Physical Education (MA Hons) - Mockup

Students learn through lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical workshops.

We assess work in different ways to suit learning outcomes and allow students to develop the skills they’ll need for future roles. We also expect students to maintain a professional portfolio throughout the programme and to engage in professional learning to address areas of development.

Year 1

In Year 1 your focus will be the primary school curriculum as the foundation for lifelong engagement in physical education.

You will study:

• physical education - curriculum and pedagogy
• health and wellbeing
• educational studies
• sport science

You will also complete placements in a primary school.

Year 2

The focus extends into the early years of secondary school. 

You will undertake an ongoing study of:

• physical education - curriculum and pedagogy
• health and wellbeing
• educational studies
• philosophical and sociological perspectives of physical education

Year 2 placements are in a secondary school.

Year 3

This year begins with an extended placement in a secondary school. 

You will also engage in courses covering curriculum and pedagogy in educational studies and physical education. These create links between the nature of educational practice and issues related to national qualifications. 

Drawing on the core courses you took in Years 1 and 2, you will select an option course to further inform your professional practice. Our courses cover areas including:

• health and wellbeing
• developing talent
• philosophical and qualitative analysis of physical culture

Year 4

In Year 4 you will take a physical education course on curriculum and pedagogy. This will enable you to focus on the future direction of physical education and your ability to engage in its development. 

You will also take an educational studies course that involves a major independent study on an area of professional interest. 

You will also take another option course from an area such as:

• health and wellbeing
• school leadership and culture
• skill learning in physical education

Lastly, you will complete a final extended block placement in a secondary school.

Professional Placement courses comprise Practicum Strands that address classroom knowledge and skills. This includes planning, managing, organising, assessing and evaluating pupil learning. Students will also teach classes for increasing periods of time.

School-based learning takes place in placement schools. The University does not permit students to arrange their own placements. Schools, local authorities and universities work together to complete this process. 

Moray House School of Education and Sport has established partnerships with six local authorities:

• City of Edinburgh
• East Lothian
• Fife
• Midlothian
• Scottish Borders
• West Lothian

Most placements are within these authorities. However, placement in independent schools and other local authorities across Scotland is possible.

Students do not normally have to travel more than 90 minutes each way from their term-time address for their school placement. All student teachers must be prepared to travel up to 90 minutes to their placement school, although students are placed closer wherever possible.  

Eligible graduates are entitled to a place on the internationally renowned Scottish Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS). This provides graduates working towards the Standard for Full Registration (SFR) as a teacher a guaranteed, paid, one-year teaching post with support from a school mentor and reduced class contact time. Students from Scotland, other parts of the UK (RUK) and Member States of the European Union who are studying at a Scottish Higher Education Institution are eligible to join this scheme. TIS is organised by the Scottish Government.

Participation in the scheme is not a requirement. You may choose to follow the alternative Flexible Route. This is less structured and may better suit your needs.

Students from non-EU overseas countries who complete this degree can also follow the Flexible Route to complete probationary service. This is only an option if they are able to remain in Scotland after they complete their studies.

Preference Waiver Payment Scheme

Eligible graduates may join the GTCS’s Preference Waiver Payment Scheme. This means you agree to work in any Scottish local authority for your induction post. In return, you will receive £8,000 if you are a secondary teacher, or £6,000 if you are a primary teacher. You only receive this payment  if you complete your Teacher Induction Scheme year in your allocated local authority. 

We are committed to supporting our students during their studies. In addition to a broad range of support from University, college and school, we also offer EdBudds, which is short for Educational Buddies.

EdBudds is a bespoke system of peer support that draws on our alumni. They offer advice and help through events and activities for our students.

This programme of events, organised by our Professional Learning Coordinator, introduces our students to professional learning at the start of their teaching journey. Teachers need to engage in additional learning throughout their careers to strengthen their practical and professional knowledge.

Sessions in the past covered teacher wellbeing, concussion awareness, ‘How to deliver tennis – Judy Murray style!’ and ‘Introduction to British Sign Language in a Physical Education Context’ taught by one of our Year 4 students.

Events on supporting additional needs and disabilities benefit from partnerships with Scottish Disability Sport, CALL Scotland and British Sign Language. This allows the programme to offer bespoke, compulsory Disability Inclusion Training (DIT) Certificated Programmes for Years 1 and 4 as an extension to the Professional Learning Week.