SPORT AND EDUCATION

BA (Hons) / FdA

Accredited by University College Birmingham

This course is subject to validation and approval
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Duration

3 years FT

Placement

Multiple Placements Available

Entry

September

Fees

View Fees

Department of Sport and Nutrition
Choose Award
Duration

2 years FT

Placement

Multiple Placements Available

Entry

September

Fees

View Fees

Department of Sport and Nutrition
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There is a significant shortage of sports teachers across various regions in the UK. Studying sport teaching could offer you the opportunity to fill this gap 

We have invested £44m in our flagship facilities, including our cutting-edge sports facilities, to support your future career opportunities

This dynamic and interdisciplinary course integrates the fields of sports and education. This unique course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between sport and education, preparing them for diverse career opportunities in both sectors.

The curriculum is carefully crafted to blend theoretical knowledge with practical skills to give you the most well-rounded educational experience.

This course offers a route for you to progress onto qualified teacher training. It also opens the doors to a wide range of other career opportunities, from working in a variety of different education settings, including sports development and community coaching, to becoming a learning mentor. 

£5k Cost of Living Allowance: for all full-time UK undergraduate students starting in September 2025.

Why should I choose this course?

  • NO EXAMS – If you are not keen on exams, this course is for you. Unlike many degrees in this field, you will have no written exams during or at the end of the course and will be assessed through practical assessments and coursework only
  • PGCE PROGRESSION WITH UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK – Students who complete our Sport and Education degree course will be offered a guaranteed interview (subject to basic entry criteria) for Primary or Physical Education (secondary) PGCE courses at our partner institution, the University of Warwick. See more details under Key Information below
  • WORK EXPERIENCE – Students have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of different settings, including schools, colleges, local community groups and sports clubs
  • SPECIALISE YOUR STUDIES – We work with you to provide experiences suited to your career goals, allowing you to explore roles within both sport and education sectors

Our facilities

Students on our sports courses at University College Birmingham have access to a wide range of excellent facilities. Our campus features our dedicated Human Performance Laboratory, cutting-edge gym and sports injury and massage clinics, while you also have access to the state-of-the-art facilities at nearby Avery Fields, thanks to our partnership with local rugby club Bournville RFC.

Human Performance Laboratory 3D tour

Entry requirements

Sport and Education BA (Hons)

A-levels: Grade profile of CCC in any subject combination.

T-levels: T-level graded pass with a core component of grade C.

BTEC: Grade profile of MMM from any subject. This can be achieved from either an Extended Diploma or a combination of smaller BTEC qualifications.

Tariff: Other Level 3 qualifications are accepted for entry to University College Birmingham. A minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points will be required.

Access to Higher Education Diploma: 96 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction.

Students on this course are subject to the Code of Professional Conduct and Fitness to Practise Policy, together with a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. University College Birmingham will coordinate and fund the completion of the DBS check. 

Sport and Education FdA

A-levels: Grade profile of DD in any subject combination.

T-levels: T-level graded pass with a core component profile less than C.

BTEC: Grade profile of PPP from any subject. This can be achieved from either an Extended Diploma or a combination of smaller BTEC qualifications.

Tariff: Other Level 3 qualifications are accepted for entry to University College Birmingham. A minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points will be required.

Access to Higher Education Diploma: 48 UCAS Tariff points.

Non-tariff: Non-UCAS Tariff-based Level 3 qualifications are also considered for entry. Please complete our enquiry form here to check your eligibility.

Students on this course are subject to the Code of Professional Conduct and Fitness to Practise Policy, together with a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. University College Birmingham will coordinate and fund the completion of the DBS check. 

International students

For academic and English entry requirements for EU and international students, please visit the Country Specific Information page.

Please note: As an International Student, when choosing optional placement, a visa extension may be required.

Key information

Teaching and assessment

Note: Indicative information only – actual timetables and assessment regimes will be issued at your induction. 

