Overview
Sport and exercise psychologists use scientific research methods to explore how people’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours affect their sports performance.
Studying key factors, such as motivation, commitment, mental toughness, self-confidence, stress, anxiety, attitude to injury and concentration, they support athletes to consistently optimise their performance in physical activity.
This British Psychological Society accredited course draws upon various fields of psychological knowledge, as well as human physiology and anatomy, to develop your understanding of the factors which influence performance in a sports and exercise context.
The Guardian University Guide 2020 ranks Coventry as one of the top 20 psychology departments in the UK for graduate employability. This course could lead to careers within sports coaching, sports and exercise therapy and rehabilitation, personal training, sports administration, or broader consultancy work in the health and leisure industry.
Ranked 16th for Psychology in the Guardian University Guide 2020.
See the facilities available in our brand new Alison Gingell Building.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
COVID-19
The University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2020/2021 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to Covid-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedTeaching Excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their fieldCourse essentials
A degree which offers you more, at no extra costAccreditation and Professional Recognition
This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:

British Psychological Society (BPS).*
Current accreditation from the British Psychological Society (BPS) meaning that as a graduate, provided you achieve at least a 2:2, you will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). Additional costs may apply. Please check with the membership body for details. *This course is currently accredited by The British Psychology Society for the 2021/22 intake. If the accreditation of this course changes, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Our Facilities

SuperLab
The Alison Gingell building contains a state-of-the-art SuperLab, capable of holding up to 270 people at once. The lab's facilities include equipment for microscopy, DNA analysis and forensic testing.

Hospital Wards
We have two fully-equipped mock hospital wards, each containing 4 beds. The wards are built to NHS standards and contain moveable beds, first aid equipment and patient monitoring tools.

