Secondary Physical Education with QTS - BA (Hons)
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry. Switch to 2026/27 Entry
If you have a passion for Physical Education and Sport, inspiring and educating young learners, and want the best possible career opportunities after graduating, then this is the course for you.
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date September 2025
- Fees View course fees
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
If you have a passion for Physical Education and Sport, inspiring and educating young learners, and want the best possible career opportunities after graduating, then this is the course for you.
What's covered in this course?
We are a leading provider of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in the West Midlands. Our strong partnership across a diverse range of secondary schools will enable you to gain practical experience in a range of schools with a rich variety of cultural and linguistic influences, religious beliefs and social diversity. This course will enable you to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and teach PE to secondary school aged pupils (11–16-year-olds) and includes some post-16 enhancement.
You will develop your specialist knowledge of Physical Education and sport science alongside our sports students in practice-led learning environments at the Doug Ellis Sport Centre and Alexander Stadium in the north of the city.
The course aims to develop your PE subject and pedagogical knowledge and understanding at degree level, alongside gaining a professional qualification (QTS). The combination of professional teaching practice and subject expertise mean you get the best of both worlds – benefitting from the strong partnership between our PE and Sports and Exercise Science teacher educators and our subject specialists who are at the forefront of practice in their fields.
This course covers the contemporary place and role of school-based Physical Education, Health and Sport. Linked and mapped to the national curriculum for PE, you'll be taught the physical activities and up-to-date information that you will need to be an effective PE teacher in a secondary school. Alongside the practical nature of this degree, participating in a mixture of activities and sports, you'll also look at different aspects of health and people across the health spectrum.
You will spend time in a range of local secondary schools on professional placement, equipping you with a wealth of practical experience to develop you as a PE teacher, working in partnership with experienced school subject mentors.
Across your three years, you spend at least 120 days in schools on placement. The amount of time usually increases each year with the longest placement in your final year. You will also have an enrichment week, which provides you with the opportunity to deepen your understanding of Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND), primary education and post-16 provision.
You will have the opportunity to teach a second subject during your final year of study following some subject knowledge enhancement. In addition, we’re keen to expose you to contemporary teaching practice through our alternative and outdoor activities module, which may include a residential experience. Both elements aim to improve your employability on completion of the course.
Why Choose Us?
- Develop in-depth subject knowledge and train to teach all in three years, saving a year of study (and fees) compared to the usual three-year degree plus one year of postgraduate teacher training.
- You will spend time in a range of local secondary schools on professional placements, equipping you with a wealth of practical experience to develop you as a physical education teacher, working in partnership with experienced school subject mentors.
- Practical hands-on experience in schools right from the start of your programme.
- For the subject-specific modules, you will be taught with our BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Physical Education students using our specialist facilities at the Alexander Stadium and Doug Ellis Sports Centre in Perry Barr.
- We meet the Department for Education's (DfE) Criteria for Initial Teacher Training and successful candidates on our Initial Teacher Training courses will be recommended to the DfE for Qualified Teacher Status.
- You will have 15 days across the course duration allocated for enrichment blocks to allow you gain Key Stage Two, special educational needs (SEN), and post-16 experience.
Open Days
Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Open Day: 28 June 2025
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
Essential requirements
- Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.
- Accelerate offer: 80 UCAS Tariff points. Find out more about BCU Accelerate.
Applicants will also need to complete an interview for this course; see interview arrangements below.
If your level 3 qualifications do not meet the UCAS Tariff for this course, you may be offered a place on an alternative course or Foundation Year. You do not need to submit a separate application but will automatically be considered for this if your predicted grades fall below the UCAS Tariff.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
Successful candidates must meet Department for Education requirements for Initial Teacher Training prior to enrolling on this course. This includes obtaining a satisfactory occupational health check and an enhanced DBS check, as well as prohibition and children’s barred list checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance.
You will receive details of what is required if you are offered a place on the course. If you have any queries please refer to DBS Frequently Asked Questions or contact admissions@bcu.ac.uk.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £9,535 in 2025/26 ✱ Important note for this price
- Apply via UCAS
(↩Back to price) * The Government is proposing to increase the cap on full-time regulated tuition fees to £9,535 for 2025/26 and the University is planning on increasing fees to that maximum level once legislation is enacted. Part-time fees are charged pro-rata, where applicable.
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £17,690 in 2025/26
Guidance for UK students
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
Register with UCAS
Login to UCAS
Complete your details
Select your course
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee
Send UCAS your application
Our advice for applying to a health care course
Applying for a course and preparing for an interview can be a daunting process, so we have created a series of films to help you through the process, including what to put in your personal statement.
Guidance for International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Personal statement
Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Course choice
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
Career plans
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Work experience
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
School or college experience
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
Non-accredited skills or achievement
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Course in Depth
Year One
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
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.
