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Confidently guide others in sport with our hands-on Physical Education and Sports Coaching degree

Why study Physical Education and Sports Coaching?

Empower others through sport with our Physical Education and Sports Coaching degree. If you currently work, or aspire to teach, in physical education or sport coaching, this course is for you.

You will study on campus twice a week, covering topics like:

  • young people’s holistic development
  • talent development
  • contemporary issues in PE and sport
  • health and wellbeing
  • teaching skills.

Excellent reputation and teaching

We have a strong reputation for our sports and education programmes. The Times Good University Guide 2023 rated us in the top 5 for teaching quality. Additionally, we placed 5th for student experience in the Complete University Guide 2023.

Our student, Sophy, tells us that our tutors “always offered support and encouraged us to push our boundaries”.

Work placements: build professional experience

You will undertake a work placement in your second year. This will allow you to apply your studies to a professional environment and strengthen your skills. Previous students have worked at:

  • schools
  • sports clubs.

Opportunities for further study

Once you successfully complete our Physical Education and Sports Coaching degree, you can choose to spend a third year completing either our:

Useful information

Course lead

Jessica Boyd headshotJessica Boyd
Course Lead - Physical Education and Sports Coaching FdSc

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Entry requirements

72 - 48UCAS points required

Check how many points your grades are worth

Calculate your total UCAS points

Standard offers will normally be made at two D grades for A level (one of which should be in a science subject) or the equivalent including Vocational A levels (VCEs), AS Levels, BTEC or Access. This must include at least one 6-unit qualification.

Lower offers may be made in some cases, for example to mature students where the candidate's academic profile is offset by practical or vocational experience.

It is favourable for applicants to be currently working in the sector they wish to study in.

We will make you an offer if you are within the tariff band range and you meet subject-specific requirements (where applicable).

For undergraduate programmes we will take into account subjects studied at Level 3, your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile, relevant non-academic achievements outlined in your personal statement, references, and your motivation for study.

GCSEs

GCSE grade 4/C (or equivalent) in English Language is required. Maths and Science also preferred We offer GCSE equivalency tests for those who need to improve their GCSE grades.

International requirements

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section (or equivalent).

UCAS Personal statement support

Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.

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Course content

Year one

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core

Year two

  •  Core
  •  Core Option
  •  Core Option
  •  Core Option
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

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Career opportunities

On our Physical Education and Sports Coaching FdSc, you will build key transferrable skills, such as time management, teamwork, and communication.

Contact our Career Services at careersnetwork@stmarys.ac.uk for further information on work and postgraduate opportunities.

The Careers Service has more information on careers and postgraduate study options available to Physical Education and Sports Coaching students who have started their studies at St Mary’s.

Physical Education and Sports Coaching jobs

Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of Physical Education and Sports Coaching include:

  • sports coaching in schools, clubs, and companies
  • sport recreation and development
  • teaching (following graduate training schemes or PGCE courses)
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How the degree is taught

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

A range of teaching methods including presentations, discussions, small group work, workshops and practical sessions are utilised.

Students are expected and challenged to bring their own work experiences into the discussions and to learn to place their academic work into an appropriate vocational context.

This degree regularly welcomes specialists in the field of physical education and sports coaching to deliver visiting lectures on current trends and applications of theory to the workplace.

Class sizes tend to be around 20 students for core modules, and 10 to 15 students for optional modules.

You will receive your timetable a week before teaching is due to start at the latest.

Assessment methods

The assessments are structured so as to reflect the underlying vocational principal of the course. Methods of assessments include presentations, coursework and portfolios, as well as practical and spoken assessment.

Students will need to develop their critical analysis and reflective skills in order to develop writing and reasoning through a range of topics relating to physical education and sports coaching. It is also critical in this field to be ‘fit to practice’ and so students must be well versed in practical demonstration alongside the theoretical underpinning.

There are no traditional written exams.

Feedback

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.

See how your final degree mark is calculated...

Compensated passes

Please refer to the information on compensated passes throughout your degree as outlined in the academic regulations.

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Facilities

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Fees and funding

2023/24 fees

  • Home: £9,250
  • International: £14,850

*Please note: tuition fees are subject to an inflationary increase each year, meaning if your course runs over more than one academic year you may pay an increased fee for each subsequent year of study. Tuition fee increases for returning students will be capped at the higher of 5% per annum or the rate of Consumer Price Index inflation in the United Kingdom.

Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Additional costs can occur if you opt to purchase a St Mary's sports kit and core text books.

Scholarships

Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students.

Living costs

A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.

Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.

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Further information


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Visit the campus

Upcoming open days

Meet current students, explore our green campus, and find out why St Mary’s could be the place for you.

You'll also get a chance to:

Staff from various teams, including the Student’s Union, Student Funding, and Admissions, will also be around to discuss any questions you may have about studying at St Mary’s.

Book your place now

Campus tours

There are plenty of opportunities for you to explore the campus, even if you can't make it to an Open Day. We run campus tours every Wednesday at 12pm. If you'd like to join us for one of these tours please register your place for your preferred day.

Virtual tour

We know that for it's important to you to see where you'll be living and studying before you make your decision. However, we also know that for many people it's not always easy to make it to the campus.

That's why we've developed a virtual tour of campus, allowing you to explore that facilities and the beautiful views that we have to offer.

Launch the virtual tour

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UCAS Application Timeline

1

UCAS Apply Opens

You will be able to register and begin your application, but won't yet be able to submit it.

May (year before entry)

Find out more about the application process
2

Completed applications can be submitted to UCAS

From September you'll be able to submit your UCAS application. Universities will start making decisions on applications.

September (year before entry)

Find out more about the application process
3

UCAS application deadline

You will need to submit your application by this date.

January 26th

Find out more about the application process
4

UCAS Extra opens

If you've used all five choices, but are not holding any offers, you might be able to add another choice.

Late February

Find out more about UCAS Extra
5

Replying to offers

Your deadline for replying to your offers depends on when you received all your decisions by. If you miss your deadline, UCAS will automatically decline all your offers

Spring/Summer

Find out more about the application process
6

Late applications are entered into Clearing

If your application is received after 30th June, it will be entered into Clearing.

30th June

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7

UCAS Extra application deadline

If you've used all five choices, but are not holding any offers, this will be your last chance to add an Extra choice.

Early July

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8

Clearing Opens

Clearing vacancies will be displayed in the UCAS search tool.

Early July

Find out more about Clearing
9

Clearing hotline opens

On A-Level results day, we open our Clearing hotline. If you're eligible to apply through Clearing, you'll be able to apply to us via phone.

Mid-August

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10

Adjustment opens

If you've exceeded the conditions of your firm choice, you may be able to apply for an alternative course.

Mid-August

Find out more about the application process
11

Final application deadline

This is the final opportunity to apply for a course beginning in that year.

September

Find out more about Clearing
12

Clearing closes

This is your final chance to apply through Clearing. Please note: you will not be able to apply for Primary Education beyond mid-September.

October

Find out more about Clearing