Two students laughing while exercising outside.

Year of study

2025

Key details

Start date(s)
September 2025
Location
Main Campus (Horsforth)
School
Sport and Wellbeing
UCAS tariff points
48
Study Mode
Full-time (4 years)
Study abroad
Yes
  • Are you passionate about inspiring children to keep fit and active?
  • Would you like to become a primary or secondary PE teacher?
  • Do you want to educate people about the benefits of lifelong physical activity?

You’ll prepare for a wide range of careers by studying physical education in its broadest sense and school sport. Exploring the full lifecycle of physical education, you’ll gain knowledge and experience of physical education for primary and secondary school children, as well as adults in the community.

This four-year course includes an initial full-time Foundation Year and offers an alternative route into university and gaining a degree.

This route is for you if you do not have the necessary qualifications or don’t yet feel ready to begin degree-level study, or are returning to education and would like some support to get up to speed with learning in a university setting.

The Foundation Year in Sport and Exercise will allow you to develop your academic skills and confidence as well as introduce you to key concepts, debates and skills that will support and inform your subsequent years of undergraduate study.

Following successful completion of your Foundation Year, you’ll progress onto Year 1 of our Physical Education and School Sport BA (Hons) degree.

The Student Contract

About this course

During your Foundation Year, you will undertake modules to enable you to enhance your academic skills and equip you with the tools you’ll need to study with confidence. You’ll carry out a personal project so you can study an area of interest related to your chosen future subject specialisation.

You’ll be introduced to multi-disciplinary perspectives on sport, exercise, physical performance and rehabilitation therapies including physiological, psychological, biomechanical, tactical, pedagogical and rehabilitation concepts. You'll investigate the role exercise plays in health from a multi-disciplinary perspective, exploring theories including health and wellbeing, behaviour change and working with clients.

Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you’ll progress onto the first year of our Physical Education and School Sport BA (Hons) degree.

You’ll study a combination of theoretical and practical modules, covering themes such as psychology, sociology, sport science, pedagogy and philosophy. This is a practical and vocational degree, so you’ll apply your learning to games, athletics, outdoor adventurous activities, gymnastics and dance.

Gaining professional experience is crucial, so we’ll give you plenty of opportunities to put theory into practice. You’ll complete professional work placements in a sport setting of your choice, in the UK or abroad. Previous students have spent time working with Cricket Without Boundaries in Rwanda.

At the end of your first year, you can continue with a degree in Physical Education and School Sport or transfer to any of our three-year Physical Education or Coaching degree courses.

You’ll have the flexibility to specialise in the areas of physical education that interest you, tailoring your knowledge and experience to suit your career aspirations. By the time you graduate, you’ll be prepared for a potential career in teaching via a PGCE, as well as a range of other careers in physical education and sport.

Why study with us?

  • Build your self-confidence, academic skills and core subject knowledge in preparation for progression onto degree-level study.
  • Enhance your CV. You’ll have the opportunity to gain voluntary experience while you study.
  • Follow your passions. We’ll give you the chance to specialise in the areas that interest you, whether that’s teaching, coaching or working with professional sports clubs or governing bodies.
  • Flexibility to switch courses to any of our three-year Physical Education or Coaching courses at the end of your first year.
Student taking part in sport activity.

Course modules

You will study a variety of modules across your programme of study. The module details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

Foundation Year

During your Foundation Year, you'll study four core modules.

Academic Skills and Studying with Confidence - Core

We'll help you develop core academic skills such as using electronic resources, planning and note-taking, communication skills related to essay and report writing and delivering presentations.

You'll learn to manage your time, prioritise tasks and manage stress, and become more confident in engaging with collaborative learning, debates, discussions and critical reflection.

Project - Core

Study areas of interest related to your chosen future academic specialisation in this highly personalised module.

You'll have 25 hours of workshop tuition to explore how you will be assessed and the form your project could take, which could be a written report, a presentation, a film or a series of blog posts.

You'll also explore topics your project could focus on, and get peer assessment of your ideas.

In the first semester, you'll get support through personal tutoring and learning hub liaison.

You'll also explore careers and employability pathways in sport and health with the Graduate Recruitment Team and the School of Health, Sport and Life Sciences.

In the second semester, you'll produce your negotiated assessment, focussing on existing academic literature and other secondary sources.

You won't undertake primary empirical research.

Scientific Principles within Sport - Core

You'll study multi-disciplinary perspectives on sport, exercise, physical performance and rehabilitation therapies including physiological, psychological, biochemical, tactical, pedagogical and rehabilitation.

