Sport and Exercise Psychology BSc (Hons)

In year two you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with culture, gender and sexuality, cyber psychology, the darker side of psychology, and research, among others.

Modules

• Core Psychological Perspectives in Sport and Exercise - 20 credits

  This module applies all the core domains of biological, social, cognitive, developmental psychology and individual differences to the context of sports and exercise. A subject-specific thematic approach will cover all the key areas of investigation in Sport and Exercise Psychology (SEP) including anxiety, arousal, and performance in sport (bio-cognitive), motivation (social-cognitive), group dynamics and team cohesion (social), children and seniors in exercise (developmental), personality (individual differences), moral psychology (social cognitive), injury (bio-psycho-social), and long term athletic/personal development (social developmental)

  Compulsory

• Psychology of Culture, Gender and Sexuality in Sport and Exercise Psychology - 20 credits

  This module takes a critical and international perspective examining how culture, gender and sexuality are understood across different historical and cultural contexts within Sports and Exercise Psychology The module will introduce you to topics, debates, theories, qualitative methodologies and research evidence across diverse contexts. Namely, in the fields of feminist psychology (e.g. gender differences within sports); Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer (LGBTQ) psychology; social psychology (e.g. sex/gender prejudice roles in sports; team cohesion); developmental psychology (e.g. sexual and gender identity, parental/peer pressure linked to gendered sports); and biopsychology (e.g. biology of sex and sexual orientation, e.g. trans inclusion within sports). 

  Compulsory

• Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology - 20 credits

  This module introduces the application of psychological theory and research to sports and exercise settings to facilitate health, wellbeing and performance. The areas of needs analyses, mental skills training, intervention implementation and sustainability will be covered in relation to the distinct contexts of sport and exercise.

  Compulsory

• Multiagency Sport and Exercise Psychology - 20 credits

  The aim of this module is to apply the areas of Sport and Exercise Psychology (SEP) to broader areas of education, occupational, forensic, clinical, health, counselling, coaching and wider performance settings. Building on knowledge acquired in professional practice in psychology at level 4, this module will detail how the core perspectives of sport and exercise psychology (SEP) (e.g biological, cognitive, social, developmental and individual differences), covered in semester 1, are relevant to a broader range of applied contexts. Stress, motivation, physical activity, social belonging, morality and personal development will all be associated with wellbeing and performance in the key areas of applied psychology. The cross contextual application of focal topics in SEP will be referenced within holistic models of practice that adopt multiple psychological perspectives and research areas.

  Compulsory

• The Origins and Future of Sport and Exercise Psychology - 20 credits

  This module extends the perspectives module in semester 1 to consider: 1) historical 2) contemporary and 3) future developments in the area of Sport and Exercise Psychology (SEP). Past work in SEP contexts have adopted successive social, cognitive, biological, developmental, and individual difference perspectives to the study of SEP. Whilst the discipline has adopted mainstream psychological perspectives to the context of sports and exercise, the current theory and research is constrained by its origins. Students studying the module will critically examine past strengths and limitations of SEP theory, research and applications, as well as how SEP has drawn from mainstream psychology to inform future growth of the field.

  Compulsory

• Research Methods and Project Planning - 20 credits

  This module provides you with the opportunity to gain an understanding of how to conduct, report and interpret a range of statistical tests using data associated with complex experimental and correlational designs. This module also aims to develop your ability to plan psychological research projects and guide you through the fundamental processes involved in developing and disseminating a research proposal (e.g. conceptual, methodological, and ethical considerations; quantitative and/or qualitative methods application).

  Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee³ of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

• UK Work Placement – 0 credits

  This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

  Optional

• International Study/Work Placement  – 0 credits

  This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

  Optional

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two. In your final year you will complete an empirical research project, focused on a topic of your choosing, under the supervision of a research-active member of staff. Optional modules* in the final year allow you to tailor your own learning experience to the knowledge and interests you have developed so far.

