Sports Exercise & Performance Psychology

This MSc programme is dedicated to providing a thorough grounding in the knowledge and application of psychological principles to sport, exercise and performance settings in order to enhance wellbeing and performance. There is a demand for training in this field for those whose ambition is to work in high performance sport settings. In Ireland and the UK, many of those trained in sport psychology have undertaken roles as performance directors, professional sport coaches and sport management.

Key Facts
The core aims of the programme are to create an outstanding and distinctive learning experience through innovations in teaching (e.g. e-learning module in applied positive psychology), instilling a scientist practitioner approach across both sport and exercise contexts and highlighting the role of ethical considerations in practice.

Programme Content

Semester 1 Spring
• Performance Psychology
• Wellbeing and Work
• Motor Cognition: Understanding Action
• Exercise Psychology & Mental Health

• Choose from either:
• Advanced Empirical Psychology
OR
• Qualitative Research Methods In Psychology

Semester 2 Summer
• Psychological Skills Training
• Professional Competencies
• Professional Practice and Ethics
• Applied Positive Psychology
• Research Dissertation Development

Semester 3 Autumn
• Research Dissertation

An undergraduate degree, 2.2 honours degree (Level 8 National Qualifications Authority of Ireland or other internationally recognised equivalent) in a relevant or appropriate subject (e.g., psychology). RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) entry will be available for those without a related degree.

Entrants with degrees that meet either the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or British Psychological Society (BPS) graduate entry requirements will receive the same award as students without this status (e.g., BSc. Sport and Exercise Science graduates) but the former will be able to apply to PSI/BPS for recognition of their progress towards accreditation. It is envisaged that the Masters degree will be recognised as stage one of the PSI/BPS recognition process (stage 3 comprises supervised experience. Accreditation from will be applied for in advance of start date so the Masters programme. will have "Accreditation Applied" status).

Entry to the programme will be based on the result of an oline application and appropriate academic references. There will be no interview.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of either prior successful completion of a degree qualification taught through the medium of English or meet one of the criteria below (no longer than two years prior to application):
Acceptable English Language qualifications include the following:

Matriculation examinations from European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved
Irish Leaving Certificate English –Ordinary Level Grade D or above
TOEFL – 580 (paper based) or 100 (internet based)
IELTS – Minimum score of 6.5 with no less than 6 in any one component.
English Test for English and Academic Purposes (ETAPP) – Grade C1
GCE 'O' level English Language/GCSE English Language – Grade C or above
Cambridge Assessment English - Certificate of Proficiency in English - Grade C / Certificate in Advanced English Grade B
GCE Examination Boards – Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations – Grade C / Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate – School Certificate Pass 1-6 / University of London Entrance and School Examinations Council – School Certificate Pass 1-6

What to include with your application

Qualification transcripts and certificates,

English language qualification(s) if English is not your first language

Certified English translation of your transcripts/certificates where the original transcripts are in a language other than English,

A CV (Curriculum Vitae),

Scanned copy of any membership of psychological societies and CPD workshop attendance,

A copy of your birth certificate or passport

1 year Full- Time

Scheduling
Lectures are mainly held on Tuesday and Wednesday, and at other times. Content of modules can be found by using the search option on the book of modules