In June 1961, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) advertised for  interested candidates to pursue B.Sc. degree in Physical Education being the  first of its kind in Africa south of the Sahara and  west of Limopo. By 1972 the department reviewed its programme to included several courses in Health Education. Consequently the Department changed its name to Health and Physical Education.During the 1987/88 academic year the Department introduced the sandwich degree programme. The 2 year regular degree programme of the Department for NCE holders was offered as  4-year B.Sc. sandwich degree programme. The 3-year regular degree programme was offered as 5-year B.Sc. degree programme. Since then the sandwich degree programme of the department has been a success story as has been the regular programme.