Explore a hands-on degree that merges coaching practice, sport science and school placements to prepare you for careers in PE, coaching and sport development
The BSc (Hons) Physical Education and Sports Coaching at the University of Staffordshire is a vocational and research-informed programme designed for anyone aiming to work as a PE teacher or a sports coach. Join us at our next Open Day on 6 June to see the facilities and meet the team.
The course balances practical delivery, placement experience and academic study so you can explore career pathways in teaching, community sport, performance analysis and health and fitness. From day one you will use industry-standard tools and learn to design sessions that meet the full range of the national curriculum in schools.
Over the duration of the degree you will develop a teaching and coaching philosophy grounded in evidence. The programme issues the award BSc (Hons) Physical Education and Sports Coaching on successful completion and positions graduates strongly for postgraduate training such as a PGCE if you want to qualify as a teacher.
Typical study length is three years full-time; options include a placement year or a foundation year for four-year pathways, and part-time study can take between four and nine years depending on your pace.
Course structure and learning focus
The curriculum is built to develop both practical coaching skills and applied academic understanding. In year one you will tackle modules covering coaching across youth, performance and disability sport while being introduced to sport science topics such as sport psychology, biomechanics and physiology. Year two shifts towards deeper theoretical perspectives and research literacy, with opportunities to undertake a placement module in a school or community setting. Your final year centres on an independent research project, advanced professional development and investigation of innovative teaching approaches, ensuring you leave with a strong portfolio of work.
Modules, assessment and learning technologies
Assessment methods are varied to reflect the range of professional tasks you will face: practical coaching assessments, written assignments, presentations, podcasts and vlogs. You will regularly use digital tools that mirror modern sport environments, including GPS vests, heart rate monitors and performance analysis software. These technologies support development in session planning, athlete monitoring and performance review. The course also uses specialist laboratories and outdoor facilities to provide a realistic context for applied learning and research.
Practical experience and facilities
Practical exposure is central to the programme. Students work within the campus sports hub, including the Sir Stanley Matthews Sports Centre, and have access to external elite environments such as the national football centre at St George’s Park. Through the Sports Academy you can volunteer to lead activity for visiting international athletes, local school pupils and community groups. Practical sessions allow you to choose a sport focus—from football and rugby to dance and swimming—while also preparing you to deliver the entire PE curriculum.
Placements and partnerships
We maintain active relationships with schools, colleges and sports organisations so you can gain meaningful on-the-job experience. Links with professional clubs, including Stoke City and Port Vale, county sports partnerships and local community clubs create placement and internship possibilities. Many students undertake roles delivering sport sessions in schools, alternative education settings or sports venues, and some complete performance analysis placements at professional clubs. All students are supported to complete a DBS check where required for placements.
Entry, fees, support and careers
Entry expectations include 112-120 UCAS Tariff points, GCE A Levels (BBC or equivalent), or BTEC National Extended Diploma (DMM). Applicants with an Access to HE Diploma or other recognised qualifications are considered; the admissions team can advise if your experience does not match the listed requirements. For the course starting on 21 September 2026, tuition fees are £9,790 per year for UK students and £17,085 per year for international students. Financial support, scholarships through the High Performance Academy and sport-specific bursaries may be available.
Teaching staff bring both research and professional practice to the course. You will learn from senior academics and practitioners, including experienced lecturers such as Jack Bullock, and may contribute to ongoing research or present your own work at conferences. Graduates progress into roles across youth sport, professional coaching, athletics development, and teaching, with some moving into specialist positions overseas. If your aim is to become a qualified teacher, this degree prepares you well for subsequent teacher training pathways.
