Overview
The vital role of psychology in sport is more widely recognised than ever before. The global sports psychology market is expected to increase in value from £1.5 billion to £3.5 billion by 2033 (Growth Market Reports, 2024).
This growth reflects the recognised power of sports psychology to boost athletic performance. Athletes recognise the importance of handling pressure, staying motivated and managing mental health.
Our Psychology of Sport degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society. This ensures you gain the skills to pursue a career in this diverse and rewarding field.
Why study Stirling’s sports psychology course?
Studying Psychology of Sport at Stirling will give you an in-depth understanding of sport and exercise psychology. Topics you’ll explore include:
- the psychology of exercise and sports performance;
- key areas of psychology essential for understanding thought, perception, and behaviour;
- the main theories, concepts and principles behind sport psychology practice;
- applying psychological theory and techniques to address the demands of sport performance;
- the broader role of sport – from lifestyle benefits to the impact of global events.
You’ll also have a chance to complete practical work-related learning opportunities for gaining real-world experience. This will give you an opportunity to learn how sports psychology skills can be put into action within an organisation. Previous students have partnered with:
- professional football clubs such as Rangers Football Club;
- community sport organisations like Scottish Sport Futures;
- governing bodies of sport including Scottish Hockey.
Get the edge at Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence
As Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence since 2008, Stirling is a unique place to study sport. You'll learn from staff whose expertise includes high‑performance sport, mental wellbeing, behaviour change, group dynamics, and the psychological factors that help individuals and teams thrive.
We work closely with partners across performance, community and health settings, giving you opportunities to connect with practitioners and learn from guest speakers throughout your degree. Previous guest lectures have been delivered by representatives from organisations such as the SPFL Trust, Active Schools, and danceSing - exploring topics such as behaviour change, child physical activity and benefits of physical activity for older adults.
From day one, we focus on helping you develop the knowledge, experience and confidence to succeed - whatever path you choose. You’ll benefit from our links to organisations including:
- Active Stirling and Active Dollar and Muckhart – hosting community-based projects around health, wellbeing and behaviour change.
- sportscotland – hosting work-based learning placements.
- ACTION project - where students contribute to community sport and physical activity programmes linked to social impact and inclusion.
Learn from leading experts in sport psychology at Stirling. Discover how you can help enhance athletic performance as a sports psychologist.
Top reasons to study with us
Faculty Facilities
Take a tour of our Sport and Exercise teaching facilities
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
Highers
AABB
A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28 points
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
Advanced Higher
ABB
A-level
ABB
IB Diploma
32
Essential subjects
Psychology
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 entry
Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the routes available.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking.
- TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
BSc (Hons) Psychology of Sport is an innovative four-year course that will give you in-depth understanding of sport, exercise, and general psychology. Explore the modules you will study on the course.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
The Sport Psychology course will be delivered using a blended learning approach of face-to-face and online learning. Modules will be delivered through lectures, small group seminars and practical classes. Learning also takes places through a wide range of activities within and beyond these classes:
- group project work;
- participating in experiments run by staff and other students;
- oral presentations;
- opportunities to undertake work placements.
Materials posted online through our virtual learning portal will support this contact time. Additional learning materials will take the form of podcasts, video lectures, and additional reading material.
Assessment
The courses uses a wide range of assessment approaches. The assessments are designed to improve and assess students’ attainment of the learning outcomes, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, communication, and group working skills. Assessments make use of coursework and exams.
Coursework assessments can take the form of online tests, essays and digi-essays, reports, as well as individual/group presentations. Exams include multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, essay-based questions or a combination of question types. The assessments and marking criteria are aligned to the appropriate level on the SCQF Framework.
Study abroad
You’ll have the opportunity to study abroad through our well-established connection with several North American, Australian and European universities.
Contact
Dr Christopher Fullerton, Course Director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
Sports scholarships
Our International Sports Scholarship Programme is one of the largest high-performance sports programmes in the UK.
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will receive our Stirling Success Scholarship which is worth £5,000.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Students who graduate from this course with at least a 2:2 honours degree are eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) - a key first step towards becoming a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist.
Holding GBC also:
- Enables progression to BPS-accredited postgraduate training in psychology across multiple specialisms, including programmes like our MSc Psychology of Sport.
- Confirms you have met the academic requirements required to progress towards chartership.
- Gives you access to the BPS network, including conferences, specialist interest groups, and continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities.
- Offers exclusive resources such as research databases, publications, and psychology-specific career support.
