A Level in Physical Education

Applications Open - Monday 27 October 2025

Applications Close - Open all year

How to Apply – Please apply through KentChoices and use your KentChoices login which your school should provide

PLEASE NOTE - Popular courses can fill up quickly so apply early to avoid disappointment

If you have any queries regarding the courses, please contact EKC Canterbury College

You can make up to 5 applications to Colleges within the EKC Group, that is:

• EKC Ashford College
• EKC Broadstairs College*
• EKC Canterbury College*
• EKC Dover College
• EKC Folkestone College*
• EKC Sheppey College

*Junior Colleges exist in these locations.

Please only add one course or T Level per application, except for A Levels at EKC Canterbury College, where up to 4 A Level courses can be added per application. At your interview, you and the tutors can discuss the best level and courses in order for you to progress.

Are you curious about the world of Sport and Physical Education? Do you have bundles of energy and enjoy learning about movement and why we make the decisions we do when participating in sport? Do you often wonder how and where your sport started, the creation of the rules and positions and how we perform certain moves and skills?

Sport as a sector is a global powerhouse, generating billions for economies around the world and promoting values such as excellence, inclusion, teamwork, commitment and resilience when pushing the human body to the limits of its capabilities.

By exploring theories and principals, you will develop your knowledge of physical education. Along the way, you will develop and hone a host of skills, practical and academic, including analysis, communication skills, leadership and problem-solving skills and many more.

You will cover a range of topics including:

• Different systems in the body
• Skills for sport and feedback
• Responses in sporting situations
• Group dynamics
• Goal setting for achievement
• History of sport
• Sporting technology
• Performance enhancement

You will take part in a practical assessment where you will be able to demonstrate your performance practically in a selected sport, either as an athlete or coach.

There will be two external examinations taken at the end of the second year of study with a mix of short and long answer questions. There will also be a non-examined sports practical assessment which involves direct observation of practical competency.

General entry requirements:

To study this A Level, you’ll need a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 or above across your top six subjects with at least a grade 5 or above in Maths and English Language or Literature.

Please note: your GPA average can include English and Maths.

Subject-specific entry requirements:

To study Physical Education, you’ll need a grade 5 or above in a single Science subject or 5 and 5 or above in Combined Science, and a grade 5 in at least one other written subject (e.g. English Literature, History, Geography, Drama and Theatre, Business, Religious Studies etc).

As a STEM subject, Sport and Physical Education A Level demonstrates strong applied, scientific and academic capability and is an excellent base for degrees in sport science, physical education and strength and conditioning degrees.

It also complements study in Physiotherapy if studied alongside Biology.

A Sport and Physical Education qualification can open a variety of career opportunities. Many graduates will progress to a teaching qualification and work in schools and colleges or as a sports coach in a specific field.

Employers who typically recruit graduates for sports-related jobs include Sports Development, Leisure management and Fitness after completing extra qualifications.