Physical Education with QTS (Secondary)

A Brighton Physical Education degree will ensure you are fully prepared to enter the teaching profession with the all-round experience and knowledge required to teach the National Curriculum for PE and play a critical role in the lives of young people.

The degree leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), the professional qualification for teachers, which is awarded by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). Brighton is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted for secondary initial teacher education.

You’ll be part of a community that helps you grow, no matter what your background. The course is packed with opportunities to gain real-world experience, with placements in each year of the degree, additional opportunities to work with schools running sporting festivals, and lots of practical sessions throughout your degree in our extensive sport facilities. You’ll also be able to take National Governing Body (NGB) awards. Our inclusive approach to learning will help you go further; we’ll make sure you play to your strengths and learn in ways that suit you best.

Brighton graduates have gone on to successful careers as physical education teachers, but the knowledge and experience you gain on the course prepares you for a variety of other roles too. Our graduates have found success in fields such as sport and leisure development, the armed forces, management, coaching and doctoral research.

Top reasons to choose this course

• You’ll train to teach with an Ofsted ‘outstanding’ provider.

• Sport courses at Brighton have received the 3-star ‘Enhancing’ grade for quality from the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).

• School placements in each year.

• Additional opportunities to work with school pupils throughout your degree.

• You’ll gain the experience and knowledge required to teach the National Curriculum for Physical Education.

• Extensive on-site sport facilities.

• Opportunities to take National Governing Body (NGB) awards.

• Brighton is 2nd in the UK for education courses – Guardian University Guide 2025.

Why Brighton is a great place to study Physical Education
Brighton is less than an hour from central London, and Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s stadium is right next door to our Falmer campus where you’ll be studying. The city hosts many large-scale sporting events, including the UK’s third largest marathon, and was chosen as a host city for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

Brighton is named one of the best cities on the planet and the third best city in the UK by Time Out.

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll build a strong foundation in physical education by developing your own performance across a wide range of activities including games, dance, gymnastics, swimming, athletics and outdoor adventurous activities. You’ll begin learning how to effectively teach these disciplines, gaining practical experience in lesson planning, assessment and classroom management, and exploring what it means to be physically educated. Your initial school placement will give you valuable insight into the professional role of a PE teacher and help you to start building your teaching portfolio.

Core modules
Performance in Physical Education: OAA, Gymnastics and Swimming
Performance in Physical Education: Games, Dance and Athletics
Education Studies 1: Applied Pedagogy
Learning and Teaching Through Games, Dance and Swimming
Learning and Teaching Through Athletics, Gymnastics and Adventurous Activities
Physical Education Theory
Initial School Experience

Year 2
In your second year, you’ll gain hands-on classroom experience through a school placement, where you’ll teach and reflect on your progress as a developing PE professional. You’ll explore how to create positive learning environments and confidently manage behaviour, while deepening your understanding of teaching strategies across a range of physical activities. Option modules allow you to tailor your learning to areas such as primary PE, sport for development or advanced practical performance.

Core modules
Creating a Positive Teaching and Learning Environment
Intermediate Professional Semester
Education Studies 2: Policy and Practice

Options*
Sport for Development and Peace
Primary Physical Education: Theory and Practice of Teaching KS1 and KS2 PE
Practical Performance

Final year
In your final year, you’ll focus on becoming an inclusive and confident physical education teacher, exploring how to support diverse learners and deliver engaging PE lessons across Key Stages 3 to 5. You’ll gain extensive teaching experience through your final school placement, while deepening your understanding of curriculum design, adapted physical activities and inclusive practice. Option modules allow you to refine your practical performance and leadership skills.

Core modules
Education Studies 3: Inclusive Practice
Physical Education in the 14–19 Curriculum
Final Professional Semester

Options*
Physical Practical Activity
Primary Physical Education: Active Learning in the Primary Setting

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Secondary