*Practical sessions for this module will take place at the Doug Ellis Sports Centre in Perry Barr.
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 physiological parameters and the examination of the physiological responses to exercise.
This module will provide an understanding of how children develop through a physical, emotional, health and well-being perspective. Students will learn about how skill and ability levels can differ between children, and factors which influence development of these.
*Practical sessions for this module will take place at the Doug Ellis Sports Centre in Perry Barr.
The primary purpose of this module is to introduce students to the mechanical principles that govern human movement and thus equip them with the ability to observe, measure, and understand human movement, is controlled, and effected. The module covers basic concepts, variables, and parameters associated with linear and angular kinematics, and kinetics of human movement, and its scope ranges from governing mechanics through to general and specific application within sport, exercise, and health. The module will be taught in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, with hands-on experience of working with advanced technologies such as motion capture, force instrumentation, and electromyography systems. Students will also be provided with technology enhanced training to become proficient with selected specialist software. The module has a strong focus on providing opportunities for the enhancement of a variety of fundamental and academic key skills such as numeracy, literature searching, referencing, data analysis, report writing, independent study skills, working in small teams, and planning and time management.
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. Developing from this area, you will explore the importance of physical literacy, what it is and how you, as a PE teacher can support your pupils in becoming physically literate.
*Practical sessions for this module will take place at the Doug Ellis Sports Centre in Perry Barr.
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 within the context of your subject specialism.
Working in partnership with schools over a sustained period of time, this module, Professional Practice 1, 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 the classroom and the wider school environment.
Year Two
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Within this module you will learn about a range of pedagogical practices which bring about high quality PE lessons where school children are physically active for sustainable periods of time. You will identify the key principles of high quality teaching practice and relate these to practical experiences of teaching PE and sport.
Within this module students will learn about the reasons for physical activity promotion and the barriers to physical activity participation. Students will identify the recommended daily guidelines for physical activity, whilst exploring health and social strategies to improve lifestyle through facilitating physical activity behaviours.
Within this module you will learn about a range of issues surrounding PE and sports coaching. You will identify the key principles of what helps students engage in PE and sport, and what local, national and international initiatives are available to help promote a physical active and healthy lifestyle.
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.
*Practical sessions for this module will take place at the Doug Ellis Sports Centre in Perry Barr.
This module, Subject Studies, provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to explore the nature of your specialist subject in the context of learning and teaching in the secondary school. The module provides substantial support for your professional practice in school, applied through the professional practice modules. This module provides a strong philosophical underpinning to your awareness of the importance of your specialist subject in the secondary school curriculum. By undertaking this module you will be shaping your own rationale for your approach to the teaching of your specialist subject, and to meeting the needs of the learners as they move through the secondary school phase.
*Practical sessions for this module will take place at the Doug Ellis Sports Centre in Perry Barr.
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.
This module will provide opportunities for you to progress from professional practice 1, by support you in embedding and enhancing your classroom practice as evidenced by the teaching standards. During your placement, you will consider the wider area of inclusion and how, in your subject specialism, specific classroom approaches can be developed to address the many barriers to learning that pupils hold.
Year Three
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
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 context, which are growing in popularity and are effective in promoting lifelong physical activity of secondary school pupils. In addition to this, we will look at activities that are of relevance to pupils from differing cultures and backgrounds, to further promote a meaningful PE curriculum to all and to reflect present day society.
We will consider the planning and delivery of alternative and outdoor activities from within the school context and through off-site visits. You will develop an essential understanding of the health and safety considerations when delivering such activities and identify how to overcome these to ensure safe practice is at the forefront of your teaching.
This module will allow prospective Secondary PE teachers to develop their subject knowledge and pedagogical practice across a wide range of activities which students are typically less confident or experienced within. It will allow you to broaden your skills and teaching of outdoor and alternative activities and in turn, help to develop the quality of your teaching in this area.
*Practical sessions for this module will take place at the Doug Ellis Sports Centre in Perry Barr.
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 appropriate, examination specifications.
In this double semester module, you will be supported to enhance your subject knowledge, in an additional subject, to enable you to teach pupils confidently and competently across the secondary age-phase, with an emphasis on the curriculum required to meet the demands of public examinations. This module provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate and reflect on your additional subject knowledge and how it should be applied to the secondary school curriculum.
Structured support will enable you to proactively engage with a critical analysis of your own subject knowledge to meet the needs of the current curriculum in your specialist subject. The understanding you gain about your own learning processes will give insight into the learning dynamics that are likely to occur in a school classroom. Through interactive teaching and learning methods, you will share your journey in the enhancement of your subject knowledge by considering how you could lead learning in an area of development indicated in your subject audit.
This will be valuable preparation for you joining the teaching profession, with you holding specialist subject and pedagogical knowledge, alongside this additional subject knowledge enhancement. This process will be supported with guided independent study and may also be supported by your work in a school placement.
