Pic shows young woman in gym

BSc (Hons) Psychology of Sport

Course type
Undergraduate
Course qualification
BSc (Hons)
Subject area
Psychology
Delivery mode
Full-time
Course length
Three year

This degree provides an excellent foundation for students aspiring to become psychologists, with a specific emphasis on applying these skills within the field of sport and exercise.

Course summary

What is the fee?

For all course options, see fees and funding

Where will I study?

School of Health and Society

What is the UCAS code?

CC86

When do I start?

September 2026

How long will I study?

Three year

Overview

The º£½ÇÂÒÂ× offers a diverse undergraduate Psychology portfolio with four distinct BSc (Hons) programmes, each tailored to different interests and career paths within the field of Psychology

This degree provides an excellent foundation for students aspiring to become psychologists, with a specific emphasis on applying these skills within the field of sport and exercise. Throughout the programme, you'll discover how athletes and people who exercise think, feel and behave.

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

You will:

  • Gain an in-depth knowledge of a wide range of psychological concepts and in particular how these concepts might be applied in a sporting and exercise context
  • Develop a hands-on approach to developing research skills, applying theory to real-world setting
  • Have the opportunity to specialise in areas of psychology and sport that interest you and to undertake a supervised research project of your own

Course accreditations

The British Psychological Society logo

This is for you if...

1.

You want to learn more about human behaviour

2.

You have a passion for sport and exercise

3.

You want to understand how world class athletes prepare for competition

4.

You have a desire to explore all areas of psychology

5.

You want to understand the importance and benefits of physical activity and exercise

How you'll learn

What will I be doing?

75%

Coursework

25%

Exams

Future careers

A taste of what you could become

A sport psychologist, an educational psychologist

A mental health support worker, a youth worker

A sport psychologist, an exercise psychologist

A health psychologist, a behavioural specialist

A teacher, A journalist, a researcher

And more...

Modules

Year one
Core Areas of Psychology

Embark on an exciting exploration of Psychology with our captivating module that delves into the intricacies of the five core areas as defined by the British Psychological Society. This integration of approaches will immerse you in the fascinating field of Psychology, to deepen your grasp of human behaviour through the exploration of both foundational theories and cutting-edge research. By mastering this module, you’ll not only gain a comprehensive understanding but also acquire the skills needed to confidently apply specialised knowledge at an advanced level. 

Introduction to Sport Psychology

In Introduction to Sport Psychology, you will be introduced to psychological factors pertinent to sport at an individual and team level. You will explore relationships between psychological factors and develop an understanding of how they influence sporting performance.

Introduction to Qualitative Research

Gain a profound understanding of the philosophical foundations and practical applications or qualitative approaches to psychological research. Delve into diverse data collection methods such as interviews, observations, and focus groups. Elevate your analytical skills through a focus on thematic analysis, setting the stage for future specialisation and independent application at advanced levels of study. 

Introduction to Quantitative Analysis

Build a strong foundation in quantitative approaches, honing skills in data analysis techniques and specialised software applications. This knowledge forms the basis for advanced skill development at higher levels of study, enabling you to master the essential tools for impactful research and professional success. 

Philosophical roots, research approaches and academic skills in Psychology

Explore Psychology's origins and evolution in this module offering insights into its philosophical and scientific roots. Uncover the intriguing journey from early understandings to the establishment of Psychology as a distinct discipline, shaped by historical and cultural milestones. Consider the dynamism of research frameworks, from traditional approaches to post-modern influences. The module will also empower you with academic skills essential for a successful Psychology degree and future career development. 

Psychological Assessment and Strategies for Athletes

This module will focus on psychological assessment and strategies for athletes. You will explore key needs analysis methods used to understand athletes’ psychological needs. Additionally, you will examine psychological strategies that athletes can apply to enhance their mental performance and overall athletic success.

Year two
Behaviour Change

You will develop a critical understanding of health behaviour, exploring the barriers to exercise, and considering motivation, confidence, competence, and self-efficacy. In this module, you will explore the application of psychological theory in helping individuals adopt new positive behaviours or cease negative behaviours. 

Biological Psychology

Building on your first-year knowledge, you'll further unravel the mysteries of human and non-human animal behaviour through a greater knowledge of the field of Biological Psychology. Topics range from the biological bases of behaviour to neuropsychology, genetics, and evolutionary psychology, offering a comprehensive and captivating exploration of this field. 

Classic Paradigms in Cognitive Psychology

Elevate your understanding of cognition with this advanced module. Immerse yourself in a world of empirical studies and contemporary theoretical models, to further enhance your expertise into such concepts as perception, learning, memory, language, and thinking and gain insights that bridge theory and practical application. 

Developmental Psychology in Childhood and Adolescence

Further expand your knowledge of the depth and relevance of Developmental Psychology in understanding children and adolescents. Improve your skills by focussing on research techniques specific to this sub-field and witness the real-world impact as you apply module content to policy and professional practice. 

Further Research Methods

Further master the skills of research design and execution. Elevate your statistical ability to interpret complex results, including multivariate analysis, effect size, and confidence intervals. Dive further into the world of qualitative analysis, grasping methods like grounded theory, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), and conversational analysis. 

Individual Differences

Explore the rich history, theoretical frameworks, and methodologies of personality and intelligence. Consider diverse approaches, from trait-based and humanistic to cognitive and biological, providing a comprehensive overview and enabling you to apply your insights to real-world case studies. 

New and Critical Theories in Social Psychology

Extend your knowledge of Social Psychology through the consideration of ten areas for enhanced focus. These encompass aspects of both intergroup and interpersonal social functioning and provide basis from which to design and execute your own choice of mini research project. 

