MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology Degree - University of Chichester

Overview

Gain an advanced understanding of psychology in both sport performance and exercise for health and wellbeing

Our MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology course provides you with an opportunity to develop specialist knowledge of the discipline and to increase your skills in applying such knowledge in the contexts of sport performance and exercise for health and wellbeing.

Sport and Exercise Psychology

Hear from our staff and students about what it’s like to study Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Chichester.

For graduates wishing to pursue a career as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council there are currently two routes: British Psychological Society (BPS), and The Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES).

The course is accredited by BPS as a recognised Stage 1 Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology, thereby enabling graduates to enter the BPS Stage 2 training routeway.

The course is also accredited through the CASES Postgraduate Endorsement Scheme. This endorsement enables graduates to enter the CASES SEPAR training routeway.

Graduates from this MSc have also developed careers in other fields such as academia, teaching, research, coaching, health and wellbeing and business.

By studying at Chichester, you will have the opportunity to become involved in the wider research and consultancy work of the department, which includes Sport and Exercise Psychology academics and consultants.

The Course

Study the principles and application of psychology within sport and exercise

Throughout you course, you will study six taught modules, five discipline modules and one in research methods and statistics. In addition, students will complete a research dissertation.

This list is indicative and subject to change.

Advanced Applied Research Skills
Advanced Performance Psychology
Cognitive Processes in Sport
Enhancing Physical Activity Participation and Wellbeing
Professional Practice in Sport & Exercise Psychology
Social Processes in Sport
The Research Dissertation

Advanced Applied Research Skills

You will learn and apply innovative and cutting-edge methods of analysis evident in psychology literature.

Advanced Performance Psychology

This module examines psychological characteristics that have been proposed as important determinants of success in sport with specific focus on mental toughness.

Cognitive Processes in Sport

This module attempts to identify the key cognitive factors responsible for the development and demonstration of expertise, and to explore the scope for the coach and the learner to enhance learning and performance through a better understanding of such processes.

Enhancing Physical Activity Participation and Wellbeing

This module deepens your knowledge of health behaviour change in the context of exercise and physical activity.

You will explore aspects of physical activity behaviour change that enables positive psychological and physical wellbeing outcomes for individuals.

You will also explore key concepts of self-concept, motivation and behaviour change, whilst appreciating the range of psychosocial barriers and facilitators that can result in positive or maladaptive affective responses, cognitions and behaviours.

Professional Practice in Sport & Exercise Psychology

Effective practice in sport and exercise psychology relies on the appropriate application of psychological knowledge to assess and understand human behaviour, and intervene to change behaviour. However, it also is contingent on the creation of a good working relationship between practitioner and client. Foremost in this is that the practitioner possesses key skills and qualities, and has an awareness of a range of ethical and practical issues related to the practitioner-client relationship, and the context in which practice takes place.

This module, therefore, aims to develop the your understanding of the practice process and ‘effective practice’, and of a range of ethical and practice issues that might impact on this. It also aims to begin to develop some of the requisite practice skills and competencies for working as an applied sport and exercise psychologist.

The Research Dissertation

This module is the culmination of previous learning and is the major element of your independent enquiry on your programme. The module requires that you reflect on, and utilise the knowledge base, context, and application of taught modules, as well as placement experiences. It is designed to encourage you to generate and explore your own ‘problem’ assisted by supervision from a tutor.

Experience

Discover a wide range of excellent sporting facilities that support your learning

Bishop Otter campus

Click to watch our virtual tour of our historic Bishop Otter campus in the heart of Chichester.

Sport and Exercise Science laboratories tour

Watch our virtual tour of our various sport and exercise science facilities, including our labs, injury clinic and brain imaging unit.

Sports facilities

Professor Mike Lauder guides you through our world-class facilities on our historic Bishop Otter campus.

Sports laboratories

We have four specialist sports labs including a virtual reality reader, brain imaging unit and an observation suite.

Sports injury clinic

Students use our specialist injury clinics these spaces for practical sessions and run a practice.

Tudor Hale Centre for Sport

Our world-class Tudor Hale Centre for Sport acts as the focus for sports science, therapy and physiology.

Sports hall

Our specialist sports hall can be used for a wide range of indoor sports, including basketball, netball, badminton and volleyball.

Specialist outdoor sports pitches

Alongside our grass football and rugby pitches, we also have our International Hockey Federation compliant floodlit astro turf.

Close community

Our commitment to a friendly and close-knit student community contributes to a high degree of success for our graduates.

