Sport & Exercise Psychology

This course is designed for aspiring professionals in the field of sport and exercise psychology. You will gain professional training in the provision of psychological support to clients, acquire vocationally related psychological skills, develop a critical thinking approach to the existing knowledge base, and conduct research, all within a science practice led model. You will gain a grounding in the theory, themes, issues, and practical skills central to the knowledge base of sport and exercise psychology. This thematic approach supports and reflects the critical philosophy that underpins the programme and is central to teaching, learning, and assessment. The three main themes of theory-practice, individual content, and stability-change permeate throughout the taught modules. Upon successful completion, you will possess professional skills in consulting, advanced research, relevant personal skills, and an understanding of the high-performance environment. Career opportunities include teaching, research, or consulting in sport sciences or psychology; provision of psychological support services to various groups including athletes; health promotion; or PhD research study.

For further course details please see "Course Web Page" below.

Year one
Group Dynamics and Organisational Psychology in Sport and Exercise
This module examines group and team dynamics, and group and organisational processes within sport teams and their broader organisational context. The module provides an overview of organisational factors such as leadership amongst managers, coaches, and athletes within sport teams and sport organisations.

Research Methods for Sports and Performance
This module is designed to enhance the knowledge and competencies of students to prepare them to undertake research in Physical Activity and Public Health; Psychology and Sports Nutrition. It focuses on the application of advanced elements in experimental design, conducting quantitative analysis, research synthesis and the presentation of data and findings. It equips students to review, conduct and commission research.

Sport, Physical Activity and Mental Health
This module examines the influence of sport and physical activity on mental health of the general population and those involved in sport. It provides a critical understanding of the development of scientific consensus to date and identifies areas in need of further research for the promotion of positive mental health in sport.

Applied Sport Psychology and Contemporary Issues
This module provides students with a critical overview of the contemporary topics in applied sport psychology. Students will be encouraged to translate theory into practice and to develop a critical knowledge base to be able to plan, develop and evaluate how appropriate sport psychology interventions should be delivered.

Professional Practice and Ethics in Applied Sport Psychology
The module is designed to provide students with a critical understanding of the consulting relationship; ethical considerations in professional practice; the impact of different stakeholders on practice; the role of reflection and reflective practice; and the importance of counselling skills. Various activities and module assessment, enables students to experience first-hand the challenge of applying theory to practice and engaging in reflective practice.

Dissertation
Carrying out an original, independent piece of research from the formulation of a research question through to reporting findings in accordance with the conventions of the academic area is an important part of the research training provided by Masters level study. This module provides students with an opportunity for students to carry out an original independent piece of research in the area of sport and exercise psychology and present findings in the form of a journal manuscript and a conference presentation.

Social Perspectives on Health, Sport and Exercise Psychology
This module examines sport, exercise and health psychology at an individual, group and cultural level. Theory and research on the effects of social processes on an individual are explored. The key issues include gender, morality, relationships, transitions from high level sport and the role of cultural issues in the applied sport psychology context.

Applicants for the British Psychological Society Accredited (BPS) MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology must (i) have gained a second class honours degree or better in psychology or sports science a related discipline from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or (ii) an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification or (iii) demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL); and meet the IELTS requirements for English language competence: minimum IELTS score of 6.0.

English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language this course requires
a minimum English level of IELTS (academic) 6.0 with no band
score less than 5.5, or equivalent.

This course is open to international (non-EU) students (full-time only).

For full entry requirements please see "Course Web Page" below.

Your Application
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink" below).

Career options
Track I: Teaching/research in sport sciences and consulting;

Track II: teaching/research inpsychology and also consulting;

Track III: Clinical/Counseling services to various populations including athletes;

Track IV: Health promotion and working with clients but not necessarily athletes;

Track V: Further PhD research study.

To further complete an approved HCPC stage 2 qualification, in order gain eligibility to apply for registration the HCPC and use the protected title of Sport and Exercise Psychologist.