Sport and Exercise Psychology BSc (Hons)
Course Code
UCAS Code: C841
International Code: HLSU218
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years full-time (study abroad or work placement)
Start date
September 2022
Course overview
Study level: Undergraduate
Sport and exercise psychologists use scientific research methods to explore how people’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours affect their sports and exercise performance.
- Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), providing eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) (additional costs may apply), access to postgraduate training and careers in psychology.
- Studying key factors, such as motivation, commitment, mental toughness, self-confidence, stress, anxiety, attitude to injury and concentration, you’ll explore how to support athletes to consistently optimise their performance in physical activity.
- This 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.
- 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.

Global Ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
Our Sport and Exercise Psychology BSc (Hons) course is designed to provide 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.
It 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.
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 wellbeing 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. (please note: staff are subject to change).
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 psychologists and researchers who will bring you up to speed with the latest developments in sports psychology (subject to availability). Recent speakers included sport psychologists from continental Champions League football clubs.
Our active, student-led Psychology Society (PsychSoc), has previously arranged a variety of social excursions and activities. Recent past destinations have included Amsterdam, Warwick, and London*.
Coventry University was recently named a global top 200 university for Psychology according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021.
of our students are satisfied by the quality of the course.
A global top 200 university for Psychology according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021.
NSS, 2018

British Psychological Society (BPS).*
This course is accredited and recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for the 2022/23 intake. If the accreditation of this course changes, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible. Current accreditation by 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.
What you'll study
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.
How you'll learn
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, past 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 wellbeing in participants of sport and exercise. The use of specialist equipment and computer software is taught and is 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 work experience with organisations including Coventry City Football Club and the Coventry Blaze Ice Hockey Team.
We also aim to arrange international field trips each year for students at all levels of our undergraduate psychology courses.* In previous years, our first year students have visited Amsterdam, a group of second years have been to San Francisco and some of our final year students have visited Tokyo. While in San Francisco, the students visited The Exploratorium, a public learning laboratory exploring the world through science, art, and human perception.
In addition, your Professional and Personal Tutor will be available for one-to-one bookable meetings throughout every semester (subject to availability) 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.
- Personal tutorial/small group teaching/one to one supervision: meetings are arranged on a mutual basis as necessary.
- Medium group teaching: up to 6 hours of practical workshops or seminars each week.
- Large group teaching: up to 8 hours of lectures each week.
Contact hours will vary by stage and semester of course and depending on the optional modules chosen.
Some ‘contact’ hours may take the form of synchronous online learning (e.g. live online lectures, meeting tutors via video calling etc).
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.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include coursework and phase tests.
This course is predominantly assessed by coursework.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes. Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.
Job ready
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 provides a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.
International experience
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*.
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.
Entry requirements
Haven't met the entry requirements or don’t have the right qualifications? You may still be able to progress onto a degree you’d love by studying a foundation or access course.
View our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page. You can also explore our International foundation year courses.
Fees and funding
2022/23 Tuition fees
Student | Full time | Part time |
---|---|---|
UK | £9,250 per year | Not available |
International | £16,650 per year | Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
Facilities
Our specialist teaching facilities include light and dark multisensory laboratories, ‘mock’ prison cells, an observation suite, counselling rooms and specialist software, such as Gorilla, Opensesame experiment builder, E-Prime, SPSS statistical analysis, Pinnacle Studio and NVIVO.

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!
Careers and opportunities
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. With further training, you may choose to become a qualified psychologist, pursuing a career in the community as, for example, an occupational, forensic or social psychologist; in mental wellbeing as a clinical or counselling psychologist; in physical wellbeing as a health, sport or neuropsychologist; working with children as a developmental or educational psychologist. The interpersonal and analytical skills of psychologists are in demand by employers in the private sector, police, military and charitable organisations, among others.
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.
How to apply
-
UK Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
-
International Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
You may also like

Psychology BSc (Hons)
Discover Uni stats
-
Disclaimer
Student Contract
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 2021/22 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.
Tuition fees
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.
Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
Facilities
Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. 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.
Placements and study abroad opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad 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.
Additional costs
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, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).