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Overview
Study the role of psychology within sport performance and exercise
Our BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology course sees you explore how sport performance, physical activity and wellbeing are influenced by psychological factors.
National Student Survey 2023
Overall average positivity
'Teaching on my course'
Learning opportunities
British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited
We are one of a few universities to have British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation for both our undergraduate and postgraduate Sport and Exercise Psychology degrees, meaning you can be sure that our teaching and course content meets the industry requirements.
Develop the knowledge and skills needed for your career
You will learn how to work with a range of people in sport and exercise settings to enhance confidence, maintain motivation, achieve their goals and improve their psychological wellbeing.
Study key topics such as:
- Human interaction and behaviour
- Cognitive psychology
- Performance psychology
- Biological and developmental psychology
- Stress and emotions
- Psychology of injury and rehabilitation
- Psychology of physical activity.
Learn from active sport and exercise psychology practitioners
You will learn from our team of experienced and active applied practitioners who have excellent international research and consultancy profiles, meaning they bring their breadth of knowledge from the wider industry into the classroom.
Discover our specialist facilities and laboratories
Our range of dedicated sport and exercise science facilities support you to apply theory to practice and provide you with everything you need to succeed.
Specialist facilities include
- Four dedicated psychology labs
- Virtual reality reader
- Brain imaging unit
- Observation suite
- Biomechanics labs
- Physiology labs
- Sports Performance and Rehabilitation Unit (SPRU)
- Environmental climate chamber.
Gain real-world, hands-on experience with placement options
In your final year, you will have the opportunity to complete a work placement, which will allow you to apply theory and knowledge in a sport, exercise or health setting of your choice.
Smaller class sizes for better learning
Our commitment to smaller class sizes means that you won’t get lost in the crowd and our teaching staff can provide more individualised support that fits you and your ambitions.
Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) education partner
On this course you will:
- Understand the psychological effects of physical activity.
- Learn both quantitative and qualitative research methods to guide scientific inquiry.
- Study the complexities of the human brain and how we interact with others.
- Learn to apply psychological strategies to real-life sport and exercise examples.
- Examine the psychological factors that impact learning, performance and control of movement.
- Learn from experienced and industry-active sport and exercise psychology practitioners.
- Feel more support from our teaching staff as they get to know you and your needs.
- Gain vital professional experience with work placement opportunities.
The Course
Understand the psychological factors involved in sport performance and participation
Year One
In your first year, you will explore the fundamental principles of psychological study and begin to apply them within a sport and exercise context.
Year Two
Your second year introduces you to more advanced aspects of psychology, including cognitive, behavioural and developmental, as you begin to develop your skills in research methods and data analysis.
Year Three
In your final year, you will focus on more advanced research methodologies and skills that will support your work on your final research project, which acts as the culmination of your learning across your degree.
In addition, you will apply your newly-acquired knowledge of psychology to a range of scenarios and contexts, as you look to build experience and understanding of the practical applications of your studies.
Edgar
Indicative modules
You will study a selection of core and optional modules during your degree. Each module is worth a particular number of credits and is delivered differently depending on the needs of the module.
Modules
Select a year
Interpersonal Skills
The module will begin by considering the nature of interpersonal skills and the elements that constitute effective communication. This will provide an opportunity to explore models of communication and effective verbal and non-verbal communication. You will also consider how interpersonal skills may be evaluated and improved.
Introduction to Skill Acquisition
This module explores the psychological factors that affect the learning and performance of skills in sport. You are introduced to selected theories of performance and learning and the strengths and weaknesses of these theories are examined. Research findings will be used to help you make the connections to your responsibilities as sports coaches.
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
Sport and exercise contexts provide a fascinating and complex opportunity to investigate the psychology of human affect, cognition and behaviour. This module aims to introduce you to diverse areas of psychology in the context of sport performance, exercise and wellbeing.
Perspectives On Psychology
This module seeks to enable you to understand the contribution of key thinkers to the development of modern psychology and to appreciate their biographical backgrounds. The lives and work of key thinkers will be introduced and contextualised with reference to contemporary ideas and more.
