Physical Education, Sport and Activity BA (Hons) top-up

Why choose this course?

This exciting and innovative Physical Education, Sport and Activity (PESA) BA (Hons) top-up provides practitioners in the field of sports, physical education and active health with the opportunity to achieve a degree whilst remaining in employment. It involves higher level learning within both Kingston University and the workplace and enables learning in one environment to be applied to the other.

Kingston University's School of Education has successfully delivered BA (Hons) top-up courses in a range of subjects since 2003, working in partnership with employers and organisations.

The BA (Hons) top-up year focuses primarily on the wider, socio-political context on which PESA operates. You will explore inclusive practices that meets the diverse needs of all young people, learning from demographic groups who have historically not reaped these benefits.

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Attendance UCAS code Year of entry
1 year full time X115 2021
Location Penrhyn Road
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2020 entry

If you are planning to join this course in September 2020, please view the information about changes to courses for 2020/21 due to Covid-19.

Changes to courses for 2020/21 due to Covid-19

 

Continuing students

Students who are continuing their studies with Kingston University in 2020/21 should refer to their Course Handbook for information about specific changes that have been, or may be, made to their course or modules being delivered in 2020/21. Course Handbooks are located within the Canvas course page.

Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • You'll develop skills needed to be a leader in a range of fields related to physical education and youth sport. You'll graduate ready to take on enhanced roles in the workplace, such as positions in management. 
  • The course combines work-based learning with attendance at university for one evening per week. You'll have full-time student status. 
  • You'll be able to continue in employment while studying and effectively apply theory to practice.

What you will study

All modules relate to inclusive, developmental practice. Students must be in paid or unpaid work for a minimum of 16 hours per week to enrol on and complete the course.

Modules

You will learn how to mentor and coach other practitioners, how to operate effectively in the commercial world, and how sport and physical activity is approached in different countries. You will also gain an understanding of the structures, strategies and compliance within youth sport.

Core modules

Leading and Managing Change (Capstone Project)

30 credits

In this module students will develop the skills needed to lead PESA in their setting. Students will have the opportunity to focus on an area of practice, which could include supporting the professional development of a colleague or developing an aspect of the curriculum. As the Capstone Project for the course it offers students an opportunity for in depth study in their field of work. The module is intended to offer a synopsis of each students' learning journey to date by offering an opportunity to draw upon and apply their learning to impact on either staff or curriculum development.

Students will have the opportunity to explore theory and research on change management and leadership. This will support their career progression by engaging with issues in and around managing change. Students will draw from a range of sectors and fields including business and psychology. This will be accompanied with an in depth look at a range of work skills such as project management and action planning.

The module will explore theories and research around professional development and mentoring. Likewise, different approaches to developing a curriculum will be critically examined in relation to relevant and recent literature.

As a Capstone Project, the module is completed over the course of the year. The module is introduced at the start of the year and then revisited at intervals throughout the year.

PESA Enterprise and Business

30 credits

The PESA Enterprise and Business module offers students an opportunity to explore PESA from a commercial perspective. This is done for two reasons; education can learn lessons from commerce about customer care and the customer experience. This can support the universal goal of PESA; ensuring that more children and young people develop a physical activity habit. Secondly, the course acknowledges that the PESA landscape is highly commercialised and we want our students to be able to operate effectively in such a landscape. We are also aware that many students are either currently or may aspire to be, involved in commercial operations such as holiday camps providers or soccer schools.

In this module students will consider commercial opportunities in the field, look in depth at small, medium and large operators and examine possible tensions that may exist between the goals of commercial organisations and personal values and philosophies. During the module students will analyse fundamental aspects of managing a business to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to run their own commercial entity if they so wish.

School, Youth and Community Sport

30 credits

During this module students will look in depth at the policy landscape impacting on youth sport in all its forms in the UK. Students will examine the role of key publicly funded and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who operate in and shape the sector. Students will examine the infrastructure to support competitive youth sport. They will further consider the pathways for children and young people to progress into high level, ‘elite' sport, as well as ‘sport for good'. Pathways in and through elite sport will be critically reviewed. For example students will be questioned as to the impact this type of sports experience might have on young people's physical, social and psychological development as well as the impact it might have on the young athlete's family. To ensure understanding of sport for good, students will look in detail at a range of organisations that use sport to support positive social outcomes. Finally, students will reflect on their own experiences and examine literature which explores the impact of performance sport on the family unit. To arrive at a deeper understanding of how PESA is used, students will critically review the common assumptions made about sport and its relationship with everyday life and attempt to trace these assumptions to their ideological roots.

