Secondary Physical Education (with EBacc subject) with QTS (11-16) PGCE
GOV.UK code: EBacc Computing pathway: P833 , EBacc English pathway: T397, EBacc Geography pathway: X973 , EBacc History pathway: D125, EBacc Mathematics pathway: N923
Develop your skills and boost your employability by studying our PGCE Secondary Physical Education with an EBacc pathway in either computing, English, geography, history or mathematics. Upon successful completion of your chosen route, you’ll gain a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status.
Overview
| Course length: | 1 year full-time |
|---|---|
| Start dates: | September 2025 |
| Location: | Edge Hill University |
| Subject(s): | Education and Teaching |
| Faculty: | Education |
| Department: | Secondary and Further Education |
Play a key role in training to teach young people and keeping them active. Not only will you be able to showcase your enthusiasm for physical education in schools and share the benefits of movement on the body and mind, but you’ll also develop the knowledge and skills to train to teach in an additional subject with one of our EBacc subject pathways.
Studying on one of our PGCE Secondary Physical Education with EBacc pathways, will prepare you for the rigours of teaching physical education and your additional subject in secondary settings. You’ll already have an undergraduate degree in an area related to physical education, so we’ll focus on helping you develop the skills you need to engage young people with the subject. You will discover the most effective ways of delivering your lessons and captivating your students. At the same time, develop your understanding of subject specific approaches, classroom management, adaptive teaching and the different ways pupils learn.
If you hold a relevant qualification in computing, English, geography, history or mathematics, we offer five Secondary Physical Education pathways, so you can train to teach in an additional subject and boost your employability.
You will choose one of the following pathways:
- PGCE Secondary Physical Education with EBacc (Computing) with QTS (11-16) – Gov.uk code: P833
- PGCE Secondary Physical Education with EBacc (English) with QTS (11-16) – Gov.uk code: T397
- PGCE Secondary Physical Education with EBacc (Geography) with QTS (11-16) – Gov.uk code: X973
- PGCE Secondary Physical Education with EBacc (History) with QTS (11-16) – Gov.uk code: D125
- PGCE Secondary Physical Education with EBacc (Mathematics) with QTS (11-16) – Gov.uk code: N923
Successful completion of your chosen route above leads to a recommendation for the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is a school performance measure in England associated with GCSE results. It evaluates pupil achievement by averaging scores from designated subject grades. Such an approach is designed to give pupils a broad and balanced curriculum and since the introduction of this performance measure, there has been an increase in the number of pupils studying EBacc subjects at GCSE level and this has increased demand for more teachers in those areas. Our PGCE Secondary PE (with EBacc) pathways aim to develop you as a practitioner in one of the EBacc subjects we offer, alongside your training and development as a teacher of PE to enhance your employability.
If you’d like to study this PGCE without an additional EBacc subject, please see our PGCE Secondary Physical Education with QTS (11-16) course page.
Course features
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Ofsted outstanding provider for Initial Teacher Education
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Professional accreditation
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Professional practice placements
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International students can apply
What you'll study
At the start of the programme, you’ll assess your existing subject knowledge to pinpoint areas of development and strengths. This will include assessing and developing your subject knowledge in your Ebacc subject (up to Key Stage 3).
Get a fundamental understanding of essential educational theory and teaching methods. Then cover strategies in a range of sports including dance, gymnastics, athletics, swimming, and other outdoor and adventure activities. While covering these areas, we’ll encourage you to define what effective teaching and learning looks like in the subject of physical education.
You’ll learn how to plan lessons effectively and in line with the national curriculum. And how to check your teaching is always adaptive, research-informed and inclusive. To help you do this, you’ll get the chance to tailor your approach for pupils with special needs and disabilities, as well as supporting pupils who speak English as an additional language. You’ll also have sessions at key points of your curriculum within your Ebacc subject, in addition to the learning you’ll do as part of the PGCE Physical Education cohort.
Experience life as a physical education teacher with extensive placements in at least two secondary school settings, working alongside our expert mentors and tutors.
There will be some carefully selected aspects which shall be delivered in a slightly condensed format in order to create space for content related to teaching and learning in your chosen EBacc subject. This additional content will reflect relevant parts of the existing PGCE teacher training curriculum in that subject, and will ensure you are supported in developing your EBacc subject pedagogical content knowledge up to Key Stage 3 level. This will include gaining experience of teaching your Ebacc subject to Key Stage 3 learners as part of your placement experience.
How you'll study
We’ve designed our PGCE Secondary Physical Education courses so that you can combine learning on campus with practical experience in the classroom. You’ll spend a significant part of your PGCE year on placement in school settings. Whenever you need support or feedback, you can turn to your subject specific tutors and school-based expert mentor. We’re here to help you become the best teacher you can be.
A combination of academic study, group discussion and reflection, and practical, work-based learning in the classroom will give you all the knowledge and skills you need to become a creative and innovative teacher. The programme aims to develop a reflective and critically analytical approach to education.
You will undertake extensive placements in schools, putting your training into practice through assisting in and taking responsibility for classes, and working alongside mentors and peers to further your professional development. The focus initially is on observation and supporting teaching and learning. Your teaching timetable will increase as your training progresses and you become more confident and competent in the classroom.
You will receive appropriate subject specialist input in your additional EBacc subject, ensuring coverage of the necessary specialist subject pedagogy. Placements will be sourced that provide appropriate opportunities for you to observe your specialist EBacc subject in action. You will also be required to generate, and be supported in executing, a personalised Action Plan arising from a Subject Knowledge Audit which will prepare you to teach your EBacc subject up to the end of Key Stage 3.
