Bachelor of Science in Physical Education
NFQ Level 8 major Award Honours Bachelor Degree
* Indicates that not all applicants who scored these points were offered places.
† Indicates that students admitted to the programme are required to undergo a Garda Vetting process.
Tel: 00 353 61 202015
Queries: www.ul.ie/admissions-askus
About You
If you are the type of individual that likes working with other people to help them improve, has a broad interest in sport and/or physical activity and health and would like to work with young people, then this programme might very well be for you.
Why Study Physical Education at UL?
UL's School of Education is the largest post-primary teacher education provider in the state and is ranked in the top 150 universities in the world for Education programmes. University of Limerick is also ranked within the top 75 universities in Europe for excellence in teaching and learning.
The B.Sc. in Physical Education is one of the most popular undergraduate programmes in the University of Limerick. The programme is designed to qualify graduates as teachers of Physical Education along with a second subject in Irish Post-Primary Schools. Graduates of the programme are qualified to teach Physical Education and their second subject to Leaving Certificate level. The current second subjects on offer include English, Gaeilge, Geography and Mathematics.
The central focus of this course is on teacher education and you will be educated to teach Physical Education, and your chosen elective option, as well as educational studies in contemporary society. Your placement in schools for blocks of teaching practice is viewed as an essential part of your professional development.
Physical Education
In the physical education part of the course, you will study human movement from the perspectives of kinesiology (science of movement), sociology, psychology, and philosophy, together with the art of teaching. The practical experience will involve you in a range of competitive, aesthetic, adventure, aquatic and artistic activities, which will enhance your effectiveness as a teacher.
Education
You will study various topics which will enable you to assess the effectiveness of your own teaching, and contribute to the evaluation of current and innovative educational methods.
SPECIALIST OPTIONS
English
The four-year programme in English offers a balanced and comprehensive view of selected writers and movements in the field of English, Irish and American literature and drama. Teaching is carried out through lectures, seminars, practical workshops and tutorials. You will be expected to take an active, constructive role in the development of courses and the management of your learning. Time is allowed for individual and group projects.
Gaeilge
Sa chúrsa Gaeilge, déantar staidéar ar theanga agus ar litríocht na Nua Ghaeilge agus ar bhéaloideas na hÉireann. Leagtar béim faoi leith ar chabhrú le mic léinn a gcumas Gaeilge a fhorbairt agus a thabhairt chun cruinnis, agus chuige sin moltar do mhic léinn na Gaeilge freastal ar chúrsaí a eagrófar dóibh sa Ghaeltacht i rith na laethanta saoire. Déantar obair an chúrsa céime seo trí mhéan na Gaeilge.
Geography
The four-year programme provides a contemporary synthesis of third level Geography so that graduates are fully prepared to teach the subject up to and including honours Leaving Certificate level. The programme aims to ensure that graduates are aware of the rich variety of opportunities offered by Geography to the teacher.
Mathematics
The mathematics elective is a four-year programme of study in mathematics and mathematics education. The programme is designed to develop your competence in mathematics to the requisite level.
Subject Pedagogics
You will take courses in Subject Pedagogics in relation to your specialist options, in which you will consider the philosophy and practice of teaching these specialist options in the context of your teaching practice programme.
Please note that all modules from Semesters 1 to Semester 6 inclusive, are a part of the new programme for Physical Education starting 2017/18.
