Overview
Accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS), this course focuses on the study of psychology within a range of sport and exercise settings, providing an essential stepping-stone to becoming a Chartered Sport & Exercise Psychologist.
You will learn how to conduct initial assessments of clients, how to maintain professional boundaries and how to analyse data sets as you develop a systematic, evidence-informed and ethical approach to your work.
To support your career goals, you will have the opportunity to gain practical experience working with a range of clients, from recreational to elite performers, across a variety of sporting pursuits. This hands-on approach will aid your professional development, enhancing your understanding of ethical and evidence-informed practice.
SPORT AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLES
At Leeds Beckett we're passionate about sport. There's a huge range of sports and activities for you to get involved in, including more than 40 sports clubs. If you'd like to find out more about what we have to offer - including our Carnegie Sports Scholarship Scheme - take a look at our Sport & Active Lifestyles website.
Research Excellence Framework 2014
Research Excellence Framework 2014: 40% of our research in the Psychology unit was judged to be world leading or internationally excellent.
Accredited by:
Our University is recognised as a leader in the field of sport and exercise science. The quality of our research is evident in the outstanding results achieved in sport-related studies in the Research Assessment Exercise completed in 2014 in which Leeds Beckett came second in the country for sport and exercise science, leisure and tourism.
Much of our outstanding sport and exercise science research pervades our taught modules providing the opportunity for those of you working or intending to work in the field of sport and exercise science and its sub-disciplines (physiology, nutrition, biomechanics and psychology) to upgrade your academic and professional skills, expertise and knowledge.
We understand that full-time study does not suit everyone. That’s why we offer courses which give you the opportunity to decide where, when and how you can get involved in learning. Studying a distance learning course offers the convenience and flexibility to make education work for you. Whether you’d like to fit your studies around childcare, develop your skills while working or, quite simply, want to learn from the comfort of your own home, we can help you gain a qualification at a time and pace that suits your lifestyle.
Like our students on campus, you will have the same excellent teaching and learning resources, however you’ll find these online instead of in a lecture theatre. Not only are all the modules taught online, but you will also have access to an online community and more than 140,000 books and journals in our online library.
This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree, typically making your course four years in total.
Students who choose the sandwich route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.
Carnegie Teaching & Research building
MSc Psychology of Sport & Exercise - Charlotte Hinchliffe, Student
Entry Requirements
Requirements
Applicants should either have a second class honours degree in the cognate subjects of Sport & Exercise Science, Physical Sciences, Physical Activity, Health Sciences, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Sports Therapy, Sports Coaching, Physical Education or Medicine, a second class honours degree in a non-cognate subject supported by evidence of an aptitude for the subject applied for, or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment. All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; a template can be accessed at this link. All applicants should satisfy our University English language requirements, please access further details at this link
IELTS:
IELTS 6.5 with no skills below 6.0, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.Mature Applicants
Our University welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. We usually require some evidence of recent academic study, for example completion of an access course, however recent relevant work experience may also be considered. Please note that for some of our professional courses all applicants will need to meet the specified entry criteria and in these cases work experience cannot be considered in lieu. If you wish to apply through this route you should refer to our University Recognition of Prior Learning policy that is available on our website. Please note that all applicants to our University are required to meet our standard English language requirement of GCSE grade C or equivalent, variations to this will be listed on the individual course entry requirements.Requirements
Applicants should either have a second class honours degree in the cognate subjects of Sport & Exercise Science, Physical Sciences, Physical Activity, Health Sciences, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Sports Therapy, Sports Coaching, Physical Education or Medicine, a second class honours degree in a non-cognate subject supported by evidence of an aptitude for the subject applied for, or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment. All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; a template can be accessed at this link. All applicants should satisfy our University English language requirements, please access further details at this link
IELTS:
IELTS 6.5 with no skills below 6.0, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.Verify your qualifications
If you are an international student, we can help you to compare and verify your qualifications. Please contact our International Office on +44 (0)113 812 1111 09.00 to 17.00 Mon-Thurs / 09.00 to 16.30 Fri GMT or email internationaloffice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.Need to improve your English Language skills?
Don't worry if you don't have the level of English required for your chosen course. We offer a wide range of courses which have been designed to help you to improve your qualifications and English language ability, most of which are accredited by the British Council. Check your English and find out more about our English courses.More questions?
