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Course review
Review by: Amelia L
University: University of Cumbria
Course: Physical Education
Year of study: 3rd
Level of Study: Undergraduate
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The course in general
How many contact hours do you have in the average week?
14
Ideally, what 3/4 subjects would you recommend doing in order to be in the best position for your course?
Physical education, maths/science psychology.You have to have an interview in order to get on this course.
Why did you decide to study your degree programme?
I decided to take this degree programme as it includes a variety of different teaching methods. Eg; we do a lot of practical lessons in which the lecturers show us how to teach the sport to the children.They also do classroom based lessons in which we do the psychology and biomechanics of sport and children. We learn a variety of teaching and behavioural methods.These all help when we do our placements.The course is good because it gives us the opportunity to go into a variety of schools over the three years to gain valuable experience in the field.The three main placements are in mainstream secondary schools but there is the opportunity to go into a primary school to observe the transition between year 6 to year7. There is also an enrichment placement which allows you to go where you choose to gain experience somewhere else.Eg; special needs school. Throughout the three years, however, you will also do the random days in a school just to practice.
Explain the things you wish you'd known about your degree before you applied:
I was given a lot of information about the course before I applied through the interviews and open days, therefore there wasn't much I needed to know.
Describing your average day
Explain how your day is made up. For example, do you have labs/seminars/tutorials/lectures?
Our day is made up of a variety of classes.There are many practical lessons e.g. doing sport and various lectures involving different areas of teaching.
How much extra work/reading are you required to do out of lectures?
There are different forms of assessment and some do require you to do presentations in front of other people. There are also many written assignments as well as practical assignments but they are spread equally to avoid large demands of work load. There are usually only one or two exams to sit each year.
Is there anything else you think is relevant or that you would like to add in respect of your course?
You have to attend an interview in order to become a candidate for a place on the course.They will send you a letter and tell you if you are successful or not.If you are successful in the interview you will only be guaranteed a place if you get the required grades.
The best and worst parts of the course
What do you like best about your degree programme?
The best thing about the programme is the amount of placement experience you get. Some other courses do not provide you with as much teaching experience and I believe that actually being in the school and doing the work yourself helps you become better than being stuck in a classroom.There are many opportunities to go to different schools but the course is quite flexible and can allow you to go to schools that are close to where you live (as long as you didn't attend that school).
What do you like least about your degree programme?
The degree is very strict on attendance, therefore it is important you go to all lectures, seminars etc. You can fail your course if you miss a certain amount of lectures. However, under certain cirumstances they may let you off but it depends on the situation. You would have to check that with the tutors.
Academics and course content
What do you think of your university's academics and facilities?
The sports facilities at the university are extremely good. There is a very large sports hall with a vast amount of equipment that you can use in your lessons and help you prepare for placement.The classrooms all have interactive whiteboards and tutors usually let you have copies of lecture powerpoints. They upload these onto blackboard which is a site for students to log on and get there course information, also a place where tutors can leave you messages to tell you something about your course e.g. room changes.
Explain how you expected your course to be and how it compares to how it actually is. Give an outline of the content of the course.
In the first year you have a lot of practial lessons which involve tutor lead sessions but also peer teaching.There are a few classroom based lessons as well.There will be written and practical assignments and one or two exams.You will attend a placement at a primary school and in the summer, a placement at a secondary school which is just observational (you do not have to teach).
second year is slightly the same, however you have a 9week placement broken into three sections (all in the same school)you have 2 weeks before christmas to observe your classes then in january you will go back for 5weeks and teach 50% of a nqt's timetable. you go back in summer for 2weeks to still teach but to give you the opportunity to teach athletics
third year again is similar lesson wise but you have a dissertation to write, which can be based around whatever you want. the placement is for three months, as a block placement, usually around feburary to may. you also have three weeks at the end of the year to go on an enrichment placement, which can be anywhere you want to go, so the final year is very practical based
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Other reviews for Physical Education
Stephanie L, 2nd Year doing Physical Education and Sports Coaching Science at University of Worcester
Sam P, 2nd Year doing Secondary Physical Education with QTS at University of Cumbria Joanne S, 3rd Year doing Physical Education at University of Cumbria
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University review
Review by: Amelia L
University: University of Cumbria
Course: Physical Education
Year of study: 3rd
Level of Study: Undergraduate
Visit the University of Cumbria forum and see what people are discussing right now!
