BA (Hons) Physical Education & School Sport Bachelor's degree at Edge Hill University
BA (Hons) Physical Education & School Sport at Edge Hill University covers core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.
About this course
BA (Hons) Physical Education & School Sport is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Edge Hill University, based in Ormskirk. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Biological and sport sciences graduates from this provider, 91% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 59% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £24,000. (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: 85; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 91% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 81% (2022-23; 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 1 6 modules
- Children and Young People's Movement ScienceCompulsory20 credits
Module details
provides you with a basic understanding of the developmental processes that a child undergoes from birth through to physical maturity. This is further combined with an understanding of movement skills, their classification and the sequential manner in which they are achieved through to adolescence. To improve and develop your understanding, the module will provide you with the observational and practical skills necessary to assess the motor capabilities of young children. Reflecting on current r
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Children and Young People's Physical Activity and HealthCompulsory20 credits
Module details
provides an introduction to concepts and issues related to physical activity and health in the context of schools and young people. You will be enabled to assimilate and apply policy and research evidence to further your understanding of the relationships between young people's school-based physical activity and associated health outcomes.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Critical Enquiry and Academic SkillsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
requires you to become familiar with the academic conventions of studying in higher education. You will become proficient with the expected standards of referencing and submission of work, thinking and writing in a critically analytical manner, and identifying appropriate literature from books, journals and other appropriate sources to inform their work. You will also be introduced to important ways of searching relevant databases both within and beyond physical education and school sports conte
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Practical Physical Education Teaching: GamesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
focuses on the study of education through the physical medium. Through theoretical input and practical sessions, the expectations and requirements of current National Curriculum and school sport provision will be investigated and developed. This practical teaching module will also emphasise and foster links with the Teachers' Standards. You will demonstrate personal development of teaching practice, gain an understanding of the fundamentals of teaching (such as the planning, development and mana
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Psychology of Physical Education and School SportCompulsory20 credits
Module details
develops your understanding of relevant psychological issues within the context of physical education and school sport, as well as exploring core psychological theories used to explain aspects of human behaviour on this topic. The module will also delve into themes and discussion on reasons for children's engagement and disaffection in physical education and school sport settings.
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Exam
- Applied Knowledge of Physical Education Teaching: TheoryCompulsory20 credits
Module details
provides you with an introduction to the essential pedagogical nature of the work of Physical Education and School Sport practitioners. The module will make you aware of the fundamental assumptions underpinning a selection of key learning theories, as well as developing your knowledge of how these theories could be applied to facilitate and assess learning in physical education and school sport settings. You will also become familiar with the issues and practices surrounding the creation and mai
Assessment: 100% Coursework
Year 2 4 modules
- Applied knowledge of Physical Education Teaching: ModelsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
explores the vehicles advocated for helping to overcome the limitations of traditional approaches to teaching and learning in physical education and school sport. The module focuses on the pedagogical principles of sport education, teaching games for social and emotional learning, as well as technology-enhanced, cooperative and enquiry-based learning, The aim is to enable you to plan, deliver and critically reflect on the use of models-based practice in physical education and school sport and ma
Assessment: 60% Coursework 40% Practical
- Research MethodsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
provides the opportunity to develop the research skills necessary for producing a dissertation, progressing to postgraduate study, and preparing for many jobs in the sport and physical activity sector. You will develop skills in critically evaluating scientific literature, developing research questions, planning and designing meaningful and valid qualitative and quantitative research, and analysing data. Research ethics for human participants are also covered.
