Course Level:Undergraduate

Next Start Date: October 2023

Duration: 4 Years

Campus Location: Bedford Campus

Attendance: Full-time

UCAS Code:X1C6

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About the course

Train for a dream career where you will inspire and influence young people, on a unique course that gives you the opportunity to study for England’s first Integrated Master’s Degree in Physical Education with QTS.

It is a degree with a difference. Over four years, you opt to study at one of two levels: BA (Hons) Physical Education (with QTS) or MPhysEd (Integrated Master’s) (with QTS)

How does it work? You follow the same course units and complete the same assessments but, in Year 4, you opt for study and assessment grading following either BA (Hons) level criteria (6) or MPhysEd level criteria (7). Completion of the MPhysEd requires a deeper knowledge in your chosen specialism(s) and is subject to achieving at least a 2:1 in Year 3 units.

The course itself develops your understanding of teaching and learning so you can give your students the motivation, confidence, competence and understanding to lead physically active lives. You apply your knowledge and skills in practice via a placement in each year of study, where you are supported by a mentor and university-based staff.

This course is accredited by the Department for Education (DfE).

Why choose this course?

It has a high overall student satisfaction rating of 91% (NSS 2022)
Learn through classroom experience and develop the skills you need to teach a range of physical activities to young people aged 11-16 (16-19 with enhancement)
Study the scientific principles of physical education and sport, with applied practice including athletics, dance, games, gymnastics, health, swimming, outdoor and adventurous activities
Explore issues in teaching, learning and assessment under the guidance of an experienced University teaching team
Develop your expertise in the classroom with the support of a strong partnership between the University and your placement school
Gain a qualification that includes recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Access undergraduate funding to gain two-thirds of a Master’s degree, avoiding a postgraduate Master’s loan
Completing the MPhysEd qualification provides 120 credits at Master’s level, two-thirds of the credits required for a full Master’s degree
Following graduation, you could opt to complete an additional 60-credit dissertation to achieve a full Master’s Degree
Our research suggests the Integrated Master’s qualification enhances our graduates’ already excellent employability and career progression opportunities

Find out what more we can offer YOU at Beds

Accreditations

Department for Education (DfE)

Course Leader - Sophy Bassett-Dubsky

I have significant experience of teaching and leading Physical Education in secondary schools and prior to joining the University, coordinated the Physical Education provision for a SCITT scheme and mentored trainees from the University.

I have a passion for supporting and developing trainee teachers and as the interim Course Coordinator, have many opportunities to ensure their learning and progression is optimal. I enjoy meeting potential trainees in my role as Admissions Tutor for the course, listening to the aspirations and intentions of the next generation of teachers.

Find out more about Sophy Bassett-Dubsky

Units

Developing Physical Literacy Through Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics And Swimming (PBA007-1) Compulsory
Developing Physical Literacy Through Games, Oaa And Health (PBA006-1) Compulsory
Foundations For Learning Teaching And Inclusion (PBA004-1) Compulsory
Scientific Foundations Of Physical Education (PBA005-1) Compulsory
Applied Physical Literacy Through Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics And Swimming (PBA008-2) Compulsory
Applied Physical Literacy Through Health, Games And Oaa (PBA007-2) Compulsory
Teaching For Learning (PBA005-2) Compulsory
Theoretical Frameworks For Physical Education (PBA006-2) Compulsory
Cultural Perspectives On Teaching Physical Education (PBA036-3) Compulsory
Developing Pedagogy In Athletics And Games Activities (PBA021-3) Compulsory
Movement Replication In Gymnastics And Swimming (PBA020-3) Compulsory
Pedagogies For Practical And Classroom Contexts (PBA032-3) Compulsory
Processes And Products - Reflections On Practice In Dance And Oaa (PBA019-3) Compulsory
Promoting Health And Wellbeing In Schools (PBA034-3) Compulsory
Reflecting On Teaching (PSA012-3) Compulsory
Teachers And The Pastoral Curriculum (PSA007-3) Compulsory
The Action Research Project (PSA009-3) Compulsory
The Reflective Practitioner (PSA011-3) Compulsory

