Psychology of Sport

Psychology of Sport is an exciting degree that will help you develop your career in sport and exercise psychology.

Taught by staff with consultancy and research experience, this MSc reflects the current industry trends and employer needs. The course has a broad focus and develops a critical understanding of contemporary theory, research and practice in sport psychology, with a focus on developing graduates who are able to integrate and translate theory and research into practice.

Your studies will include: theory and application of psychological skills, exploration of social processes, understanding of individual differences, learning applied research methods, and developing knowledge of career transition management.

In addition to these core skills, the course places a great emphasis on professional practice and development through a work-based learning experience, alongside developing your own specific interests through a research dissertation.

Entrance requirements

A lower second class Honours degree or better (or equivalent professional qualification). Applicants who do not hold the normal academic qualifications but who have an appropriate level of relevant experience in sport and exercise psychology may also be admitted. For applicants who do not hold the normal academic qualifications, it is recommended that they contact the School prior to submitting their formal application.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each skill), or TOEFL: Listening 23, Reading 23, Speaking 23, Writing 23.

Funding

information on possible sources of funding

Modes of study

Full-time
Certificate: six months
Diploma: nine months
MSc: nine months

Part-time
Certificate: 12 months 
Diploma: 24 months
MSc: 24 months

Course start date

September

Structure and content

Taught by staff with consultancy and research experience, the course reflects the current industry trends and employer needs. Staff comprise Chartered Psychologists, registered Sport and Exercise Psychologists with the Health & Care Professions Council, and BASES accredited practitioners, supervisors and reviewers.

You can study either full-time or part-time to Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or MSc levels. To be awarded an MSc in Psychology of Sport, you must attain 180 SCQF points. You will achieve this by successfully completing the following modules:

• Applications of Sport Psychology (30-credits)
• Research Methods for Sport (15-credits)
• Social Psychology of Sport (15-credits)
• Key Readings in Sport Psychology (15-credits)
• Professional Practice and Development (30-credits)
• Dissertation (60-credits)
• One Option Module within the School of Sport (15-credits)

On successful completion of the above modules, you will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key theories in sport psychology, including a broad knowledge base of psychological skills, strategies and techniques to facilitate performance enhancement within individuals and teams
• apply a variety of assessment methods in order to develop comprehensive profiles for performance enhancement work
• identify areas of practice that could benefit from research, and design, conduct and evaluate an appropriate investigation
• develop and utilise quantitative and qualitative research skills

Delivery and assessment

Knowledge and understanding are acquired and enhanced through lectures, seminars, group work, presentations, staff/student tutorials, guided independent study, professional practice experiences and through the University’s virtual learning environment – Succeed.

Individual staff/student tutorials are available for providing feedback and for supervision of the Research Project. Students receive a School handbook describing the course outline, module details, procedures and assessment criteria.

In addition, module handbooks include details of timetable, content, and assessments. The assessment procedures are in line with institutional policies and will be conducted in such a way as to adhere to adult learning principles. This means that content and learning demonstrate relevance, problem solving, learning by doing and a strong element of self-direction and ownership.

Assessment involves a mixture of coursework, presentations and written examinations, and will vary according to the context of each module.

Recommended reading

Example timetable

The timetable below is a typical example, but your own timetable may be different.

Module titles

• Application of Sport Psychology (SPSP40) (30-credits)
• Social Psychology of Sport (SPSP42) (15-credits)
• Research Methods for Sport (SPSP39) (15-credits)
• Key Readings in Sport Psychology (SPSP43) (15-credits)
• Professional Practice and Development (SPSP41) (30-credits)
• Dissertation (SPSP10) (60-credits)
• One Option Module within the School of Sport (15-credits)

Course Director

Dr Pete Coffee

RAE rating

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), sports research at Stirling was ranked 1st in Scotland and in the top five in the UK, with 85 percent of publications classed as ‘International Level’ and 15 percent as ‘World-leading’.

Strengths

As Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence we are closely aligned with many sports organisations and have formal links with a growing number of organisations with regard to facilitating student research projects, work experience and guest lectures.

Academic strengths

This course is delivered by a team of highly qualified academics with experience and research interests that complement and support teaching activities.

Our staff

Dr Pete Coffee has worked with sports performers and teams as a consultant and researcher. Pete is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, a registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist with the Health & Care Professions Council, and a BASES accredited practitioner, supervisor and reviewer.

Career opportunities

This course is a major foundation for a profession in psychology. It is geared towards the field of sport and exercise psychology, but we anticipate graduates acquiring the skills to move into a broad range of career opportunities, including a number of sport and health professions, posts within a number of fields in the science industry, to careers within the civil service and government.