International Perspectives

30 credits

The International Perspectives module is designed to allow students to develop a global outlook. It is an important area of study for a number of reasons; employability - sport and education, like all sectors is becoming increasingly borderless. Many UK teachers and coaches work in different countries around the world. This module gives students a head start by having the opportunity to examine the key issues with working in different countries, and will look at a range of approaches and philosophies that are prevalent. Students will develop greater understanding and empathy with different traditions found within PESA. PESA will therefore be used as a tool for understanding varying cultural manifestations of world philosophies. Similarity will be explored as much as cultural variance.

This module allows for students to build on the academic skills in particular developing criticality. To support this, the formative assignment will consist of a critical reflection of a text. Students will be introduced to the process of reading beyond the words. They will be supported by way of question prompts to help them ask different questions of the written word.

The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.

Foundation year

Find out more about the PESA foundation year

Entry requirements

Typical offer 2020

Successful completion of the PESA Level 5 FdA or an equivalent course elsewhere.

Entry requirements 2021

Level 3 (or equivalent) qualification in PESA or relevant subject. Employment in an appropriate setting (paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for duration of the course.

Additional requirements

All students must be in paid or unpaid work in a relevant setting for a minimum of 16 hours per week.

Teaching and assessment

Guided independent study

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Academic support

Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University. 

Your workload

Year 1

Year 1
  • Scheduled teaching: 128 hours
  • Guided independent study: 560 hours
  • Placements: 512 hours

How you will be assessed

Assessment typically comprises practical work (e.g. presentations, performance) and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:

Year 1

Year 1
  • Coursework: 100%

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Class sizes

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 15 students and lecture sizes are normally 15. However this can vary by module and academic year.

Who teaches this course?

Teaching on the course is undertaken by lecturers and tutors who are actively engaged in national and international research projects. This ensures that you are fully involved with ‘cutting edge' theories and emerging issues that impact upon practice, making this an exciting and dynamic programme of study.

Mr Greg Dryer

Mr Greg Dryer

Course director and Admissions tutor

Mr Alex Beckey

Mr Alex Beckey

Declan Hamblin

Declan Hamblin

Facilities

University sessions comprise of classroom-based workshops and practical sessions. The course is based at Kingston's modern and well equipped Penhryn Road Campus and the practical sessions take place over the road at Surbiton High School.

Facilities

Course fees and funding

2020/21 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a ‘Home' (UK or EU) or ‘International' student. In 2020/21 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK and EU students) £9,250*
International £14,600

This fee applies to students studying for the BSc (Hons) or BA (Hons) top-up in the 2020/21 academic year.

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home/EU tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Eligible UK and EU students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

Need to know more?

Our fees and funding section provides information and advice on money matters.

2019/20 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK or EU), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2019/20 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category  Amount
Home (UK and EU students) £9,250*
International £14,200
Islands (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) To be confirmed by the Island Authorities

This fee applies to students studying for the BSc (Hons) top-up or BA (Hons) top-up in the 2018/19 academic year.

 * For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home/EU tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Eligible UK and EU students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

Need to know more?

Our fees and funding section provides information and advice on money matters.

Note for EU students: UK withdrawal from the European Union

The Government has recently announced that new students from the European Union and Swiss Nationals starting their course after August 2021 will no longer be eligible for a student loan in England for Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies for 2021/22 academic year. This decision only applies to new EU students starting in 2021/22. If you are an existing/continuing EU student, you will continue to be funded until you graduate or withdraw from your course.

After you graduate

Upon graduation, students will be able to access and progress in a range of employment routes that are degree dependent, such as teaching. It should be noted that the Physical Education, Sport and Activity (PESA) BA (Hons) top-up does not incorporate recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). However, it does allow graduates to progress to attain QTS via one of the four options that are currently available at Kingston University:

  • PGCE
  • Assessment Only
  • School Direct
  • Teaching Apprenticeship

In addition to teaching options graduates will enhance their career prospects in other settings and organisations that focus on children and young people's involvement in PESA. These include, leisure services providers; grassroots and elite sports clubs; national and local government bodies such as UK Sport or London Sport; local, national and international charities who use the medium of sport for various social outcomes, such as Coaches Across Continents and Street Games to name but two.

Students will also explore opportunities with organisations in which physical activity is used to enhance public health such as the leading obesity treatment organisation, MoreLife. The inclusive nature of the degree will equip students to work successfully and pursue careers working with a broad range of demographic groups and populations.

