BA Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) in Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport with Foundation Year, an undergraduate degree focused on physical education, sport coaching, and educational practices across diverse settings. Core topics include Statistics, Research Methods, Communication & Writing, and Ethics & Professional Practice. This four-year programme features a compulsory foundation year, an optional placement year, and an optional year abroad, incorporating practical professional experiences and an industry-backed diploma module delivered in partnership with the Derby County Community Trust. The course begins with a foundation year introducing key academic and study skills alongside foundational concepts in sport, exercise, and education. Year 1 builds core competencies through modules such as Academic and Research Skills for Sport and Exercise, Coaching and Skill Acquisition, Foundational Movement Skills, Introduction to Coaching Science, and Introduction to Teaching Physical Education. Year 2 advances into specialised areas with Research Methods for Sport and Exercise, Professional Practice, Coaching Children and Adolescents, The Learning Coach, Exploring Cognition and Learning Needs, and Sport and Exercise Psychology. The final year concludes with an independent study investigation alongside modules like Adaptive Coaching Theory and Practice, The Outdoor Classroom, and Supporting the Delivery of Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 72 A level: DDD T Level: Pass BTEC: MMP GCSE: GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 24, Pass: 21 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
See the highest paying Biology & Sport Science degrees in the UK →
See the highest paying Education & Teaching degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 34 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 94%
- Assessment and feedback: 93%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 90%
- Learning resources: 98%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 60 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 66%
- Gained a higher qualification: 18%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 25 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Sports and fitness occupations: 14%
- Therapy professionals: 14%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 9%
- Teaching Professionals: 8%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 90%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 300 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 67%
- West Midlands: 15%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 1%
- South East: 2%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 75 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 76%
- Access course: 7%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 16%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- Psychology of Education
- Study Skills and Research
- The Art of Sport and Exercise: A Foundation
- Research Methods and Data Handling
- English
- Mathematics
- Biomedical Science
- Society and Culture
- Academic and Research Skills for Sport and Exercise
- Coaching and Skill Acquisition
- Foundational Movement Skills
- Introduction to Coaching Science
- Introduction to Teaching Physical Education
- Research Methods for Sport and Exercise
- Professional Practice
- Coaching Children and Adolescents
- The Learning Coach
- Exploring Cognition and Learning Needs
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Independent Study for Sport and Exercise
- Adaptive Coaching Theory and Practice
- The Outdoor Classroom
- Supporting the Delivery of Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport with Foundation Year at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £23,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £17,500 and £29,500. The £23,500 median after five years is £4,000 less than the UK median for Sport and exercise sciences.
What do graduates of BA Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport with Foundation Year at University of Derby do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
97% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
The typical offer is DDD at A level. The average entrant had 105 UCAS points.
Does BA Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport with Foundation Year at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
66% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.