Psychological Assessment and Strategies for Athletes

This module focuses on psychological assessment and strategies for athletes. The first half of the module will focus on psychological assessment by exploring a range of psychological needs analysis methods that can be used when working with athletes. The second half of the module will focus on psychological strategies that athletes can use to enhance psychological factors and performance.

Research and Professional Skills

This multi-faceted module equips you with the knowledge and skills essential for both academic and professional excellence. Not only will you enhance your understanding of research but also lays the groundwork for a successful Level 6 dissertation and a flourishing graduate career. 

Year three
Become Unstoppable: Professional Skills

This module will provide students with the skills required to be an effective professional. Students will reflect on their career aspirations, their own wellbeing and that of others within the workplace. 

Critical issues and Topics in Sport Psychology

Explores advanced psychological topics that are considered as current or emerging themes within sport. This module focuses on critical thinking in relation to psychological themes, theories, research, and interventions. You will critically appraise the current state of sport psychology to suggest applied and theoretical implications and avenues for future research that would advance the discipline of sport psychology. 

Dissertation

You will carry out a large-scale empirical research project on a topic of your choice. The range of skills you develop as you navigate the process of research design, applying for ethical approval, recruiting participants and carrying out your research, performing appropriate analysis, and writing up your work will be invaluable in any workplace.

Applied Sport Psychology with Teams

This module will focus on applying sport psychology when working with teams. Initially, this module will focus on how to understand team dynamics and will generally introduce team building. In the main, this module will then focus on a range of contemporary team-based interventions that can be used to enhance team dynamics and performance.

Atypical Child Development

This module explores what it’s like for children growing up with various conditions like autism spectrum disorder, Down’s syndrome, deafness, and developmental language disorder, and well as the impact on development of growing up in adverse environments such as poverty.

Behaviour Change: Children, Families and Communities

Explores the principles and theories of knowledge, attitude and behaviour change, behaviour change in context (health, education, and community), planning, delivering and evaluating interventions, policy and guidance in UK/international context.

Brain and Behaviour

This module examines in detail the relationships between behaviour and the nervous system. You will explore these relationships through the consideration of key topics in the field of neuroscience including learning, psychopharmacology, brain damage, aphasia/alexia, organic brain disorder, and mental health.

Educational Psychology

Develops your understanding of the relevance of psychology to education and provides opportunities to apply psychological theory and principles in the field of education and professional practice.

Effective and Affective Thinking and Processing

During this module, you will learn to apply theories and methodologies from cognitive psychology to real-world behaviour. You will explore the influence of emotional processing on human cognition and performance and reflect on the optimal conditions for thinking and decision-making.

Forensic Psychology

An applied module which will introduce you to offender profiling, lie detection techniques and psychological theories of criminal behaviour; guest speakers have included a serving chief investigating officer, a forensic psychologist and a probation officer.

Media Psychology

This module explores the effects that exposure to media has on people, as well as how people process information from media. It looks at advertisement, persuasion, news journalism, social media and internet use, including the use of metaphors in the media. It also covers conversation analysis and discursive psychology.

Occupational Psychology

A practitioner based module which will provide you with a tour of relevant theories and topics (including stress, selection techniques and change at work), as well as an assessment opportunity to apply these in real-world settings, including your own experience in the workplace.

Psychology of Health

This module aims to introduce you to the concepts, theory, methods and applications of health psychology. It is concerned with the psychological aspects of physical illness, their treatment and management as well as what it is that keeps people healthy and well.

Psychology of Mental Health

Explore conceptualisations of mental health, explanations of mental health., the legal and social ramifications of mental ill health, the range of conditions treated within psychiatry and different therapeutic modalities and agencies.

The Psychology of Extreme Violence

The psychology of serial homicide, mass shooting, and terrorism. The module also explores the neurodevelopmental and psychosocial risk factors in serial killers and mass shooters, the pathway to intended violence in such extreme cases of violence and the neuropsychodynamics of individuals who commit serial homicide and single homicide.

Work Placement

You have the opportunity to undertake a work placement where you will be able to put what you've learnt into practice.

Animal Therapy (Assisted and Individual)

This module on animal therapy will look at how psychologists might be involved in the treatment of animals with behaviour problems. Conversely, the modules also look at how animals are used in animal-assisted therapy for the treatment of human psychological and physical health problems.

We take a flexible approach to our course delivery that promotes diversity and inclusivity and provides a blended learning experience, which will vary to meet specific programme requirements. This learning time includes formal lectures and interactive activities such as seminars, tutorials, practical sessions, laboratory and studio learning. Smaller classes may be used to support collaborative activities such as project and group work and presentations. A range of different assessments and feedback is offered to meet the needs of both our diverse student body and specific subject needs.

Our undergraduate courses are normally made up of 20 credit modules which are equal to 200 hours of learning time. A three-year degree qualification typically comprises a total of 360 credits (120 credits per year).

Please note that exact modules and content offered may vary in order to keep content current and, for courses that offer optional modules, may depend on the number of students selecting particular options. When accepting your offer of a place to study on a programme with optional modules, you should be aware that optional modules may not all run each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you can undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirements
GCSE
UCAS Tariff points
A-Levels
BTEC National Diploma
T-Level
Foundation Degree
Access to HE
Scottish Highers
Irish Leaving Certificate
International Baccalaureate
European Baccalaureate
International Students
Alternative entry requirements
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

Fees and funding

Find below fees associated with this programme.

2026/27

Type of study Fees
Full-time £9,790 per year

2026/27

Type of study Fees
Full-time £18,120 per year

The tuition fees shown are for the first year only. If your course lasts longer than one year, fees may increase each year in line with inflation, up to the maximum limits set by the UK Government.

How to apply

Enrolment dates

September 2026

September 2027

Student information

Terms and conditions

UCAS information

Course ID CC86

Institution S03