MA Physical Education
About this course
MA (Hons) in Physical Education, a Primary Education with QTS - BA (Hons) degree focusing on the teaching of physical education across primary and secondary school age ranges. The programme involves completing placements in primary and secondary schools and leads to eligibility to register with the General Teaching Council for Scotland. The first year covers foundational concepts through physical education - curriculum and pedagogy, health and wellbeing, educational studies, and sport science. The second year continues with physical education - curriculum and pedagogy, health and wellbeing, educational studies, and philosophical and sociological perspectives of physical education. The third year shifts focus to health and wellbeing, developing talent, and philosophical and qualitative analysis of physical culture. The final fourth year concludes with health and wellbeing, school leadership and culture, and skill learning in physical education.
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
A level: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 21%: 130 offers from 619 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 50 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 97%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 91%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 90 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 23 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 90%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 5%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 5%
- 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 255 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- East of England: 1%
- London: 1%
- South East: 2%
- Scotland: 94%
Who gets in
Based on about 80 students who started
- A levels: 89%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 6%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).
Modules
- physical education - curriculum and pedagogy
- health and wellbeing
- educational studies
- sport science
- physical education - curriculum and pedagogy
- health and wellbeing
- educational studies
- philosophical and sociological perspectives of physical education
- health and wellbeing
- developing talent
- philosophical and qualitative analysis of physical culture
- health and wellbeing
- school leadership and culture
- skill learning in physical education
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Physical Education at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £38,000 after 15 months, £31,500 after 3 years, £35,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £34,000 and £37,500. The £35,000 median after five years is £2,500 more than the UK median for Teacher training.
What do graduates of MA Physical Education at University of Edinburgh do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Physical Education at University of Edinburgh?
96% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Physical Education at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 177 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Physical Education at University of Edinburgh?
21% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 130 offers from 619 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is MA Physical Education at University of Edinburgh accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).
How many students continue on MA Physical Education at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.