Physical Education, Sport and Health

Physical education, sport, and health is a discipline that sits at the intersection of scientific understanding and practical human development. It draws on exercise physiology, psychology, sociology, public health, and pedagogy to understand how physical activity shapes bodies, minds, and communities. The field matters more than ever in a context of rising inactivity, widening health inequalities, and growing awareness of the mental health benefits of exercise.

At the University of East Anglia, this three-year full-time programme gives you grounding in the science of physical activity alongside the pedagogical and social dimensions of sport and health. You will study how the body responds to exercise, how psychological factors influence performance and participation, and how broader social structures shape who has access to sport and why. Alongside this academic content, you will develop practical skills relevant to teaching and coaching, and you will engage with debates about how physical activity can be promoted effectively at individual, community, and national level.

UEA's campus includes strong facilities for practical work and the region offers a range of placement contexts.

Graduates of this programme pursue careers in teaching physical education in schools, coaching at club and performance level, health and fitness instruction, public health roles, sport development, and community sport programmes. The combination of science and education gives graduates a strong foundation for initial teacher training if they wish to qualify as PE teachers. Further study in sport science, public health, coaching science, or education is open to graduates who wish to specialise, and there is a growing field of research opportunities in physical activity and health behaviour.