate the history and evolution of your subject's curriculum, plus the differences that exist between schools. You wi
- Additional Subject Knowledge Enhancement PortfolioCore20 credits
Module details
The Additional Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) Portfolio module looks to develop subject knowledge, additional to that of physical education, and is aimed at the year three BA hons Secondary physical education students in a subject area additional to that of physical education. The subject knowledge being developed will align to the student's prior knowledge and understanding, building upon this to apply the requirements and expectations of the secondary school curriculum including, where ap
- Professional Enquiry ProjectCore40 credits
Module details
This module will allow you to actively examine your professional practice in the workplace and to develop a reflective approach to personal development. Through studying it, you will further develop your practice-based enquiry skills. Increasing importance is placed on evidence-based enquiry to inform professional development in education.
- Professional Practice BCore20 credits
Module details
Working in partnership with schools over a sustained period of time in school, this module, Professional Practice B, enables you to build on and demonstrate your mastery and achievement of the professional standards and expectations of teaching through practical, school-based experience. You will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced teachers and other education professionals to develop your knowledge, understanding and skill in the classroom and the wider school environment.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course equips you to teach secondary Physical Education whilst gaining a qualification in Sport & Exercise Science. You'll start with foundations in how the body moves and adapts to training, introducing sport psychology and practical coaching skills. In Year 2, you'll progress to biomechanics, the physiology of training and research methods in sport science. From Year 3 onwards, you'll specialise in areas such as strength & conditioning, sport psychology, nutrition, rehabilitation, or coaching pathways alongside teaching. You'll undertake an applied placement working with schools, teams or clients, and complete a final dissertation based on independent research. The Foundation Year provides preparation if you need it before embarking on the main degree.
Who it's for
This course suits you if you're drawn to physical education and coaching but want to understand the science underpinning movement, fitness, and sports performance. You should have genuine interest in working with young people and developing them as learners, the foundation year means you don't need previous qualifications in sport, but you'll need enthusiasm for both academic study and practical teaching. You'll spend significant time in schools, observing and delivering lessons, so you need to be comfortable in that environment. If you value hands-on learning and want a career combining subject expertise with mentoring, this programme will suit you.
University & format
This 4-year full-time course is taught at Birmingham City University, a public university located at City South Campus. Instruction is in English. The degree is awarded as BA (Hons) and is a recognised UK degree-awarding body. The course leads to Qualified Teacher Status, enabling you to teach PE in secondary schools. The university holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 96% |
| an Access course | 2% |
| another higher-education qualification | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code X13B). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at BCU →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Sport & Exercise Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £30,000 | £30,000 – £31,000 | 60 |
| 3 years after | £26,500 | £22,000 – £27,500 | 280 |
| 5 years after | £32,000 | £24,500 – £34,500 | 265 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in sport & exercise science · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Sport & Exercise Science nationally
National figures for Sport & Exercise Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Sport & Exercise Science courses at the same study level.
Compared with 915 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 77% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 230; response rate: 50%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Sport & Exercise Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Sport & Exercise Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Sports clubs & NGBs
- Leisure providers
- Schools
- The NHS
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Sport & Exercise Science graduates.
Sport CoachAspire PeopleSport Science LeadBiolyz FlexCoBTEC Tech Awards Sept 22 - Sport - ExaminerPearsonEquine Vet: Independent Clinic for Leisure & Sport HorsesBritish Veterinary LGBT+Learning Mentor (PE/Sport)Prospero TeachingCasual Youth Worker: Sport, Community Growth & BelongingActive Herefordshire & WorcestershireIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £30,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.4 out of 10: NSS 83.4% · in work or study 85% · continued 85%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Birmingham City University
Biological and sport sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around City South Campus
1,592 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Sport & Exercise Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to BCU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by BCU; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check BCU’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with BCU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at BCU
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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