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Physical Education and Wellbeing MSc

Start date
September
Duration
MSc: 1-2 years
Course Type
Postgraduate, Distance learning, Taught
Fees

£10,530 FT (UK students)
£23,310 FT (International Students)
More detail

 

 

Our Physical Education and Wellbeing MSc is a nationally and internationally relevant evidence-based programme, which is applicable to primary, second and further education. There is also the possibility for Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) for postgraduate degrees (eg, PGCE).

Please be aware that students wishing to use APCL credits towards their degree will not be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate loan for Masters study in the UK. You can find more information on our Postgraduate Masters Loan pages. 

This programme seeks to support the continuing professional development of practising and prospective physical education teachers, youth physical activity leaders, assistants or coaches working with young people in schools.

It is expected that students taking the programme will develop the skills to allow them to critically evaluate new developments in theory, research and practice and integrate this knowledge where appropriate into their practice. The distinctiveness and knowledge of students graduating from the qualification will place them in an ideal position to inform the future direction of the profession by taking leadership positions and challenging current practices and/or by engaging in further study at PhD level.

Scholarships for 2024 entry

The University of Birmingham is proud to offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate programmes. With a scholarship pot worth over £2 million, we are committed to alleviating financial barriers to support you in taking your next steps.

Each scholarship has its own specific deadlines and eligibility criteria. Please familiarise yourself with the information on individual scholarship webpages prior to submitting an application.

Explore our scholarships

International students: Please check your visa requirements before applying as most of the sessions in this programme are delivered online via distance learning.

The course is based on the latest evidence, research, and innovations in the field of physical education and sport pedagogy. Students will learn in a community of learners with likeminded prospective or current practitioners interested in improving young people’s experiences of physical activity and sport. The course will also strengthen students’ capabilities to lead on new directions in the field of physical education and sport pedagogy by engaging with leading and international practitioners and researchers.   

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This MSc is delivered through our distance learning platform and flexible so that students can study over 1 year (full time) or 2 years (part time).

Although I was a distance learning student, I was made to feel at home by the lecturers who were really down to earth and always pleased to help us and support us. It was a great journey thanks to them.

Ramon Formosa, MSc Physical Education and Wellbeing alumnus

Modules

Topics covered during the course will include, for example, methods and mechanisms for continued professional development, digital technologies, models-based practice (including models such as Cooperative Learning, Sport Education and Teaching Games for Understanding), and contemporary social and political issues for physical education and youth sport. In addition, modules will address research methods to prepare students for conducting fieldwork for their dissertation. 

Delivery: All programme modules are delivered online. Learning and teaching will be hosted by webinars, lectures, video, vlogs and all sessions are recorded on Panopto, the University of Birmingham’s video platform and published on the integrated virtual learning environment ‘Canvas’. Other support will be available through online discussion groups and individual tutorials.

Module details are as follows: 

Research Methodology in Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

This module will develop your research skills within the areas of sport and physical activity. It will cover the practical usage and critical analysis of methodologies providing an essential understanding of conducting research in a real-world sport/physical activity environment.

Through this module you will gain an in depth understanding of conducting research in a real-world sport/physical activity environment which will allow you to develop as a research-led practitioner. The module also provides the grounding for the masters’ dissertation research.

Advanced Pedagogies

This module examines key aspects of physical education practice through the theoretical lens of ‘pedagogy’. In particular, it focusses on ‘advanced pedagogies’ which frames practice in 3 areas: knowledge in context; diverse learners and learning; and career-long professional enquiry.

Digital Practice in Sport, Exercise and Health

In this module, students will examine: the professional learning needs of practitioners using digital technologies, the ethical implications presented by digital technologies, the applications of digital technologies in sport, exercise and health contexts, and the outcomes associated with digital technologies in sport, exercise and health

During this module, students will review existing evidence on the digital technologies relevant to their sport, exercise and health context to identify the professional learning needs of practitioners to use and apply digital technologies

Innovation in Professional Development

The aim of the module is to allow participants to evaluate current personal and professional development within the context of their professional role. It seeks to progress and enhance critically reflective skills through linking theory with practice, and developing informed strategies to support own and others’ professional development and learning within the workplace. Drawing from contemporary adult learning theories, the module will address the challenges of professional learning in multiple contexts, and the need to think more critically (and creatively) in supporting learner development.