You'll be introduced to the basic key theories to illustrate these perspectives, followed by practical-based activities for hands-on understanding.

A range of methods will be deployed for evaluating sport, exercise and physical performance, including interpretation, presentation and reflection upon data.

Promoting Exercise, Physical Activity and Health - Core

Study multi-disciplinary perspectives of the role of exercise and physical activity with the context of health. You'll gain knowledge on the basic key theories such as health and wellbeing, behaviour change, health and safety, intervention design and working with clients through a range of activities.

You'll build your knowledge through a combination of interactive lectures and workshops as well as in practical settings which may include lab sessions, field-based activities and practical workshops.

Year 1

During your first year, you'll study four core modules.

Introduction to Coaching and Teaching - Core

Get an understanding of sports coaching and physical education as a curriculum subject in schools, through practical and theoretical work.

We'll focus on games, including invasion, striking and fielding, and net and wall games.

You'll learn how to safely and effectively organise games activities.

You'll also study theories relating to learning and acquiring skills, and how teachers and coaches apply these.

This module incorporates the Level 2 Multi-Skills Coaching award from UK Coaching, which will further develop pedagogical skills and techniques.

The assessment aspect of the UK coaching award, integrated into the practical component, doesn't have to be passed to pass the module as a whole.

Policy and Practice in Sport and Physical Education - Core

Get an introduction to how sport, physical activity and physical education are developed in the UK.

We'll cover the structure and governance of sport and physical education, looking at the organisations involved.

You'll get an overview of historical and contemporary UK sport and physical education policies, the philosophical and ideological perspectives underpinning them, and the promotion of inclusion and equity.

You'll learn how to critique models applied to developing sport and physical education.

Sociology and Psychology of Physical Education and Coaching - Core

Learn about the psychosocial development of individuals through physical education and sports coaching.

You'll understand and evaluate the role physical education and coaching can play in fostering social equality and inclusion.

You'll investigate how psychology interacts with social constructs, impacting on performance and taking part in physical activity.

We'll cover motivation, confidence and self-efficacy.

You'll also get an introduction to qualitative research methods.

You can also do a work placement (three-year degree only) or complete employer challenges as part of the Professional Development Block.

Scientific Principles of Physical Education and Coaching - Core

You'll explore how the human body works as a system of levers producing movement.

Learn to accurately describe this movement using planes and axes and anatomical descriptors.

We'll cover the structural form of the human body, including the components of the musculoskeletal form, the structures of the heart, the cardiorespiratory system and the circulatory system.

Find out how to use this knowledge and understanding to deliver learning activities to specific groups of individuals with specific characteristics and needs.

You'll use statistical techniques such as data screening, hypothesising, and comparison of means and correlations.

You'll learn how to design and implement programmes and lessons in athletics, gymnastics and other sports, incorporating the appropriate biomechanical and anatomical understanding.

Year 2

During your second year, you'll study four core modules.

Physical Activity and Health Promotion - Core

You'll discover the health benefits of physical activity, get an overview of current guidelines, and look at historical and current trends in the UK.

You'll learn how physical activity levels in the UK compare with other countries.

Learn about models of behaviour change and how to apply them to facilitate positive physical activity behaviours.

You'll also experience activities designed for different population groups.

You'll get the opportunity to appraise current physical activity interventions and come up with your own evidence-based intervention ideas.

Applied Pedagogy – Models Based Practice - Core

Learn about information processing and how this impacts the teaching process.

Discover the relationship between sensory input, perception, memory and decision-making in relation to performance and tactical understanding.

You'll develop your understanding of models-based practice in physical education and sport.

You'll apply different curriculum models, such as teaching games for understanding, sport education and cooperative learning, to plan and deliver games.

You'll also develop skills to qualitatively analyse and present key themes in pedagogy and models-based practice.

Applied Scientific Principles within Physical Education and Coaching - Core

Learn about the systems and processes that enable and aid movement.

These include energy production, muscular contraction, re-synthesis and use of ATP, lactate threshold, VO2 max, and Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation (OBLA).

You'll discover the theories and laws of physical force, motion, momentum, rotation and centre of mass.

Learn how to apply biomechanical principles in the understanding, teaching and learning of skills and techniques in activities such as gymnastics and athletics.

You'll find out how to design and implement programmes and lessons to complement energy systems and use field tests in PE and sports coaching through athletics, gymnastics and other sporting activities.

