BSc (Hons) Physical Education Bachelor's degree at Liverpool John Moores University
BSc (Hons) Physical Education at LJMU covers core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.
About this course
Explore hundreds of undergraduate and postgraduate courses at LJMU. One course is all it takes to shape your future. Find yours and apply today. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Physical Education is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at LJMU, based in City Centre Campus. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Sport and exercise sciences graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £25,000. (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)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 87% (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.
Foundation Year 6 modules
- Skills and Practice in SportCore20 credits
Module details
This module aims to examine the concepts of employability and enterprise across a range of organisations. This foundation module will develop your study skills and will inform your understanding of your chosen career pathway.
- Health and WellbeingCore20 credits
Module details
This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of health and wellbeing and demonstrates how increased physical activity and better nutrition can influence and improve this.
- Practical Delivery in Sport and Physical ActivityCore20 credits
Module details
This module aims to develop your knowledge, skills and understanding regarding delivery of safe and effective physical activities.
- Behaviours in Sport and Physical ActivityCore20 credits
Module details
The aim of this module is to explore psychological and social theories to inform the delivery of sport. You will be exposed to several key psychological and social frameworks allowing you to develop informed approaches to your practice.
- Human Anatomy and PhysiologyCore20 credits
Module details
The aim of this module is to develop knowledge and understanding of the basic structure and function of key physiological systems and metabolic processes.
- Projects in Sport and NutritionCore20 credits
Module details
This module aims to enable you to develop the skills to undertake an investigation into a specific area of study that is relevant to your programme.
Year 1 6 modules
- Research Methods 1Core20 credits
Module details
This module will introduce you to the fundamental concepts of research methods, along with covering the basic application and interpretation of various data analysis techniques.
- Psychosocial Principles of Sport and ExerciseCore20 credits
Module details
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the psychosocial concepts that underpin the sport and exercise environment.
- Exercise Physiology 1Core20 credits
Module details
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the basic structure and function of key physiological systems, metabolic processes and discuss how these systems and processes respond to feeding and acute exercise.
- Human MovementCore20 credits
Module details
This module will introduce you to the basic principles of human anatomy, functional movement, biomechanics, and motor skill acquisition, and to illustrate applications of these principles in sport, exercise, and health. The module also aims to introduce you to experimental methods in biomechanics and to develop skills in data handling.
- Professional Practice in Physical Education 1Core20 credits
Module details
This module aims to provide an understanding of the contextual learning experiences that enhance professional development within PE. You will be introduced to the value of occupational socialisation (acculturation phase) from within the PE teacher socialisation framework. Through a combination of theoretical and practical learning environments, you will be able to identify personal and professional areas for development. Work related learning tasks and opportunities, with primary school aged chi
- Learning in PE & Sport ContextsCore20 credits
Module details
This module will enable you to appreciate positive learning environments in sport, PE, and physical activity settings. You will consider theoretical conceptions of learning and consider how these theories can inform your pedagogical practices.
Year 2 10 modules
- Research Methods 2Core20 credits
Module details
This module will enhance your understanding of the research process and related methodological approaches, whilst also developing your knowledge, skills and to complete investigations involving data collection, analysis and interpretation.
- Professional Practice in Physical Education 2Core20 credits
Module details
This module aims to develop an understanding of the personal and professional skills and attributes required for teaching and learning within PE. It is a continuation of the development of subject knowledge and understanding surrounding occupational socialisation covered in level 4. Using theoretical underpinning, you will be introduced to the importance of the professionalisation phase of occupational socialisation. You will experience both theoretical and practical learning environments to con
- Learning in PE & Sport Contexts 2Core20 credits
Module details
This module will provide you with a critical appreciation of pedagogical models (games-based approaches, Rosenshein's principle, non-linear pedagogies) and theoretical perspectives on learning (critical, ecological and relational), and their application to further develop your pedagogical practice.
- Introduction to PE Teacher EducationCore20 credits
Module details
This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of the National Curriculum for PE (NCPE) and the strategies and skills required to plan and deliver inclusive PE within a primary setting, therefore providing an opportunity to create, develop and apply your personal teacher identity.
- Physical Education in Action 1Core20 credits
Module details
This module aims to develop an understanding of the historical and socio-political and influences on the development of physical education by considering how changes in society, politics and philosophy have impacted on PE curriculum, pedagogy and practice.
