Why study this course with LJMU?
- The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is ranked 6th for Sports Science (QS World University Rankings 2024)
- Developed by expert academics with an international reputation for the delivery of physical education
- Combines practical and theoretical aspects of physical education
- Gain real-world experience and skills within the local community through work placements and an optional sandwich year. LJMU offers strong partnerships with both primary and secondary schools for placement opportunities
- Offers excellent career opportunities in a variety of areas, such as teaching (upon completion of an Initial Teacher Training programme), sport coaching, sport development or youth and community work
- Endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)
- 97% of students surveyed said the teaching staff on this course were good at explaining things (NSS 2024)
About your course
On the BSc (Hons) Physical Education with Foundation Year, students learn a wide range of knowledge related to teaching methods, physical training concepts, psychological theories related to sport and exercise, social issues in physical education such as gender, race and media, and historical and philosophical aspects related to PE.
About the Foundation Year
The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the ability to study for a degree but don't have the qualifications to enter directly onto the honours degree programme. Once you pass the Foundation Year you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).
By choosing to study our Foundation Year you will joining a friendly and stimulating environment in which you will be encouraged to achieve your full potential in both your academic work and your future career. We pride ourselves on our informal and supportive relationships with our students.
About BSc (Hons) Physical Education
This engaging and challenging course integrates the theoretical and practical aspects of physical education into one exciting degree programme. There continues to be a high demand for graduates with the skills, knowledge and confidence to promote health and fitness, competitive sport and engagement with physical activity in a range of educational, community and other settings. This degree offers you the chance to specialise in physical education, exploring both the theory and practical aspects of the subject.
Students on the course apply their learning in practical physical education sessions, through assignments such as research projects, and work placements in industry. This combination of up to date theory and practical application serves our students well as they develop their careers through teacher training programmes, post-graduate study (Masters degrees and PhDs), in education (primary and secondary schools, further education), and at a host of non-teaching areas (businesses, community groups such as charities, and the uniformed services).
During your studies, you will develop your own philosophies and interests while being introduced to innovative concepts of physical education. You will gain a wide variety of essential professional skills and qualities that can form the foundation for a successful career teaching physical education in primary, secondary or further education, though teaching is not the only career pathway available.
The programme synthesises the practical and theoretical aspects of physical education through an extensive range of activities and contexts. You will have the opportunity to take part in innovative entrepreneurial projects by working within sport and physical education in different educational establishments and sporting ventures. This includes excellent work-related learning and placement opportunities with organisations such as LJMU's in-house Sport Start scheme.
You will be assigned a student peer mentor, and this support will be available before you arrive at LJMU and for the duration of your academic studies.
Course modules
What you will study on this degree
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Core modules
Core modules
Optional modules
Core modules
Optional modules
Professional accreditation
Endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
With membership of ASET, the UK’s leading authority on work based and placement learning, LJMU’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is committed to providing Work-based and Placement Learning (WBPL) experiences to our students that are quality assured and supported in accordance with best practice guidelines.
Your Learning Experience
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
Teaching encompasses a range of practicals, lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, online activities, work-based learning and independent learning.
Peer Learning Groups (PLG) will enable you to discuss and develop course material in a more informal setting plus key personal and professional skills. You will be encouraged to engage in volunteering activities in the local community and gain additional qualifications that will enhance your future employability.
Foundation Year
The Foundation Year is designed to build both your academic and practical skills, providing the qualifications and practical skills required for sport and nutrition related careers.
There will be opportunities to work alongside practitioners giving you a real taste of the many careers available within physical education. Work-related learning is a vital element of your studies as it gives you the chance to practice skills learned on the course.
Work-related Learning
The degree has a strong element of work-related learning and there will be extensive opportunities to work with young people in a variety of settings (e.g. schools, clubs, leisure centres). Voluntary work experience forms a vital element of the programme and you will be encouraged to apply theoretical concepts in practice. You will also be able to participate in our in-house Sport Start scheme, which brings 12,000 children to the campus for sport and physical activity lessons every year. Students also have an opportunity to study abroad for a year between level 5 and 6.
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
You will be assigned a Personal Tutor who will be responsible for supporting your academic and personal progress throughout the course. This one-to-one support is particularly useful for discussing course-related issues or any other concerns that you may have during your studies. Weekly contact with your tutor in a Peer Learning Group will be scheduled as part of your weekly timetable. Other student support services and facilities include: Student Support and IT Zones and a dedicated Library, open in the evenings and at weekends during semesters.
The school is fully committed to promoting a learning environment that supports a culture of equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) and has a Disability Support Coordinator, an EDI Coordinator and a School EDI Working Group. Personal Tutors also play a vital role in promoting awareness of support services for students.
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
LJMU recognises that students perform differently depending on how they are assessed. That's why we use a combination of assessment methods, including written assignments, exams, practical work, individual and group presentations, portfolios, reflective logs and a dissertation.
Assessments are planned across the programme so that you can manage your workload, and use feedback to develop learning for future assignments. Constructive feedback will help you identify strengths and areas for development and is provided regularly throughout the programme.
Where you will study
You will study in Liverpool city centre at our City Campus. Our sport and exercise sciences facilities are world-leading and feature state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for our current and future sport scientists. The Avril Robarts library is within easy walking distance and here you'll find all the information you need to support your studies.
Course tutors

Emma Ball
Programme Leader
The most rewarding aspects of being a lecturer and programme leader is seeing each student's journey unfold over the three years of the degree
The most rewarding aspects of being a lecturer and programme leader is seeing each student's journey unfold over the three years of the degree
Since joining LJMU in 2011, Emma has led postgraduate and undergraduate programmes. Prior to joining LJMU, Emma was a Secondary School PE teacher and Head of Department. She won LJMU's Vice Chancellors Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in 2015 and is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE. Her research interests are related to student experience in Higher Education - particularly the use of peer mentoring in cultivating communities of practice. She is currently undertaking a PhD in this area.
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I came to the open day and got to meet one of the lecturers that I have now. It was a really helpful day and helped me make my decision to apply to LJMU.
Career paths
Thanks to our links with over 450 different employers in the North West alone and our strong partnerships with both primary and secondary schools, students enjoy superb work placement opportunities at all levels of their degree studies.
You will also have the opportunity to work with a range of practitioners in a variety of settings. Such experience enables you to put theory into practice and adds real value to your CV so impressing future employers.
Graduates from this programme will be able to pursue careers in teaching (following the completion of relevant Initial Teacher Training programmes, such as PGDE or School Direct primary and secondary courses). Alternative career routes for graduates include coaching, sport development or youth and community work. Public service occupations (including police, education and childrens services), business sector graduate training schemes and educational management are also popular careers amongst graduates.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.
Tuition fees and funding
- Full-time per year:
- £9,535
- Placement year:
- £1,905
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus Wi-Fi.
Financial Support
The University offers a range of scholarships to support students through their studies. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist funding pages, including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs including those for placements, visas and travel for studying abroad and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament. In the event of such a change, any fee increase will be subject to a maximum cap of 10% of the total course cost as originally stated at the time of your offer.
A DBS check is not required for your application, however a DBS may be required for modules where there is a work based learning placement option. Work based learning placements that do not require a DBS check are available.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications: CCD-CCC (88-96)
Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.
Qualification requirements
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.
We are looking for students who are genuinely interested in sport and have the potential to make a difference to the sports industry.
Applicants should be able to communicate effectively both orally and in their written work and possess the self-discipline to manage their time and tasks effectively while at LJMU.
Your university life
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See what our students are saying
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The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.