You'll also develop an understanding of quantitative research methods techniques and skills including hypothesising, data collection, statistical analysis, research design and consideration of ethical issues.

Applying Professional Skills in Physical Education and School Sport - Core

You'll plan a teaching experience across three afternoons in a primary school.

We'll observe your team teaching within a mini 'teaching practice' context.

You'll then do a more traditional four-week work placement.

This'll allow you to build up a portfolio of teaching and coaching experiences.

Year 3

During your final year, you'll study four core modules.

Independent Project - Core

Showcase your integrated learning with an independent project relevant to your course and interests.

You'll have tutorials to help you work out the format and focus of your project.

You'll have formative assessment points to act as stepping stones towards completion.

The module will culminate in an assessment event where you'll present work in a negotiated format.

Inclusive Physical Education and School Sport - Core

Understand the needs of diverse learners so you can become a more rounded and inclusive practitioner.

You'll draw on theoretical models and current policy and practice to explore what 'inclusion' is.

You'll explore unconscious bias, special educational needs, working with gifted and talented individuals, and healthy approaches to physical education and sport.

We'll also cover the relationship between the coach/teacher and the athlete.

You'll take part in practical activities and have tutorial support, culminating in an assessment event.

Professional Learning Through Work in PE - Core

You'll have a series of lectures before designing a project and applying your knowledge in the workplace.

We'll cover approaches to work-based projects, managing time on projects, skills audits, guidance and advice on negotiating project outcomes.

You'll negotiate and agree on your approach to assessment with your tutor during three hours of tutorial time.

The project design must include a work-based aspect of at least 80 hours so you can apply your knowledge and develop employability skills.

You'll get the opportunity to personalise your learning experience and improve your career prospects before graduation.

Contemporary Debates in Physical Education and Sport - Core

Critically examine epistemology and philosophy in sport and physical education.

You'll consider contemporary issues, appreciating the value and merits of different perspectives.

You'll explore the evidence relating to contemporary debates such as drugs in sport, nature vs nurture, concussion, gender, safeguarding and elite performance.

You'll demonstrate independent objective thinking and develop persuasive arguments to support your evidence-based stances on the issues addressed.

We'll also cover the differences between legal and ethical issues, right and wrong, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and morality, using international as well as UK examples.

Professional work placements

Experience matters. That's why we embed professional work placements within the majority of our standard undergraduate degrees.

How does it work?

Careers and Placements will work with you to find a placement or help you to arrange your own, whether that's in Leeds, another part of the UK or even abroad. You will be able to take part in a series of workshops, events and live ‘employer challenges’ to boost your confidence and prepare you for your placement.

During your placement, you could have an opportunity to gain degree-relevant work experience, build your knowledge of career sectors and secure valuable employer references and industry contacts. This experience will help you to shape your career decisions and find the right path for you.

Students on our PE programmes have assisted teaching in primary and secondary schools, delivered fitness sessions alongside personal training and strength and conditioning professionals, and gained enterprise experience with entrepreneurs. Some students have worked with county sports partnerships or national governing bodies for sport, such as the Football Association, Rugby Football League and England Netball.

To find out how we can help you make your career ambitions a reality, visit:

Professional Work Placements

Got a question about the course?

Our Sport and Wellbeing team are on hand to answer your questions, whether you want to know about the modules you'll be studying, where you can complete your professional placement or the types of assessments you'll do, they are here to help.

Learning and teaching

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are used, matched to the learning outcomes for your programme, allowing you to apply and demonstrate the full range of knowledge and skills that you have developed.

For more details on specific assessment methods for this course contact hello@leedstrinity.ac.uk

Programme delivery

Your time on campus, learning through in-person teaching, is at the heart of your academic experience and the way we deliver our programmes. This is supported and further enhanced by additional engagement activities and opportunities provided online and through digital teaching materials. This blended approach seeks to ensure a positive learning and teaching student experience.

Your programme of study has been carefully designed around a three-phase model of delivery:

  1. Preparation: You will be given clear tasks to support you in preparing for live teaching. This could include watching a short-pre-recorded lecture, reading a paper or text chapter or preparing other material for use in class.
  2. Live: All your live teaching will be designed around active learning, providing you with valuable opportunities to build on preparation tasks, interact with staff and peers, and surface any misunderstandings.
  3. Post: Follow-up activities will include opportunities for you to check understanding, for staff to receive feedback from you and your peers to inform subsequent sessions, and for you to apply learning to new situations or context.

