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The Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development degree at St Mary’s provides you with a critical understanding of the physical, social, pedagogical and educational aspects of Physical Education and Sport. This will take place through a theoretical and applied approach that requires you to engage as active learners in a variety of practical and theoretical contexts. 
  • Designed specifically for anyone wishing to pursue careers in teaching, special educational needs and disability settings and youth coaching in able-bodied and adapted sports.
  • Develop and explore the practical application of PE and sports coaching, as well as wider considerations, such as philosophy, sociology and adapted physical education and sport.
  • Gives you a critical understanding of the physical, social, pedagogical and educational aspects of physical education, sport and youth development.
  • School-based observation and applied activity sessions.

Why study Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development?

Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development ensures that you are equipped for many different roles within the sports industry. This is done by undertaking work-based opportunities and additional sporting qualifications that will further enable them to stand out in the job market.

The degree explores the practical application of physical education and sports coaching as well as wider contemporary considerations associated with the industry such as philosophy, sociology, performance analysis and sports development. It also focuses on providing you with a critical understanding of the physical, social, pedagogical and educational aspects of Physical Education and Sport.

We aim for you to gain both knowledge and an understanding of applying innovative ideas to their coaching and teaching practice.

Why St Mary's?

We have an incredibly strong reputation for Physical Education teaching and sports performance at St Mary’s University. Our programme offers you the opportunity to work towards a career in teaching PE in both the primary, secondary and special needs settings, youth coaching in both able-bodied and adapted sports, sports development and the leisure industry.

The campus itself is greenly-rural, yet London-urban, located amongst many partnership organisations for you to access for their own work based development.

The uniqueness of the course is displayed in the variety of sports industry modules options on offer, enabling you to choose several career pathways. The course highly regards innovative use of technology to enhance your experience, particularly in relation to supporting development of your teaching and coaching practice.

We have established strong links with over 200 schools that form our teaching partnerships and provide a diverse range of teaching settings for you to gain work placement experience. The location of these placements varies between locally-sourced settings and placements close to students' home towns. We also have links with a range of National Governing Bodies in Elite and Disability Sport, as well as with a Premier League football club, who provide invaluable work-based learning opportunities.

The course is further supported by a team of lecturers who have a wide range of expertise in academic and industry fields, national and Olympic/Paralympic sport arenas and professional expertise and experience in PE and sport, who make every effort to know their students by name, not by number.

Foundation year

The undergraduate degree with foundation year programme offers applicants without traditional qualifications or grades an alternative route to studying Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development.

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Useful information

Course lead

Laura Davies headshotLaura Davies
Lecturer in Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development

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Combine Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development with another degree

Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development can be combined with any of the following courses to create a joint honours degree programme:

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Entry requirements

96-112UCAS points required

Check how many points your grades are worth

Calculate your total UCAS points

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

If you wish to go on to train as a teacher, you will also require GCSE Grade 4/C (or equivalent) in English, Mathematics and Science. 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).

Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development with a foundation year

The undergraduate degree with foundation year programme offers applicants without traditional qualifications or grades an alternative route to studying Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development.

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
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Year two

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Optional
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Year three

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Optional
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  •  Optional
  •  Optional
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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

The Careers Service has more information on careers and study options available to graduates.

The degree provides excellent preparation for students who wish to become teachers. This includes delivering the National Curriculum, understanding our teaching and learning and exploring how classroom and school are influenced by policy and philosophy.

Approximately 60% of graduates from this degree enter teaching-related careers. Tutor expertise and an exceptionally strong schools partnership provide the foundation for the PE pathway that students can follow almost exclusively in preparing for a teacher training course.

If your career interests lie within the health and fitness industries, the degree's focus on physical literacy from cradle-to-grave will support your personal development.

This degree is also appropriate for those who wish to pursue a postgraduate degree or research.

Secondary teaching

St Mary's will guarantee a Secondary PE PGCE interview for all Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development students who meet the entry criteria, convey a passion for PE teaching and demonstrate an understanding of pedagogy.

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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.

Teaching approaches reflect the educational nature of the degree and embrace a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars, study groups, workshops, practical tutor-led sessions, applied (student-led) practical and theoretical sessions.

School-based observation and applied activity sessions are mirrored by experiences in coaching and sport development contexts. Blended learning approaches include the use of technology and online teaching platforms to enhance the variety of skills, knowledge and understanding required to be successful in today’s modern job markets.

Class sizes vary depending on the modules undertaken. Typical class sizes range from 20 to 70 students in different teaching settings.

Teaching breakdown

Learning on the course is made up through a combination of:

  • Contact time: 18%
  • Work-based learning: 3%
  • Guided learning: 24%
  • Independent study: 55%

Independent study is a key feature of your degree and is crucial to furthering your knowledge.

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

Assessment methods

Modules are assessed through a range of innovative methods including assessing practical skills - self and peer evaluations, examinations, essays, portfolios, case studies, seminar and ICT-based presentations, online assessments, video and oral presentations, work-based learning portfolio vivas and a Research Project/Dissertation.

Guidance and support are given in adopting an academic approach to your work. Tutorials are provided to give detailed feedback and target setting especially in the early years of study.

Feedback

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within three weeks.

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: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Governments review of Higher Education Funding.

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 could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage. 

Scholarships

A range of scholarships and bursaries are available to new undergraduate students. This includes:

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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Meet your lecturers

  • Sara Daniels
    Lecturer - Physical Education, Sport, and Youth Development
    •
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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)

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3

UCAS application deadline

You will need to submit your application by this date.

January 26th

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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

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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

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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