Thanks to career boosting initiatives like our extended work placements and paid positions in our world-leading University Arena, you’ll have opportunities at Worcester that you can’t get anywhere else. As well as developing your fundamental skills to coach and teach others, we also invest in your own potential with our Talented Athlete Scheme.
of students in work or further study 15 months after graduating
in the UK for Quality Education
First for jobs
The University of Worcester is first in the UK for sustained employment, further study or both, five years after graduation (excluding specialist institutions) - Longitudinal Educational Outcomes Survey 2024. Read more.
Overview
This highly practical course prepares you for a rewarding career in the fields of education, coaching, sport development, sport policy, and other related physical activity and health industries.
We’ll settle you into the course with our popular Welcome Programme. From team building games at our Lakeside Campus, to course socials and the opportunity to meet our sports teams, we’ll make sure you are ready to hit the ground running.
Alongside modules about biology and the science of human movement, you will also study sport from social, ethical and historical perspectives. You will explore the impact sport has on people’s lives as well as on their bodies, with options to specialise in special educational needs and disability coaching. So, you’ll start your career with a more rounded view of how sport can benefit individuals and society.
There are plenty of opportunities to gain industry experience through our extensive connections with local schools and sports teams. From your first year, you’ll attend PE teacher and professional sports coach placements. Our professional partners currently include Aston Villa FC and Worcestershire County Cricket Club. This practical experience prepares you to specialise in either school-based teaching or professional coaching during your final year.
You’ll be encouraged and supported to take optional professional qualifications, such as a relevant first aid certificate, which adds real value to your CV.
Our graduates have gone on to become PE teachers and professional sports coaches, who train every kind of athlete, from playground to podium.
Placements
In your first and second year, school-based and professional coaching placements will help you discover which kind of coaching you prefer.
In your third year there is an opportunity to complete a 100-hour school-based or professional placement, giving you extended real-world experience. You’ll be supported by a work-based mentor and a university supervisor, who give advice along the way.
Course Content
Each year you will study a mix of mandatory and optional modules. This flexible course lets you explore different subjects and career paths in sports coaching and PE teaching before choosing to specialise in your final year.
Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.
Optional modules
Careers
Our graduates have valuable skills, sound academic knowledge and real-world, practical experience.
Worcester graduates have gone on to work in numerous roles within professional sport, plus positions within primary and secondary teaching, strength and conditioning, performance analysis and sports development. The skills you gain in coaching, communication, fieldwork, planning and research will also be beneficial in a range of other sport and health-based careers.
Coaching Careers
Our students have gone on to sports coaching careers at:
- West Bromwich Albion FC
- Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
- Worcester Wolves Basketball
- Severn Stars Netball
- Worcester Cricket Club
- Worcester County Sports Partnership
Teaching Careers
Many of our graduates also go on to teach physical education at primary schools, secondary schools and colleges by gaining their Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
You can train to teach with a one-year Primary or Secondary PGCE at Worcester.
Other Options
This degree could also be the first step toward your career as a:
- Sports development officer
- Personal trainer
- Sports activity leader
- Social media marketing co-ordinator
- Sports and disability inclusion coach
- Police officer
Course highlights
Teaching and assessment
Our course has been designed by academics and industry specialists to prepare you for a career in coaching or PE teaching. So our teaching is a combination of practical sessions, seminars, lectures and one-to-one tutoring.
Evaluation is not all about written assignments and exams, you’ll also be assessed on your delivery of sessions, reflective journals and presentations.
Teaching and assessment contents
You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and coaching practicals. Authentic learning activities will take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion and small group activities. Seminars enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures, and coaching practicals are focused on developing subject specific skills and applied individual and group project work.
There is an opportunity to undertake a 100-hour placement in the third year of the course, with agreed placement supervised by a work-based mentor and a university supervisor. You are also required to complete an Independent Research Project (IRP) normally in the third year of the course.
Student case studies
Some recent graduates reflect on their time on the course.
Lucie Kovarova
“As an international student I was excited to explore a new culture, develop my English and embrace different approaches in sports environments. The course offered me the possibility of a dual career both as a PE teacher and a sports coach, moreover, it consisted of interesting modules that I believe will support my future journey.
“I am so glad that I had opportunities to meet inspirational people and great friends, get involved with university events, and overcome personal and academic boundaries. University life left me with unique memories and skills.”
Erin Cameron
“I chose Worcester for the support they give to sport scholarship students who are studying whilst playing a high level of sport, as at the time I was playing rugby at a high level and wanted to continue with this alongside full time study.
"I really valued the placement opportunities offered, as they provided me with the experience I needed to go into the real world. In fact, it was through my school based placement module that I heard of the Graduate Sports Teaching Assistant at my placement school. Additionally the support offered by the staff at the Uni was amazing and they really helped me progress throughout my time at University."
Jack Austin
“I received great support from the academic staff. Due to smaller cohorts, I found the lecturing staff immensely encouraging and supportive and were readily able to offer both group and 1-2-1 tutorials.
“My degree pathway blended both an understanding of the fundamentals of physical education but also sports coaching. This enabled me to undertake several opportunities and roles both inside and outside of the university environment, giving me the understanding of what is needed to become a PE Teacher.”
Lucie Kovarova
“As an international student I was excited to explore a new culture, develop my English and embrace different approaches in sports environments. The course offered me the possibility of a dual career both as a PE teacher and a sports coach, moreover, it consisted of interesting modules that I believe will support my future journey.
“I am so glad that I had opportunities to meet inspirational people and great friends, get involved with university events, and overcome personal and academic boundaries. University life left me with unique memories and skills.”
Erin Cameron
“I chose Worcester for the support they give to sport scholarship students who are studying whilst playing a high level of sport, as at the time I was playing rugby at a high level and wanted to continue with this alongside full time study.
"I really valued the placement opportunities offered, as they provided me with the experience I needed to go into the real world. In fact, it was through my school based placement module that I heard of the Graduate Sports Teaching Assistant at my placement school. Additionally the support offered by the staff at the Uni was amazing and they really helped me progress throughout my time at University."
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff points required: 112
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|---|
| A-level | BBC |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DMM |
| T-level | Merit |
We do accept Access to HE Diplomas and other qualifications which may not exactly match the combinations above. Work out your estimated points with the UCAS tariff calculator.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.
Fees
Fees contents
UK and EU students
The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £9,535 per year.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
International students
The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2025/26 academic year is £16,700 per year.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
How to apply
How to apply contents
Applying through UCAS
UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK.
Read our how to apply pages for more information on the application process, or if you’d like to apply for part-time study.
Physical Education and Sports Coaching BSc (Hons) - C690
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Richard Pepperell
Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for Physical Education, and Physical Education and Sports Coaching Science
r.pepperell@worc.ac.ukAdmissions Office
admissions@worc.ac.uk01905 855111More to explore
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