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 will also be investigating the KS4 theory aspect of your subject and what choices schools have in offering the subject at the 14-16 age range, including, but not limited by, vocational options or more traditional options, including the range of examination bodies that offer your subject.
This module will also tie in with key pedagogy and subject knowledge from previous modules.
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.
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, delivered and measured in the current range of school systems.
Working in partnership with schools over a sustained period of time in school, this module, Professional Practice 3, 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.
Download course specification
Download nowCourse Structure
This course encompasses the contemporary place and role of school-based Physical Education, Health and Sport. Physical Education continues to be an important part of Government agendas, so with this in mind, you'll learn relevant and up-to-date techniques, subject and pedagogical knowledge and other PE-related information.
Linked and mapped to the national curriculum for PE, you'll be taught the physical activities and up-to-date information that you will need to be an effective PE teacher in a secondary school sector. Alongside the practical nature of this degree, participating in a mixture of activities and sports, you'll also be looking at different aspects of health and people at opposite ends of the health spectrum. It's a chance for you to gain the knowledge and skills needed to negotiate different challenges.
- Sport and Exercise modules are taught at our specialist Sports facilities at the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr.
- We have a long and successful track record in the training of secondary school teachers.
- The course is delivered in collaboration between PE specialist tutors in Education and Social Work, and academic PE and Sports and Exercise tutors.
- The course aims to develop your PE subject and pedagogical knowledge and understanding at degree level, alongside gaining a professional qualification (QTS).
- You will spend time in a range of local secondary schools on a professional placement, equipping you with a wealth of practical experience to develop you as a PE teacher, working in partnership with experienced school subject mentors.
Additional support
If you have a specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia or ADHD), a disability, a long-term health condition or mental health difficulties, our support teams provide advice, information and practical support (such as reasonable adjustments). Engaging with our support teams early on in the application process means that the University is more likely to be able to implement support before your arrival at University. If you require reasonable adjustments in your placement setting, early disclosure will assist the University in securing suitable placements wherever it reasonably can.
Employability
Enhancing your employability skills
We will support you in the transition to university through a careful induction process, confidence building activities, group work and a carefully planned programme with a range of formative and summative assessments.
Your programme will be interactive, practical, engaging, thought provoking and challenging and is designed to promote independence so that you become a confident, committed and creative teacher ready to join the teaching profession.
On the programme you will experience a variety of learning and teaching approaches that focus on modelling good practice and these will include: workshops, conferences, lectures, seminars, a range of guest speakers, visits to schools/settings and other sites as well as a range of practical teaching experiences.
The content of the programme is research led, innovative and responsive to the educational climate to enable you to develop your subject and pedagogical knowledge and apply it in the classroom.
Placements
We have developed a shared vision for educational excellence with the schools in our partnership. You will benefit from working with and learning from outstanding classroom teachers in schools and at University. Working in schools with teachers and pupils is key to you becoming a committed, creative and confident teacher.
School placements increase in length over the three years of your course to ensure you complete the minimum of 120 days required to build your teaching experience and gather evidence that you meet the requirements for QTS. The placement aspect of this course is non-credit bearing.
The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) Professional Standards for Teachers which lead to recommendation for the award of QTS will be assessed through the school based training modules.
Facilities & Staff
Teaching for this course is split between City Centre Campus and our specialist home for sport at the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr. Some practical sessions will take place at the Doug Ellis Sports Centre, also in Perry Barr.
The Benjamin Zephaniah Building (formerly University House), provides a dedicated teaching and learning space for our Education and Communities students and staff.
Spaces in the building include:
- Primary and secondary science labs
- Innovation and Lego teaching room
- Flexible space for Design and Technology
- Art room
You will also take part in practical activities at the Alexander Stadium.
Our staff
Gemma Taylor
Course Leader for Secondary Education with QTS and Senior Lecturer in Physical Education
Gemma joined BCU in September 2021 as a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education (PE) after teaching PE in Secondary Schools in the Worcestershire area. Gemma has recently been appointed Course Leader for the Secondary Physical Education with QTS course, with responsibility for both University- and School-Based Teaching for all students. Gemma is...
More about GemmaGrant Huddleston
CoESW Project Lead for Professional Development, Senior Lecturer in Physical Education
Grant commenced employment at Birmingham City University in 2017 as the Senior Lecturer for Physical Education (PE), working across both primary and secondary education within the College of Education and Social Work. During that time, Grant wrote, taught, and lead the PE curriculum for the BA (QTS) Primary Education, PGCE Primary Education (QTS),...
More about GrantDr Peter Thain
Associate Professor and Course Leader for BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy
As a Chartered Physiotherapist and Sports Therapist, Peter has over a decade of experience working in basketball, football and netball. Peter successfully designed and validated the initial BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy, and after three consecutive 100% student satisfaction scores in the National Student Survey, continues to lead the sports...
More about Peter