The Physical Activity, Wellness and Public Health research group offers a cutting-edge PhD programme within SPARC, as well as a highly regarded MSc course in sport and exercise psychology.
MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology (BPS-Accredited)
Programme Directors: Dr James Rumbold and Professor Jeff Breckon
Our BPS-accredited course will help prepare you for a career in sport and exercise psychology. In line with the BPS stage one curriculum, the MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology is a predominantly theoretical degree. While there is some applied indicative content, the focus is on developing a solid foundation of knowledge and ability to design and implement empirical research in sport and exercise psychology.
In 2008 the Membership and Qualifications Board of the British Psychological Society (BPS) set out criteria for the accreditation of postgraduate training courses in sport and exercise psychology via the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Training Committee (DSEPTC). Accredited MSc courses in Sport and Exercise Psychology provide Stage 1 of a 2-stage process that confers eligibility for Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychology status for students who hold the Graduate Basis for Chartered Status (GBC) of the BPS. Our MSc degree has been accredited with the BPS since 2009/10.
The course can be completed in 12 months of full-time study, or a minimum of 24 months of part-time study. It is made up of five taught modules (2 x 15 credits, 3 x 30 credits) and an independent research project (60 credits). The full-time course starts in September and ends in September. Students attend weekly during semesters 1 and 2. The independent project is typically completed between January and July, with time allocated for writing up during August.
Alumni careers
Our students have gone on to undertake a variety of roles. The most common career paths tend to be researching, lecturing and applied consultancy work. Our alumni have transitioned into various organisations following completion of our MSc programme: UK Sport, English Institute of Sport, NHS, Public Health England, Sport England, private psychology consultancy, consultancy to professional and elite sport teams, and wellness consultancy.
Find out more and apply
Visit the course descriptions below for more details, including entry requirements, applications, course syllabus and student profiles.
Testimonials
"This course at SHU has provided me with a great opportunity to learn from passionate, knowledgeable and encouraging staff. There was enough room to pursue what interested me most, while also developing a broad understanding.
I particularly liked that all the assessments felt like they had direct, real world application. This has made me feel much more confident in taking the next steps in my career as a psychologist."
“I would recommend this course to students considering a future in sport and/or exercise psychology, as it will help to guide and prepare you for the next stages in your career post-masters degree.”
“The course helped me to apply scientific knowledge to practical settings, and equipped me with valuable skills needed for research and professional practice. The academic staff are very engaging and supportive, and offer guidance to students considering which career paths to take.”
