Sport and Exercise Psychology

Sports psychologists work to help both team and individual sports men and women to fine tune their physical and mental capacities to maximise performance at critical times.

• Study on a BPS-accredited programme that provides a clear pathway toward becoming a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist.

• Learn from an experienced teaching team that includes BPS Chartered and HCPC Registered psychologists, with extensive applied practice and research expertise.

• Benefit from industry-standard laboratories and specialist performance equipment, supporting hands-on learning and applied psychological testing.

• Gain real-world experience through professional placements with industry partners across sport, health, education, and performance settings.

• Develop a strong blend of scientific rigour, applied skills, and professional practice, enhancing employability across sport, health, and wellbeing sectors.

• Build confidence through a supportive, personalised learning environment, consistently rated highly by students.

• Exceptional 96% student satisfaction for the course in both 'teaching on my course' and 'academic support' (NSS 2025).

Our BPS-accredited Sport and Exercise Psychology degree provides a strong theoretical and applied foundation for understanding how psychological principles influence performance, participation, and wellbeing in sport and physical activity. The degree is designed as the first stage in the professional training route toward becoming an HCPC Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist.

You will be taught by an experienced team of BPS Chartered and HCPC Registered psychologists, whose applied experience and active research ensure your learning is grounded in contemporary, real-world practice. Throughout the programme, you will develop the knowledge, skills, behaviours, and professional values expected of a future practitioner psychologist, preparing you to make informed, ethical, and evidence-based decisions.

The course is recognised for exceptional academic support, achieving 96% student satisfaction in both ‘teaching on my course’ and ‘academic support’ (NSS 2025). This strong track record demonstrates the consistently high levels of guidance and teaching that students have experienced on the course.

The curriculum explores topics such as the Psychology of Team Sports, Applied Sport Psychology, the Psychology of Injury, and more. In your final year, you will undertake a professional practice placement, gaining hands-on experience in sport, health, or performance settings. This placement allows you to apply your learning in real-world contexts, build professional networks, and enhance your employability.

100% of graduates from our course are in employment or further study within 15 months (Graduate Outcomes). Our graduates progress into a wide range of careers, including practitioner psychology (via further accredited training), sport and exercise science, teaching and lecturing, health promotion, research, and roles within sport, health, and performance organisations.

Completion of the degree provides eligibility for further professional development through an accredited master’s programme and the British Psychological Society’s Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology (QSEP). This process ultimately leads to registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), ensuring practitioners are recognised as meeting the professional standards required to deliver safe and effective psychological support in sport and exercise settings.

http://www.winchester.ac.uk/c680