University course · real outcomes from HESA / Discover Uni · part of Careermash

University degree

Physical Education and Sport

University of Northampton, the

Qualification

Degree

Length

3 yrs

UK fees / yr

£9,535

Study

full-time

Worth knowing: about 37% of students don't make it past first year here - ask the uni what support they offer.

Robin · your guide

Here's the honest picture on this course - what you'd study, whether you'd likely get in, what it pays, and where it leads. Everything's real data.

About this course

Physical education and sport is a field that combines the science of human physical performance with the educational and social dimensions of sport and physical activity. It is concerned not only with how the body moves and adapts to exercise, but with how sport is taught, how physical activity can be encouraged across diverse populations, and what role sport plays in individual development and community life. The discipline draws on exercise physiology, sports psychology, biomechanics, sports coaching, pedagogy, and sports management.

This three-year full-time programme at the University of Northampton gives you a grounded education in both the scientific and educational aspects of physical education and sport. You will study the physiology of exercise and performance, the psychology of sport and motivation, coaching theory and practice, curriculum design and pedagogy, sports development and community engagement, and the management of sports organisations. Practical elements are central to the programme: you will coach, teach, and work in sport settings as well as study the theory that underlies these activities.

Northampton has good facilities and community connections in the East Midlands that support the practical dimension of the curriculum.

Graduates from this programme pursue careers in teaching physical education in schools, sports coaching across a range of sports and age groups, sports development in local authorities and national governing bodies, community physical activity promotion, personal training, sports management, and the outdoor education sector. Many graduates also go on to further professional training, including PGCE qualifications for those who want to teach in schools, coaching qualifications in specific sports, and master's degrees in sports science, sports management, or exercise physiology. The breadth of the programme means graduates are well suited to a wide range of roles in the sport and physical activity sector.

Could you get in?

The grades students arrived with

<48 pts7%

48-63 pts9%

64-79 pts11%

80-95 pts15%

96-111 pts15%

112-127 pts18%

128-143 pts7%

144-159 pts11%

160-175 pts5%

176-191 pts1%

How they qualified

95% got in with A-levels. The rest came in a mix of ways:

A-levels95%

other higher education2%

an Access course1%

another degree1%

no formal qualifications1%

Could I get in? Try your grades

120 UCAS pts

Pay & prospects

90%

In work or further study after

63%

Continue past first year

96%

Student satisfaction

What graduates earn over time

£21,500

3 years on

£27,500

5 years on

What graduates actually go on to do % of leavers

Elementary occupations5%

Teaching ProfessionalsHighly skilled25%

Therapy professionalsHighly skilled15%

Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation5%

Managers, directors and senior officialsHighly skilled5%

Sports and fitness occupationsHighly skilled5%

Business and public service associate professionalsHighly skilled5%

Business and Financial Project Management ProfessionalsHighly skilled5%

What students say National Student Survey

96%

of students are satisfied with the course overall

Teaching98%

Assessment & feedback96%

Academic support95%

Well organised97%

Learning resources93%

Student community96%

In students' own words

★★★★☆

Worth it overall

Would I choose it again? Probably yes, with caveats. The best part: the course strikes a good balance between theory and practical application. If I'm honest, admin can be slow to respond, especially at start of term. On the city — local co…

Third year · Part-time

★★★★☆

Good but not perfect

Overall a solid programme but worth going in with open eyes. The best part: the teaching staff are genuinely world-class and accessible. If I'm honest, first-year classes can be quite large. On the city — good transport links make it easy t…

Class of 2024 · Full-time

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