Sport and Exercise Psychology Staffordshire University

Overview

Take the Sport and Exercise Psychology programme at Staffordshire University and you’ll be part of a diverse and supportive community of students. They include athletes, coaches and those with other professional skills who want to carve out new careers or improve their current practice.

The MSc looks at the links between physical activity and mental health, how athletes perform under pressure and wider strategies for handling stress. You’ll also cover group dynamics and leadership - giving you the skills to help others - and the fundamentals of sport and exercise psychology professional practice.

Careers

The MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology is accredited by the BPS. Alongside GBC (graduate basis for chartered membership, acquired through a BPS recognised undergraduate degree or GBC conversion course during/after the MSc), it counts as stage 1 of the training to become a chartered psychologist and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a practitioner sport and exercise psychologist. Stage 2 involves a minimum of two years of supervised practice.

Successful completion of the MSc provides the academic knowledge required to begin a training process to become a Chartered (and therefore practicing) Psychologist in sport and exercise psychology, together with GBC. 

The award can also provide the required postgraduate qualification for an individual seeking to engage in the accreditation process with the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES) that can also support a career in sport and exercise psychology.

The award can lead to a range of other career options as well. These can include roles within sports clubs and other organisations or as private consultants.

Many students use the MSc to enhance their existing careers in areas such as sport coaching or teaching in schools and colleges.

Graduates can also go on to undertake PhDs.