Changes to courses for 2020/21 due to Covid-19

Changes detailed here are for students who will be starting the course in September 2020.

Course information (changes for 2020 entry)

Composition of the course

We do not anticipate making any changes to the composition of the course, i.e. number of modules or credits in a year, as a result of the pandemic.

Changes can be made to courses as part of normal enhancement processes in order to keep our courses up to date with current developments in that subject area and to provide a high quality student experience. Any such changes made to the composition of the course will be highlighted to students during the induction period.

Modules

We do not anticipate making any changes to module titles and summaries or to the availability of modules as a result of the pandemic.

Changes can be made to modules as part of normal enhancement processes in order to keep our courses up to date with current developments in that subject area and to provide a high quality student experience. Any such changes made to module titles and/or availability of modules will be highlighted to students during the induction period.

Length of course

We expect to deliver the course within the planned timescales to enable successful students to progress through and graduate from the course without delay.

In exceptional circumstances the sequence of learning and teaching activities may be changed, for example re-sequencing those modules that can be delivered more effectively under the current restrictions with those which would be more difficult to deliver, such as practical modules and placements.

If the current pandemic situation continues into the next academic year and beyond, the University may be unable to offer suitable placements which may then impact the length of the course. In these circumstances the University will provide students with appropriate alternative options and ensure that support will be available to them so that they are able to make informed choices.

Entry requirements (changes for 2020 entry)

We have not changed entry requirements as a result of the pandemic. However, the range of accepted alternatives have increased as has the way in which we select students, which now includes virtual interviews and online portfolios.

Entry requirements for international students

We have not changed entry requirements for international students as a result of the pandemic. However, in response to the pandemic, we now accept a much broader list of English language exams for entry to the course; the level of these exams remain the same.

Teaching (changes for 2020 entry)

Changes to the way the course will be delivered

Due to the current pandemic the course's teaching and learning activities will be delivered through both online and on-campus methods (blended learning) in 2020/21. In order to provide all students with a comparable on-campus experience, the University has committed to ensuring that all courses provide at least 30% of their teaching and learning activities on-campus.

While physical distancing measures remain in place, you will receive your learning and teaching via a blend of on-campus and on-line activities. Should your circumstances prevent your attendance at on-campus sessions, you will still be able to engage with your course in a way that allows you to progress. Where this is not possible, support will be available to consider what options are open to you.

Changes to teaching in the event of a further lockdown or adjustments in government advice

The University will continue to closely monitor government announcements and advice in relation to the current pandemic and, where required, will take any necessary action in order to comply with such advice.

In the event that a further lockdown is enforced the University will aim to deliver the course fully online. This may require some additional changes being made to planned teaching and learning activities, including assessments. The majority of our courses are prepared to be delivered fully online if the situation requires it. Where the quality of the student experience may be compromised significantly, or the course is unable to be delivered fully online, the University may need to suspend the delivery of that course until a time that it can be delivered appropriately. Students will be supported in these situations to ensure they are able to make the right choices for their particular circumstances.

In the event that the current social distancing restrictions are fully lifted and the University is able to resume normal delivery of teaching and learning activities, courses will assess whether it is in the students' interest to resume normal delivery. In some cases it may be better to continue and complete modules under the planned blended delivery mode.

Changes to the overall breakdown of scheduled teaching hours, placements and guided independent study hours for Year 1

Changes to the overall breakdown of scheduled teaching hours, placements and guided independent study hours will not be made as a result of the pandemic. However, it is possible that some adjustments might be made at module level, e.g. a few more scheduled activities, in order to help ensure student engagement with blended learning.

Any changes made to the overall breakdown of scheduled teaching hours, placements and guided independent study hours for year 1 of the course will be highlighted to students during the induction period.

'Scheduled teaching' includes teaching that is online either live or recorded / on demand.

Timetable

Your individualised timetable for teaching block 1 (i.e. up to December 2020) should be available by the end of August. Timetables for teaching block 2 (i.e. from January 2021) will not be available until the autumn. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 9pm. To accommodate smaller group sizes and social distancing, we will need to maximise the time available for teaching. This means, we may have to use Wednesday afternoons and enrichment week for additional teaching slots. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Assessment (changes for 2020 entry)

Changes can be made to modules, including how they are assessed, as part of normal enhancement processes in order to keep our modules up to date with current developments in that subject area. Due to the current restrictions in place, i.e. social distancing, it is anticipated that many formal on-campus examinations, including practical examinations, will be replaced with alternative assessments which can be completed online. These changes will be considered and approved through the University's processes to ensure that student assessments will be able to demonstrate they have achieved the expected learning outcomes. The approval process will also assess whether the change impacts the status of any professional body accreditation the course benefits from.