You will also undertake Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) as a specific and focused element of our teacher training curriculum. This is designed to consolidate your knowledge of effective teaching, and enable you to rehearse and obtain feedback from experts on your practice. Our ITAPs are designed to utilise the latest research and technology as well as draw on the outstanding mentors, tutors, and teacher expertise from across our partnership.
Over the course of your training, you will have the opportunity to participate in several days of Intensive Practice focusing on aspects of pivotal practice such as; behaviour management, scaffolding, professional behaviours and questioning.
During periods of ITAP, your timetable may differ and you may be required to attend campus and/or a placement on days outside of the usual pattern.
How you'll be assessed
You will be assessed, through a balanced combination of coursework and portfolio assessments, against both academic criteria and the Standards related to QTS. Various other tasks will enable you to show your competence in ICT, numeracy, literacy, other areas of PE, and your additional Ebacc subject.
Your professional practice will conclude with a final viva that will allow you to demonstrate appropriate achievement against the Teachers’ Standards in order to allow us to make a recommendation for QTS. You will be required to demonstrate in the viva that you have also made appropriate progress through your EBacc Subject Knowledge Audit and Action Plan.
Who will be teaching you
The Faculty of Education has been at the forefront of teacher education for over 135 years and today enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country’s leading providers of education, training and research for the children’s workforce.
You will be taught by a dedicated team of knowledgeable, experienced, friendly and supportive tutors who have the welfare of their trainees as a number one priority.
All of the tutors on the programme are experienced teachers of Physical Education who will model good practice and encourage you to develop your own teaching style. You will be additionally supported by tutors who are specialists within your EBacc subject.
The Edge Hill lead mentors and mentor leadership team play an important part in your teacher training as experts in their field. They have a deep knowledge of the trainee curriculum and support trainees and mentors to make progress providing guidance and support on aspects of the curriculum and assessment.
Entry criteria
Entry requirements
To join this PGCE, you will be expected to have:
- A degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above) in a subject which is relevant to Physical Education. Other subjects may be considered if you have an A Level (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject and a willingness to engage in a subject knowledge enhancement course.
- GCSE English Language or English Literature and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent qualification).
- Satisfactory levels of Information and Communications Technology competence.
- A commitment to, and understanding of, secondary education, demonstrating the personal attributes, values and motivation required to train as a teacher.
In addition to the above, you will also be expected to meet the following entry requirement:
- Grade C or above (or equivalent) at A level in the EBacc subject you have chosen, or in a subject deemed by the Department of Secondary and Further Education as being sufficiently related and relevant.
Please note, for the purposes of initial teacher training, level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in English Language or English Literature and Mathematics.
An interview forms part of the selection process, which can be conducted online or face to face.
If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University you will be required to meet the Department for Education’s standards for physical and mental fitness to teach and clearance to work with children. Further information, including a Declaration of Health questionnaire and details of how to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.
English language requirements
International students require IELTS 6.5, with a score no lower than 6.0 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.
If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.
How to apply
Apply full-time
Read our guide to applying for PGCEs and Postgraduate Teacher Training to find out more about the application process.
International
Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.
You will choose one of the following pathways. The Gov.uk codes for each pathway are listed below:
- PGCE Secondary Physical Education with EBacc (Computing) with QTS (11-16) – Gov.uk code: P833
- PGCE Secondary Physical Education with EBacc (English) with QTS (11-16) – Gov.uk code: T397
- PGCE Secondary Physical Education with EBacc (Geography) with QTS (11-16) – Gov.uk code: X973
- PGCE Secondary Physical Education with EBacc (History) with QTS (11-16) – Gov.uk code: D125
- PGCE Secondary Physical Education with EBacc (Mathematics) with QTS (11-16) – Gov.uk code: N923
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.
There’s plenty of opportunities to come take a look around campus. Attend one of our open days to see what life at Edge Hill University is all about.
Book an open day
Facilities
Housed in a state-of-the-art £9million building, the Faculty of Education enjoys a stunning setting from both its lakeside and piazza buildings. 
Facilities in the lakeside building include a 300-seat lecture theatre, five well-equipped ICT suites, and 18 teaching rooms complete with the latest technology. The lakeside building is also home to a popular vegan and vegetarian cafe where students can meet to socialise and discuss their studies.
The nearby piazza building offers modern facilities including a lecture theatre and a number of seminar rooms.
Where you'll study
Faculty of Education
Finance
Tuition fees
Fees for this academic year are still to be confirmed. This page will be updated when this information is available.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Financial support
Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships, which celebrate the determination, commitment and achievement of our students. Many of our scholarships are awarded automatically. There are some however, where you will need to be involved in an application or nomination process. To find out more about our scholarships and check your eligibility, please visit our dedicated scholarships pages.
Money Matters
Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.
Applicants to Student Finance should apply for undergraduate funding and not a postgraduate loan. Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for an additional Bursary from the government. Please see updated eligibility from the bursaries and scholarships page.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.
Your future career
This PGCE is accredited by the Department for Education. Successful completion of the programme will enable you to gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). You will be well placed to progress into employment as an early career teacher of physical education at secondary school level. This will include the ability to also teach in your EBacc subject.
Your future isn’t limited to teaching. You might decide to further your studies and progress with an MA or PhD. We’ve also had students apply for overseas sports scholarships and take up roles in coaching.
