BEd (Hons) Physical Education - Secondary Education (with QTS)
Become a PE teacher at secondary level. This three-year degree combines an honours degree with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) so that you can start teaching as soon as you pass the course.
Rated 100% for Academic Support
National Student Survey 2024
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Entry requirements
Three A-levels at grades BBC or above
Or BTEC triple grades DMM or above
Or Access 30-42 D/M with minimum 18D
Or T level M
And GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 or grade C or above
All candidates are required to attend an interview with representatives from schools as well as university tutors
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and trainees. All trainees are expected to share this commitment and demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct.
UCAS points 112
UCAS code X1XH
UCAS institution code P63
Duration Three years full-time
Course Summary
Our unique Physical Education teacher training course leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) at secondary level. The course is carefully structured to equip trainee teachers with real-world skills and deepen their passion for teaching. It also trains teachers in educational leadership and resilience, enabling graduate teachers to progress quickly in their careers.
The curriculum is carefully structured to provide you with the skills and subject knowledge required to teach PE effectively, and is based around three core themes:
- The professional role of the developing teacher
- Development of teaching and learning
- Curriculum and specialisms
Trainees are taught, trained and supported at both the centre and on placement by expert colleagues, and your progression is carefully sequenced to build your expertise and confidence step by step.
Trainees study the scientific principles of physical education and sport, and explore these through practical activities. Developing a wide range of subject knowledge, you will blend theory and practice in order to understand how children learn best. When you are more secure in your specialist subject, you may choose to develop a second subject, such as Maths, making you more versatile and employable.
Through school-based placements in our partnership schools and placements in other educational settings, you will enjoy ample contact with qualified teachers and students. This enables you to gain a wide range of experience and a healthy understanding of what a what a career in teaching entails. Our teaching is aligned with all key national standards, including the Core Content Framework, the Early Career Framework, the Initial Teacher Education Ofsted inspection framework and the Teachers’ Standards.
Feedback from students about the course is consistently very positive, and the course achieved 99% student satisfaction on "Teaching on my Course" in the National Student Survey 2024.
Analytical thinking is encouraged and developed, ensuring that you will develop into an engaged and motivated early career teacher who has a desire to drive your new profession forward. Marjon has an excellent reputation amongst South West schools for developing superb PE teachers, meaning you have an excellent basis for finding your first teaching role.
Plymouth Marjon University offers a full campus experience, with accommodation, a sports centre, bar and theatre onsite, as well as an active Students' Union, exceptional student support and the beaches and moors of Devon and Cornwall within reach. Students on this programme often enjoy the sporting culture of Marjon, taking part in extra-curricular sports or playing for the University. All students benefit from excellent academic support within small class sizes, whilst enjoying a wider student experience.
With a clear focus on national priorities and current developments in education, our PE teacher training graduates are well prepared for a long and satisfying career in teaching.
Why this course at Marjon?
Enhancement means you can pick up a second specialist subject when you qualify to teach
Study in small groups with access to world class facilities
On-site sport and health centre, pool, gym and sports therapy clinic
Easy access to teaching and coaching qualifications to enhance your subject knowledge and career prospects
High student satisfaction
Excellent graduate employment
Modules for this course
Course Snapshot
“ In our first year we learnt the foundations of teaching, behaviour and how to manage a classroom. We also learnt about non-invasion games like tennis and badminton and learnt different drills we could teach children. In our second year we went on a placement and also did a special needs placement to learn practices from teachers in different learning environments. We also looked at drills to teach invasion games like football and rugby. Third year is largely placement-based but we are also engaging with current issues in education.”
1st Year
Becoming a teacher
Scientific and pedagogical aspects of physical education
The science of athletics and health related activities
Holistic development through outdoor and adventurous education
Managing learning through non-invasion games
2nd Year
Curriculum and pedagogy
Assessment and pupil progress
Analysing and assessing performance through invasion games
Social sciences in physical education
Promoting creativity through aesthetics
3rd Year
Secondary education, schools, learners and teachers
Current issues in education
Health based approaches to physical education
Research in education
Current students say...
Harry Woolway
“The support from the lecturers is outstanding. The range of theory and practical learning is top drawer and allows you to build amazing subject knowledge. The school placements give you insight into what it takes to be a PE teacher. On this course I’ve personally developed greater self confidence and I’ve learnt how to achieve high standards of academic work.”
Cameron Bidgood
“I enjoy being able to learn through practical experience on placements as you are learning on the job in the profession you are going into. I’ve received lots of guidance from lecturers and mentors. Tutors are easily to access and they understand how to accommodate your needs. There are excellent facilities to enable me to gather wider research.”