- Exercise Physiology 2Optional20 credits
Module details
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the cardiovascular and metabolic responses of acute and chronic exercise. This will enable you to discuss these in relation to human health and performance.
- Study Year Abroad - Physical EducationOptional120 credits
Module details
The module offers you the chance to spend an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement your programme at LJMU.
- Sport and Performance PsychologyOptional20 credits
Module details
This module will develop your ability to evaluate psychological principles associated with sport performance, motor control and learning, considering individual (e.g., personality) and environmental (e.g., culture) factors.
- Sport, Physical Education and SocietyOptional20 credits
Module details
This module will help you to develop your understanding of the relationship between Sport, PE and society, both theoretically and practically. Additionally, it aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of issues pertaining to equity, diversity and inclusion, particularly in relation to marginalised groups/inactive people in Sport and PE.
- Sandwich Year - Physical EducationOptional120 credits
Module details
This module will provide you with a chance to acquire an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement your programme of study at LJMU. This will give you the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to your programme of study as well as the attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment.
Year 3 5 modules
- Major ProjectCore40 credits
Module details
This module will critically extend your understanding and deployment of research processes through the planning, production, analyses and report of a piece of independent research conducted in a responsible, safe and ethical manner.
- Physical Education in Action 2Core20 credits
Module details
This module aims to develop a deeper understanding of the role physical education plays in the promotion of lifelong physical activity, health and wellbeing of young people. You will also critically reflect on the challenges, choices and constraints that young people experience within the complexity of the primary and secondary educational environment and wider society using a range of contextual, theoretical and philosophical perspectives.
- Learning in PE and Sport Contexts 3Core20 credits
Module details
The aim of this module is to enable you to appreciate positive learning environments for marginalised groups in PE and physical activity settings. You will consider critical theory, in addition to theoretical conceptions of model-based practice, and critically analyse how these can impact and/or work best for marginalised groups. You will be required to draw upon physical literacy research to underpin and contextualise your considerations. The module seeks to allow opportunities for you to refle
- Applied Placement in Physical EducationCore20 credits
Module details
You will experience the opportunity to plan and deliver a school or community-based project in a school or community setting. In preparation for the project, you will critically review the leadership, management and enterprise skills required for successful delivery. On completion of the project delivery, you will critically review your personal and professional development and evaluate how this has developed your professional identity.
- Strength and ConditioningOptional20 credits
Module details
In this module, you will learn to apply strength and conditioning principles in a sporting context to enhance performance and minimize risk of injury. You will develop the knowledge and skills to conduct a thorough needs analysis, assess data against normative value
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 the science underpinning physical activity, performance and health. A course like this typically starts with foundations in anatomy, exercise physiology and sport psychology, alongside practical coaching skills. In Year 2, you'll move into biomechanics, training physiology and research methods. From Year 3 onwards, you'll choose specialist pathways such as strength & conditioning, sport psychology, nutrition, rehabilitation, coaching or PE teaching routes. You'll typically undertake an applied placement with teams, athletes or schools, and complete an independent research dissertation. Throughout, the emphasis is on linking theory to practice in sport and exercise settings.
Who it's for
Most entrants hold A-levels or equivalent qualifications; 75% of accepted students came in with these. The typical UCAS tariff band among accepted students was 112–127 points.
University & format
This BSc (Hons) is studied full-time over 4 years at Liverpool John Moores University, a public university founded in 1823, based at its City Centre Campus. Teaching is delivered in English. The degree is a recognised UK degree-awarding body qualification and has received Silver 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.
Placement year. 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 | 75% |
| an Access course | 10% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 10% |
| Other | 10% |
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. 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 LJMU →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 | £25,000 | £22,000 – £30,000 | 4405 |
| 3 years after | £22,500 | £18,500 – £26,000 | 480 |
| 5 years after | £27,500 | £23,000 – £32,500 | 505 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 4,405. Cohort 2021-22.
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.
continued or completed
continued into the next year or completed their qualification
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 4,405. Cohort 2021-22. 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.
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
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £25,000. 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 86.9% · continued 87%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Liverpool John Moores 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 Centre Campus
5,301 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 LJMU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by LJMU; 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 LJMU’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 LJMU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at LJMU
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
Request information about BSc (Hons) Physical Education
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.