Physical Education

What is it? It's not an excuse to play lots of football. A-level PE is split into three areas – physiology, psychology and sociology. In the first, you study anatomy and how the body responds to playing sport. Psychology focuses on how the mind affects performance – for example, what makes some footballers choke when taking a penalty. In sociology you look at issues such as drug taking and discrimination – for example why certain races play certain sports.

Why do it? Three reasons. Playing the sport counts towards your final grade. It could help you to launch a fabulous sporting career. Sport and leisure are growing industries offering high-earning jobs.

What skills do you need? GCSE physical education helps. Basic scientific ability is useful. And you need to be an enthusiastic player of at least one sport – be it karate, show-jumping, curling or rugby.

How much practical work is there? Nearly one third is practical. You have to show skills in playing and coaching, and knowledge of the history and rules of your chosen sports.

Ratio of coursework to exams: 30:70.

Is it hard? Yes – it's not an soft option. "It's really like studying three separate A-levels – physiology, psychology and sociology," says Mike Hill, chief examiner in physical education for Edexcel. "It's hard to get an A grade. You've got to be good at sport as well."

Who takes it? Slightly more boys than girls. And it tends to concentrate on football, says Mike Hill.

How cool is it? "Very. It's the coolest course at my college," says Mike Hill who is also director of PE at the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College.

Added value: Becoming fantastic at your chosen sport – by the end you should have reached peak performance.

What subjects go with it? Psychology, sociology, biology, geography and history.

What degrees does it lead to? Sports science, PE, law, physiotherapy and medicine.

Will it set you you up for a brilliant career? You could go into coaching or physiotherapy. You could make a packet in sports marketing and PR. You could choose education, or work for your local council. Or you could become a successful sports professional. "One of my ex-pupils has just got on to the European Golf Tour and is earning £100,000-plus a year," says Mike Hill. "He's only 22."

What do the students say? "I chose to concentrate on cricket and football because they're my favourite sports," says Richard Brant, 18, who is also studying for A-levels in biology and English at Aldenham School, Hertfordshire. "But there isn't as much physical activity involved in the course as people think – a lot of time is spent in the classroom."

Which awarding bodies offer it? AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC.

How widely available is it around the country? Very. The majority of schools and colleges now offer it.

c.rudebeck@independent.co.uk