Hartpury College A Level Physical Education

Physical Education

A-level

Pursue your sporting passions and put theory into practice as you develop an understanding of physical activity participation rates within society, as well as the performance levels of elite athletes. Explore new ways of thinking about the sport, exercise and fitness industry.

Key Information

Course Duration: Two years
Part or Full Time: Full Time
Level of Study: A-levels

Course Overview

Our A-level Physical Education qualification allows you to pursue your sporting passions by developing a broad theoretical understanding of factors that affect both participation rates within society as well as the performance levels of elite athletes.

Potential careers within the sports industry are wide ranging and an A-level in physical education will enable you to demonstrate your passion for the subject to both higher education institutions and prospective employers.

We are proud to have had so many of our students move on to start degrees in sport science related subjects across the most prestigious sporting universities in the country as well as embarking on a range of careers including within professional or amateur sport, with the NHS or private healthcare and as a health and lifestyle adviser.

Paper one of the qualification is based on factors that affect participation; content includes the effect of exercise on a range of body systems, the process of learning new skills and the societal factors that impact upon opportunities that different individuals might be afforded.

Paper two is focused on the factors that affect elite performance. This content includes exercise physiology, nutrition, biomechanics, sports psychology as well as the role of technology within professional sport.

The final section of the course, that makes up 30% of the qualification, is the assessment of practical performance and a written coursework that challenges learners to apply their newly developed theoretical knowledge to analyse and evaluate their own performance levels.

The practical achievements of many of the talented students that attend Hartpury College to study A-level physical education is impressive. Opportunities to train and play within elite environments at the college with high class coaching in unique facilities has a significant impact on improving these performance levels further throughout the two years of the course.

To be successful you'll need to be a logical thinker as well as being open to new ways of thinking about sport, exercise and fitness. This course challenges you to apply the theoretical content covered to real life examples so you will need to be willing to read from a wide range of sources in order to keep abreast of sporting media and developments.

Physical education can be combined with most other A-level subjects depending on your other interests and future career aspirations.

GCSE | You will need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above to include Mathematics and English Language, as well as:

Grade 6 or above in Physical Education or Sports Studies, if these haven't been studied then grade 6 in Biology or Combined Science.

Course Overview

Course information

Our A-level Physical Education qualification allows you to pursue your sporting passions by developing a broad theoretical understanding of factors that affect both participation rates within society as well as the performance levels of elite athletes.

Potential careers within the sports industry are wide ranging and an A-level in physical education will enable you to demonstrate your passion for the subject to both higher education institutions and prospective employers.

We are proud to have had so many of our students move on to start degrees in sport science related subjects across the most prestigious sporting universities in the country as well as embarking on a range of careers including within professional or amateur sport, with the NHS or private healthcare and as a health and lifestyle adviser.

Paper one of the qualification is based on factors that affect participation; content includes the effect of exercise on a range of body systems, the process of learning new skills and the societal factors that impact upon opportunities that different individuals might be afforded.

Paper two is focused on the factors that affect elite performance. This content includes exercise physiology, nutrition, biomechanics, sports psychology as well as the role of technology within professional sport.

The final section of the course, that makes up 30% of the qualification, is the assessment of practical performance and a written coursework that challenges learners to apply their newly developed theoretical knowledge to analyse and evaluate their own performance levels.

The practical achievements of many of the talented students that attend Hartpury College to study A-level physical education is impressive. Opportunities to train and play within elite environments at the college with high class coaching in unique facilities has a significant impact on improving these performance levels further throughout the two years of the course.

To be successful you'll need to be a logical thinker as well as being open to new ways of thinking about sport, exercise and fitness. This course challenges you to apply the theoretical content covered to real life examples so you will need to be willing to read from a wide range of sources in order to keep abreast of sporting media and developments.

Physical education can be combined with most other A-level subjects depending on your other interests and future career aspirations.

Entry requirements

GCSE | You will need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above to include Mathematics and English Language, as well as:

Grade 6 or above in Physical Education or Sports Studies, if these haven't been studied then grade 6 in Biology or Combined Science.

Ofsted Outstanding OP Colour

Outstanding

Rated 'Ofsted Outstanding in all areas' for academic and curriculum-related provision 

HARTPURY RED ACORN

98.4% pass-rate

With an A-level pass rate of 98.4%, our outcomes for students are exceptional.

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When you choose to study at Hartpury College, you're choosing to join a community that will help you become the very best that you can be.

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Ellena Perry
“I’d wanted to go to Hartpury ever since I’d seen the sports facilities while I was playing in a rugby tournament at Hartpury while still at school.”
Ellena Perry
England woman Rugby Player

Accommodation

Living in on-site college accommodation at Hartpury, you’ll be part of a vibrant and international community of students of all ages who share their experience of life at college and university together on one campus.

College Accommodation Rooms

Hartpury Certificate

The Hartpury Certificate is an enrichment programme designed to support our students to grow.

Why Study A Levels At Hartpury

Support & Wellbeing

We provide learning, wellbeing support and free short term counselling, as well as signposting and connecting students with other services where appropriate.

Wellfest Go Karts

A-levels or a diploma?

Are you unsure about whether A-levels or a BTEC Diploma are the right choice for you? Find out the key differences and which qualification would best suit your learning style and your career and further study ambitions on our dedicated page.