Sport and Exercise Psychology BSc (Hons)

at Coventry University

Why you should study this course

Our Sport and Exercise Psychology BSc (Hons) course is designed to provide a comprehensive grounding in the major psychological approaches to the study of human behaviour, together with an understanding of physiology, anatomy and contemporary issues in sport and exercise psychology.

It aims to provide you with a core knowledge of psychology in order to confer eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society (if a 2:2 or better degree is obtained and additional costs may apply), as well as developing your understanding of how psychology is specifically applied to sporting and exercise contexts.
Through the study of sport and exercise psychology, you will study the physical and mental factors which influence performance in sport and exercise.

You’ll be taught by psychology staff with an expertise in sport and exercise psychology. Our current staff come from academic and applied backgrounds, having worked as practitioners and consultants at all levels of sport and exercise. Many of these staff remain research-active, specialising in areas such as character development, motivation and wellbeing in sport and exercise. You can apply to support their research projects as student research assistants*. In the past, students have worked on published projects on imagery, motivation, mindfulness and other performance interventions. (please note: staff are subject to change).

With a continuing focus on your future career prospects, the course offers a range of work experience opportunities through a professional experience module* supported by a specialised employability placement team. Previous students have worked with Coventry Blaze ice hockey team and Coventry City FC Academy.

We run a number of field trips to expose you to sports psychology in real-life situations, previously visiting elite sport venues in and around Coventry*. You’ll also receive guest lectures from practising psychologists and researchers who will bring you up to speed with the latest developments in sports psychology (subject to availability). Recent speakers included sport psychologists from continental Champions League football clubs.

Our active, student-led Psychology Society (PsychSoc), has previously arranged a variety of social excursions and activities. Recent past destinations have included Amsterdam, Warwick, and London*.

Coventry University was recently named a global top 200 university for Psychology according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021.

What you'll study

Year one
During the first two years, we aim to provide a thorough grounding in the major psychological approaches to the study of human behaviour: biological psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology and individual differences.

Knowledge of these areas will be developed within the context of sports relevant themes. There are also opportunities to gain insight into the application of sport and exercise psychology.

Modules

• Developing as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist 1 (10 credits)

• Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 credits)

• Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 credits)

• Research into Sport and Exercise Behaviour (40 credits)

• Sport and Exercise in Culture (20 credits)

• Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing (10 credits)

• Add+ Vantage module

Year two
During the first two years, we aim to provide you with a thorough grounding in the major psychological approaches to the study of human behaviour: biological psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology and individual differences. Knowledge of these areas will be developed within the context of sports and exercise relevant themes. There are also opportunities to gain insight into the application of sport and exercise psychology. In year two you will also have the opportunity to complete work experience with an external organisation*. Past students have undertaken a wide variety of roles, including working in women’s refuges, with the police, sports centres, prisons and schools.

Modules

• Developing as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist 2 - (10 credits)

• Perspectives in Sport and Exercise Psychology 1 (20 credits)

• Applied Research Methods 1 (20 credits)

• Perspectives in Sport and Exercise Psychology 2 (20 credits)

• Applied Research Methods 2 (20 credits)

• Professional Experience* (20 credits)

• Add+ Vantage module

Final year

The final year of your degree is your opportunity to specialise in the areas that you find most exciting – choosing from a range of optional modules in areas of greatest interest to you.

You will collaborate with a member of academic staff and apply the knowledge of research methods obtained during the first two years of your degree to design and conduct your own piece of research in an area of your choice. In the past, students have investigated areas such as arousal regulation in sport, imagery use and its implementation, psychological rehabilitation from injury, mindfulness in sport and the influence of motivation on anticipatory skills.

Modules

• Developing as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist 3 (10 credits)

• Project Ethics (10 credits)

• Independent Research Project (30 credits)

• Add+ Vantage module

• Drug Use and Addiction (20 credits)

• Educational Psychology and Psychology of Special Needs (20 credits)

• Advanced Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 credits)

• Neuropsychology in Sport (20 credits)

• Mindfulness and Meditation (20 credits)

• Psychology of Gender and Sexuality (20 credits)

English language requirements

• IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

International Tuition Fees:

£18300 per year

Sport and exercise psychologists work in a wide range of settings with a variety of clients participating in recreational, amateur and elite levels of performance. Some work as private consultants or hold full-time positions with professional sports teams or national governing bodies of sport and exercise contexts.

In order to use the title Sport and Exercise Psychologist, you will need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This will involve completing a post degree Stage Two BPS qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology or an equivalent qualification that has been approved by the HCPC (additional costs and application process apply).

By undertaking this Sport and Exercise Psychology degree, you can also choose to enter a wide range of careers in more general areas of psychology or as a researcher, lecturer, teacher, administrator, manager or health care professional. With further training, you may choose to become a qualified psychologist, pursuing a career in the community as, for example, an occupational, forensic or social psychologist; in mental wellbeing as a clinical or counselling psychologist; in physical wellbeing as a health, sport or neuropsychologist; working with children as a developmental or educational psychologist. The interpersonal and analytical skills of psychologists are in demand by employers in the private sector, police, military and charitable organisations, among others.