No matter what your questions, we are here to answer them, visit our International website to get more information and find out about our online open days.Careers
Careers
MSc Sport & Exercise Science
“I help athletes and coaches prepare for and perform at competitions. The theory combined with the practical experience I gained on my placement with a Sport Psychologist from the English Institute of Sport and the Leeds City Diving Team, helped me develop the skills required to support athletes, teams and coaches.
Teaching and learning
- Contemporary Issues in Sport Psychology
Examine the broad range of cutting-edge issues and trends that appear within contemporary sport psychology literature, as you gain an in-depth understanding of human behaviour in the sporting environment.
- Psychology of Exercise & Health
Study the effects of exercise on behaviour and mental health. You will consider both the positive and negative results of exercise, exploring the its beneficial impact on well-being and cognitive function, as well as the negative implications of exercise dependence.
- Professional Practice in Sport & Exercise Psychology
Learn the core skills you will need to be a successful sports psychologist. You will have the opportunity to apply the techniques you've studied and explore traditional and modern approaches to psychology consultancy.
- Learning & Development in Sport & Exercise
Analyse the research that reveals how sport and exercise psychology has been investigated at different stages of the lifespan. Topics may include expertise, learning, cognitive development and decline.
- Practicum
Engage in a range of applied activities to prepare you for your future career as a sport or exercise psychologist.
- Research Methods
Focus on the design of research projects as a way of answering questions and solving 'real world' problems in a reliable and valid manner.
- Major Independent Study
Complete a research project of your own choosing under the supervision of a member of academic staff. Ideally you will aim to produce research of a publishable quality.
Our distinctive course offers you the opportunity to engage in applied experience under supervision, enriching your experience and allowing you to put theory into practice as a sport and exercise psychologist.
MSc Psychology of Sport & Exercise - Charlotte Hinchliffe, Student
Fees & funding
Tuition fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC, laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
Course specific
- Use of sports facilities and equipment linked to your studies
Additional costs
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Course-specific optional costs
- Course branded sportswear
(Branded sportswear is available to buy, but it is not compulsory. Prices start at £10, with a complete kit bundle costing £135) - Sports membership
(Access to sport and fitness facilities, including a wide range of fitness classes. Active Beckett PLUS membership costs £90 per year. Other levels of membership are also available)
Placements
Placement locations and experiences will vary throughout the course – you will need to pay for any travel expenses to and from that placement.
Other study-related expenses to consider: books (the library stocks books from your module reading list but you may wish to purchase copies for yourself); placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery; field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations); PC/laptop (provided on campus in social learning spaces and in the library. However, you may prefer to have your own); mobile phone/tablet (to access University online services); academic conferences (travel costs); professional-body membership (where applicable); and graduation (gown hire and guest tickets).
This list is not exhaustive and costs will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental or living costs are also in addition to your course fees.
Tuition fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC, laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
Course specific
- Use of sports facilities and equipment linked to your studies
Additional costs
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Course-specific optional costs
- Course branded sportswear
(Branded sportswear is available to buy, but it is not compulsory. Prices start at £10, with a complete kit bundle costing £135) - Sports membership
(Access to sport and fitness facilities, including a wide range of fitness classes. Active Beckett PLUS membership costs £90 per year. Other levels of membership are also available)
Placements
Placement locations and experiences will vary throughout the course – you will need to pay for any travel expenses to and from that placement.
Other study-related expenses to consider: books (the library stocks books from your module reading list but you may wish to purchase copies for yourself); placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery; field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations); PC/laptop (provided on campus in social learning spaces and in the library. However, you may prefer to have your own); mobile phone/tablet (to access University online services); academic conferences (travel costs); professional-body membership (where applicable); and graduation (gown hire and guest tickets).
This list is not exhaustive and costs will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental or living costs are also in addition to your course fees.
Additional information
For further information on financing your studies or information about whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships, follow the links below:
Facilities
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LibraryOur Library is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year, providing you with access to specialist books and journals, learning spaces, computers, multimedia facilities and media equipment hire. Tens of thousands of our Library's digital resources, including ebooks, ejournals and databases, can be accessed online at a time and place to suit you.
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Location
Headingley Campus
Home to our first-rate sporting facilities – Headingley Campus has a rich and diverse history having played to visitors such as Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde. Set in 100 acres of parkland, with easy access to Leeds city centre, many of our buildings look out onto our grassy acre – a perfect place for hanging out, playing games and catching up with friends on long summer days. Headingley Campus has modern sport science laboratories, animation and music studios and the latest computing labs, as well as one of our libraries, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
