Graduate Diploma in Physical Education (Blended Learning)

The introduction of PE as a Leaving Certificate exam subject has increased the demand for qualified PE teachers. We recognise that there are many teachers qualified and teaching other subject specialisms who may be interested in upskilling and adding PE to their professional remit as an additional subject.

Alternatively, if you are a sports degree graduate, these modules will supplement your original BSc degree credits to meet the curricular subjects’ requirements for gaining access to a Professional Masters in PE and becoming a registered PE teacher. This pathway is ideal for students who have completed a BSc sports science, BSc exercise and leisure management or a B.Ed in another subject specialism.

This 8-month course is designed for those wishing to enter the PE teaching profession and will equip you with an in-depth knowledge of physical education.

Accessible route to PE teaching with this programme.

Our students can use this Graduate Diploma in Physical Education as an entry pathway to becoming a PE teacher. Portobello Institute offers a Post Graduate Certificate in Continuing Education (PGCEi) with an MSc in Physical Education available from October ’23. These programmes combined are delivered over 2 academic years, offering graduates further opportunities to develop their expertise in physical education. Alternatively, many of our past students have used qualifications gained from Portobello Institute to gain entry to other universities to study post-graduate qualifications for PE teaching.

Combine working full-time with study

This graduate diploma has been designed by Portobello Institute for blended learning so you can study in your own time. This blended learning option gives mature students and those working or training full-time, the opportunity to access this degree qualification that can lead to a career in physical education or coaching. Seminars are delivered over the weekend with one to one support available to you throughout your learning journey.

Accessible, affordable, achievable

There is an easy payment plan designed to make this degree affordable for you. These factors, together with the one to one tutorial support, offer you the opportunity to access a career in physical education, with a qualification that is accessible, affordable and achievable.

Here are some reasons to choose to study with Portobello:

• Accelerated programme completing your qualification in eight months, getting you out into the world of work faster.
• Career focused qualifications – our courses lead to awards that offer you the opportunity of immediate employment upon graduation.
• Notable university partners – our university partners are among the top-ranking universities in the UK offering you access to a qualification from a renowned university.
• Realistic entry requirements – our entry requirements are reflective of the academic ability needed to successfully complete this course. These are clearly stated and remain static regardless of demand for places.
• Individualised support – we fit your learning model with support available when you need it throughout your learning journey.
• SMART assessments – we use a range of assessments for each module designed to support a broad range of learning styles, giving you the opportunity to excel.
• Industry expert tutors – our tutors are all industry practitioners connecting research and theory with industry practice throughout their lectures.
• Flexible delivery – we deliver theory sessions on-site, online whilst also recording the session simultaneously offering you a choice of when and how you learn.
• City Centre Location – Commuting to Portobello is very accessible – the Luas stops outside our door, and we are located within minutes from the major transport hubs.
• Affordable payment options – all our courses offer you the option to choose an easy payment plan supporting you to spread the cost out over your learning journey.

Why should I study this course?

Upon completing this level 8 programme, you will hold a Graduate Diploma in Physical Education awarded by Liverpool John Moore’s University (LJMU).

The programme design, content and philosophy draws on existing physical education syllabus and pedagogy, and significant knowledge and expertise in the School of Education at LJMU. The School has a reputation for excellence, regionally and nationally, with a growing profile for innovative research and quality in teaching internationally. The most recent inspection by OFSTED rated LJMU as ‘Outstanding’ in Primary Teaching and ‘Good, with Outstanding features’ in Secondary.

Portobello Institute’s Graduate Diploma in Physical Education gives you the opportunity to study alongside your working and family life. You will have the opportunity to learn from a range of experts in the field of sport and physical education.

You will have the option, like many of our past pupils, to use this qualification to supplement your existing qualifications and gain entry to a Professional Masters in Education in PE (PME PE).

Who will recognise my qualification?

Upon completing this programme, you will hold a Graduate Diploma in Physical Education awarded by Liverpool John Moore’s University (LJMU).

