Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The aims of the programme are:

• To provide a postgraduate degree in the study of humans’ mental and social processes and its relationship with sport and exercise.
• To advance students’ knowledge and understanding of human psychology and their relationship with sport performance and exercise participation.
• To provide opportunities for students to apply their knowledge through professional practice relating to the psychosocial issues in sport and exercise.
• To equip students to enter doctoral study of sport and exercise psychology.
• To enable students to qualify for entry into trainee supervised experience for professional practice in the area of sport and exercise psychology.
• To provide scholars and professionals with continuing professional development opportunities related to sport and exercise psychology.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

Other benchmarks exist for undergraduate programmes in the Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Group. However, the outcomes for this postgraduate programme, overlap with and develop further the statements in the 'excellent performance' category of achievement in study areas that are appropriate. In particular, we would expect students on this programme to develop further their analytical, research and consultancy skills and the ability to link analyses with learning about professional practice. 

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

 On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Humans’ mental and social processes and their relationship with sport and exercise.
• The principles of human psychology that relate to sport performance and exercise participation.
• Theories that explain the relationships between individuals psyche and their sport and exercise environment.
• The evidence-base underpinning practical and policy recommendations relating to the psychology of sport and exercise.
• The research methods used to study the psychology of sport and exercise.
• Professional practice issues and processes in sport and exercise psychology.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Display an in-depth knowledge and understanding of sport and exercise psychology, informed by current scholarship, research, and practice.
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of current problems and new insights in sport and exercise psychology.
• Appraise the theoretical and empirical knowledge base in sport and exercise psychology.
• Critically evaluate current research ad advanced scholarship in performance psychology and management and evaluate and critique methodologies, proposing new hypotheses, where appropriate.
• Display originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and inquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in sport and exercise psychology.
• Apply techniques to their own research or advanced scholarship in sport and exercise psychology.
• Complete a research project in sport and exercise psychology, which may include a critical review of existing literature or other scholarly outputs.
• Apply their knowledge and understanding to solving practical problems in sport and exercise psychology.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Use a range of techniques and research methods applicable to their professional activities.
• Assess relevant psychosocial phenomena related to sport and exercise.
• Support psychosocial development, performance and health of sport and exercise participants Conduct consultations with individuals, groups and organizations.
• Design services and offerings that can be used in a range of sport and exercise environments.
• Reflect on their own and others’ competencies.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Use initiative and take responsibility.
• Solve problems in creative and innovative ways.
• Make decisions in challenging situations.
• Continue to learn independently and to develop professionally.
• Communicate effectively, with colleagues and a wider audience, in a variety of media.

4. Programme structure

In the following table, ‘C’ indicates a compulsory module and ‘O’ indicates an optional module:

¹Candidates must select either PSP002 or PSP003.

* Candidates undertaking a Project need formal approval of a research proposal by the Programme Director and an agreed Supervisor. 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

In addition, for students entering from 2020 onwards, to satisfy British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation requirements, candidates must achieve a minimum of 50% in all modules (180 credits). Candidates who do not meet the requirements for the BPS accredited award, but who otherwise meet the requirements of Regulation XXI, will be eligible for the non-accredited exit award of MSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification