Behind every athletic achievement lies science — physiology, psychology, and biomechanics working in harmony. Both IB Sports, Exercise & Health Science (SEHS) and A-Level Physical Education (PE) combine sport with science, preparing students for degrees in sports science, medicine, or physical therapy.
Yet their philosophies differ: A-Level PE focuses on applied performance and exam-based theory, while IB SEHS integrates biology, research, and global health — making it closer to a life-science subject than traditional PE.
If your goal is to understand how the body really works in sport and health, IB SEHS gives you the broader scientific foundation.
Quick Comparison Checklist
Aspect IB Sports, Exercise & Health Science A-Level PE Curriculum Focus Biological, physiological, and health science Applied sport performance and theory Assessment Internal investigation + external exams Coursework + written exams Skills Emphasis Research, data analysis, scientific reasoning Practical performance, applied analysis University Value Global and interdisciplinary Highly respected in UK for sports science Ideal For Analytical and science-focused students Performance-oriented and applied learners
Curriculum Overview
IB Sports, Exercise & Health Science
IB SEHS blends biology, medicine, and sport. Topics include:
- Anatomy and exercise physiology
- Movement analysis and biomechanics
- Energy systems and nutrition
- Psychology of sport and performance
- Health, fitness, and training principles
The Higher Level (HL) adds genetics, muscle physiology, and advanced human performance topics. The course treats sport as a scientific discipline, not just an applied subject.
A-Level Physical Education
A-Level PE (AQA, Edexcel, OCR) combines theory, practical application, and performance analysis. Students study:
- Anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics
- Skill acquisition and sports psychology
- Socio-cultural and contemporary issues in sport
- Performance assessment through chosen activities
The course connects scientific theory directly to real athletic performance, making it an excellent bridge between sport and applied science.
Assessment and Skill Development
IB SEHS Assessment
IB SEHS combines external scientific exams with an Internal Assessment (IA):
- Internal Assessment (20%): A personal investigation involving data collection, statistical analysis, and a formal scientific report.
- External Exams (80%): Short-answer and data-based questions testing conceptual understanding and scientific reasoning.
The IA reflects real laboratory research, teaching experimental design, data interpretation, and critical evaluation — vital skills for medical or scientific fields.
A-Level PE Assessment
A-Level PE assessment includes exams (70%) and coursework (30%):
- Performance Component: Assessment in one sport and a written performance analysis.
- Theory Exams: Cover physiology, skill acquisition, and socio-cultural issues.
This approach rewards applied understanding — how science affects technique, strategy, and performance in context.
Scientific vs Applied Focus
IB SEHS is more scientific, resembling a biology or health science subject. Students engage in experiments — testing heart rate recovery, measuring VO₂ max, and analysing movement — using data to explain principles of exercise physiology and biomechanics.
A-Level PE is more applied, linking theory directly to sporting performance. Students learn how psychology and physiology influence gameplay, but less through experimentation and more through explanation and evaluation.
Research and Data Literacy
One of IB SEHS’s greatest strengths is its research emphasis. The IA requires scientific investigation — hypothesis testing, method design, data collection, and analysis using statistical tools. This experience mirrors undergraduate lab work.
A-Level PE includes performance analysis but focuses less on independent data collection. Evaluation relies on pre-existing research rather than generating new data.
Psychology and Performance
Both courses integrate sport psychology, but their approaches differ:
- IB SEHS: Studies psychological processes scientifically — motivation, arousal, motor learning, and group dynamics — often supported by data analysis.
- A-Level PE: Applies psychology to real-life performance, using examples from competitive sport to illustrate theories.
IB’s model trains future researchers; A-Level’s model trains applied practitioners.
Global and Ethical Perspective
IB SEHS includes global health, nutrition, and sustainability, exploring how sport intersects with wellbeing and society worldwide. Students analyse data from diverse populations and consider ethical issues in sport science research.
A-Level PE covers ethics too — doping, inequality, technology in sport — but within a more UK-focused, sociological framework.
Practical Performance
A-Level PE retains a strong practical component, requiring assessment in one physical activity. Students are evaluated on technique, decision-making, and competitive context.
IB SEHS does not assess physical performance. Instead, it focuses on the scientific and physiological mechanisms behind sport, making it ideal for academically inclined students who enjoy science more than competition.
University Preparation
IB SEHS
Universities regard IB SEHS as rigorous, particularly for degrees in sports science, kinesiology, medicine, or physiotherapy. The IA mirrors lab-based coursework, giving IB students a head start in research and critical evaluation.
Its multidisciplinary nature also suits students pursuing global health or biology-related fields.
A-Level PE
A-Level PE provides excellent preparation for sports science, teaching, and coaching degrees in the UK. The combination of theory and performance makes it versatile but slightly less scientific than IB SEHS.
Breadth vs Depth
- IB SEHS offers breadth: covering biological, psychological, and environmental systems that underpin human performance.
- A-Level PE offers depth: focused, detailed analysis of performance in sport and applied contexts.
IB builds scientists; A-Level builds practitioners.
Verdict: Which Builds Scientific Performance Understanding?
Both courses build valuable knowledge, but IB SEHS develops deeper scientific understanding of performance and health.
- A-Level PE links theory directly to sport and practical performance.
- IB SEHS cultivates analytical, data-driven thinkers prepared for scientific or medical pathways.
If you want to study why the body performs — not just how — IB SEHS offers the more rigorous and transferable foundation.
FAQs
1. Is IB SEHS harder than A-Level PE?
IB SEHS is more scientific and research-based; A-Level PE is more practical and performance-oriented. IB’s lab and data work make it conceptually challenging.
2. Which is better for sports science degrees?
Both are accepted, but IB SEHS aligns more closely with university-level sports science or physiology programs due to its scientific design.
3. Does IB SEHS include practical sport?
No — it focuses on theory and experimentation, not physical performance assessment.
4. Which course develops better analytical skills?
IB SEHS. The IA’s scientific investigation builds research literacy and data interpretation.
5. Which suits future coaches or teachers better?
A-Level PE. It connects science to performance and pedagogy, ideal for applied careers.
RevisionDojo: Master IB SEHS with Confidence
At RevisionDojo, we help IB Sports, Exercise & Health Science students make sense of the science behind performance. Our IA guides, topic notes, and exam techniques simplify complex systems — helping you write like a scientist and think like a physiologist.
