Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development (with Placement Year) - BA (Hons)
St Mary's University, Twickenham

Student rating

(4.2)

Curious about studying Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development (with Placement Year) - BA (Hons)at St Mary's University, Twickenham? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.

Different course options

DATA SOURCE:

UNISTATS, UCAS

Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Strawberry Hill Campus (Main Campus)

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

Sep 2026

Duration

4 Year

Course info

Support young people in sport with our hands-on Physical Education, Sport, and Youth Development degree

Kickstart a career in teaching, coaching, or sport development with our Physical Education, Sport, and Youth Development degree. You will develop a solid foundation in topics like teaching and coaching pedagogy, sociology, and the holistic development of young people.

Hands-on learning

Our Physical Education, Sport, and Youth Development course will blend theory and practical application, allowing you to learn hands-on. For example, you will take part in school-based lessons and applied activity sessions.

Support from experts

We have an excellent reputation for physical education and sport. You will learn from a team of lecturers with a wide range of expertise in: - physical education (PE) - sports coaching - sport sociology - adapted PE & disability sport - dance. Our academics are also devoted to your personal and professional growth. Our student, Sophy, tells us that their tutors “always offered support and encouraged us to push [our] boundaries”.

Work placements: build professional experience

You will complete a work placement to apply your learning to a professional environment. We have strong links with over 200 schools, as well as National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and sports clubs in elite and disability sport.

Postgraduate progression

Following your Physical Education, Sport, and Youth Development degree, any student meeting the entry requirements at the time of application will be offered the opportunity to interview for the PGCE Secondary PE programme.

About the Placement Year

A placement year enables you to undertake a year of experience in an organisation between your second and final year. It will enable you to: - apply the knowledge and skills you gain from your course in a work setting - build your commercial awareness and insights into organisations and industries you might want to work in - develop your professional skills through company training, networking skills and confidence in the workplace - get some great experience for future job applications or even land a graduate job.

Support from St Mary’s every step of the way

Securing a placement can really help you develop your job search skills and the Employability Service placement and Careers Teams can support you to find and apply for available opportunities.

Please note:

in the event that you cannot secure a placement you will be able to transfer onto the three year version of your degree programme.

Why St Mary’s?

You will gain skills and support to make a positive impact – for yourself and for others – through high-quality teaching, real-world experience, and a community that lifts each other up. Our campus is a London oasis – blending city energy with open green spaces to think, connect, and grow.

Key stats

WUSCA Student ranking

Complete University Guide ranking

Complete University Guide Sports Science ranking

SOURCE:

UNISTATS, UCAS

What students say

Ollie Horne

St Mary's University, Twickenham

Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development (with Placement Year) - BA (Hons)

The location, close to so many different places and lots of nice places to go out and see. The home of rugby as well which helps

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ferne peirce

St Mary's University, Twickenham

Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development (with Placement Year) - BA (Hons)

The location is safe and feels like home away from home - it is always very clean as we have cleaners in our accommodation who are lovely, the outside is always clean too, no rubbish etc. The night life is very quiet on campus but Kingston is very close and has a great club and night life and easy to get to and from and it is also cheap for London. The SU on site is great prices but it is never very busy and vibes are low but Kingston is great so doesn't really matter, The only thing I find is that due to it being such a nice part of London it is quite far away from everything - it takes like an hour to get into central or St Pancreas, so doesn't really feel like London but that I do like as it feels really safe. We dont have tube station so everything takes longer and the station has trains only every half an hour or something but again it is not bad once you get used to the timetable and out of the every 30 second London train mindset. The train journeys are really cheap so it doesn't matter too much and also strawberry hill station is only like 6 min walk away so is really accessible and Twickenham and Teddington main town is only 10 ish minute walk away!

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Student Reviewer

St Mary's University, Twickenham

Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development (with Placement Year) - BA (Hons)

Great small community where we all in the same boat, making it like you are valued and an opportunity to learn new things and become the best version of yourself. However, the social and sport culture is a bit hostile in my opinion. They encourage socials so much but at the end of the day they are based on pure drinking alcohol (even drinking encouraged by the sports teams). This is amazing for someone who loves to drink alcohol, but for the people who are abstemious or just don’t enjoy that culture makes them feel left out. In addition the sporting culture it’s just a battle of egos. The uni is advertised as a sports uni but when you actually head down to the sports facilities and open your eyes you’ll realise that opportunities aren’t equal for everybody. Groups have already been formed around teams and that already means that there’s already at least 30 positions you cannot make because a group of “popular students” will boycott you and make sure they are in the team and not you even if they don’t put the effort. In addition, they’ll feel like they have the right to talk down on you and because “they are already in the meeting without even trying” feel like they won’t be in any trouble. This can be seen as just “the students fault” but it is also the university’s fault for allowing this. Instead of spending the right budget on what matters, e.g., hiring coaches for the sports teams to ensure a good and equitable sports environment, they rather spend the money on something else and let immature students run the clubs and be like “it’s up to them whatever they want to do”, causing other students who just want to have a good time to not be able to.

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Sophie Bonner

St Mary's University, Twickenham

Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development (with Placement Year) - BA (Hons)

It’s got a friendly feel and you are welcomed instantly, very easily accessible with great areas only a bus or train away. All course information is kept in the same place making it easy to keep up to date with deadlines and lectures.

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Jamie

St Mary's University, Twickenham

Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development (with Placement Year) - BA (Hons)

St Mary's university in Twickenham is such a lovely place to study I would say that my favourite place to study on is campus library that is open 24 hours a day which is great for revision sessions. Just to add the campus scenery is so relaxing to watch and just walk around it really gives off a sensation of a community feel to it. The sports clubs are amazing at the university and it really shows in how many students join it each year. The teaching at this university is top 5 in the country for a reason it shows the professionalism and the interest to learn from us the students. The only downside is the food which is a bit bland however apart from that it's a really good university overall and I'm proud to be a st Mary's student.

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Tuition fees

Student living

per year

Students from

DATA SOURCE:

UCAS / IDP Connect

Latest reviews

How University rating students rated:

University rating

Overall rating

4.2

5 stars

42%

4 stars

42%

3 stars

12%

2 stars

1 star

Latest Physical Education reviews

Physical Education

Student Reviewer

St Mary's University, Twickenham

Reviewed: 14/01/15

Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development (with Placement Year) - BA (Hons)

I have been overwhelmed by everything my university has to offer. Being a small university, you literally get to know everyone and would higher reccomend it to any who wants a career in teaching or education

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Student Reviewer

St Mary's University, Twickenham

Reviewed: 10/01/18

Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development (with Placement Year) - BA (Hons)

This was the only university I applied for, as I walked in I knew that was my university. The first few weeks were a struggle, getting use to a new environment and meeting new people, but one you are settled and you find the people in your classes you build these amazing friendships which develop more overtime. The aid from all the staff have been amazing they are so patient and understanding, they provide a huge amount of support to all students.

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Hannah Dawson

St Mary's University, Twickenham

Reviewed: 13/10/22

Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development (with Placement Year) - BA (Hons)

I like that all the facilities are on one campus and that everything is really easy to find. Staff are friendly and helpful and all services are easily found on the website. The opportunities avaliable as additions on my course are really good

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Hanna Bonham

St Mary's University, Twickenham

Reviewed: 14/10/22

Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development (with Placement Year) - BA (Hons)

The support they offer is extremely beneficial especially for commuters like me Could have more quiet study places/rooms

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