Strength and Conditioning Suite
Our multi-purpose suite is equipped with multiple Olympic lifting platforms, a 20m gait analysis track, an anti-gravity treadmill and even a 3D motion capture system!
What our students say...
This is an intellectually stimulating subject, and has provided me with a number of different opportunities to pursue higher education and fulfil my goal of becoming a teacher.
Course information
This course aims to provide you with a core knowledge of psychology in order to confer eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society (if a 2:2 or better degree is obtained and additional costs may apply), as well as developing your understanding of how psychology is specifically applied to sporting and exercise contexts.
Through the study of sport and exercise psychology, you will study the physical and mental factors which influence performance in sport and exercise.
Top 200
For the 3rd year in a row Coventry University has been ranked one of the top 200 universities in the world to study psychology.Read news article
Times Higher Education
Course Specification
Download PDF (204kb)
Modules
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
Coventry University is ranked 6th for Graduate Prospects in Psychology The Guardian University Guide 2020
In more detail...
This course provides a comprehensive grounding in the major psychological approaches to the study of human behaviour, together with an understanding of physiology, anatomy and contemporary issues in sport and exercise psychology.
You’ll be taught by psychology staff with an expertise in sport and exercise psychology. Our current staff come from academic and applied backgrounds, having worked as practitioners and consultants at all levels of sport and exercise. Many of these staff remain research-active, specialising in areas such as character development, motivation and well-being in sport and exercise. You can apply to support their research projects as student research assistants**. In the past, students have worked on published projects on imagery, motivation, mindfulness and other performance interventions.
With a continuing focus on your future career prospects, the course offers a range of work experience opportunities through a professional experience module* supported by a specialised employability placement team. Previous students have worked with Coventry Blaze ice hockey team and Coventry City FC Academy.
We run a number of field trips to expose you to sports psychology in real-life situations, previously visiting elite sport venues in and around Coventry**. You’ll also receive guest lectures from practising psycholgy. Recent speakers included sport psychologists from continental Champions League football clubs.
**Student research assistant roles may be subject to a competitive application process and cannot be guaranteed.
*Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement, study abroad or work experience opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
- Opportunities to participate in exciting field trips to a range of European and overseas destinations, partially funded by the University (additional costs may apply)*. *Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement, study abroad or work experience opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
- Expert guest lecturers and practising psychologists. Past speakers have included sports psychologists, athletes, coaches, and practitioners in exercise and health.
- Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), providing eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), access to postgraduate training and careers in psychology.
- Active student-led Psychology Society (PsychSoc), which arranges a variety of social excursions and activities. Recent destinations have included Amsterdam, Warwick, and London. Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement, study abroad or work experience opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
- Specialist teaching facilities include light and dark multisensory laboratories, ‘mock’ prison cells, an observation suite, counselling rooms and specialist software, such as Opensesame experiment builder, E-Prime, SPSS statistical analysis, Pinnacle Studio and NVIVO.
Essential textbooks and individual licences for computer software are provided at no extra cost.
Your main study themes are:
- Fundamentals of Sport & Exercise Psychology: Focus on the core areas of psychology and their explanation of individual thoughts, feelings, and behaviour in sport and exercise.
- Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology: The practice of sport and exercise with a focus on both performance and well-being.
- Sport and Exercise in culture: Contemporary issues in sport and exercise.
- Research into Sport & Exercise: Methods of study design and analysis.
- Professional Practice: Includes focus on study technique and how to achieve the skills required to practice as a sport and exercise psychologist, as well as work experience.
All of our Psychology degrees are taught using a mixture of lectures, small group seminars and practical, ‘hands-on’ skills workshops. Core course content will be delivered during the lectures, while the associated seminars and workshops offer opportunities for you to explore topics more independently, receive guidance on coursework assignments, begin to apply your knowledge and develop your academic and transferable skills.
Wherever possible we try to incorporate real-life experience of sport and exercise psychology into your learning. As well as guest lectures, we will study a range of case studies. For example, recent British Olympic success as well as cycles of success and failure in sporting teams such as with Leicester City FC. We’ll also discuss any pertinent issues that crop up in the news, such as the use of performance enhancing drugs in sport.
You will have the opportunity to take part in the design, conduct and analysis of psychological experiments that use specific interventions to enhance performance, engagement and well-being in participants of sport and exercise. Specialist equipment and computer software is taught and used independently or in groups. In the past, sport and exercise psychology students have implemented interventions to improve concentration and attention, levels of motivation, emotional regulation, and well-being.
Work experience is an integral part of the course and you will have the opportunity to undertake placements. Past students have undertaken placements with organisations including Coventry City Football Club and the Coventry Blaze Ice Hockey Team.
In addition, your Academic Personal Tutor will be available for one-to-one bookable meetings throughout every semester and will regularly review and discuss your progress and continual personal development. Outside of contact time, your personal study hours will be guided by materials posted on your module web pages.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include coursework and formal examinations.
This course is predominantly assessed by coursework.
On successful completion, you should be able to:
- Apply your knowledge of psychological research and theory to analyse real-world problems and develop evidence-based solutions.
- Critically evaluate research evidence, including statistical information, and use this to draw conclusions about the validity of different claims and arguments.
- Identify and evaluate general patterns in behaviour, psychological functioning and experience.
- Understand and investigate the role of brain function in human behaviour and experience.
- Carry out empirical studies involving a variety of methods of data collection, including experiments, observation, psychometric tests, questionnaires, interviews and field studies.
- Employ evidence-based reasoning and use a variety of psychological tools, including specialist software, laboratory equipment and psychometric instruments.
- Communicate in a confident, professional manner, both verbally and in writing.
In a typical teaching week you will have up to 14 ‘contact’ hours of teaching. This generally breaks down as:
- Personal tutorial/small group teaching/one to one supervision: meetings are arranged on a mutual basis as necessary.
- Medium group teaching: practical workshops or seminars
- Large group teaching: lectures
Contact hours will vary by stage and semester of course and any options chosen.
As well as offering a range of short international field trips*, you also have the opportunity to complete the course over four years with a sandwich year spent studying abroad*. The University has links with over 20 institutions in Cyprus, France, Malta, Spain, Sweden and Turkey, as well as several other countries around the world. Courses are largely taught in English, but there are opportunities to learn and attend courses in a foreign language.
In the past, students have studied various cultural differences in the study and practice of sport and exercise psychology. Some have also undertaken their placement year abroad, for example, in the USA, Spain, Italy and Malta.
*Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement, study abroad or work experience opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2018/19, we were able to provide a total of 5,469 experiences abroad that lasted at least five days.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni 2016/17
5,469
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2018/19
12,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally since 2016
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
What our students say...
This is an intellectually stimulating subject, and has provided me with a number of different opportunities to pursue higher education and fulfil my goal of becoming a teacher.
Entry Requirements
What our students say...
This is an intellectually stimulating subject, and has provided me with a number of different opportunities to pursue higher education and fulfil my goal of becoming a teacher.
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
For more information, please visit our Finance pages.
Course essentials at no extra cost
We're committed to communicating study costs clearly to make sure you're not faced with having to make any unexpected payments.
This is why our ‘Flying Start’ package provides you with a few course essentials. Your full-time fee for an undergraduate degree will cover the following:
UK field trips
Any mandatory site visits and trips within the United Kingdom.Key material
This can include core textbooks, software and equipment.Laser prints
1,000 A4 sides of black and white laser printing credits per year.Optional year
Pay no tuition fees for optional work placements or study abroad trips.As well as covering UK field trips, key materials and laser print, the fees for this course also include:
- A visit to a local sporting venue
- Student membership of the British Psychological Society for the final year of the course
- Disclosure and Barring Service (formally CRB Disclosure) for those undertaking placements with children
The following are additional costs not included in the fees:
- This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, fees , travel, accommodation and visas).
EU student fees
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
What our students say...
This is an intellectually stimulating subject, and has provided me with a number of different opportunities to pursue higher education and fulfil my goal of becoming a teacher.
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
Sport and exercise psychologists work in a wide range of settings with a variety of clients participating in recreational, amateur and elite levels of performance. Some work as private consultants or hold full-time positions with professional sports teams or national governing bodies of sport and exercise contexts.
In order to use the title Sport and Exercise Psychologist, you will need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This will involve completing a post degree Stage Two BPS qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology or an equivalent qualification that has been approved by the HCPC (additional costs and application process apply).
By undertaking this Sport and Exercise Psychology degree, you can also choose to enter a wide range of careers in more general areas of psychology or as a researcher, lecturer, teacher, administrator, manager or health care professional.
By undertaking this Sport and Exercise Psychology degree, you can also choose to enter a wide range of careers in more general areas of psychology or as a researcher, lecturer, teacher, administrator, manager or health care professional.
Our courses have been designed to provide practical work experience* and equip you with a range of skills and competencies that should help to set you apart from other graduates and make you attractive to potential employers, such as group work, literature reviewing, critical analysis and the delivery of oral presentations.
As well as the work experience module delivered in year two and option to spend a sandwich year on placement*, in all years we offer professional development modules. These aim to help you learn how to identify suitable employment and training opportunities after graduation, submit competitive, professional applications and perform well in interview situations.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.
*Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement, study abroad or work experience opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
100%
of students go on to work or further study 6 months after completing the course
DLHE 2016/17
Where our graduates work
Many of our graduates go on to work as psychologists but some also go on to become researchers, lecturers, teachers, administrators, practitioners, managers, or health and care professionals.
What our students say...
This is an intellectually stimulating subject, and has provided me with a number of different opportunities to pursue higher education and fulfil my goal of becoming a teacher.
Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2020/21 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.