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Why study physical education (PE)?
If you love playing sports, have bundles of energy and enjoying learning about movement then studying PE at GCSE, A-level and beyond could be a good career move for you.
Physical education isn't just about sports though. You'll learn a lot about health, well-being and the human body.
'You'll learn a range of skills from studying PE that will help you in your future career'
What is physical education (PE)?
Physical education, or PE for short is the study of physical movement, safety and health and well-being. There are a wide range of activities associated with PE including sports, dance and weight training. Physical education helps develop and maintain confidence, well-being and social skills that can be more difficult to achieve through other subjects.
Teachers, bring PE careers into your classroom…
Our colourful guides and posters are a great way to make careers learning interactive while ticking off all eight Gatsby benchmarks!
- Gatsby Subject Guides – Explore how the skills and knowledge students develop in PE lead to real jobs – packed with case study interviews! All subjects available – buy individually or as a set. Browse in our shop now.
- Subject Posters – From the future of jobs in PE to top industries and key skills linked to your subject, choose the best careers poster to brighten up your classroom wall. All subjects available. Browse in our shop now.
What employability skills will I get?
You’ll gain a mix of skills which will help you across your other subjects as well as in working life. PE is unique in that much of it is active and in team sports you will work closely with others throughout class. Skills you’ll develop include:
- Communication – you’ll give and receive clear instructions, feedback and encouragement, whether in team games or coaching sessions.
- People skills – you’ll need to be able to work constructively with others, supporting your teammates and handling competition fairly.
- Problem-solving – you’ll develop tactics during games and adapt quickly when faced with challenges or unexpected situations.
- Physical dexterity – PE builds your coordination, balance and fine motor skills across a range of sports and activities.
- Teamwork – you’ll learn how to work together towards a common goal, sharing roles, responsibilities and celebrating success.
What subjects do PE go with?
At GCSE and A-level, the sciences – in particular, biology – go well with physical education and biology is helpful if you want to apply for a further qualification in a sports- or fitness-related subject, or a job in this field.
Drama could also be a good subject to take alongside PE if you’re considering a sports or fitness career. Its focus on movement and the human body will support your bodily coordination and physical dexterity.
Psychology could also go well with PE as it will help you understand human motivation and behaviour – a real asset on the sports field.
If your school offers sports science or sports science as well as PE, then these subjects will also impress an employer or university.
What degrees do I need PE for?
If you want to specialise in coaching or teaching a specific sport, then there's a chance that you'll need to have a degree in physical education.
If you plan to study sports science or occupational therapy, then having a GCSE or even A-level in PE will come in useful when applying to university.
However, every institution is different and you should check the entry criteria with individual universities when applying for degree programmes.
What apprenticeships is PE useful for?
PE can help with a huge array of apprenticeships. It shows employers you have the motivation and people skills needed to function well in the workplace. Here are a few examples related to sport and fitness:
- Leisure team member – Help people enjoy sport and fitness activities safely by supporting sessions and looking after leisure facilities.
- Occupational therapist – Support people to recover from injury or illness by helping them regain movement and independence.
- Outdoor activity instructor – Lead activities like climbing, kayaking or hiking, teaching outdoor skills and building confidence in groups.
- Physiotherapist – Help people recover from injuries and improve movement through tailored exercise programmes and rehabilitation techniques.
- Sporting excellence professional – Train and compete at an elite level while developing skills for a career in professional sport.
What careers can PE lead to?
Physical education lends itself to a range of careers in sports and fitness as well as other industries that you may not have considered before. For example, did you know that many nutritionists, physical therapists and chiropractors have a degree in PE?
Some careers that you could consider doing with PE include:
- Fitness instructor
- Personal trainer
- PE teacher
- Physiotherapist
- Sport and leisure centre manager
- Sports coach
- Sportsperson
- Sports scientist
Top five Career Zones to explore:
