Physical Education (PGCE)

You’ll need a 2:2 degree in a subject that covers the theory and practice of sport, health and physical education. 

You'll also need GCSEs (minimum grade 4/C) in English language and maths.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.  

Secondary school classroom experience may strengthen your application. 

Before applying, make sure you’ve read the National Curriculum for Physical Education and the standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.

Got a question?

If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.

This is a full-time course. You’ll study from September to June, with breaks at Christmas and Easter.  

Find out more about University key dates. 

You’ll split your time between the University and 2 placement schools, sixth forms or colleges. 

The course consists of 4 compulsory modules. We assess 3 of them at master’s level, 1 at undergraduate level. You’ll need to pass the 3 master’s-level modules to gain your PGCE award. 

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

The learning activities for this course include the following: 

• lectures, seminars and tutorials 
• group activities 
• directed study 
• independent study 
• independent research 
• school placements 

Assessment

We’ll assess you using: 

• written assignments 
• a presentation 
• a portfolio 

Academic Support

We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor. 

You’ll have the support of a school-based mentor during your practice placements.

Successful completion of this course will give you Qualified Teacher Status. This will allow you to work as a teacher in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales. 

 We have high employment rates from our PGCE Secondary courses, with many trainees going on to work in our partnership schools. 

If you choose to continue your studies, the credits you build up from your master’s-level modules can be put towards a future master’s degree qualification. 

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK/EU students pay £9,250.
• International students pay £18,104.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK and EU nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries  may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.

PGCE course applications are processed through UCAS. When you apply, you'll be taken to the UCAS website where you'll need to register an account with UCAS to submit an application. For information: there is a plan to move PGCE courses from applying through UCAS onto a DFE system.

Application deadlines

Supporting information

UCAS process applications for this course. When you apply, they'll give you details of any supporting information or documents you'll need to submit.

Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.

What happens after you apply

Following application through UCAS you will hear back by email from the University. The University has 40 working days to respond to your application, but you will almost always hear back much more quickly than that.

If you are selected for the next stage of the process you will be invited for an interview at the University. The interview process includes an opportunity to find out more about the course and to ask questions. You will give a short presentation, complete a short written task and have a face-to-face interview with tutors. Following the interview, we'll make a decision on whether or not to offer you a conditional place. The decision will be uploaded to UCAS within 5 working days of the interview date.

Interviews will take place online if they are not possible in person. You'll receive an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.

All offers are conditional on enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and health checks.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000