Psychology of Sport, Exercise and Performance

Athletes learn to motivate themselves in ways that they believe will improve performance, replacing self-doubt with positive thoughts. With proven results, the demand for sport-specific psychologists is greater than ever.

Degree Overview
This degree combines contemporary and traditional areas of research and theory in sport psychology with the principles and skills of management within the football and sports industries.

You will be introduced to the world of sport psychology, examining social and developmental aspects and explore the areas of cognitive and biological psychology in order to gain a better understanding of the psychological impacts on the brain and body.

Degree Content
You will examine the psychology of optimum performance, covering theories that explain behaviour in sport and the skills involved to improve performance.
Individuals’ attitudes, personalities and their impact on behaviour on and off the pitch are explored along with research into contemporary issues in sport psychology.

The similarities of performance enhancement techniques employed in both the sport and business world will be examined, including motivation, decision making, leadership skills and team cohesion.

Teaching Locations
UCFB Wembley

• Wembley Stadium

• Arch View House, First Way

In addition to our teaching locations, we also use specialist facilities throughout the academic year as well as additional facilities where required.

Degree Specifications
University Campus of Football Business is an embedded college of the University of East London. All graduates will receive a degree from the University of East London.

Career Prospects
Further specialised postgraduate study and training is necessary to become a qualified sport and exercise psychologist. However, once qualified, sport and exercise psychologists work with a variety of clientele at various level in a fascinating and expanding field not necessarily constrained within the limits of sport. As well as working with professional clubs, athletes and governing bodies, the qualified sport psychologist may incorporate: performing artists, health and business clients depending on their interests.

UCFB Employability & Career Planning Programme
Over 90% of UCFB graduates are in employment within six months of graduating, with 62% of those graduates working within the global sports industry.

At UCFB, your career starts from day one. Alongside your academic studies, our Employability & Career Planning programme supports your development, helping you build the skills, experience and confidence to succeed in the sports industry.

Through a range of tailored opportunities - including best-in-class industry guest speakers, Premier Events, and work-based learning - you’ll gain valuable real-world insight and connections. With ongoing career support and access to placements, you’ll graduate as a well-rounded, career-ready professional.

First Year: Psychological Research Methods 1; Psychological Research Methods 2; Industry Competencies (Mental Wealth); Introduction to the Applications of Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology; Foundations of the Psychology of Sport, Exercise and Performance; Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology.

Second Year: Psychological Quantitative Research Methods; Psychological Qualitative Research Methods; Industry Readiness (Mental Wealth); Social Psychology; Application of Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience.

Third Year: Psychology Dissertation; Personalities, Individual Differences and Abnormal Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Industry Engagement (Mental Wealth); Professional Practice in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology.

The assessment strategy is to use a range of assessments so that students can use the feedback from initial work to feed forward into that type of assessment in subsequent semesters. Research methods assessment is centred around learning to write research reports and culminates in the final year dissertation.

Students with disabilities and/or particular learning needs should discuss assessments with the Course Leader, Module Leader and Seminar Leaders to ensure they are able to fully engage with all assessment within the course.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS