Programme structure: Physical Education

Through lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops, this four-year programme provides you with the skills to teach young people how to live active lives.

Teaching and assessment

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.

Programme aims

We aim to educate teachers who can  provide children and young people with the knowledge, motivation and skills to live active lives. PE allows young people to develop physically, morally, intellectually and socially within an educational context that values and cares for them.

The role of physical education in primary and secondary schools

PE forms part of the core curriculum and is offered as national qualifications.

It offers a range of activities within, and beyond, the curriculum. These engage children and young people in purposeful, worthwhile, fun and enriching learning experiences.

It addresses a broad range of education goals through well-planned, developmentally appropriate PE programmes.

Programme structure

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

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:

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.

Facilities

Students on our sports-related programmes have access to excellent facilities to aid in their study and research.

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