Principles of Psychology
This module examines the origins and development of modern psychology. You will focus on the main approaches to studying and describing human behaviour, for example, behaviourism, the psychodynamic approach, the humanistic approach, the cognitive approach, and the biological basis of behaviour.
Questioning Sport, Exercise and Health
You will be introduced to study skills for higher education and discover the philosophical underpinnings of research in the sport and health sciences. You will also be introduced to qualitative research methods.
The Study of Human Interaction
This module explores the functions of understanding relationships. You will study the processes related to forming an impression of someone and forming a relationship with them through a variety of behaviours.
Certain psychological theories and empirical findings will form investigations into attraction, prejudice and stereotyping, and a range of methodologies and analyses, such as interviewing, content analysis and observational approaches will be explored.
Biological Psychology
This module explores the ways biological processes have been studied, for example through brain lesions and cell stimulation methodologies.
The areas of behavioural genetics, neuro-imaging, neuropsychology, socio-biology and evolutionary psychology will be investigated in terms of underlying theory and empirical research.
Cognitive Psychology for Sports Performance
Within the sporting domain, knowledge of cognitive psychology can promote efficient acquisition and effective performance of skill among athletes at all stages of skill development. This module critically examines the strengths and weaknesses of theory and research concerning the cognitive processes that underpin the acquisition and performance of skill.
Developmental Psychology
This module explores the study of development and maturation in cognitive, personality and social processes, as well as introduces you to basic theory, research findings and methods of investigation in childhood, adolescence and lifespan development.
You will consider the ways in which behaviour is influenced by developmental factors, the nature of developmental processes and the ways in which empirical research can help us to understand how developmental processes influence what we do.
Performance Psychology
This module will introduce you to the key theories and concepts in performance psychology, examining theory and research into a range of factors (e.g., confidence, motivation, emotional regulation) that have been proposed to contribute to performance in sport and other achievement domains.
The module content will seek to develop understanding of the importance of these concepts for performance, their determinants and how to change them.
Psychology of Physical Activity and Health
The course will examine contemporary theories relating to the adoption and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. It will also examine the relationship between activity involvement and individual affective responses, cognitions of self and health-related behaviour. Specifically, theories of behaviour change and self-concept will be explored alongside an emphasis on the positive and negative consequences of exercise involvement.
Researching Sport, Exercise & Health
You will further develop your skills in research methods and data analysis, with a broad focus on analysis procedures including the qualitative method of interviewing and quantitative methods of analysis of variance, correlation and linear regression. These methods are commonly used procedures in the sport, exercise and health sciences, and understanding of these will also provide a solid foundation for understanding more advanced research methods that you may learn in your future work including research projects or postgraduate study.
Social Psychology
This module acts as an introduction to Social Psychology and social cognition.
The module will cover topics such as person perception, social influence, stereotyping and prejudice, attitudes, attributions, group processes, and attraction and close relationships.
Stress, Coping and Emotions
This module aims to examine the demands (i.e. stressors) of sport and how these are experienced by athletes, the appraisals and coping strategies employed by athletes when experiencing these stressors, and the subsequent emotional responses.
Advanced Research in Sport and Exercise
This module accesses sections of the provision for MSc students and so begins to move you towards postgraduate level thinking. You will work alongside MSc students to access sections of work at the appropriate level. Assignments will reflect that the module is in Year Three but will take an applied approach to promote independent use and evaluation of research methods and statistics.
Applied Sport Psychology: Delivering Mental Strategies
Traditionally, sport psychologists have advocated the use of numerous mental training strategies that are purported to enhance the cognitive, affective and behavioural states of the performers that they work with. This module provides you with an understanding of the efficacy of these strategies, to provide opportunities to deliver these mental strategies and to reflect on the delivery of these strategies.
Applied Sport Psychology: Professional Practice
The soft skills required by a sport and exercise psychologist are imperative to effectiveness as a practitioner. The aim of the module is to examine the nature of applied sport psychology practice and discuss and critique how sport psychologists work with clients in relation to initial assessment, case formulation, intervention planning and delivery, monitoring and evaluation.
