Psychology of Sport and Exercise

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

Explore how athletes think, feel, and behave through our distinctive degree, designed for those aspiring to become sport or exercise psychologists, performance lifestyle practitioners, or professionals looking to support health, general wellbeing, and performance through psychologically informed practice. It is also ideal for those already working in related roles who want to deepen their knowledge and develop a more psychologically informed approach.

We offer the UK’s only BSc (Hons) Psychology of Sport and Exercise to be delivered through online 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, while also giving you a valuable multi-disciplinary perspective through topics such as social, cognition and developmental psychology. Alongside this, there is a strong focus on employability and industry-led teaching, helping you to build your professional identity and put yourself in the best possible position to achieve your career ambitions.

The course covers a wide range of engaging topics, from group dynamics and leadership to the interaction between the brain and body. You may also explore areas such as the psychology of exercise addiction, dark triad, as well as interventions for managing stress and irrational beliefs.

We place a strong emphasis on applying theory to real-life situations. Our team of academics are research-active and internationally recognised in contemporary research, with many also working directly in the field, ensuring your learning is both research-informed and rooted in professional practice.

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 extensive experience in delivering online distance learning degrees and attract a diverse student cohort. Our students include athletes competing at national and international level, sports coaches, military personnel, professional business coaches, and those progressing directly 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) Psychology of Sport and Exercise.

Please note this course was previously called BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology and has been renamed in line with BPS regulations

Year One Core: Becoming a Sport and Exercise Psychologist; Cognition in Sport and Exercise; Individual Differences in Sport and Exercise; Psychology of Sport and Exercise
Year Two Core: Brain, Body and Behaviour in Sport and Exercise; Contemporary Issues in Sport and Exercise Psychology; Lifespan Development in Sport and Exercise; Teamwork and Leadership in Sport
Year Three Core: Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology; Independent Investigational Project; Psychology of Pressure; Understanding Mental Health in Sport and Exercise

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.