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer | |
| PY4031 | Foundations of Teaching &Learning in Physical Education | PY4102 | Introduction to Fundamental Movement Skills | |
| PY4071 | Pedagogy of Outdoor Adventure Education | PY4112 | Physiology & Anatomy and Pedagogy of HRA | |
| PY4081 | Pedagogy of Invasion Games | PY4142 | Scientific Perspectives on Sport and Exercise Psychology | |
| EN4041 | Contemporary Understandings and Thinking on Education | EN4032 | Understanding Young People and How They Learn | |
| EN4022 | Educational Technologies for Teaching and Learning | |||
| Elective module | Elective module | |||
| Elective module | Elective module |
| Year 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | Summer | |
| PY4123 | Instructional Alignment in Physical Education | PY4084 | Pedagogy of Lifetime Physical Activities | |
| PY4133 | Pedagogy of Dance and Gymnastics (SE/HRA) | TP4014 | SCHOOL PLACEMENT #1 | |
| EN4033 | Planning for Learning | Second subject pedagogy (see electives timetables) | ||
| EN4043 | Understanding Classroom Practice | EN4034 | Preparation for School Placement | |
| Elective module |
| Year 3 | Semester 5 | Semester 6 | Summer | |
| PY4135 | Adapted Physical Activity and Physical Education | PY4055 | Sociological Concepts of Teaching and Learning in Physical Education | |
| PY4145 | Qualitative Biomechanics | PY4096 | Pedagogy of Striking, Fielding, Net Games | |
| PY4155 | Pedagogy of Athletics and Aquatics | EJ4116 | Project 1 (Research Methods) | |
| EN4015 | Curriculum and Policy Studies | PY4086 | Psychology of Movement Development from Infancy to Adolescent | |
| EN4025 | Inclusive Education 1 Contemporary Perspectives | EN4026 | Inclusive Education 2 Special Educational Needs | |
| Elective module | GA4006 | Optional - An Ghaeilge Ghairmiúil | ||
| Elective module | Elective module |
| Year 4 | Semester 7 | Semester 8 | Summer | |
| TP4017 | SCHOOL PLACEMENT #2 | PY4108 | Youth Sport and Advocacy | |
| EN4037 | Understanding Schools | EJ4108 | Project 3 | |
| EJ4117 | Project 2 (Research) | PY4118 | Physical Activity Behaviour, Promotion & Health | |
| EN4018 | Teacher as Professional | |||
| Elective module | ||||
| Elective module |
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.
Note: Grade F6 in Foundation Mathematics also satisfies the minimum entry requirements. Foundation Maths is not reckonable for scoring purposes.
It is desirable that the candidate wishing to take a specific elective subject within this Degree should hold at least a Higher Grade H4, or an approved equivalent, in the relevant Leaving Certificate subject. We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February.
Careers open to you with a degree in PE include;
- PE teacher in secondary school
- English/Irish/Geography/Maths Teacher in Secondary school
- Third level Lecturer
- Sports Development officer
The B.Sc. in Physical Education is designed to qualify graduates as teachers of Physical Education along with a second subject (English, Gaeilge, Geography, Mathematics and Chemistry) in Irish Post-Primary Schools. Graduates of the programme are qualified to teach Physical Education and their second subject to Leaving Certificate level.
Want to find out more about possible careers with this degree? Click Here
Student Profile - Jean Masterson
Sport is a hugely rewarding part of my life and I have always enjoyed an active lifestyle. On gaining some coaching experience in my community, I realized how enjoyable it is to work with and help young people to achieve. I wanted to know how to best teach young people, and how to enjoy and appreciate sport and exercise in the right ways.
PE at UL offers practical experience in a great variety of sports and games, gymnastics, dance and aquatics, along with the key knowledge and teaching skills to enable you to apply this experience in both teaching and sporting contexts. All of this helps to give a great insight into the important concepts, knowledge and skills needed to teach PE or coach young people.
What I like most about the course is the worthwhile and rewarding opportunities it offers to teach and coach - whether it’s getting involved in community events, youth sport or working with people with disabilities. Such experiences have allowed me to prepare for a career in either teaching or coaching by applying newly-learned skills and knowledge in realistic settings, while interacting with people of varying ages, abilities and interests.
As an integral part of the course, school placement is a busy time but it really gives you the perfect opportunity to put your knowledge and skills into practice. The school placement experiences helped me to realize how much I enjoy teaching and enabled me to identify my own strengths in this area. I got the best possible insight into what it’s like to teach PE and coach teams in schools today.