Classroom Pedagogy
This module will use a series of lectures and workshops to explore curricula employed in classroom teaching such as:
- the national curriculum
- GCSE PE
- BTEC Sport
- A-level PE.
You will consider how schemes of work and lesson plans are developed for delivery in school and college classrooms.
Contemporary Issues in Sport, Exercise and Health
This module will explore a selection of contemporary issues that may have ethical and moral considerations, in relation to sport, exercise and health.
Entrepreneurial (Business Setup)
This module focuses on the environmental factors that are directly relevant to a small business context, to allow you to develop a critical understanding of the entrepreneurial process. You will concentrate upon the planning that needs to be undertaken prior to the start-up of a small business.
Exercise and Physical Activity Interventions
This module applies health-behaviour-change theory and research to the promotion of physical activity in specialised populations, such as those with chronic health conditions or physical disabilities. It looks at different types of interventions, such as those targeting individuals, groups and national campaigns.
Group Dynamics in Sport
This module aims to examine and evaluate current knowledge of sport group productivity and functioning and evaluates current practice in developing and increasing the effectiveness of group functioning. It is important to have an understanding of group dynamics due to the potential impact that groups can have on an individual’s performance, life satisfaction and psychological wellbeing.
Practical Applications in Coaching and Teaching
This module aims to provide you with blended learning opportunities via university-based work that develops and enhances depth of knowledge when working practically with performers. It is aimed to run concurrently with the Practical Pedagogy (Placement) module so that you can apply theory to the practical coaching and teaching environments within your micro sessions and placement context.
Psychology in Context: Work and Organisations
You will consider a range of relationships between working conditions, jobs and organisational processes, psychological outcomes, and their impact on job and organisational performance. Psychological reactions including job satisfaction, job stress, motivation, work engagement, and organisational commitment are investigated, and organisational functions such as job design, health and safety at work, and organisational team-working, are considered.
Psychology of Injury and Rehabilitation
This module enables you to critically evaluate the psychological, social and cultural factors in injury risk, theories of psychological responses to injury, recovery and adherence to rehabilitation programmes. It will critically evaluate theory and research, and consider practical approaches to working with injured athletes to assist them with their response to and rehabilitation from injury experiences.
Research Project
The research project provides an opportunity to apply appropriate knowledge, concepts, and techniques to an in-depth study of a particular question or problem relating to sport, exercise or healthcare.
This module aims to foster a greater understanding of the processes to undertake a small-scale research project and marks the culmination of the student’s learning experience over their undergraduate programme of study
Work Placement in Sport and Exercise
This module offers an opportunity to complete a unit of directed study incorporating a work placement of 105 hours (three weeks) in a sport and exercise environment. This placement can take place in a wide range of environments including sports clubs, schools, colleges, private companies, clinical settings or within the community. The focus of the work placement should be relevant to your needs, the programme of study you are taking and career aspirations.
Teaching and Assessment
Benefit from innovative teaching methods that focus on practice
Smaller class sizes for better learning
You will build your subject knowledge and practical experience through lectures, workshops and tutorials in small classes, which means our expert teaching staff really get to know you and the support you need.
Teaching
Our team of lecturers combine innovation, enthusiasm and expertise to deliver the excellent standards that give our institution its high reputation.
When you come to Chichester, you will join a community of students and lecturers working in partnership to ensure that your learning experience reflects best practice and embraces the opportunities presented by new, interactive technologies.
Many sessions will require you to have completed some preparatory work and you will also be given structured follow-up work after a session to further progress your learning, often reading or an individual/group task. As you progress through your degree you will be expected to take more and more ownership over your learning and development, directing your study into areas of most interest to you.
Find supportive staff ready to help you reach your goals
Modules are assessed at every stage of the course, offering cumulative assessment of your progress, which means you can monitor your own progress throughout your degree and look 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/needs.