Preparation, Live and Post teaching and learning and the digital materials used will vary by course, but will be designed to help you structure your learning, take a full and active part in your course, and apply and test your developing knowledge and skills.

Learning and teaching

At Leeds Trinity we aim to provide an excellent student experience and provide you with the tools and support to help you achieve your academic, personal and professional potential.

Our Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy delivers excellence by providing the framework for:

  • high quality teaching
  • an engaging and inclusive approach to learning, assessment and achievement
  • a clear structure through which you progress in your academic studies, your personal development and towards professional-level employment or further study.

We have a strong reputation for developing student employability, supporting your development towards graduate employment, with relevant skills embedded throughout your programme of study.

We endeavour to develop curiosity, confidence, courage, ambition and aspiration in all students through the key themes in our Learning and Teaching Strategy:

  • Student Involvement and Engagement
  • Inclusion
  • Integrated Programme and Assessment Experience
  • Digital Literacy and Skills
  • Employability and Enterprise

To help you achieve your potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and real-world activities. This approach ensures that you fully engage in shaping your own learning, developing your critical thinking and reflective skills so that you can identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape your own development.

We believe the secret to great learning and teaching is simple: it is about creating an inclusive learning experience that allows all students to thrive through:

  • Personalised support
  • Expert lecturers
  • Strong connections with employers
  • An international outlook
  • Understanding how to use tools and technology to support learning and development

Entry requirements

Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits; we value highly the experience you illustrate in your personal statement.

Information about the large range of qualifications we accept, including A-Levels, BTECs and T Levels, can be found on our entry requirements page. If you need additional advice or are taking qualifications that are not covered in the information supplied, please contact our Admissions Office.

Entry requirements for this course:
QualificationGrade
UCAS tariff48
GCSE requirementsGrade C/4 (or higher) in GCSE English Language

Applications are welcome from mature students with few formal qualifications.

Any previous relevant work experience and learning will be assessed and, where appropriate, we may offer an alternative way to assess suitability to study.

This course is not available to students on a Student Route Visa.

Fees and finance

UK Home fees £9,250 per year
Full-time

Funding

UK Home Students:

Tuition fees cost £9,250 a year for this course in 2023/2024.

Part-time tuition fees will be prorated accordingly to the number of credits you're studying.

Depending on government policy, tuition fees may change in future years.

Living costs, e.g. accommodation, travel, food, will also need to be taken into consideration.

Leeds Trinity offers a range of bursaries and scholarships to help support students while you study.

Additional costs

We advise students that there may be additional course costs in addition to annual tuition fees. These include:

  • Books - recommended and required reading lists will be provided at the start of your course. All the books and e-books are available from our Library to borrow but you may choose to purchase your own.
  • Print costs - the University provides students with a £6 printing credit each academic year which can be topped up either on campus or online.

How to apply

For full-time undergraduate courses, you apply through UCAS. That's the University and Colleges Admissions Service.

On your application form, you'll need to know our institution code - it's L24 - and the course code. If you click through to the UCAS website using the button below, it'll take you to the right place with all the information you need.

You'll need to write a personal statement - we've prepared a guide to help you.

Applications are now open for courses starting in September 2025. The UCAS application deadline for courses starting in September 2025 is 29 January 2025.

There's lots more information about the application process on the UCAS website, or you can get in touch with our admissions team who will be happy to help:

This course is not available to students on a Student Route Visa.

Graduate opportunities

Providing you with the opportunity to develop the professional skills and experience you need to launch your career is at the heart of everything we do at Leeds Trinity University.

Graduates can go on to work as Physical Education teachers (following acquiring Qualified Teacher Status), sports coaches, sports development officers, personal trainers, health trainers or set up their own businesses as providers of school sport.

After you graduate, Careers and Placements will help you as you pursue your chosen career through our mentoring scheme, support with CV and interview preparation and access to graduate employability events.

To find out how we can help you make your career ambitions a reality, visit:

Careers


Moving Forward: Working in Sport and Wellbeing Conference

Our Moving Forward: Working in Sport and Wellbeing Conference gave students the opportunity to explore career paths available to them, make connections and hear from keynote speakers Geva Mentor CBE and Dan Busfield about their personal career journey.

Meet the team

Sport, Health and Physical Education Tim Green
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Sport, Health and Physical Education Vicky Hunter
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Sport, Health and Physical Education Danielle Davis
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