Assessment: 60% Coursework 40% Exam
- Practical Physical Education Teaching: Dance and GymnasticsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
focuses on the study of education through the physical medium. Through theoretical input and practical sessions, the expectations and requirements of the current National Curriculum and school sport provision will be investigated and developed. This practical teaching module will also emphasise and foster links with the Teachers' Standards. You will further your understanding of the fundamentals of teaching (such as the planning, development and management of an inclusive learning environment),
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Practical
- Sociology of Physical Education and School SportCompulsory20 credits
Module details
allows you to consider identity within the sociological context of physical education and school sport. Using the concepts and methodologies of social sciences, you will develop a critical understanding of the intersection between areas such as class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, (dis)ability and ageing. You will also explore their contribution to processes of cultural and social reproduction. You will be expected to critically reflect upon the challenges, choices and constraints that practitio
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Exam
Year 3 4 modules
- Applied Knowledge of Physical Education Teaching: SENDCompulsory20 credits
Module details
enables you to gain knowledge and understanding of special educational needs and disability in the context of physical education and school sport. You will critique issues related to special educational needs and disability in special schools as well as mainstream school settings. A range of learning and physical disabilities will be explored to provide you with an accurate understanding of how you impact on teaching and learning from the perspectives of teachers and children. The application of
Assessment: 70% Coursework 30% Practical
- DissertationCompulsory40 credits
Module details
allows you to engage in an in-depth independent research project, specialising your focus on a relevant area of interest.
Assessment: 80% Coursework 20% Practical
- Practical Physical Education Teaching: Individual ActivitiesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
focuses on the study of education through the physical medium. You will investigate the expectations and requirements of the current National Curriculum and school sport provision, plan for the development of physical activities using appropriate resources, and learn to deliver inclusive physical activity sessions using a range of learning strategies.
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Practical
- Applied Psychology for Physical Education and School Sport TeachersOptional20 credits
Module details
provides you with the psychological knowledge and practical guidance necessary for effective physical education and school sport instruction. The module builds on previously studied content by focusing on specific themes and issues relating to children's participation in physical education and school sport and beyond. Incorporating the study of psychological theories and concepts, you will consider the reciprocal roles of teachers and children in promoting positive and active learning environmen
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Practical
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
You'll study how the body responds to exercise and sport, starting with core foundations in anatomy, exercise physiology and sport psychology. A course like this normally moves from practical coaching skills and biomechanics analysis in the first and second years, progressing to specialist options such as strength & conditioning, nutrition, rehabilitation, sport psychology, coaching and PE teaching routes. You'll conduct research into training and athlete performance, learn statistical methods and study design, and complete an applied placement with teams, clients or schools. Your final year typically includes an independent research project or dissertation based on your specialism.
Who it's for
This course suits students with A-levels or equivalent qualifications. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent, with typical UCAS tariffs of 144–159 points among entrants. It is taught in English and delivered full-time.
Careers & job market
Nationally, 90% of Sport & Exercise Science graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of working graduates, 62% are in highly skilled work or further study. Starting salaries across the field range from £22,000 to £30,000 nationally; after three years, £19,125 to £27,000; and after five years, £23,375 to £33,000. These are national figures from Graduate Outcomes and LEO data, not university-specific guarantees. Eighty per cent of students continue past their first year.
University & format
This is a three-year full-time BA (Hons) degree taught in English at Edge Hill University, a public university in Ormskirk. The degree is a recognised UK award. Edge Hill University holds Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework 2023. The university also offers bursaries and scholarships. Check its funding pages for full details.
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.
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
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 | 95% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
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 X390). 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
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Edge Hill University →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 | £24,000 | £21,000 – £28,000 | 85 |
| 3 years after | £20,500 | £16,500 – £25,000 | 490 |
| 5 years after | £26,000 | £21,000 – £31,000 | 510 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 85; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23.
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: 2021-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 85; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. 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 · 18% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Sports and fitness occupationsSOC 2020 343 · 13% of published destinations · ASHE median £13,819
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: 530; 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
91% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £24,000. 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 8.7 out of 10: NSS 88.1% · in work or study 91% · continued 81%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Edge Hill 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 Ormskirk
220 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 Edge Hill University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £14,500 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). 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 Edge Hill University’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 Edge Hill University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Edge Hill University
BSc (Hons) Psychology With Sport And Exercise PerspectivesBSc (Hons) · Edge Hill UniversityBSc (Hons) Psychology With Sport And Exercise PerspectivesBSc (Hons) · Edge Hill UniversityBSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise ScienceBSc (Hons) · Edge Hill UniversityBSc (Hons) Sport, Health And Exercise SciencesBSc (Hons) · Edge Hill University
Common questions
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