Jack Perry
“I like the ratio of practical to theory as it allows you to develop your skills as a teacher. We have specific workshops that give us the best chance to succeed, looking at things like how to write essays or do academic referencing. The lecturers are amazing and will support you both personally and professionally.”
This course is perfect if you’re curious about these questions:
Is it possible to influence children to engage with lifelong physical activity?
Can schools impact the health of children and adolescents?
Can you teach maths or literacy through physical activity?
Could high quality physical activity in schools save the NHS budget in decades to come?
How do you engage the disengaged with physical activity and sport?
Could less 'traditional' activities such as yoga or street surfing motivate more children?
“ The programme continues to apply a clear and coherent approach to trainee development that scaffolds subject knowledge and pedagogical development appropriately. There is opportunity to develop subject knowledge, specific skills as well as teaching practice. The programme continues to react to changes in the sector and remains current in content providing students with an excellent grounding to enter the teaching profession.”
Ask a student
See where our graduates are now
Martha Tavinor
“One of the most significant factors in regards to preparation for work was the school based training placements that I completed throughout my 3 years at the university. Not only that but the broad range of topics we covered ensured that we had the appropriate baseline skills for teaching and the means to develop in whichever way best suited us. The university staff provided endless amounts of support which is helped by the open door policy and willingness to help at any hour of the day!”
Marta is now working as a PE teacher.
What might you become?
On completion of this programme you will be a fully qualified teacher of Secondary Physical Education. You may also choose to do an enhancement in a second subject, Key Stage 5, Primary or Special Education, to enhance your employability as an early career teacher (ECT).
Ofsted (2014) praised the University’s ‘effective use of local diversity and wider links which ensures trainees have breadth and variety in their training, so making them highly employable’. Over 90% of our trainees go on to secure teaching posts locally, nationally or abroad which is above national rate. Others go on to further postgraduate study or research posts within Higher Education.
Some of our trainees have gone on to establish themselves as freelance specialist teachers in their field of expertise.
How you’ll be taught and assessed?
How will you be taught?
Includes lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, practical sessions in the sports science lab, practical sessions to develop subject knowledge in PE and conferences. Lots of placement experience, across different educational settings.
How will you be assessed?
Includes portfolios, presentations, essays, blogs, portfolios, exams, practical skills assessment, teaching practice and a final research project.
Placement assessment is carried out by school mentors and university tutors against the three themes of the MTEP curriculum:
- The professional role of the developing teacher
- Development of teaching and learning
- Curriculum and specialisms
I bring a wealth of teaching experience, leadership skills, and a commitment to supporting trainees and colleagues in their educational journey. My expertise spans the PE curriculum, coaching, behaviour leadership, and curriculum development, all driven by a passion for celebrating diversity, promoting equity, and fostering growth through inclusive PE experiences.
Fees and funding
Fees UK students: £9,535 per annum
Fees for International students: £14,600 per annum
This fee covers your tuition and access to course-specific equipment and facilities, as well associated services including access to the library, study skills support, IT support, student support and wellbeing services and membership of the Student Union. There may be additional costs by course.
Funding available for this course
Our Student Funding Advisors offer confidential and impartial advice about your funding options.
Learn moreLecturers
Clare graduated from Marjon as a PE teacher and returns as a lecturer following a very rewarding career teaching PE, mentoring trainee teachers, being Head of KS3 PE, House Leader and Assistant Head of Sixth Form.
Phil Roberts is a Senior Lecturer and leads the BEd (Hons) Physical Education in Secondary Education (with QTS) programme. He takes great pride in his teaching career, which has spanned nearly twenty years in secondary school education. He is enthusiastic about embarking on this new chapter with the Marjon Teacher Education Partnership (MTEP).
Nathan Walker
Postgraduate PE Programme Coordinator, Lecturer of PE & Teacher Education.
View profilePostgraduate PE Programme Coordinator & Lecturer of Physical Education and Teacher Education for Marjon Teacher Education Partnership. Previously a leader and teacher of PE in the UK, the Middle East, Malaysia, and China. Interested in mentoring and coaching trainee teachers and mentors, physical education curriculum design, knowledge-rich curriculum, and constraints-led approaches.
More information
For tips about every stage of the teacher training journey, from making your application shine to securing your first teaching role, see the how to get into teaching guide.
Apply now for this course
Find out more about studying BEd (Hons) Physical Education - Secondary Ed (with QTS) at Marjon
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