Applied Professional Practice

In this module, you will work on a real-life case study from your own teaching. You will be expected to draw upon knowledge and skills gained in the other modules to create a fully considered and justified player or team development plan based upon a clear rationale and needs analysis. As part of this you will be expected to integrate theory into practice in the development of pupils and learners. You will then implement your plan to demonstrate the competency that you have achieved in applying appropriate theory into practice and the evaluation of and impact of decisions made.

Player and Participant Development

This module develops the theory and applied practice in the coaching and participation process. Drop out and issues of sports ‘membership’ will be analysed from the viewpoint of participants, coaches and sports administrators. The theory and application of sport science in assisting and improving coaching methodology will also be covered including areas such as motor learning, biomechanics and psychology.

Dissertation (after successful transfer to MSc)

In this module, you will integrate the areas covered in the taught modules within the programme. You will propose a research project, submit ethics, undertake and write up a piece of academic empirically based research relevant to your area of practice and interests in coaching.


Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

Fees 2024/25

Code 843D: UK students: £10,530 FT
Code 848D: UK students: £5,265 PT
Code 843D: International students: £23,310 FT only

The fees shown above are annual fees for students starting their courses in September 2024. Please note that where courses last more than one year, the annual fees for subsequent years on the course may increase due to inflation. 

When attending the taught sessions on the University’s Edgbaston campus, students will be required to book and pay for their own food and accommodation.   

International student fees

Please view our Fees for International Students page for further details. 

Learn more about fees and funding.


Are you an international applicant?

All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place.

Find out more about the deposit >>.

Scholarships and studentships

Birmingham Masters Scholarship

We are offering over 200 awards of £2,000 to support the brightest and best applicants wishing to undertake Masters study at the University during 2024-2025.

Find out more and apply now  

Postgraduate Progression Award

Our Postgraduate Progression Awards offer final year undergraduates at the University of Birmingham a fee discount of £1,500 for postgraduate taught study.

Find out more and apply now  

Scholarships may be available. International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government. 

For further information contact the School directly or email financialsupport@bham.ac.uk

How To Apply

International students requiring visas

1 July 2024 is the application deadline for international students who require a visa to study in the United Kingdom. We are not able to consider applications for 2024 made after this date; a new application will need to be made for September 2025.

UK students

31 August 2024 is the application deadline for UK students. We are not able to consider applications for 2024 made after this date; a new application will need to be made for September 2025.

Applications for 2024 entry are now open.

Making your application

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

At least a 2:1 or equivalent in a relevant science subject.

International Requirements



International Students

Academic requirements

We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

English language requirements

Standard English language requirements apply (IELTS: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band).


  • IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band
  • TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component

On this distance learning programme you will learn through an innovative method of blended delivery using both high quality online resources that are complemented with face to face discussion time with academics. Most of the course material is delivered online, through videos, webinars, and applied tasks. This blended approach supports self-directed learning and is capable of accommodating for students in full time or part time employment, and/or students who may not be based in the UK. Each student will also be assigned as a personal tutor, and this role ensures that students are further supported in their academic studies. 

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During the course you will learn from leading academics at the University of Birmingham and international academics in the field of physical education and sport pedagogy. The uniqueness of this course is therefore that you are taught by experts in key topic areas, and regardless of geographical location, you can engage with academics who are at the forefront of current research and practice in physical education and sport pedagogy.

The topics covered during the programme are broad, and the programme is designed in a way to allow you to specialise and develop a level of expertise in a key area. Key topics include, digital technologies, professional development/learning, assessment, models-based practice (e.g. Sport Education, Cooperative Learning, Teaching Games for Understanding), safeguarding, inclusion and disability, leadership and talent development. You will be encouraged to develop your use of theory in practice, and to reflect upon your own personal teaching philosophy and development in light of new knowledge.

Students completing this degree go onto varying forms of employment or further study. Students who are current teachers have strengthened not only their teaching, but also their leadership skills, and many have progressed in the types of leadership roles they fulfil in schools after completing this degree.

Some students have used the MSc degree as a springboard into further study, that includes, completing a PGCE to gain Qualified Teaching Status, and/or joining a PhD programme. Other students have found the MSc degree has supported their employment in sport/physical activity focussed clubs, sport, physical activity and health organisations and trusts, technology focused companies, leisure centres, coach education and development and/or the course has supported students to initiate their own private or voluntary sector companies.