How you learn

The foundation year has been designed to prepare you for your undergraduate degree, develop your subject knowledge of sport and physical activity, and explore interesting, contemporary issues. You will also enhance your academic, professional, and personal skills, providing you with the foundation to progress successfully in your undergraduate degree and future career in sport and physical activity.

At Sheffield Hallam we prioritise practical learning through teaching, working and doing. Our experienced staff have all worked in education – from primary to secondary and post-16. You’ll be learning from the best, and they’re here to guide you through your degree, developing your digital capabilities, critical thinking and inclusive approaches that value equality and diversity. 

You’ll combine theory with hands-on projects in our exceptional sports facilities – giving you true-to-life experience and excellent preparation for a rewarding career in a range of roles. The course is also carefully designed and aligned with professional teaching standards. You’ll gain the professional expertise and knowledge to be well-positioned for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

You learn through:

• Lectures, seminars and workshops 
• A virtual learning environment (VLE) 
• Work-based learning experiences
• Placements
• Field trips
• Practical activities in both simulated and in-situ environments
• Independent study 
• Research opportunities

Key themes

We’re dedicated to helping you develop your sports skills and knowledge – alongside the confidence to support children's physical activity and health in schools. 

You’ll explore theoretical, philosophical and practical aspects of physical education and school pport – gaining insights into the roles of physical education graduates in sports, physical activity, and broader professional settings. Topics include teaching strategies, physical education delivery, education policy, reflective practice, sport and exercise science, philosophy, sociology, professional standards and safeguarding.

You’ll learn how to investigate contemporary issues that shape the broader context of PE and school sport by actively engaging in school-based work. In turn, you will enhance your comprehension of the National Curriculum in relation to sport and physical education across all education levels, gaining a holistic understanding of the field

Course support

The course is designed to help you demonstrate your learning outcomes – with authentic assessment activities relating to real-world scenarios, your specific goals and your skills development. 

Throughout your studies, various individuals will support your learning and target setting – guiding you towards resources for academic, professional and personal development. 

These support roles include: 

• Course and Module Leaders
• Your Academic Adviser 
• Your Student Support Adviser
• Your Employability Adviser 
• Central services like counselling, Library and IT

Course leaders and tutors

Shane Kent

Senior Lecturer Physical Education and Sport Coaching

Shane is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Academy of Sport.

Julie Binney

Senior Lecturer

Julie has been a Senior Lecturer in the Academy of Sport and Physical Activity since 2002

Applied learning

Work placements 

Often, students undertake their placements within school settings - secondary and primary. The course prepares students to apply for ITE.

There’s a mandatory short placement at the end of your third year. Over a minimum of 120 hours, you will be learning while you work and preparing to progress into employment after you graduate.

You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement (25 weeks minimum) or multiple placements between your third and final years. This gives you further valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV. 

We connect students with schools and education facilities at all levels – in the UK and abroad. In the past, this has included short placements in Spain and Tanzania, plus opportunities to study abroad. 

Field trips

On field trips you will be able to understand how your learning is applied first-hand to real-world situations, gaining valuable insight into working practice. These include away days and outdoor learning activities. 

Past students have taken outdoor activity trips to Manvers Waterboat Centre and Whitely Woods, and there’s the chance to visit Fiji, working alongside Fijian communities and Fijian youths as part of Think Pacific. You’re also able to use the incredible facilities here in Sheffield – from Ponds Forge to the English Institute of Sport.

Guest lectures 

You will get the chance to learn from external speakers, including members from The Art of Being Brilliant, which is an organisation focusing on 'Mental Wealth', confidence building and resilience in our student population. You’ll also learn from school-based staff and PGCE staff from within the university who will provide a realistic mock interview before you apply for teacher education courses.

You’ll hear from specialist industry experts who share context-specific examples of the knowledge, skills and behaviours you will need for your career ahead. Topics include mental health, confidence building and resilience – as well as mock interviewers from schools and PGCE courses at Hallam to help you get ready to apply for teacher education after you graduate.

Networking opportunities 

Your employability is enhanced by the involvement of employers and industry partners – from the real-world projects you complete to the opportunities to make professional connections and build networks at careers fairs and workshops. 

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in: 

• School and college education 
• Pastoral roles
• Special educational needs
• Teaching Assistant roles 
• PE Technician roles
• Head of PE roles
• Departmental lead roles 
• Activity-specific school sport – e.g. dance, gymnastics, swimming, outdoor and adventurous activities 
• Leadership and management 

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for: 

• PE Teaching roles in secondary education 
• Teaching roles in primary education (non-specialist and specialist PE) 
• The tertiary education sector 
• Public service organisations 
• National and global federations of sport

Where will I study?

You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Collegiate campus

Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.

Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities 

Location

Collegiate Crescent
Sheffield
S10 2BP

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Collegiate library

Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Entry requirements

Fees and funding

• Home students
• International students

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

We are currently reviewing our tuition fees for the foundation year stage of this course following the Government announcement of fee changes for some foundation year courses and will confirm fees as soon as possible.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

Financial support for home/EU students

How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.

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Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Sport and Physical Activity (PDF, 144.2KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.