Program Overview
The University of Northampton's Physical Education and Sport BA (Hons) program prepares students for careers in sport development, coaching, and teaching. The program emphasizes practical experience through work placements and coaching opportunities, and graduates are eligible for a guaranteed paid internship. The program offers a range of enrichment opportunities, including volunteering and outdoor activities, and students benefit from access to state-of-the-art sports facilities.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The University of Northampton's Physical Education and Sport BA (Hons) degree delves into the organization of sport, physical education, and physical activity within schools and local communities. The program encourages critical thinking about current and historical practices in these fields, prompting students to reflect on their own experiences. A strong emphasis is placed on applying theoretical knowledge to real-world issues, such as barriers to participation, performance pathways, coaching and teaching practices, and government influence on sport. Assignments can take various forms, including essays, presentations, practical assessments, and posters. The program covers key disciplines within sport and physical education, such as pedagogy, inclusive practice, and physical development. It also includes a work placement opportunity at a local sport or physical education provider. The university boasts partnerships with local schools and major sporting organizations like Northampton Saints, Northampton Swim Club, Northamptonshire Sport, and Northampton Town Football Club. The program offers a range of enrichment opportunities to enhance students' skills, knowledge, and understanding. These opportunities have included coaching qualifications, volunteering, first aid, outdoor and adventurous activities, and student ambassador work.
Outline:
Year 1:
- Sport Pedagogy for Coaching 1 (20 Credits): Introduces the concept of pedagogy in teaching and learning sport, focusing on the coaching process and models from a cross-disciplinary and athlete-centered perspective.
- Introduction to Physical Education and School Sport (20 Credits): Develops curriculum, subject, and curriculum knowledge in the context of physical education and school sport, covering safe and effective management of learners in both school and coaching environments.
- Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 Credits): Explores the psychological influences on human behavior in sport, exercise, physical activity, and coaching contexts.
- The Social Context of Sport and Exercise (20 Credits): Examines how sport and exercise are shaped by social contexts, introducing sociological investigation and contemporary social issues in these fields.
- Introduction to the Sport Industry (20 Credits): Offers an understanding of the sport industry, exploring key organizations and stakeholders in the public, private, and voluntary sectors.
Year 2:
- Sports Development (20 Credits): Focuses on the roles of sport development in delivering sport in the UK, exploring the changing nature of sports development and its relationship to mass participation and international success.
- Work Placement (20 Credits): Prepares students for employability in sport development and physical education through a 120-hour work placement, linking practical experience to theoretical knowledge.
- Sport Research Methods (20 Credits): Develops knowledge and understanding of research designs, methods, and skills within a subject-based context, emphasizing quantitative and qualitative traditions and applications.
- Teaching and Learning in Physical Education (20 Credits): Consolidates and extends students' subject and pedagogical content knowledge in relation to school physical education, exploring teaching, learning, and assessment approaches.
- Positive Psychology Coaching (20 Credits): Applies concepts from positive psychology to sport, exercise, coaching, and physical education contexts to influence performance and wellbeing.
- Strategic Sport Management (20 Credits): Explores key concepts of strategic sport management, including strategic direction, analysis, implementation, and evaluation, using contemporary case studies.
- Sport, Society & Social Equality (20 Credits): Examines social theories and their application to understanding sport, with a focus on social inequalities in sport and participation trends.
Year 3:
- Event Management in Sport (20 Credits): Develops an appreciation for the complexities of staging sport-related events, requiring students to plan, deliver, and evaluate their own event.
- Work Placement 2 (20 Credits): Builds on the knowledge and understanding gained from the Year 2 work placement module, involving a collaborative project with a work placement host.
- Contemporary Issues in Sport Development (20 Credits): Critically examines contemporary issues in sport development, particularly those impacting the role of the sport development officer.
- Critical Issues in Physical Education (20 Credits): Consolidates and extends students' subject, curriculum, and pedagogical content knowledge in relation to physical education and school sport, examining key issues in the field.
- Physical Activity and Society (20 Credits): Develops a critical understanding of the significance and importance of physical activity practices, research, and policies within contemporary society.
- Coaching Professional Development and Education (20 Credits): Examines the importance of professional development in sports coaching, understanding the bodies and organizations involved in this process.
- Social and Welfare Issues in Sport (20 Credits): Examines contemporary social and welfare issues in various sporting contexts, using a multidisciplinary approach.
- Preparing for Teaching (20 Credits): Prepares students for working in education, providing an understanding of current educational policies and practices in physical education and sport.
- Sport Development Dissertation (40 Credits): Allows students to apply knowledge, concepts, and research techniques to a question or problem in sport, exercise, or physical activity, fostering expertise in methodology and research skills.
Assessment:
The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:
- Essays: Written assignments that require students to demonstrate their understanding of theoretical concepts and apply them to real-world situations.
- Presentations: Oral presentations that allow students to showcase their research and communication skills.
- Practical Assessments: Assessments that evaluate students' practical skills in coaching, teaching, and other sport-related activities.
- Posters: Visual representations of research findings or projects, demonstrating students' ability to synthesize information and present it effectively.
Teaching:
The program combines classroom-based sessions with practical activities. Classroom sessions introduce theories and concepts, while practical activities allow students to develop their coaching and teaching delivery styles for children and adults. The program emphasizes group work, pair work, and interaction with tutors, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Careers:
Graduates from the Physical Education and Sport BA (Hons) program are well-prepared for a variety of careers, including:
- Teaching: Many graduates pursue a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to become teachers in various educational settings, including further education, special education, primary, and secondary schools.
- Coaching: Graduates can work as coaches in various sports, providing instruction and guidance to athletes of all ages and skill levels.
- Sport Development: Graduates can work in sport development roles, promoting participation and creating opportunities for people to engage in physical activity.
- Personal Training: Graduates can become personal trainers, providing individualized fitness programs and guidance to clients.
- Further Study: Graduates can pursue postgraduate studies in areas such as Sport and Exercise MRes or Education MA.
Other:
- The program offers a Northampton Energy Elite Athlete Scholarship.
- The program has close partnerships with local sports organizations, including Northampton Saints, Northampton Town FC, and Northants County Cricket Club.
- The program utilizes the purpose-built Sports Zone at Waterside, which includes a multi-use sports dome, sports performance labs, teaching rooms, changing rooms, outdoor multi-use games areas, and a floodlit full-size all-weather sports pitch.
- Students have access to local sport and leisure facilities, a forest school, outdoor learning settings, and an active campus with amenities like table tennis and a trim trail.
- The program includes a guaranteed paid internship through the Northampton Employment Promise.
- Eligible students receive an HP laptop and software.
UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 International – Full Time: £15,200