Teaching 

Example of a typical teaching week (up to 15 contact hours): 

  • Large group teaching – 6 hours  
  • Smaller group teaching – 6 hours  
  • Tutorials – 2 hours  
  • Work experience 

You will also need to commit around 20 hours per week for individual study time. 

Assessment 

Estimated breakdown of assessment for this course: 

Coursework– 50% 

Practical assessment– 50% 

Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.

Timetable

We understand that you need to balance study with work, so wherever possible your lessons will be timetabled into 2-3 days a week.

Additional qualifications and training

You will have opportunities to gain additional qualifications, including: 

  • Level 2 and Level 3 Gym Instructor and Personal Training qualifications 
  • 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Multi-Skills Development in Sport 
  • First Aid Qualification/ Paediatric First Aid 
  • Makaton 

Please note extra qualifications may incur an additional fee. 

PGCE progression (University of Warwick)

The University of Warwick Centre for Teacher Education will offer a guaranteed interview to any finalists from our Sport and Education BA (Hons) course who meet the basic entry criteria for either of the following courses:

A guaranteed interview means that once you have submitted your application form for one of the above courses (via the DfE Apply system) and confirmed that you are undertaking University College Birmingham's Sport and Education BA (Hons) course, you will be invited for an interview.

During the interview, you will be asked to engage in a number of tasks, including:

  • An individual presentation
  • An individual interview

There will be opportunities for you to meet both members of the University of Warwick's PGCE Primary and Phyiscal Education team who will be able to answer any questions you may have. More information about the structure of your interview will be shared at the point of invitation.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact cte.admissions@warwick.ac.uk.

 

Uniform kit and costs

This course requires a uniform and kit costing approximately £100 depending on the items you purchase. (Prices are subject to change each year – exact costs and information on how to order required items will be provided to you prior to enrolment.) 

Tuition fees for home students

If you are a home student enrolling on a bachelor's or foundation degree course at University College Birmingham, the 2024/2025 academic year tuition fee for full-time study is £9,250. For part-time study, the fee is £4,625.

In 2025/2026, the full-time fee will be £9,535 per year, while the part-time fee will be £4,767.50 per year.

View tuition fees for home students

Scholarships and bursaries

Sporting Excellence Scholarship

Students on our sports courses at University College Birmingham may be eligible to receive one of our Sporting Excellence Scholarships. These are open to applicants from any country who are able to demonstrate ongoing excellence in sporting achievement.

Two levels of support package are available, with awards of up to £3,000 towards competitions, training costs and equipment over three years of study. The scholarship also includes:

  • University-branded training kit 
  • Free gym membership 
  • Individually tailored programme - may include nutrition, sports psychology, strength and conditioning or lifestyle support 
  • Weekly sports therapy/massage 

To find out more about the levels of support and eligibility criteria, visit our scholarships and waivers page.

Kick-Start Scheme

As a new student studying this course full-time, you will receive £300 per year through our Kick-Start Scheme (UK students only, eligibility criteria applies). This scheme will support your studies and future career by contributing to course-related materials, uniform or selected items on campus. You may also qualify for an additional £500 per year.

Find out more about the Kick-Start Scheme here.

Unibuddy Community - meet other students on your course

Starting university is an exciting time, but we understand that it can sometimes feel a little daunting. To support you, you will be invited to join our Unibuddy Community, where you can meet other students who have applied for the same course at University College Birmingham, before you start studying here.

As soon as you have been made an offer, you will be sent an invitation email to complete your registration and join the Unibuddy Community. For more information, check out our Unibuddy Community page.

Latest updates

Join the conversation and check out the latest updates from the Department of Sport and Nutrition.



UCB Sports

 

Course breakdown

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Core Modules

Academic Skills

This module aims to develop the vital skills and abilities of students that will be required for effective study and learning within the Higher Education environment. Key concepts around the topic of learning and managing oneself in this environment will be identified and related skills practised and developed through a variety of tasks and activities. These skills will then be enhanced further throughout the completion of a range of assessments that link into the assessments of other modules across the programme. This allows for abilities to be worked on in a meaningful and relevant context.

Principles of Coaching

This module aims to give you an understanding of different styles and practise designs in order to create a positive learning environment for your participants. You will also look at coaching in a range of contexts from school sport through community participation and working with adult groups. By the end of the module, the aim is that you will be confident in preparing and delivering a coaching session to a range of audiences. As part of this module, you will also have the opportunity to work with/observe a range of coaching sessions in these environments.

Human Growth and Development in Childhood and Young People

The module will provide an opportunity for you to explore human growth and development including how biological and environmental experiences play a major role in influencing development and learning, with a particular focus on infancy, childhood and adolescence. By understanding the developmental stages this will support you in identifying individual difference, including developmental delay, as part of your role in ensuring children and young people have the necessary educational support to maximise success in both educational and social domains of their lives.

Effective Pedagogical Approaches in Education

The module is designed to provide you with an understanding of a range of pedagogical approaches, both traditional and contemporary. There will be opportunities to explore factors relating to pedagogical thinking, approaches to education and the impact these have on teaching and learning, nationally and internationally. As part of this, you will develop an understanding of teaching strategies from Early Years through to Further Education, considering the role of questioning, modelling, creativity, peer teaching, enquiry-based learning and direction instruction. Alongside this, you will reflect on factors impacting on the success of these approaches, such as student learning styles and education policies.

Protecting and Safeguarding Children and Young People

This module provides a comprehensive framework of knowledge and understanding for you, regardless of your domain of practice, to safeguard children and young people. You will be able to identify signs of abuse and neglect, recognise when children and young people may be at risk supporting your understanding of the legislative framework, and your role as part of working within a multi-disciplinary team in ensuring effective graduate childhood and educational practice.

Sport in Society

This module is inter-disciplinary in approach and places the analysis of sport within a broad sociological and historical context. Specifically the module aims to demonstrate an analytical understanding of the role sport plays in contemporary society by way of applying sociological approaches and theories to modern day issues. Students are encouraged to critically think and debate the role sport plays in society and to look at the impact this has had on the development and structure of sport particularly in the UK.

Core Modules

The Developing Sports Coach

The aim of this module is to provide you with knowledge and experience of effective coaching sessions, focusing not just on the delivery of effective sessions but in addition giving consideration towards planning and evaluation. The module will introduce you to reflective coaching in order to improve coaching further.

Research for Sport and Education

You will be introduced to the management and application of research, looking at using primary and secondary research tools and techniques through various research activities. You will establish research aims, objectives, research methods and how to collect both qualitative and quantitative data for use in your own research. The module will be delivered via a blended approach with students completing activities and gaining support via lecture tutorials.

Personal and Professional Development

In this module you will investigate the variety of career paths open andof interest to you, across the industry. You will explore a number of employment related frameworks, in addition to reflecting on your own strengths and areas for development in relation to the career paths of your choice. You will undertake at least 40-hours of placement within industry, this can be work shadowing, voluntary or paid work; and may be in a block (i.e. one week) or across a number of weeks. If you wish to explore more than one career pathway this is also encouraged to enable you to develop a clear career plan for the final assessment. The final presentation will allow you to employ reflection tools to consider your career plan and future actions to plan for employment.

Education & Health Inequalities

This module explores health inequalities; what they are, the various factors that lead to health inequalities and how these affect a child's development, education and outcomes. The Social Determinants of Health will be considered in the influence of the health and well-being of a child and the external influences of mass media, public policy, health rights and public health interventions will be examined to identify how they contribute to the health and well-being of children. It explores the physiological, psychological, and social health needs of various demographic groups in different settings and communities in order to understand the holistic nature of the term 'health' in relation to a child's education.

