The Cardiff Met PGCE ​Physical Education programme offers leading research informed training and support that will allow you to flourish in our outstanding Cardiff Partnership schools. Having been one of the first subjects offered as part of teacher training on this campus, the PGCE PE course has a longstanding historic relationship with many departments in south Wales and prides itself on this deep connection to the subject.

Key Information

Available to study in English and Welsh

1 year full-time

For entry requirements, pre-entry tests and how to apply, visit the PGCE Secondary course page.

About PGCE Physical Education

PE, Health and Wellbeing is not an easy subject to teach. It requires not only a passion for the subject but, excellent subject knowledge, and a deep understanding of the pedagogies that allow you to enhance and develop a young person’s love for ‘being active for life’.

We ask what it means to be a PE teacher in the 21st century and challenge what is it we really value about our subject. You are not just a teacher of PE but first and foremost a ‘teacher of the whole child’ with an expertise in PE and Wellbeing.

Reputation & Teaching Excellence

Highly regarded by schools in Wales, nationally and internationally and continuing to build on the course’s historic reputation, the current PGCE PE course is highly competitive with applications each year far out stripping the number of places on offer. With the course often full by Christmas time it is advisable to get an application in as soon as the window opens in October.

University sessions are constructed to both unpick pedagogy of learning through the PE lens as well developing subject based knowledge on a range of different areas of physical activity. With PE, Health and Wellbeing at the core, sessions look to support student teachers develop their own teaching philosophy in support with their clinical practice placements. Guest speakers from Partnership Schools, regional consortia and external organisations are brought in to enrich and enhance the taught provision.

Employability & Careers

Career prospects of PE teachers graduating from the Cardiff Partnership is extremely positive. Nearly all PGCE PE graduates secure full-time work immediately after completing the PGCE programme and many continue to quickly progress to heads of departments, heads of years and other middle management and senior roles. The demand for Welsh-medium PE teaches is currently exceptionally high. The transferable skills developed when teaching in the unique environment offered by this subject area often means that schools actively seek out graduates training in PE to teach in other subject areas as well.

What’s the best way to prepare for studying a PGCE in Physical Education?

Due to the highly competitive nature of this course and the changing nature of the subject in-line with both the Health and Wellbeing agenda and current curriculum reform taking place, work experience within a school context is vital. While it is important to have a good grounding in a range of sports/activities and the associated coaching awards that goes with this, breadth is as important as depth as well as an emerging understanding around the changing landscape of PE in the context of the Health and Wellbeing AoLE.

Consider...a great sportsperson does not necessarily make a great PE teacher. However, a great PE teacher, who can engage and inspire pupils to be active for life, build confidence to be active in a range of physical environments and motivation to try new and challenging situations while developing a ‘toolbox’ of correct physical skills, can change the future outcome of that pupil.

“I chose to study the PGCE Secondary PE through the medium of Welsh, after graduating from the BSc (Hons) Sport, PE and Health at Cardiff Met. As a result of the University’s strong partnership with Welsh-speaking secondary schools in south Wales, the PGCE course provided me with two placements and inspiring and supportive mentors in Plasmawr and Rhydywaun. I have been teaching at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni for 3 years, and with each year I am continuingly gaining more valuable experiences, developing myself professionally, and enjoying my career path thanks to Cardiff Met.”

Naomi Rose Davies, PGCE Secondary (Physical Education)

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Contact Us

For further information about the programme please contact Fiona Heath-Diffey, PGCE Secondary Physical Education Programme Leader at fheath-diffey@cardiffmet.ac.uk.