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BA (Hons) Physical Education with Dance
If you are passionate about sports as well as dance, this is the perfect opportunity for you to study both within your degree. This is the only current programme in England that allows for you to develop your expertise in delivering both PE and dance.
You'll do sporting activities and dance technique classes in every year of the course
Entry requirements
Three A-levels at grades CCC or above
Or BTEC triple grades MMM or above
Or Access 23-45 D/M with min 6D
And GCSE English Language at grade 4 or grade C or above
A DBS check is required as is experience in sporting activities and dance
UCAS points 96
UCAS code PED1
UCAS institution code P63
Duration Three years full-time
Course Summary
BA (Hons) Physical Education with Dance explores the scientific principles that underpin both PE and dance. You'll learn how to plan and deliver a range of exciting and innovation lessons that engage pupils who have different needs and abilities.
The BA (hons) Physical Education with Dance degree programme will enable you to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding to challenge outdated notions of physical education and dance, and thus play a part in creating the next generation of healthy and physically literate individuals.
Both the PE and dance elements of the programme are designed to encourage creative and innovative practice, giving you the acquiring the knowledge, skills and understanding to deliver both subjects. You'll learn theory and practice through delivering PE and dance to children and young people in both school settings and in the wider community. The developmental design of the programme allows you to base your career aspiration on experiences during the three-year programme instead of committing to primary or secondary education at the start of your degree.
In your second year you carry out a 100 hours placement in a school setting. You can align this with your career aspirations so if you are interested in primary education your placement will be in a primary school setting. Likewise, if you know that you would like to teach in the secondary sector, your placement will be in a secondary school. You may be particularly interested in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) so there is also an option to spend your placement in a SEND school. You can also choose to do two placements of 50 hours each in different types of schools to help you confirm whether you would like to teach in primary, secondary or special educational needs (SEND) contexts.
Throughout the programme you will be engaging with pedagogy from both a theoretical and a practical perspective through delivering a diverse range of physical activities to children and young people in school settings. You will be working with pupils in every year of your degree through a range of experiential learning opportunities embedded within modules.
Each year you will study six modules. Two modules each year are designed specifically for PE with Dance students and the remaining four are shared with BA (Hons) Physical Education as they are relevant to both PE and dance teaching. To see a snapshot of each module you will study, please scroll down to click on the links.
You will study in world-class sports facilities at the University including our BASES accredited sports science laboratory, climatic chamber, 25m swimming pool and numerous 4G and astro-turf pitches.
In order to achieve Qualified Teaching Status (QTS), which you need to teach in most UK schools, you'll need to follow this degree with a postgraduate teaching qualification, such as PGCE PE, PGCE Primary or School Direct.
Why this course at Marjon?
Unique programme that focusses on developing knowledge in both PE and dance
Numerous opportunities to learn through practice as you work with a range of different children and young people
Enthusiastic lecturers with considerable experience across a range of related areas
World class sports facilities including a British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) accredited sports science laboratory
You'll do sporting activities and dance technique classes in every year of the course
BOTH physical education and dance within one degree
Modules for this course
Course Snapshot
“ During the first year you will learn the fundamentals of body movement that underpin all physical activities. You will also learn how to plan and deliver coaching sessions and discover how to self-assess coaching performance. During the second year you will experience dance within musical theatre and explore how this can enhance participation. You will also learn how dance is taught in primary and secondary schools, as well as in the community. In your third year you’ll learn the directing skills to put on shows, and learn about how education engages pupils in schools.”
1st Year
Becoming a PE Teacher or Sports Coach
PE, Physical Activity, Health and Lifelong Participation
Sports science principles of growth & development
Sport coaching and the coaching process
Dance technique and improvisation (contemporary with a focus on two different styles)
Dance, health, safe practice and risk (to include fitness for dance and dance for fitness)
2nd Year
Work based learning (placement)
Research methods in sport & physical education
Learning theory and the learner
Planning & Assessment through Physical Activity (with option to deliver health through dance in schools instead of PE)
Delivering dance in the school and the community with inclusive practice
Dance and musical theatre styles
3rd Year
Dissertation
Pedagogy in practice
Thematic learning in education
Dance and technology
Performance Directing Others – planning, developing and staging dance work
This course is perfect if you’re curious about
How can I use dance to develop fundamental movement skills in young children?
