Paul Edwards - BA (Hons) Sport and Exercise Studies
The Sport and Exercise degree would come highly recommended from me. It has given me a chance to get back into local sport and also a pathway into teaching physical education at secondary school age.
”The journey
"I left school at 16 and went straight into a football apprenticeship where I had to leave my hometown of Derby and moved into lodgings in Crewe to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a professional footballer. At 18 I signed professional terms and begun to be included in first team sessions which then eventually led to me making my professional debut. My career at Crewe Alexandra lasted until I was 22, then injuries lead to lack of opportunities which had a negative impact, and when a transfer proposal went sour, myself and the club ended my contract mutually."
Paul then went on to be a plumber where he spent four years in the trade until he decided to go to university. "The four years working in houses and building sites always left me with a nagging feeling that this is not what I wanted to be doing. My life had been sport and I wanted to get myself back involved at some level."
The course
"The foundation year was a success and all of the lecturers really supported me in my five different modules. It was quite daunting going back to education but the working environment, the lecturers and all other resources really made me settle quickly and I believe gave me a head start in my degree.
I am now currently half way through my sport and exercise degree and still really enjoying the whole learning process. Theoretical and practical sessions help with learning and lecturers are easily contacted if one to one help is needed."
The future
"My aim now is to achieve a high grade in my degree so I can then apply for teacher training through a Graduate Teacher Programme. This will give me qualified teacher status and enable me to apply for jobs to teach physical education to secondary school children."
