Sport, Coaching and Physical Education
Sport, coaching, and physical education is a degree that covers three related but distinct domains: the scientific and cultural study of sport, the theory and practice of coaching, and the pedagogical skills needed to teach physical education effectively. The combination is designed to give you a genuinely flexible route into the sport and education sectors, developing the knowledge and practical skills that apply across coaching, teaching, and sports development roles. Physical education is not simply the teaching of sports skills; it is an educational discipline concerned with developing movement literacy, physical confidence, teamwork, and lifelong habits of physical activity in young people.
At the University of St Mark and St John, this three-year degree develops a broad understanding of sports coaching and physical education through a curriculum that mixes modules on coaching theory and practice, teaching and physical education pedagogy, and the organisation and management of sport. You will develop hands-on expertise through practical work that prepares you both for school settings and for the variety of coaching environments found in community, club, and performance sport. The degree's flexible structure means that you can develop pathways into teaching, coaching, or other sports-related roles, giving you options as your interests and professional goals become clearer during your studies.
Graduates of sport, coaching, and physical education degrees most commonly pursue initial teacher training in physical education, moving towards qualified teacher status through the PGCE or School Direct route. The coaching focus also opens roles in community sport development, sports clubs at all levels, national governing body programmes, and local authority leisure services. Many graduates work in roles that combine elements of coaching and education, particularly in community settings where sport is used as a vehicle for personal development, health promotion, and social inclusion.
Postgraduate study in physical education, sports coaching, or sports development is available for those seeking specialist expertise or leadership roles.