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".

Year one
Group Dynamics and Organisational Psychology in Sport and Exercise
Research Methods for Sports and Performance
Sport, Physical Activity and Mental Health
Applied Sport Psychology and Contemporary Issues
Professional Practice and Ethics in Applied Sport Psychology
Dissertation
Social Perspectives on Health, Sport and Exercise Psychology

Standard entry conditions
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

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.

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

Attendance
Full time and Part-time
Delivery will be block taught across 2/3 day intensive teaching sessions.

Full-time
PgDip - two semesters
MSc - One calendar year (three semesters)

Part-time
PgDip - four semesters
MSc – three calendar years

Start Date: September 2024

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.