Everything you need to know...
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How long will I study?
2 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2025
1. Course summary
- Learn how core principles and research in psychology inform applied practice in sport, physical activity and occupational settings.
- Develop your practical knowledge and consultancy skills.
- Understand how important case formulations are to support clients in a future career.
After completing this course you can become a chartered sport and exercise psychologist. If you already have a psychology undergraduate degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), you can undertake BPS Stage 2 training. If you’ve previously completed an undergraduate degree in sport and exercise science, you can complete the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route (SEPAR) .
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
2. How you learn
You’ll develop your research and consultancy skills throughout the course – as well as your core psychological knowledge, especially in the sport and exercise psychology subject area. You’ll be taught key research methods by our qualitative and quantitative research experts. With their specialist knowledge and experience they’ll help you build confidence in conducting key forms of research.
You learn through:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Webinars
- Workshops
- Staff tutorials
- Student group activities
- Reflective practice activities
- A major research project
- Staff project supervision meetings
- Technology-enhanced learning
Course leaders and tutors
James Newman
Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise PsychologyLecturer in Sport and Exercise Science
Applied learning
Live projects
Live projects will help you develop and practise your consultancy skills, with qualified supervision from registered sport and exercise psychologists. This helps you prepare for BPS Stage 2 or SEPAR training, which you can undertake after completing this course.
Networking opportunities
You’ll learn from a series of guest speakers from academic and consultancy backgrounds. These are also great opportunities to develop your professional network for future collaborations, CPD and work opportunities.
Competitions
You’ll be able to work towards the University's Leadership Award. This aims to enhance your competitiveness in the job market – and develop high-level employability skills for the sport profession or the wider career sector.
3. Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- Sport
- Physical activity
- Psychology
- Exercise
- Wellness
- Research
Previous graduates have gone on to work for:
- The English Institute of Sport
- The NHS
- Sport national governing bodies (NGBs)
- Physical activity referral schemes
- University and further education institutions
- Others have gone on to further PhD study or to work as researchers.
4. Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn more5. Equipment and facilities
On this course you work with experienced applied practitioners and expert researchers in both sport and exercise psychology.
6. Entry requirements
All students
A second class honours degree in psychology or sport and exercise psychology that provides Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society (BPS), or, completion of an appropriate conversion course in psychology (that provides GBC from the BPS).
A second class honours degree in sport and exercise science, physical sciences, physical activity, health sciences, physiotherapy, sports therapy, sports coaching, physical education or medicine (not recognised by the BPS). Please note a second class honours degree in sport and exercise science may be recognised by BASES.
A second class honours degree in a different subject supported by evidence of an aptitude for sport and exercise psychology, or equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.
Applicants will usually be expected to have studied at least 60 credits of sport or exercise psychology or psychology at first degree level. However, the course team will assess each application on a case-by-case basis.
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English.
You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more
Additional information for EU/International students
This course is not open to international students who require a student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a student visa, email our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Compulsory modules
Psychology Of Exercise And Physical Activity
Psychology Of Learning, Wellbeing And Sport Performance
Compulsory modules
Applied Project In Sport And Physical Activity
Developing Professional Skills In Sport And Exercise Psychology
Research Methods In Sport And Physical Activity
8. Fees and funding
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £12,858 is available in 2025/26 for home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sport and Physical Activity (PDF, 144.2KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