Any changes to the overall methods of assessment for Year 1 of the course will be highlighted to students during the induction period.

Staff (changes for 2020 entry)

No changes are expected to the general level of experience or status of staff involved in delivering the course.

As a result of the social distancing restrictions in place, on-campus teaching activities may need to be split into smaller groups which may require the support of teaching assistants and student mentors, who will be managed by experienced staff.

Fees, funding and additional costs (changes for 2020 entry)

Tuition fees

There will be no changes to published tuition fees for 2020/21.

Additional costs (e.g. field trips, materials, equipment, etc.)

As a result of the blended delivery of courses in 2020/21, where a significant proportion of the teaching will be done online, students will need a personal laptop or computer and access to the internet to participate in online teaching and learning activities. Students who are able to travel will have access to computers on campus, however, it should be noted that access to on-campus facilities will be restricted due to social distancing requirements.

The University is considering how best to provide support to students who do not have access to suitable hardware and software requirements and access to the internet. Identifying students who require this type of support is an important milestone for the University in our journey to ensure equity of access while we continue to deliver our blended approach. Information about the support that will be available will be provided to students during the induction period.

Funding

There will be no changes to any existing University funding arrangements for 2020/21. Currently there are no indications from the UK government that there will be any changes to government funding arrangements.

Fees and funding for international students

There will be no changes to published tuition fees or funding arrangements specifically relating to international students for 2020/21.

Work placements and field trips (changes for 2020 entry)

Placements (including work and clinical placements) and field trips included as part of the course will go ahead as planned. However, to ensure students are able to gain maximum value from these activities, it may be necessary to reschedule them to later in the year, or to a different year when current restrictions have been lifted. We acknowledge that this year it may be more difficult for students to secure appropriate placements. In those situations, students will be guided and supported through the various options that will be available to them, including switching courses or interrupting their studies until a time when they can complete their placement.

Any proposed changes to placements or field trips would go through the University's agreed processes where the impact of the change will be carefully considered. Students will be advised of any changes that may become necessary and appropriate support will be available to guide them through the various options that may be available to them.

In the interest of the health and wellbeing of our students, the University will ensure that appropriate risk assessments are made before students are sent on a placement.

Courses which require placements or field trips to be completed in order to pass relevant modules will have contingency plans in place in the event that a placement or field trip cannot be completed due to another lockdown or more stringent social distancing measures.

Voluntary placements or field trips may be rescheduled, or, as a last resort, cancelled if it becomes difficult to deliver them and doing so is in the interest of the health and safety of our staff and students.

Award, qualification and accreditation (changes for 2020 entry)

Qualification

No changes will be made to the qualification awarded, e.g. BSc (Hons), as a result of the pandemic.

Changes can be made to courses, including the qualification awarded (although very rare), as part of normal enhancement processes in order to keep our courses up to date with current developments in that subject area. Any changes made to the qualification awarded for the course will be highlighted to students during the induction period.

Accreditation

During the pandemic, the University has been working closely with all its associated professional bodies to establish where flexibility/changes can be applied without undermining their professional standards. This will ensure that any changes made to courses which have professional, statutory or regulatory body (PSRB) accreditation do not negatively impact the accreditation status.

In the very exceptional circumstance that professional bodies do not agree with changes proposed, it may be necessary to defer relevant modules until those modules can be delivered as required. Students will be informed of this during the induction period and appropriately supported so that they can consider all options available to them.

Additional (changes for 2020 entry)

International students

International students should maintain awareness of the UK government's and their home country's government advice on possible travel restrictions. The University will closely monitor advice and guidance published by the UK government and assess its impact on our international students. Appropriate advice and guidance will be provided as and when required.

Students who are unable to attend on-campus learning and teaching activities

The University will ensure students who are unable to attend on-campus learning and teaching activities are able to effectively engage with their studies remotely. For certain courses, an inability to attend on-campus learning and teaching activities may not be in the students' best interests, as it may impede their chances of succeeding in the course or lead to them receiving a poor learning experience. In such cases, students will be advised and guided through the various options available to them, such as deferring their studies until they can engage fully with the course.