The assessment strategy is based upon the premise that critical evaluation of theoretical perspectives as they apply to your own teaching is an intrinsic element of best teaching practice. Throughout the course, therefore, you will continually be encouraged to explore what is known about teaching and learning, and to demonstrate independence and creativity in evaluating the relevance of that knowledge in your own context. Assessed work will be directly applicable to your future role as a teacher and predominantly include essays, reflective writing, reports, presentations and portfolio. During your placements you will be assessed directly against the Teachers Standards. In years one and two you will complete in-class tests to assess your developing knowledge and understanding. Sound subject knowledge is a fundamental quality of an effective teacher and you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to ongoing development of that knowledge throughout the course. Also key to the course is a focus on the development of research informed teaching, culminating in an extended systematic study of your own practice (action research project/dissertation). By embedding the professional requirements for Qualified Teacher Status within the academic requirements of the degree, the course supports you in developing the qualities which define the University of Bedfordshire Graduate Teacher: an independent, reflective, creative, innovative, collaborative and resilient professional who is committed to ongoing personal and professional development. The assessment for this course seeks to support you in developing your understanding of the interplay between theoretical perspectives and practice based experience. You will be developing your skills of research and evaluation, critical thinking, creativity and independence. The themes for your reflective writing are developed from local and national priorities and, therefore, allow you to develop the evidence of your understanding of values and principles underpinning the Teachers Standards as they apply to your working context. (Superficial statements of performance against the standards oppose the principles which underpin this course and are not accepted). By building your reflections around these themes, you will generate rich evidence which can contribute to the assessment of your professional performance. Hence, the assessment items are intrinsically connected and, in combination, allow you to demonstrate your achievement of all learning outcomes. The Profile Review Point is the process by which the mentor reviews your progress in your teaching practice. The Teachers Standards (2012) provide the framework by which this progress is judged and are supplemented with descriptors which support you in understanding the qualities which define the level at which you meet the standards. The Teachers Standards Descriptors are included in School Experience documentation. Formative use of assessment is embedded throughout the course and is a principle which we would expect you to adopt in your own teaching. You will be supported to become familiar with self- and peer-assessment approaches and to make effective use of feedback on both academic and practice-based aspects of the course, to identify targets for your ongoing development and plan actions to address them. Engagement with published research is a fundamental aspect of the course and you will be supported in developing skills of critical analysis of the literature. Rigorous attention to referencing conventions is, therefore, essential and you will be required to adopt the Harvard system. You will be supported in developing your understanding of plagiarism and poor academic practice to ensure that your work meets the highest standards of ethics.

Why the School of Teacher Education?

100% satisfaction with Physical Education (Secondary) NSS 2021
Professional expertise in all 4 phases of Teacher Education

Entry Requirements

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

UCAS Tariff Points

At least 104 points which should include three A levels at C or above
At least 104 points with Merit Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction* Distinction* in the BTEC Diploma or Distinction Merit Merit in a BTEC Extended Diploma
A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma
Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.

You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator

Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.

T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details

Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team

UCAS Calculator

Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff Points

At least 104 points which should include three A levels at C or above
At least 104 points with Merit Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction* Distinction* in the BTEC Diploma or Distinction Merit Merit in a BTEC Extended Diploma
A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma
Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.

You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator

Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.

T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details

Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team

Special entry requirements

A standard equivalent to a grade 4 (or GCSE A to C) in the GCSE examinations in English and mathematics.
To have IELTS with an average score of at least 6.0 if your first language is not English and you do not have GCSE grade C in English
Meet all safeguarding requirements including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check, Fitness to Practice, Suitability to Train to Teach, and all other safeguarding checks required at the time of application

All candidates are interviewed and this process consists of: an individual verbal interview and a practical test for games, gymnastics and dance.

Local and national demand for University of Bedfordshire graduate teachers is high. Recent annual destinations surveys show that typically 95-100% of graduate teachers will have secured full-time teaching posts to begin in the year of graduation.

For those who wish to gain promotion within schools, evidence shows that this is highly likely, with many graduates securing a variety of leadership responsibilities. Recent graduates are now in roles such as Head of Department, Head of Year, Head of House, Assistant Head, Deputy Head and even Head Teacher. Other graduates who wanted to work in education internationally are now in teaching and leadership positions around the world.

If you decide that school teaching is not for you there are opportunities for you to use the skills that you have gained in other areas of training, coaching and adult education as well as more broadly in sports or education organisations. Occasionally, other graduates use their transferable knowledge, skills and understanding in unrelated fields and industries.

Fees and Funding

The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.

See www.gov.uk/student-finance

The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.

See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships