Sport and Exercise Psychology

Study options

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
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

Taught by experts

Join a vibrant hub of sport and exercise psychology expertise and experience

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.

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

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. In 2018/19 our students visited Nippon Sport Science University in Japan and we are currently planning this years’ trip to ILEPS in Paris.

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.

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.

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).

Accredited by The British Psychological Society.

Professional body accreditation

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

Accredited by The British Psychological Society.
REF researcher interview – Associate Professor Matt Slater

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.

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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 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

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 2 compulsory modules
Individual Differences And Psychometrics In Sport And Exercise 20 credits
Research In Sport And Exercise Psychology 40 credits
Year 5 compulsory modules
Applied Physiology In Sport And Exercise 20 credits
Applied Sport And Exercise Psychology 40 credits
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.

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.

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.

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Facilities

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Year 1

20% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
81% of time in independent study
0% of time in placements

Year 2

20% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
81% of time in independent study
0% of time in placements

Year 3

20% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
80% of time in independent study
0% of time in placements

Year 1

17% practical assessments
33% coursework
50% written exams

Year 2

50% practical assessments
33% coursework
17% written exams

Year 3

23% practical assessments
77% coursework
0% written exams

Staff

Staffordshire University is considered a vibrant hub of sport and exercise psychology within the UK. All of the core teaching team are active researchers, with national and international reputations within their realm of expertise. Three of the four members of staff also hold PhDs within the area of sport and exercise psychology (with one near completion).

Beyond research, the teaching team are also active consultants applying sport psychology principles with sports teams and large organisations. This means they are well placed to shape students' engagement and create contemporary and ecologically valid course content, whilst offering real-world guidance to students typically unavailable within textbooks and online articles.

With this consultancy experience, the team have accrued strong external links in industry (eg, Stoke City FC, The FA), military (eg, special forces, marines), and the emergency services (eg, Police services, Fire & Rescue). 

Strong ties with the industry are cemented annually with the Staffordshire University Performance Psychology conference that brings together applied sport and performance psychology to the University.

Meet the entire Sport and Exercise Psychology team at Staffordshire University.

Dr Stephanie Romano-Smith

Lecturer

I am the course leader of Distance learning Sport and Exercise Psychology BSc (Hons) degree programme. I also have teaching responsibilities across undergraduate and postgraduate awards in the area of sport and exercise psychology.

Stephanie's profile

Matthew Slater

Professor Of Sport & Exercise Psychology

Matt is a Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology and recognised as an internationally leading scholar on the psychology of leadership and group dynamics.

Matthew's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 25 September 2023 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,250 per year of study £9,250 per year of study

For the course starting on 25 September 2023 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £4,620 per year of study £4,620 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

International students: Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course, as long as you complete it in the normal time-frame (i.e. no repeat years or breaks in study).

Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by visiting: www.gov.uk

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Our students

The staff are more supportive than I ever could have imagined!

What attracted me to this course was the element of sports/exercise combined with psychology which happen to be my two favourite subjects. I am intrigued by the way the brain works as well as having a major passion for sports and fitness.

The staff are more supportive than I ever could have imagined! No question is a silly question has been ingrained in my memory since the first day (which still stands). The head of the course in particular has provided so much help and reassurance for all students and has put the most effort into all of our lectures and resources to ensure we are getting the most out of our education. They are all so approachable and up for a laugh which makes the University experience that tad bit better.

Amber Jervis

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology

I would say that the best part of being on the course is the relationship that can be made with the course lecturers.

I chose to study Sport & Exercise Psychology because I’m a massive advocate for learning and working within a field of what you enjoy and are passionate about. I have always been a keen learner in regard to mental health and Psychology and played football all of my life. This meant that as a player and now coach, I really wanted to find what that edge was that could improve your performance just maybe even a few percent in the hope of success.

I would say that the best part of being on the course is the relationship that can be made with the course lecturers and tutors and even general staff at Staffordshire Uni. Every one of them have been approachable and friendly and have helped in any way they possibly can. 

Luke Fryer

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology

The tutor Steph is amazing. Really approachable and friendly.

The tutor Steph is amazing. Really approachable and friendly. Also the content of the course is really interesting and being able to compare with your own experiences and knowledge is exciting.

Lauren Mobsby

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time, distance learning 25 September 2023 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

UK University

StudentCrowd University Awards 2022

for Job Prospects

StudentCrowd University Awards 2022

for Student Satisfaction

Complete University Guide 2022

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

for Course Content

StudentCrowd University Awards 2022

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021