Sport and Exercise Psychology

Study options

Full-time, distance learning

Part-time, distance learning

Award

BSc (Hons)

Key facts

UCAS code:: C810
Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:: Full-time, distance learning
Study option:: Part-time, distance learning
Duration:: 3 Years
Duration:: 6 Years
Start date:: 25 September 2023; 25 September 2023
School:: School of Health, Science and Wellbeing

Distance learning

Study anywhere, anytime with distance learning and study routes you can fit around your work schedule

5 BPS commendations

Including Outstanding Student Support and Outstanding Programme Director

Industry accredited

by The British Psychological Society

Study on the UK’s only interdisciplinary sports and exercise psychology distance learning degree and kick-start your future career.

Through our well-established distance learning expertise you will gain access to a highly engaging and flexible way to develop your knowledge and professional skills whilst studying at home or in the workplace.

Our Sports and Exercise Psychology course is ideally suited to those wishing to enter the field of sport and exercise psychology. Guided by internationally renowned lecturers, you will learn how athletes think, feel, behave, and why. You’ll gain vital knowledge and the skills to work as a professional within this sector. Plus, you’ll complete an in-depth study on how beliefs about human psychology are influenced by the methods used to develop them, and the broader social context in which they are developed.

The course is designed to be flexible, with the majority being delivered online; you can choose to study full-time or part-time.

As a distance learning course, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology degree is unique in the UK, and through Staffordshire University’s well-established distance learning expertise you will gain access to a highly engaging and flexible way to develop your knowledge, expertise and professional skills whilst at home or in the workplace.

For students wishing to pursue a career as an applied sport and exercise psychologist or continue their academic studies there already exists an established and successful DL MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Staffordshire University.

Learn more about what the team are up to on our Sport and Exercise Psychology blog.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology

Work placements

The Sport and Exercise Department works with local, regional and national employers alongside international university partners to provide students with placement and work experience opportunities both in the UK and abroad.

As an undergraduate in our sport and exercise department, you can also join our Sports Academy as a volunteer, helping to deliver physical activity and classroom-based workshops to young people in schools and communities.

Course content

All teaching is delivered in an online distance-learning format. We have vast experience of delivering courses in this way, and we recognise the importance of flexible learning in the 21st century. Drawing on multi-media technologies, the elements are broken down into various engaging digital formats to help you learn; providing interaction between your tutors and peers.

You will explore a wide-ranging curriculum, covering subjects such as applied sport psychology techniques, group dynamics and leadership (social psychology), research methods, cognitive psychology, psychobiology, physical activity and mental health, developmental psychology, stress, and resilience.

You will end your degree bridging the gap between education and your future career with a supervised research project, which focuses on the application of psychology in a sport and exercise environment.

Prospective students will also have the opportunity to enhance their digital proficiency by undertaking an externally and industry approved accreditation across a suite of Microsoft 365 programmes provided by Microsoft Imagine Academy.

Academic year

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Our modules are 20 or 40 academic credits. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 10 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity. Full-time students take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6. The full-time course has one start point in September.

Professional body accreditation

Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

REF researcher interview – Associate Professor Matt Slater

Video

Dr Matt Slater, Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology, talks about the real-world impact and benefits of his research.

Sorry, this video requires the use of functional cookies which you have not consented to use. Change your cookie settings or watch the video on the provider's website

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Foundations Of Human Psychology In Sport And Exercise	40 credits
Fundamental Principles Of Biomechanics And Exercise Physiology For Sports Performance And Minimising Injury Risk	20 credits
Individual Differences And Psychometrics In Sport And Exercise	20 credits
Research In Sport And Exercise Psychology	40 credits

Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Advanced Research Methods In Sport And Exercise Psychology	40 credits
Biomechanical Analysis Of Human Movement For Sport, Exercise And Health	20 credits
Cognitive And Biological Psychology In Sport And Exercise	40 credits
Social And Developmental Psychology In Sport And Exercise	20 credits

Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Applied Physiology In Sport And Exercise	20 credits
Applied Sport And Exercise Psychology	40 credits
Research Project	40 credits
Stress, Emotion And Sport Performance	20 credits

Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Individual Differences And Psychometrics In Sport And Exercise	20 credits
Research In Sport And Exercise Psychology	40 credits

Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Cognitive And Biological Psychology In Sport And Exercise	40 credits
Social And Developmental Psychology In Sport And Exercise	20 credits

Year 6 compulsory modules
Year 6 compulsory modules
Research Project	40 credits
Stress, Emotion And Sport Performance	20 credits

Entry requirements

112-120 UCAS Tariff points

GCE A Levels - grades BBC or equivalent
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
Access to HE Diploma - Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
T Levels - Eligible T Level applications will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of P (A*-C) or Higher Pass as a condition of offer

We welcome applicants from a diversity of backgrounds and all applicants are individually assessed.

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

Study reveals warning signs of poor mental health in athletes

News

‘Put down’ language is a key indicator of poor mental health in athletes, recent research shows

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

Facilities

Sports Psychology Lab

The Basil Ashford Sports Psychology laboratory and consulting room are used extensively for teaching, research and consultancy in the areas of Sports Psychology, Exercise Psychology and Motor Learning.

Psychology Observation Suite

The Observation Suite contains an Observation Laboratory setup with a one-way mirror, video cameras and microphones to allow activities to be observed and recorded from the Control Room.

Biomechanics Facilities

The Gait Analysis Laboratory within the Biomechanics Facility consists of motion capture and associated software, force platforms, digital video camera and associated kinematic analysis software and plantar pressure measurement system. Our facilities allow for teaching, learning support and research.

Support for distance learners

Studying remotely doesn't mean that you will be left to study alone. Which is why we ensure that however you study with us, you'll still be able to access the same services as our on-campus students.

Blackboard (VLE)

Blackboard is a virtual learning environment which houses your learning content. It enables online teaching/learning, provides spaces to build online communities and knowledge sharing.

Careers

Our BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology degree will put you at the forefront of a growing field. It will equip you for roles in healthcare, industry, sport, and teaching. There are opportunities in both public and commercial sectors, typical roles include:

Wellness coach
Program coordinator
Active living consultant
Athlete career and education advisor
Professional sport welfare office
Practicing Sport Psychologist
Exercise Psychologist
Performance Consultants

Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, this course will set you up for masters level study in relevant fields of science and technology.

For aspiring Sport and Exercise Psychologists there exists a direct pathway at Staffordshire University onto a BPS accredited DL MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology, allowing students to start their professional training as a sport and exercise psychologist, which may involve working with governing bodies, professional clubs, youth sport, businesses, military, and emergency services. For those wishing to pursue a career in sport and/or exercise-related contexts, the programme also draws upon core sport and exercise science content (ie, physiology and biomechanics) alongside lab and/or field based experience.

Strong ties with the industry are cemented annually with the Staffordshire University performance psychology conference that brings together expertise in sport and performance psychology from across the UK to the university.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Undergraduate Open Day

Saturday 10 June 2023

Explore our campus and facilities, find out more about the courses you're interested in and connect with our lecturers and current students.

Book now

Undergraduate Open Day

Saturday 10 June 2023

Explore our campus and facilities, find out more about the courses you're interested in and connect with our lecturers and current students.

Book now

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

As a distance learning student, you'll be an active learner interacting with content, your fellow students and your module tutors. Support is available when you need it. You can contact your module tutor, your personal tutor, Information Service staff and subject specialist librarian by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are via your PC, tablet or phone. This includes accessing video, audio and discussion forums where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

We also interact with students (including webinars, feedback and student discussion) using the suite of softwares provided by Microsoft, in particular Microsoft Teams.

You'll have the opportunity to develop your digital proficiency with external and industry approved qualifications provided by Microsoft.

Assessment

This course will be assessed via coursework, online examinations, and laboratory practicals.

You’ll experience a wide variety of assessment formats including project briefs, negotiated assignments, self-initiated proposals and reports tailored in the form appropriate to professional outcomes required for each module.

For each assessment undertaken, you receive a set of guidelines and a set of specific grading criteria outlining the standards expected.

Summative assessment is provided in the form of a grade percentage, an annotated assignment and accompanying summary feedback sheet.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We will normally give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days.

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We will normally give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days.