Expert staff

Learn from experienced sport and exercise science specialists here to support you throughout your degree.

Fitness suite

We offer a variety of cardio, resistance and weight equipment, with a dedicated strength and conditioning room.

FA Women’s High-Performance Football Centre

As one of only nine centres in the UK, we provide additional opportunities for women to develop as players and coaches.

Sports Dome

The Sports Dome is a large indoor facility which can be used for sports such as cricket, football, hockey and many more.

Learning Resource Centre

The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) contains the library, a café, IT/teaching rooms and the Support and Information Zone (SIZ).

Library

Our campus library holds more than 200,000 books and over 500,000 eBooks.

Subject specific librarians

If you have difficulty finding material for an essay, seminar or project, subject librarians will be happy to provide assistance.

Teaching and Assessment

Innovative teaching methods that focus on practice

Teaching

Teaching is delivered in small groups and is interactive. Students are encouraged to debate topics and lead their fellow students through presentations and discussions.

In several modules, there is also a practical element to gain experience developing the skills needed for applied practice.

The full-time course runs from the start of the academic year in September through to the following August. Students undertake three taught modules in the autumn semester (September to December) and three in the spring (January to May). The dissertation is conducted and completed over the summer semester (June to August).

Part-time routes are available, and those wishing to complete their studies part-time should contact the programme co-ordinator Dr Jenny Smith to discuss the options.

Assessment

You will be assessed by a variety of methods, including essays, portfolios, lab reports, role play and oral presentations.

Our course includes a mix of assessments so that you may develop a wide range of transferable skills. Modules are assessed at every stage of the course, offering cumulative assessment of your progress.

You can monitor your own progress, allowing you the opportunity to discuss and plan your development with your lecturers throughout the course. Where appropriate special arrangements can be made for students with an identified need.

To gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Sport and Exercise Psychology, you need to complete three modules. Each module is assessed by a 4,000-word assignment, or equivalent.
To gain a Postgraduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise Psychology, you need to complete six modules. Each module is assessed by a 4,000-word assignment, or equivalent.
To gain an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology, you need to complete six modules, and a Research Dissertation.

Careers

Acquire the skills and knowledge required to gain employment within the sport, health and wellbeing industries

We understand the importance of ensuring that you have the knowledge, skills and experience to compete successfully in today’s challenging jobs market.

Typical careers include:

Sport and exercise psychologist
PhD research and academia
PE teaching
Coaching
Health and wellbeing consultant
Local council wellbeing team member
Charity sector roles.

Student View

“Something that I simply cannot recommend enough.”

We welcome students from a range of backgrounds, from those continuing their undergraduate studies to those who are returning to academia after setting out on their careers.

Hear what our students have to say about this course, how it has helped them find their future career or develop the one they currently have.

Thomas

MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology graduate

I have successfully made the transition into the applied field as the lead academy psychologist U9-U16 at Millwall FC and as a performance psychologist at InnerDrive. These roles have provided me with the opportunity to work with children, young adults, coaches and parents within the sporting and academic environment. I have approached these opportunities with confidence as a result of invaluable knowledge provided during my MSc.

Kevin

MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology graduate

After 20 years of teaching I was highly motivated to get a different perspective in my professional life and become a learner again. The process of learning Sport Psychology at masters level was transformative and re-ignited my passion for the role of games and physical education in young people’s lives. I have returned to teaching with a more sophisticated and critical sense of how we can impact people’s lives through sport. This sits alongside some enhanced communication, mentoring and counselling skills that I gained throughout the course. Investing in your intellectual development and self-awareness, even as a mature student, is something that I simply cannot recommend enough.

Course Costs

Course Fees 2026/27

UK fee

£9,360

University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.

International fee

£17,640

For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fees page.

For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.

To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.

Entry Requirements

An honours degree at 2:1 or higher in a related discipline.
You will also be required to attend an interview (this can be online and face-to-face).

If English is not your first language then English language proficiency required is IELTS 6.5 (with no element less than 5.5) – or equivalent qualification

International students who don’t meet the entry requirements

If you are an international student and do not yet meet the entry criteria for this course, you may be eligible for our International Premaster’s Programme. This is a one-semester programme that allows you to progress onto a master’s course at the University of Chichester.

Contact

If you have any questions about this course, please contact Acting Programme Coordinator Dr Jenny Smith, either via jenny.smith@chi.ac.uk or 01243 793487.

Apply

Full Time

To apply for the full-time route for this course, please click the button below.

Apply for the full-time route

MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology

Deepen your knowledge of psychology within sport and exercise contexts