BSc (Hons) Physical Education and School Sport Bachelor's degree at Sheffield Hallam University
BSc (Hons) Physical Education and School Sport at SHU. You'll engage with core theory, research methods, specialist options and professional skills, culminating in an independent project that allows you to investigate an area of particular interest.
About this course
<p>Develop your knowledge, skills and understanding of physical education, enhancing your ability to apply them in a variety of educational settings.</p> From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Physical Education and School Sport is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at SHU, based in Collegiate Crescent Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Education and teaching graduates from this provider, 91% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 78% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,000. (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)
Stronger evidence Published sample: 170. 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 4 modules
- Foundations Of Coaching And TeachingCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module will develop your knowledge and skills to safely, effectively, and inclusively plan, deliver and evaluate a range of practical activities designed for a variety of sport and physical activity contexts. You'll study topics such as: fostering a safe, positive and inclusive environment, inter- and intra-personal development, professional standards for teaching and coaching, planning, delivery, evaluation, and reflection, developing a personal philosophy
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Foundations Of Professional Practice In P.E. And School SportCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of professional practice as it relates to the physical education and school sport sectors. The module will be delivered through a combination of face-to-face and digital lectures, seminars, practicals, and simulations. Typical indicative content includes: Professional Standards, Growth mindsets and role modelling behaviours, Roles within Physical Education and School Sport, Reflection and reflective practice, Lesson Planning, Differentiat
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- The Nature And Purpose Of Physical Education And Sport CoachingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of sport coaching and physical education from a social, cultural, and political perspective. Typical indicative content includes: The role and function of physical education and sport coaching, Competing definitions of PE and coaching in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion, Contemporary social issues and sports organisations
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- The Science Of Physical Education And Sport CoachingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will develop knowledge and understanding of key disciplines of sport science and apply this knowledge to support the development of participants in a variety of physical activity and sport settings. Typical indicative content includes: physiology and nutrition, wellbeing and exercise guidelines, skill acquisition, effects of play on maturation, athlete development models, motor development and physical literacy, government guidelines and initiatives in relation to physical activity a
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
Year 2 11 modules
- Developing Practical PedagogyCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module will further develop your knowledge and skills in applying pedagogical concepts to support the delivery of practical physical education and school sport activities in a variety of settings. You'll study topics such as: Delivery of key PE and school sport activities aligned to the National Curriculum, Strategies for developing equitable, diverse, and inclusive sessions, Safe use of facilities
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Professional Practice In Pe And School SportCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of professional skills and competencies as they relate to the local and global education, sport, health and physical activity sectors. Typical indicative content includes: Education policy and practice, Behaviour for learning, Pupil Premium, Safeguarding, Disadvantaged groups, Personal, social, health and economic education, Reflective practice, Teacher training preparation
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Science And Health In Physical Education And School SportCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will further develop your knowledge and understanding of science as it applies to sport performance and health in a range of populations and settings. You'll study topics such as: Health and wellbeing, Performance development, Biomechanics, physiology, and anatomy, Psychology, Nutrition, Skill acquisition
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Alternative Physical ActivitiesElective20 credits
Module details
This module identifies and assesses the potential of alternative physical activities to promote health and wellbeing. It will help you to understand the significance of such activities in relation to wider socio-cultural developments and will challenge assumptions about sport and physical activity as a tool for engagement. You'll study topics such as: Definitions of alternative physical activities, Lifestyle, sport and subcultural identities, Theories of nature, risk, and escape, Analysis of con
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Analysis Of Sport And GamesElective20 credits
Module details
This module will develop your awareness and understanding of skill and match analysis in a range of sports. It will develop your ability to use of specialist software to analyse performance in a variety of contexts, developing your applied professional skills. You'll study topics such as: Sport and games classifications, Notational analysis of sport performance, Qualitative and quantitative analysis of sport techniques, Using specialist software packages to collect technical and tactical aspects
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Event Management For Sport And Physical ActivityElective20 credits
Module details
This module develops your knowledge and understanding of the organisation and management of sporting events. It will develop your leadership, time management and communication skills, and explore important concepts and processes required to stage successful and safe sport and physical activity events. You'll study topics such as: The event planning process, Event logistic and risk management, Sponsorship, fundraising and financial planning, Staff and volunteer management, Innovative event PR and
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Exercise Prescription For The Prevention Of DiseaseElective20 credits
Module details
This module develops your knowledge and understanding of exercise prescription to support behaviour change in the prevention of non-communicable diseases and develops your communication skills when providing information to clients to support their needs. You'll study topics such as: Health indicators, Behaviour change, Exercise prescription, Barriers to physical activity, Behaviour-change tools, Mental health, Pathophysiology of non-communicable disease, Moving for health
