Facilitated by an expert team of researchers, and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered practitioners, this employment focused MSc provides you with key knowledge and practical skills to pursue a career path in sport and exercise psychology. Drawing on research led teaching, practical experiences of staff using real-life examples and innovative assessment strategies, we will ensure that you and your learning are at the forefront of a growing field.

Sport and Exercise Psychologists seek to understand the ways in which thoughts and emotions can affect performance and exercise behaviour. Practitioners use this knowledge to provide psychological skills support, increase motivation and develop self-belief at all levels. Whether that is encouraging members of the public to adopt a more active lifestyle or optimising the performance of sports competitors.

As the link between psychological wellbeing and physical activity becomes more defined, the demand for exercise psychologists in the healthcare sector has increased particularly in the areas of health promotion and rehabilitation. Similarly, there is a growing demand for Sport Psychologists to promote resilience and optimal behaviours in businesses, military, and emergency services.

Previous graduates have gone on to work across a spectrum of sports/e-sports and health-related roles locally and internationally. Some have completed further training and have become registered practitioners running their own private practice or employed with professional organisations including the English Institute of Sport, and Sunderland Association Football Club (SAFC). Other students have also pursued further postgraduate opportunities such as a PhD and are fulfilling research and lecturer roles at other universities.

• Critically evaluate current theories and evidence which can be applied to understand and solve complex issues in real world contexts.
• Communicate your ideas and findings effectively to variety of audiences, whether it be coaches, parents, athletes or exercise enthusiasts.
• Apply relevant ethical, legal and professional practice frameworks (such as those required by the BPS and HCPC).

Your transferable skills will include oral and written communication, critical evaluation, problem solving, time management, IT and advanced statistical and qualitative analysis techniques.

Graduates with Stage 1 and Stage 2 qualifications who are interested in sport psychology will be in a strong position to work with major sports teams or field-based consultation at major sporting events. Options for exercise psychologists include working in private rehabilitation, gyms, the NHS, GP exercise referral schemes and local Councils.

Some of our recent graduates now work as teachers, coaches, consultants, in the healthcare sector and for organisations including the English Institute of Sport and Sunderland Association Football Club (SAFC). Many of our students have gone on to further postgraduate opportunities such as Ph.D. study whilst some have also secured placement opportunities in elite, amateur and recreational level sport. 

As the link between psychological wellbeing and physical activity becomes more defined, the demand for exercise psychologists in the healthcare sector has increased – particularly in the areas of health promotion and rehabilitation. Similarly, there is a growing demand for sports psychologists to deliver support from grassroots level through to performance athletes. This master’s degree programme will help develop the professional skills that will give you the edge in this evolving area of psychology.

For applicants who already possess the Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC) and who successfully complete the course, you can then go on to complete the BPS Stage 2 Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology. After completing both Stage 1 and Stage 2 qualifications this will then enable you to become an HCPC registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist practitioner, a legally protected title.