Why does engaging with sports and dance have an impact on physical development?
How can I encourage participation in physical activities in those who tend to disengage?
How can I improve the fitness of my talented dancers and sports performers?
How can I use technology to support performance in both the sports and dance domain?
How do dance and sport activities influence a child's cognitive and social development?
What might you become?
The majority of graduates enter the teaching profession in either primary or secondary education, following a PGCE or School Direct programme.
Your skills and experiences on the course could also help you move into other roles in education, community dance teaching, coaching, sport, sport development and dance development.
There is also opportunity to go onto further a range of sport-related Masters’ degrees available through Plymouth Marjon University.
How you’ll be taught and assessed?
How will you be taught?
Lectures, practical sessions, dance technique classes, peer teaching, delivery in schools and the community, workshops, laboratory sessions and reflective practice.
How will you be assessed?
Includes presentations, essays, planning and delivering lessons, designing innovative teaching and learning resources, Carrying out risk assessments, blogs, portfolios, practical skills assessment and a final written Honours Project.
Erica has taught in numerous schools, in both the primary and secondary sectors. She is particularly interested in the relationship between physical activity and health. Erica is passionate about developing physical literacy in foundation and primary aged children to enhance engagement and participation. She is committed to developing a more accessible Physical Education curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils, including those who do not identify as 'sporty'. Erica is also interested in the use of training modalities such as Pilates and Yoga based practices to provide holistic training and diverse learning opportunities in school. Erica has a specific interest in the design of authentic and 'real life' learning opportunities that are based upon innovation and creativity. She has a strong interest in the learning opportunities afforded by adopting a thematic approach to the design and delivery of learning across ages. She has a particular interest in the delivery of curriculum subjects and the wider curriculum through the physical domain. Erica also delivers dance pedagogy across degree programmes based upon her dance background and post graduate studies at the Laban Centre. She has a personal interest in talent identification and development in children with a particular focus on dance. She is also keen to encourage the development of dance in Devon.
Fees and funding
Fees UK students: £9,250 per annum
Fees for International students: £12,500 per annum
This fee covers your tuition and access to course-specific equipment and facilities, as well associated services including access to the library, study skills support, IT support, student support and wellbeing services and membership of the Student Union. There may be additional costs by course.
Funding available for this course
Our Student Funding Advisors offer confidential and impartial advice about your funding options.
Learn moreLecturers
Aaron is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Coaching & Physical Education and is also the Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Sport Coaching. He teaches predominately across the Sport Coaching & Physical Education degree programmes focusing specifically on practice design, skill acquisition, performance analysis, participation coaching and performance coaching.
Kelvin Kirk is a qualified PE teacher who now teaches sports coaching at Marjon. He has risen through the coaching ranks of volleyball to enable him to award coaching qualifications; he has also more recently coached junior football for several years. His reserach interests are in primary PE and the increasing use of modern technology in enhancing PE.
Katy is a professional actor and has performed in many musicals on UK national tours, including at the Victoria Palace, London and the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. She teaches Performing Arts in Education and Musical Theatre.
Juliet is a qualified primary school teacher and has led PE in a number of schools. In addition to this Juliet was South West Lead for British Triathlon's children’s coach development initiative ‘Skills School’. As a British Triathlon Coach Educator and Assessor, she has also tutored coaches to gain their Level 1 and 2 Coaching qualifications.
Juliet’s teaching experiences and coaching qualifications include a wide range of sports, including traditional sports such as hockey and rowing, modern sports such as triathlon and individual sports such as athletics and swimming. She has worked with a range of age groups and experience levels, from young children in primary school and club settings, through to regional academy athletes.
Frequently asked questions
Q1 Q1 Does the course include practical sessions alongside lectures and seminars?
Q2 Q2 Will I be taking dance classes as a part of my degree?
Q3 Q3 What if I am not sure whether I want to work in the primary, secondary or SEND schools?
Q4 Q4 I know I want to teach, but I don’t feel confident yet to plan and deliver PE or dance to a whole class?
Q5 Q5 Will I have the opportunity to teach pupils on this course to help me develop expertise?
Q6 Q6 Will I be able to get involved with sports and dance outside my studies?
Find out more about studying BA (Hons) Physical Education with Dance at Marjon
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