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Physical Literacy For Sport And Physical ActivityElective20 credits
Module details
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of planning, delivery and evaluation of physical literacy interventions to support positive engagement in sport and physical activity for a range of individuals and populations across the lifespan. The module will be delivered through a combination of face-to-face lectures, seminars/workshops and practicals. Typical indicative content includes: Fundamental / Foundational movement skills in sport & physical activity contexts, Physical, psy
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Sports Club DevelopmentElective20 credits
Module details
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the key processes related to developing, managing and building a successful sports club. You will explore strategies to minimise risks, understand the wider importance of sports clubs within sport and physical activity and be creative in designing a variety of programmes to achieve specific goals. You'll study topics such as: The importance of sports clubs in promoting physical activity and community engagement, Introduction to strateg
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Study Abroad - Sport And Physical ActivityElective60 credits
Module details
This module is for undergraduate students to study abroad in their second year, Semester 2 (only for courses that offer this option). With this module, you can spend a semester at one of the University's approved partner institutions worldwide – from Europe to the Americas, Asia Australia or Canada. Study Abroad plays an important role in the University's commitment to an engaging, challenging, and thriving learning culture. It offers opportunities to experience other academic cultures and foste
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Testing And Analysis In Sport And Physical ActivityElective20 credits
Module details
This module will develop your knowledge, understanding and skills related to exercise assessment and monitoring within sport and physical activity, developing your ability to manage, analyse, and interpret exercise data to improve health and performance. You'll study topics such as: Needs analysis, Assessment of exercise and sport performance, Screening and monitoring tools, Health assessment tools, techniques, and skills, Data management skills and technologies, Data analysis, reporting and fee
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
Year 3 1 modules
- Undergraduate Sandwich Placement Applied Professional DiplomaCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is to enhance students' professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s). A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting. The placement will allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course
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 degree develops your knowledge and skills in physical education and how to apply them across educational settings. In Year 1, you'll usually start with foundations in anatomy and exercise physiology, introduction to sport psychology, and practical coaching skills. Year 2 typically moves into deeper topics: biomechanics, physiology of training, and research methods in sport science. By Year 3, you'll choose specialist options such as strength & conditioning, sport psychology, nutrition, rehabilitation, coaching, or PE teaching routes. You'll also undertake an applied placement with teams, clients or schools, and complete an independent research project or dissertation.
Who it's for
You're suited to this course if you have a genuine interest in physical education and school sport, combined with curiosity about how to teach and develop others effectively. You'll thrive if you enjoy practical activity but are equally comfortable with academic study, reading research, writing essays and thinking critically about pedagogy and practice. Most entrants arrive with A-levels or equivalent qualifications, typically in the 128–143 UCAS tariff band. You should be someone who wants to work with young people and isn't intimidated by both the theoretical and hands-on sides of the subject. If you're drawn to making a real difference in how sport and PE are experienced in schools, this course will suit your ambitions.
Careers & job market
Across Sport & Exercise Science courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree. Among those working, 62% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. Graduate earnings vary: starting salaries 15 months after graduation typically fall between £22,000 and £30,000, rising to £23,375–£33,000 after five years. Pathways include teaching PE in schools, coaching at grassroots or elite level, youth development work, or specialist roles in sports management and health promotion. Your career trajectory will depend on the specific direction you choose and your additional qualifications or experience.
University & format
This is a 3-year full-time Bachelor's degree (BSc Hons) delivered in English at Sheffield Hallam University, based at Collegiate Crescent Campus. The university is a recognised UK degree-awarding body. In the Office for Students' TEF 2023, the institution received a Gold award for teaching quality.
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.
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 | 85% |
| another higher-education qualification | 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
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at SHU →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 | £28,000 | £25,000 – £30,000 | 170 |
| 3 years after | £24,500 | £17,500 – £27,500 | 595 |
| 5 years after | £27,500 | £20,000 – £32,500 | 615 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 170. 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. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 170. 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 · 63% 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: 540; response rate: 50%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BSc (Hons) Physical Education and School Sport worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BSc (Hons) Physical Education and School Sport earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 31.1. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
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
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. 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 £28,000. 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 87.7% · in work or study 91% · continued 81%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Sheffield Hallam 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 Collegiate Crescent Campus
1,770 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 SHU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £18,000 / 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 SHU’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 SHU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at SHU
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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