Modules

• Project Design and Ethics - 20 credits

  This module starts the dissertation process where you use your knowledge of research methods and theory to design a supervised independent research project to address an appropriate psychological research question. You will develop an understanding of CU, HCPC and BPS Ethics and complete an online Coventry University research ethics application.

  Compulsory

• Independent Research Project - 20 credits

  This module develops professional standards that equip you with key skills to conduct and report an independent piece of empirical research. This module also enables you to develop a critical understanding of psychological research methodology.

  Compulsory

• Becoming a Sport and Exercise Psychologist - 20 credits

  This module is designed to equip you with a range of essential personal and professional skills that are required to be a successful student and graduate employee. It will support the development of several skills such as researching the field; inquiry-based learning; active learning; writing and speaking fluently; working in groups and independently; reflecting upon your work; problem-solving; and presenting your work both orally and in writing.

  Compulsory

• Optional modules

  You can choose 3 optional modules from the below (two in semester 1 and one in semester 2):

  • Addictive Behaviours - 20 credits
    This module aims to further your knowledge of key topic areas in the domain of psychopharmacology. Psychopharmacology aims to develop your understanding of the interrelationship between drugs, psychology and behaviour. The module will also explore the use of drugs as tools to develop models of psychopathology, drugs as treatments for behavioural disorders, drugs as substances of abuse and the major psychotropic drug classifications. The module will draw upon several areas of psychology (e.g. cognitive, social, biological approaches) to explain the aetiology of addictive behaviour (e.g., gambling addiction, exercise addiction, internet addiction, substance misuse) in different contexts (e.g. clinical, health, forensic, sport).
  • Child and Educational Psychology - 20 credits
    The module introduces you to disorders affecting development in pre-school and childhood through to adolescence and early adulthood. You are introduced to both assessment and remediation of difficulties within a classroom context. They are also introduced to broader theoretical and practical issues relating to special educational needs such as comorbidity, labelling, stigma and inclusion, across psychological, forensic and sports and exercise contexts.
  • Advanced Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology - 20 credits
    This module aims to further understanding of applied sport and exercise psychology in performance enhancement, physical activity adherence and health promotion and its wider application to mental health and wellbeing. You will critically analyse applied sport and exercise psychology delivery frameworks and practices with an outline of the stages involved in meeting clients, building rapport, conducting a needs analyses, counselling and psychological techniques with long term support of athletes, exercisers, and general practitioner referrals. Contemporary applications and interventions are evaluated from a broad range of theory, research and past practices. 
  • Aggression and Violent Behaviour - 20 credits
    This module will introduce key theoretical explanations of aggression and violence within different contexts (e.g. mental health hospitals; prisons; intimate relationships). You will integrate mainstream psychological theories across the core areas of psychology (i.e. developmental, social, biological, cognitive) to build an understanding of how aggression and violence can explain deviant/criminal behaviours and interpersonal conflict within different situations and professional relationships.
  • Counselling Psychology - 20 credits
    The module aims to introduce you to the broader concepts within Counselling Psychology and specifically you will gain an understanding of the key theoretical explanations and how to implement these in practice with diverse clients (e.g. Cross-Cultural Counselling, Sports Performers, Former Athletes, Victims and Ex-offenders).
  • Neuropsychology in Sport and Exercise - 20 credits
    This module builds on the biological and cognitive approaches to Psychology introduced in the first year (Fundamental Concepts) and second year modules (Core Perspectives). It introduces more contemporary, complex, and specific neural mechanisms of cognitive and affective processes in typical sporting and motor learning context. A further aim is to refine the ability to seek out and critically evaluate published scientific reports on current research in the areas of neuropsychology and sport. The module seeks to develop an appreciation of neurological mechanisms underlying human thinking, feeling, and behaviour with a particular focus on athletes, motor learning and control. You will engage with the emerging critical issues within neuropsychology and evaluate a range of factors that influence human, and particularly athletic performance. You will also gain a practical understanding of neuroimaging techniques and their application to sport and exercise. The assessment is a neuroimaging research proposal based on a typical grant proposal.

  *Optional module choices are subject to change in any given year

  Optional