What is A Level PE?

If you loved GCSE Physical Education (PE) and are interested in anatomy, physiology and sport, you might be considering A Level PE.

Offered by AQA (opens in a new tab), Pearson Edexcel (opens in a new tab), OCR (opens in a new tab) and WJEC (Eduqas (opens in a new tab) in England and CBAC (opens in a new tab) in Wales), A Level PE combines theory and practice to develop your knowledge and understanding of the human body and physical activities.

This guide walks you through what the course covers, how it's assessed, what you need to take it, and where it can lead.

Key Takeaways

• AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and WJEC all offer A Level PE

• The assessment structure varies depending on the exam board

• The course blends theory with practice, and it includes a non-exam assessment (NEA)

• While GCSE PE is not technically required, it is helpful

• A Level PE can lead to sport-related degrees and careers in coaching, sport and health

What is A Level PE?

A Level PE develops your knowledge of anatomy, physiology and sport.

It comes under Vocational and Technical subjects in the list of A Levels.

Which exam board offers A Level PE?

The following exam boards offer A Level PE:

• AQA, the UK’s largest exam board

• Pearson Edexcel

• OCR

• WJEC (Eduqas in England and CBAC in Wales)

What do you study in A Level PE?

AQA A Level PE splits its content into seven areas:

1. Applied anatomy and physiology

2. Skill acquisition

3. Sport and society

4. Exercise physiology

5. Biomechanical movement

6. Sport psychology

7. Sport and society and the role of technology in physical activity and sport

The other exam boards cover very similar content, but under different names. Check your school’s exam board specification for more information.

How is A Level PE assessed?

The table below provides an overview of how AQA A Level PE is assessed:

For information on how Pearson Edexcel, OCR and WJEC assess A Level Drama, the best place to look is at the relevant specifications.

Do you need to be a top athlete to take A Level PE?

No, but you do need to be a confident and skilled performer in at least one sport or activity (such as dance, gymnastics or netball) for the NEA.

Most successful students perform in a sport or activity they’re already training in, whether as part of a school club or as an extracurricular activity.

How is A Level PE different from GCSE PE?

In general, the difference between GCSE and A Level mostly comes down to workload, difficulty and depth of subject knowledge. This is the same for A Level PE, which goes into a lot more detail on anatomy, physiology and sport than GCSE PE.

GCSE PE also tends to put more weight on the practical component (around 40%) than A Level does (around 30%).

How hard is A Level PE?

With a 96.7% pass rate, A Level PE is actually listed among the hardest A Levels. A Level PE has some overlap with A Level Biology, which is also listed as one of the hardest A Levels.

The written exam is especially difficult for some students, particularly the evaluation section (which requires you to evaluate statements about different physical activities and sports).

If you don’t play any sports or do any physical activities, you’ll likely find the NEA component difficult.

Don’t let this put you off, though, as A Level PE is a highly rewarding subject for committed students.

What can you do with A Level PE?

Here are just some of the pathways A Level PE can open up for you:

Further Study

• Degrees in Physical Education and Sport

Careers

• Coaching, e.g. swimming coach

• Sport, e.g. football player or athlete

• Health, e.g. sports therapist

Is A Level PE right for you?

If you studied (and enjoyed) GCSE PE, have a passion for sport and want a blend of theory and practice, A Level PE is truly worth considering.

If you’re not a fan of sports, physical activities or practical exam components, it’s likely not for you. Instead, you might prefer a more straightforward science A Level like Biology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Level PE respected by universities?

Yes. Universities accept A Level PE as a recognised A Level worth standard UCAS points.

It's particularly valued for degrees related to sport, exercise and anatomy.

Do you need GCSE PE to take A Level PE?

Technically no, but it is helpful. A Level PE builds on the foundations laid at GCSE and largely covers the same topics, but in a lot more depth.

Students without GCSE PE can succeed, but usually need strong GCSE Biology and a sporting or physical activity background to bridge the gap.

Is there coursework in A Level PE?

There is a non-exam assessment worth around 30% of your final grade. It’s a practical component that assesses your performance in physical activity and sport.

Which sport should you choose for the practical assessment?

Ideally one that you’re already training in, as long as it is listed as a permitted physical activity. Check with your PE teacher which activities are allowed.

Common picks include athletics, dance and tennis.

As a vocational qualification blending theory and practice, PE is a great A Level choice if you’re passionate about anatomy, physiology and sport.