Sports Studies and Physical Education (BEd (Hons)) at University College Cork

The Bachelor of Education Sports Studies and Physical Education degree (BEDSSPE) is a dynamic course that aims to produce creative educators in physical education, sport and physical activity settings. As well as qualifying to teach physical education, students will also graduate in a chosen specialist arts subject from one of the following: English (five places), Gaeilge/Irish, Mathematics, French, or History.

Graduates from our BEDSSPE degree display independent, innovative thinking, and are agents of change in the areas of physical education, sport, and physical activity settings. Our staff are experts and research-informed practitioners in their discipline.

Teaching, coaching and community placements are available throughout the BEDSSPE degree, and the programmes works in partnership with schools, clubs and the community, allowing students to immerse themselves within teaching and coaching from the beginning.

The BEDSSPE degree also operates a comprehensive wellbeing mentoring programme involving buddy mentoring, tutor mentoring, and teacher/coach mentors.

Most recent 5-year trend data has indicated that 88% of our graduates successfully gain employment in the teaching and coaching sectors. To date, our graduates have found employment in Ireland, the UK, the US, Korea, Canada, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand.

The BEDSSPE also provides a pathway for graduates who wish to study at postgraduate level in sport, physical activity, physical education, wellbeing, physical literacy, or general education.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Year 1: Coaching Placement (24 hours)

Year 2: School Placement teaching Physical Education (3 weeks)

Year 3: School Placement teaching chosen Arts subject (3 weeks)

Year 4: School Placement teaching PE and Arts subject (entire school year)

Skills and Careers Information

The graduates from the BEDSSPE degree gain a range of transferable skills in planning, implementing and assessing learning across the lifespan – whether in schools, clubs or communities – specifically in the areas of sport, physical activity and physical education. 

The course, through its school-university partnership, also provides career advice and preparation practice for interviews for all our students.

Graduates are very well placed to begin a postgraduate course of study through our School of Education M.Ed, or cohort PhD routes also.