Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development

Support young people in sport with our hands-on Physical Education, Sport, and Youth Development degree

Kickstart a career in teaching, coaching, or sport development with our Physical Education, Sport, and Youth Development degree. You will develop a solid foundation in topics like teaching and coaching pedagogy, sociology, and the holistic development of young people.

Hands-on learning

Our physical education, sport, and youth development course will blend theory and practical application, allowing you to learn hands-on. For example, you will take part in school-based lessons and applied activity sessions.

Support from experts

We have an excellent reputation for physical education and sport. You will learn from a team of lecturers with a wide range of expertise in:

• Physical education (PE)

• Sports coaching

• Sport sociology

• Adapted PE & disability sport

• Dance

Hear from our students

Sophy, Physical Education, Sport, and Youth Development student – “Our lecturers always offer support and encouragement for us to push our boundaries”.

Work placements: build professional experience

You will complete a work placement to apply your learning to a professional environment. We have strong links with over 200 schools, as well as National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and sports clubs in elite and disability sport.

Postgraduate progression

Following your Physical Education, Sport, and Youth Development degree, any student meeting the entry requirements at the time of application will be offered the opportunity to interview for the PGCE Secondary PE programme.

Why St Mary’s?

You will gain skills and support to make a positive impact – for yourself and for others – through high-quality teaching, real-world experience, and a community that lifts each other up. Our campus is a London oasis – blending city energy with open green spaces to think, connect, and grow.

Year one will focus on Engaging and exploring practical contexts (teaching and learning) are an integral part of this phase and encourage students to develop their physical competence, tactical awareness and teaching strategies in a variety of PE and sports related environments. Year two will be about the students developing their learning and their evaluative and critical thinking. This will occur through further development of subject knowledge along with developing the ability to critically compare, analyse, and synthesise information. Opportunities will allow students to probe more deeply into relevant theory and practice to better understand the contexts of Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy. A strong theoretical foundation will assist students in reflecting on theory in practice. The theme for the final year is developing and applying academic and career skills. Students will 'innovate' to push the barriers of current thinking.