The programme design, content and philosophy draws on existing physical education syllabus and pedagogy, and significant knowledge and expertise from LJMU. The university has a reputation for excellence, regionally and nationally, with a growing profile for innovative research and quality in physical education teaching internationally.

You will be registered as a student of LJMU for the duration of your studies.

The Irish and UK qualifications authorities have collaborated on initiatives that promote the transparency, recognition and mobility of qualifications between our respective jurisdictions. The qualifications authorities in the UK and Ireland have agreed the qualifications frameworks in operation, Brexit will not impact this agreement.

Delivery Mode

This Graduate Diploma in Physical Education has been specifically designed for delivery by blended learning – that is a combination of onsite classes for practical and online learning. It is very suited to you if you are working full-time with limited spare time yet you want to achieve this graduate diploma qualification.

Each module commences with an induction webinar and you will meet your lead lecturer during this session.  You will be able to log-in and “attend” the lecture and you can re-visit the lecture at a later date through our online portal. You can upload your assessments and your lecturer will give you feedback on whether you are on the right track before you submit the final version.

What is a webinar?

A webinar, in the context of online learning, is a lecturer delivering a presentation or class online to a group of students. We use specifically designed e-learning software so you can participate in the class just as if you were present in the same room. You can ask a question of the lecturer at any stage during the class.

Interactive break-out rooms

The software is designed with “break-out rooms” where you can discuss a topic or complete a group exercise with a smaller group from your class. You will need a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone that has internet connection, an audio facility so you can hear and speak during the class and a camera so your lecturer and fellow class participants can see you.

Secure online learning environment

The webinar is a secure online environment and only those permitted entry by the lecturer can gain access to the “classroom”. Webinars are recorded during each session and should you miss a session, you can catch up with the recorded session at a later date. You will only be able to access Webinars of the group you are assigned to.

Course Structure

This course is delivered over 8 months with supported seminars held at weekends an exact schedule is not available yet, however, you can view a similar schedule here.

During this course, you will complete six modules.

All online only lectures are recorded for you to catch up later. During each semester, a number of practical workshops will take place in Dublin and these are in person only events which are not recorded.  Attendance at practical sessions within this course is an essential requirement as a result of the practical nature of the subject.’

You will need to complete a work related placement of approximately 15 days as part of this course if you are not currently in a ‘related practice’.  A related practice may include, for example, teaching another subject with coaching experience, sports coaching, physical activity promotion etc.  Applicability will be judged on an individual basis.

If you are interested in progressing to a Masters in Education and becoming a PE teacher, our graduates have found this first-hand experience and insight into physical education in schools gave them advantage when preparing for interview and subsequent successful entry to Masters programmes.’

Having the flexibility to choose whether you attend a lecture as it is taking place or to catch up later means you can seamlessly access and fit education into your life whilst still continuing with your everyday life.

Peer to Peer Support

Learning from the experience of other students is often cited as an integral part of any learning journey through a programme. This programme is conducted primarily online and to achieve peer to peer learning, we create study groups. This is a group of students either with a similar research interest or located regionally for ease of “meeting up”. Many graduates tell us that the relationships they build in their study group, offers them a professional network to tap into through out their careers as well as some lifelong friendships.

Tutor Support

You can email your tutor during the module to ask a simple query or submit a draft of your assessment. Our programme management team are available to offer you telephone and email support and if you need to, you can arrange to meet them for further one to one guidance.

For more information about our team, click here. Portobello Institute has invested in a team of programme managers and tutors who are experienced early years practitioners as well as qualified and knowledgeable educators. They are available to assist you during your learning journey through this programme.

Online Learning Portal

During the induction webinar, we will show you how to navigate and find what you need with all of the information you need to complete this programme uploaded on to the learning portal. The content of this programme is set out in an easy to follow format with a combination of notes, articles, podcasts and other materials that will help you to understand the subject and complete your assessment. You will need basic computer skills to search the internet and type a word document to complete your assignment.