Student Profile - Laura O’Sullivan
Sport is a hugely rewarding part of my life and I have always enjoyed an active lifestyle. On gaining some coaching experience in my community, I realized how enjoyable it is to work with and help young people to achieve. I wanted to know how to best teach young people, and how to enjoy and appreciate sport and exercise in the right ways. PE at UL offers practical experience in a great variety of sports and games, gymnastics, dance and aquatics, along with the key knowledge and teaching skills to enable you to apply this experience in both teaching and sporting contexts. What I like most about the course is the worthwhile and rewarding opportunities it offers to teach and coach - whether it’s getting involved in community events, youth sport or working with people with disabilities. Such experiences have allowed me to prepare for a career in either teaching or coaching by applying newly-learned skills and knowledge in realistic settings while interacting with people of varying ages, abilities and interests.
Which qualifications do you accept?
Currently unless you are applying as a mature student (23 years old by or on 1st January in the year of enrolment) only the Leaving Certificate is accepted. Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with at least Grade H5 in two Higher Level subjects and Grade O6/H7 in four Ordinary or Higher Level subjects (including Mathematics, Irish or another language and English).
It is desirable that the candidate wishing to take a specific elective subject within this Degree should hold at least a Higher Grade H4, or an approved equivalent, in the relevant Leaving Certificate subject.
Do you take late application for the BSc Physical Education?
There is no late application process available.
What other routes are there into PE teaching if I don’t get the points for UL?
Professional Masters in Education Physical Education
http://www.ul.ie/graduateschool/course/professional-master-education-physical-education
Can I transfer internally to the BSc Physical Education course, once I’m at UL?
Generally it’s not possible to transfer into PE within the first few weeks of starting at UL Internal transfers are only available to students who fulfil all the following criteria: 1. You must be enrolled on another UL course, 2. You must have completed a semester on that course and be achieving good grades 3. Your LC points must be within 20 points of the course you wish to transfer into. 4. There must be places available on the course you want to transfer into.
Which subjects in PE will I be taking?
For a full guide to all the subjects you will take on the PE course, look in the Course Structure section of this course. The course is a mixture of practical and theory. You are not expected to come to UL as an expert in all these areas.
- You will take all the PE post primary curriculum strands – adventure and outdoor education, athletics, aquatics, dance, games, gymnastics, health related activity, fundamental motor skills, alternative physical activities such as yoga.
- You take theory in learning HOW to teach and assess PE, sociology of PE, sport and exercise psychology, physiology, anatomy, PE for young people with disabilities, youth sport and philosophy.
How many hours will I be doing on the course?
Per week you will be in lectures, tutorials and practical classes for a total of about 21 hours. You will also be doing about the same again, per week for private study and assessment preparation.
Is there work placement?
Work placement on the BSc Physical Education is called School Placement. There are two block of School Placement, an 8 week block in year 2 and a 10 week block in year 4. You can do these placements in your home locality but NOT at your old school
Which elective can I take with the BSc Physical Education course?
English, Gaeilge, Geography and Mathematics are the options available to you as Electives with the PE course. There are no plans currently to add any more subjects to these options. You can only take one elective subject along with PE.
What LC grades do I need for my Elective subject?
In the elective subject you wish to choose, it is desirable that you hold at least a Higher Grade C3, or an approved equivalent, in the relevant Leaving Certificate subject. In the new LC grading system this will be at least a Higher Grade H4, or an approved equivalent, in the relevant Leaving Certificate subject.
Are there any sports scholarships at UL?
Details of all sports scholarships can be found at http://www.ul.ie/sportsscholarships
Mature Students - How do I apply?
All relevant information on applications is available at http://ulsites.ul.ie/mso/
What are you looking for in my application?
- Relevant work / voluntary experience
- Teaching and/or coaching awards
- Strong personal statement
- Professional looking application