Have you ever wondered how you could take your sports performance to an elite level? Why some people can run faster than others? How your personality and the mind affects your performance? How technology can help improve your performance in sport? Study Physical Education to find out the answers!
Subject Information
The sports industry is an integral part of modern society and at a professional level is a lucrative business. Studying Physical Education will give you a fantastic insight into the amazing world of sports performance. Not only will you have the chance to perform or coach a sport through the non-exam assessment component, you will also develop a wide-ranging knowledge into the how and why of physical activity and sport.
The combination of physical performance and academic challenge provides an exciting opportunity. You can perform and then through the academic study improve your performance or coaching through application of the theory.
You will learn the reasons why we do things, why some people outperform others, mentally and physically. You will delve into the ethical considerations behind the use of drugs and the influence that modern technology is having on physical activity and sport.
This course will be ideal for you if you have a strong interest in sport and the theory of sport. It will help you to understand and apply theoretical work to improve your own sporting performance. You will also get support and experiences with possible career progression routes via university trips and workshops.
Course Details
Practical performance – You’ll have a fantastic opportunity to specialise in a sport – either as a performer or as a coach.
Sport analysis – You will analyse and evaluate the performance of an individual in one activity, using the knowledge, skills and understanding that you develop.
Sport theory – Via study and research, you will develop an understanding of the following:
- Physiological factors affecting performance
- Applied anatomy and physiology
- Exercise physiology
- Biomechanics
- Psychological factors affecting performance
- Skill acquisition
- Sports psychology
- Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport
- Sport and society
- Contemporary issues in physical activity and sport
All aspects of the course provide different perspectives on the subject, supported by dynamic and engaging staff, guest speakers and a range of enrichment trips, talks, workshops and work experience. Provision can include local and national visits to a sports science laboratory, Bisham Abbey National Sports Performance Centre, Loughborough University School of Sport, exercise and health sciences, elite coaching environments.
Physical Education students have access to excellent sports facilities and membership of a modern, well-equipped fitness suite.
Subject Specific Entry Requirements
- Grade 6 in GCSE Physical Education (or equivalent course if taken).
Where could Physical Education take me?
Physical Education is ideal preparation if you’re considering studying for a degree or looking for employment linked to health, exercise, nutrition, sport, physical education teaching, sport psychology, sociology, sport and exercise science or simply any other science, sports coaching, gym management, personal training, sports development.
Employers and universities greatly value the range of skills and competencies that sport graduates possess. They see Physical Education as a robust academic subject rich in skills, knowledge and understanding.
As a subject linking performance, sociology and the sciences, Physical Education is very flexible. After your time at sixth form, there are hundreds of courses to choose from and the range of career areas accessed by graduates of Physical Education will probably surprise you.