Assessment
Our course includes a mix of assessments, so that you may develop a wide range of transferable skills.
- Essays
- Examinations
- Practical assessments
- Lab reports
- Oral presentations.
Facilities
Discover a wide range of excellent sporting facilities that support your learning
Sports laboratories
Sports injury clinic
Tudor Hale Centre for Sport
Placement partners
Sports hall
Specialist outdoor sports pitches
Fitness suite
Sports Dome
Experience
Join our close student community and fit into our supportive environment
Close community
Expert staff
Placement partners
Learning Resource Centre
Library
Subject specific librarians
Paige
Emily
Placement Opportunities
Utilise our extensive professional networks to support your learning
In the final year there is the option to complete a placement which will allow you to apply theory and knowledge in a sport, exercise or health setting of your choice.
This placement will give you the opportunity to further develop transferable skills, which will make you more employable for a career in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Our students are from all over the UK, with the majority from the South and South East of England, with a few students from overseas. Many students find work placements in their hometowns, as well as local opportunities in Sussex.
You will need to ensure you have all the necessary documentation in place before you start your placement. Some courses will insist that you complete a DBS check on entry to the course, and others will require you to complete a check once you have started.
Please check that you have completed all necessary documentation before commencing your placement.
Study Abroad
Explore the opportunity to study part of your course abroad
As a student at the University of Chichester, you can explore opportunities to study abroad during your studies as you enrich and broaden your educational experiences.
Students who have completed this in the past have found it to be an amazing experience to broaden their horizons, a great opportunity to meet new people, undertake further travelling and to immerse themselves within a new culture.
You will be fully supported throughout the process to help find the right destination institution for you and your course. We can take you through everything that you will need to consider, from visas to financial support, to ensure that you get the best out of your time studying abroad.
Careers
Gain the skills and knowledge you need for a successful career
The work of sport and exercise psychologists can be wide ranging. From working with high-level athletes to help them reach their potential, to supporting the general population to optimise their exercise participation.
We are one of the only places in the country to offer training through undergraduate, postgraduate and supervised work, meaning you can study here all the way through to a qualification as a BPS fully-accredited sport and exercise psychologist.
Typical careers include:
- Sports and exercise psychologist
- Assistant psychologist
- Sports performance consultant
- Mental health and wellbeing practitioner
- Teacher
- Researcher/scientist
- Public health project manager
- Health promotion practitioner.
Charlotte
Further study
We offer postgraduate research programmes (MPhil/PhD) across the field of sport disciplines.
Supervision is offered by a strong, research-active team with a range of expertise. Our research interests stem from applied experience to deliver ‘real world’ meaningful results.
University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.
Postgraduate pathways
Gifted Athlete Support Programme
Supporting athletes with their studies and sporting ambitions
The University’s Gifted Athlete Support Programme (GASP) helps students combine academic study with sport by offering support to compete at the highest level.
Our student athletes will have access to our experts in sport coaching, exercise physiology, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, performance analysis, sport nutrition, sport psychology, sport therapy or physiotherapy and receive:
- Financial support*
- Fitness Suite access at the Tudor Hale Centre for Sport
- Administrative support from SU Sport
- GASP-branded kit.
*Level of financial support dependent upon level of achievement in sport.
Course Costs
Course Fees 2024/25
UK fee
International fee
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
UCAS
A Levels
BTEC
GCSEs
IELTS
IB
Access to HE Diploma
Contextual offers
We believe everyone deserves an equal opportunity to pursue higher education, regardless of their background.
When we receive your application we consider your personal circumstances and the factors surrounding your achievements to see if you are eligible for a contextual offer. This is an offer with a reduced entry tariff – typically the equivalent of 16 fewer UCAS points (two A-level grades).
Find out more about our contextual offers.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Click the ‘Apply now’ button to go to relevant UCAS page.
Many qualifications have a UCAS Tariff value. The score depends on the qualification, and the grade you achieved.
Head to the UCAS Tariff Points web page where you can find a tariff points calculator that can tell you how much your qualification and grades are worth.