Principles of Curriculum Development

This module invites you to consider the core principles underpinning curriculum design. As part of your study, you will reflect on the purpose, content, delivery, and monitoring of an inclusive curriculum that meets the needs of all children. Furthermore, you will examine and evaluate competing curriculum development models and pedagogical and philosophical debates to justify your vision for a 21st-century curriculum.

Sport Psychology

The module aims to investigate the potential impact that psychology has on sports performance. This module will critically and analytically review sport psychology focusing on key areas such as motivation, personality, concentration, attitude to injury, aggression and cognitive learning. A further key element analysed is the role of the coach and how this relationship is potentially affected by psychological factors. This module is useful for students who work alongside adults or children in a managerial or coaching context because psychology is such an important element of human behaviour.

Core Modules

Special Populations and Inclusive Coaching

Building on the understanding achieved within previous coaching modules, students will be given the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge of working with different groups. The students will experience an inclusive coaching environment, i.e. SEN, disability sport, etc., and gain an understanding of the adaptations needed in order to deliver an effective learning environment. Students will be able to evaluate their delivery and highlight possible areas for adaptations and development.

Work-based Learning in Sport

The aim of the module is for you to gain work-based experience within the sport and education industry. The experience will allow you to further enhance both your career specific skills and transferable skills. Throughout the work-based learning module you will have the opportunity to experience and observe a variety of different practices. The module further aims to develop your ability to analyse the work-based experience, with the use of reflection models. In addition, the module is focused upon ensuring you are employment ready following the completion of your studies.

Contemporary Issues in Education, Learning & Graduate Practice

Throughout this module, you will explore and discuss contemporary issues in education from many contrasting perspectives. By engaging in debates and exploring different assumptions and arguments, you will consider social, cultural and political factors that affect the education of children, the profession of educational practitioners, as well as the influence of parents and other key stakeholders. Through varying theoretical and philosophical frameworks, you will make connections between theory and practice in your own professional context. The topics studied will be relevant to your year of study in relation to contemporary issues within childhood education at that time.

Social Justice in Work with Families, Young People and Communities

You will critically examine the historical and current roles played by professionals working with families, young people, and communities in relation to human rights, social justice and oppression. This will include the current and historical development of the legislative framework for anti- discriminatory practice. You will learn about key aspects of empowerment and development in practice. Ethical issues faced by workers in undertaking anti-oppressive/anti-discriminatory practice especially when working with marginalised individuals and groups with be reflected on. You will also explore the role of identity and culture in relation to development work and to working with diversity.

Sport and Nutrition Project

You are required to select a research question or topic aligned to your profession, formulate the best way to answer the question, and present your findings in both a written and presentation format (poster presentation).

The modules listed above for this course are SUBJECT TO VALIDATION. They are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date and informed by the industry as well as the latest teaching methods. On occasion, we may need to make unexpected changes to modules – if this occurs, we will contact all offer holders as soon as possible. 

Percentage
70%

of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them

Work placements

Work placements are vital for gaining real-life experience and for building your confidence and skills before you finish your course – and they may even lead to a job when you graduate. Our Hired team can help find the ideal placement for you.

Work placement opportunities and requirements are integrated into some of the modules that you will study on our BA Sport and Education course, allowing you to put theory into practice and enhance your future employability.

"This course will help students understand the integration between sports and education and open doors to a fulfilling and influential career. Begin the path to becoming a leader in this dynamic field."

Nathan Price Programme Lead, Sport and Education

Career opportunities

The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.

Primary school teacher

Average Salary: £29,364

Secondary school teacher (physical education)

Average Salary: £29,364

Further education teacher

Average Salary: £33,000

Community sports coach

Average Salary: £21,000

Sports development officer

Average Salary: £30,000

Learning mentor

Average Salary: £22,500

Hired

We are here to support your career goals every step of the way. 

Find out more

Laura’s Story

Laura's passion and expertise has been a driving force in her career in the field of sport and education. 

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