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Describing your university
Sum up your university in one paragraph:
Friendly place to be. People are always there to help.It is quite small so you get to know a lot of people.Always help available in the academic department so you should be able to enjoy yourself and relax whislt doing well in your course.
What is the academic life like at your university?
There is a very good library which stocks a range of books relating to all courses, you can also use the facilities at the other campus' so you are not restricted.There is a 24/7 IT room for you to do assignments and work etc. You are able to contact your tutors through email/blackboard and they have a student advice service which help you with your academic work.There are so many options available to the students to help them achieve the highest grades possible.
Describe your Freshers' Week - was it as you expected, better or worse? Why?
Our Fresher's week lasted for two!! It was extremely good. I met lots of new people and the helpers were great. They put lots of events on and it was cheap for entry and drinks.I am now part of the Students Union and help run the events for Freshers so it is a good place to get involved and help improve the university as much as possible.
Are there any other notes you would like to add about life in general at university or anything else which would be relevant to a prospective student?
Make sure that you know exactly what the course entails so you don't feel like changing half way through as that can be very distressing and also unfair to others who try hard to get on the course but just miss getting in. Be clear about what your assignments are and ask for help because once you get your mark back that's it, there are no reassignments, unless you fail but then your mark will be capped at the lowest it can be. Get involved in whatever you can at uni whether it's sport or other activities.It will make your experience so much better. don't let social activities become more important than your work!!!!! enjoy yourself.
What is the best and worst thing about your university?
The people at the university are very friendly and the Students Union is very helpful.There are not many bad things to say about the university other than the prices for food and accommodation are a bit expensive but I think it is like that at most universities.
Sport and extra curricular
What are the sport and other activities on offer like at your university?
Sport is very good at the university and there are a range of clubs and teams e.g. netball, football,hockey, lacrosse, swimming, dancing.
There are also societies e.g. cheerleading, outdoor,volunteering etc.There are many things for people to get involved in.The best way to find out is by asking a member of the SU. If there isn't a club/society set up already and it is something you are completely passionate about doing, you can get 10 people or more to join your society and you can set it up yourself by speaking to a member of the SU, it's thats simple.
The social scene
What is the social scene (and/or nightlife) like at your university? Is it particularly alcohol orientated?
The SU bar is very fun and there is always something going on.In the day it is a nice place to chill out, relax and eat and at night it becomes a lively club.For those who don't like the lively club there is also a social bar around the corner for you to enjoy a sociable drink.The prices are extremly cheap and different offers are on through the week, including soft drinks. The town is also the same, there are pubs that are nice to just relax,have quiet drinks and there are many different clubs for those who like to party.
What do you think of the city your university is based in or near (as a city)?
The university is extremly close to Lancaster city centre (10mins walk).The city is really nice, has lots of shops and a large market where you can buy cheap food.It has many well known shops such as River Island, Topshop, Burtons, Marks and Spencers, 02, T-mobile, Boots etc.
Accommodation
Do you live in a halls of residence or a student house (or college)? What would you suggest is best in your opinion?
I lived in halls my first year and thoroughly enjoyed it.I met lots of new friends.I now live in a house with the people I lived with in the halls.Halls were very spacious and allowed you to cook yourself even though I paid for catered accommodation, so it's good that you get the choice.However the halls were quite expensive. £80pw compared to £60pw (incl all bills but not food)in the house I am in now.Halls were catered so you had to eat the university food in the cafeteria which after a few weeks became boring. You end up eating the same things all the time.
If you are in a hall or college, is it catered or self catered? Which is better for the first year in your opinion and why?
I did enjoy being in catered halls as I didn't have to cook all the time.It seems, however, that since my first year the food has become more expensive so I prefer to shop at the supermarkets (there is Aldi, Asda,Somerfield, Sainsburys nearby)very convenient though if you are in a rush or just on a dinner break from lectures as you just go to canteen and do not need money as they put it on your uni card
Approximately, what is the average cost of accommodation per week in your first year for catered and non-catered halls/colleges?
About £80pw catered. £65 pw self catered.
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