Sport and Exercise Psychology

Study on the UK’s only interdisciplinary sports and exercise psychology distance learning degree and kick-start your future career.

Discover how athletes think, feel and behave as part of our unique degree for aspiring sport psychologists.

We offer the UK’s only BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Psychology to be delivered through distance learning. It’s the ultimate flexible approach for students with busy lifestyles.

You’ll learn how psychology plays a pivotal role in both human performance and wellbeing. This includes helping athletes cope better under pressure and developing people’s confidence, motivation and resilience.

We teach the fundamentals of sport and exercise psychology from day one. But you’ll also get a multi-disciplinary perspective as the course covers aspects of biomechanics, social and developmental psychology.

It could take you from exploring group dynamics and leadership through to how the brain interacts with the spinal cord. You could also be delving into the psychology behind exercise addiction and interventions for dealing with stress and irrational beliefs.

We place a strong focus on applying theory to real-life situations. And as our team of academics are research-active, internationally recognised leaders in contemporary practice, your practice will be research informed.

The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society, which means we meet rigorous national standards. It’s an ideal springboard for careers in a range of specialist roles, including working with professional sports clubs, becoming a wellness coach or performance consultant, or setting up your own business.

We have years of experience in delivering distance learning degrees and attract a diverse student cohort. They include athletes competing at a national or international level, sports coaches, military personnel and students straight from school or college.

You can develop your professional skills while at home or in the workplace, with the option of using our facilities on campus too. The degree can be taken full-time or part-time.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology

Year One Core: Foundations of Human Psychology in Sport and Exercise; Fundamental Principles of Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology for Sports Performance and Minimising Injury Risk; Individual Differences and Psychometrics in Sport and Exercise; Research in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Year Two Core: Advanced Research Methods in Sport and Exercise Psychology; Biomechanical Analysis of Human Movement for Sport, Exercise and Health; Cognitive and Biological Psychology in Sport and Exercise; Social and Developmental Psychology in Sport and Exercise
Year Three Core: Applied Physiology in Sport and Exercise; Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology; Research Project; Stress, Emotion and Sport Performance

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.