BSc (Hons) Sport Psychology
Study our course at Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence to learn more about how psychology can affect athletic performance and gain the knowledge and skills for a career in the sports industry.
Key facts
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date September 2023
- Duration 48 months
- Mode of study full time, part time
- Delivery on campus
- UCAS Code CC68
- Study abroad opportunities
Overview
Our BSc (Hons) Sport Psychology degree will enable you to develop an in-depth understanding of the diverse, complex, and wide-ranging territory of the disciplines of psychology and sport and exercise psychology. The course will explore academic knowledge and practice associated with sport and exercise psychology, analyse psychological issues across a range of sport and exercise psychology settings (for example, from local communities to high performance settings), examine research evidence associated with sport and exercise psychology, and investigate a myriad of contemporary issues facing practitioners. The course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful contributor to the disciplines of psychology, sport psychology, and exercise psychology at local, national and international levels. The course will also provide you with:
- Skills and abilities in critical thinking, problem solving and creativity, allowing you to apply these effectively in the sport and exercise psychology sectors.
- The ability to be an independent learner, capable of critical analysis and competent in communicating through a range of mediums to a range of audiences.
- Knowledge and understanding of the value of inclusion and diversity in sport.
Stirling is one the best places to study sport in the UK. We’re Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence and were awarded UK Sports University of the Year 2020 (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide). We're also 1st in Scotland for sports research with 80% of our research in Sport and Exercise Sciences classed as world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021).
We also have strong partnerships with many national governing bodies of sport and other sporting organisations, some of which are based on campus. We also work alongside community sport and active lifestyle organisations.
Top reasons to study with us
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
AABB - by the end of S5
AAAB - by the end of S6
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
30 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
SQA Advanced Higher
ABB
GCE A-level
ABB
IB Diploma
35
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.
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 5.5 in each skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill
Last updated: 23 August 2022
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling 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) Sport Psychology is a four-year course that will give you a detailed understanding of mainstream, sport, and exercise psychology. You will complete a research project and have the opportunity to undertake work experience within these areas.
Year 1
Sport modules in Year 1 will introduce the importance of sport to individuals and communities, focusing on physical activity and health, sport and exercise science, sports psychology, sociology, and management.
You will also study mainstream psychology modules delivered by the Psychology department. These will be on a wide range of topics designed to give you an introduction to psychology and provide key foundations on which to build, including laboratory practice and reporting.
Year 2
In your second year, you will study a module focused on sport as a global phenomenon. This module will increase your awareness and appreciation of the far-reaching impact of sport around the world by exploring not only the social, political and cultural benefits of sport, but also the less favourable impacts of sport. Additionally, you will study a module focused on the foundational knowledge, theories and contemporary issues of relevance in sport and exercise psychology. You will develop a knowledge and understanding of what sport and exercise psychology is and an appreciation of what sport and exercise psychologists are seeking to achieve.
Additionally, you will continue to study mainstream psychology modules delivered by the Psychology department. There are two themed modules in Year 2: The Social Mind and Brain and Behaviour–Clinical Perspectives. The Social Mind integrates material from social, cognitive, developmental and biological psychology, while Behaviour–Clinical Perspectives integrates material from biological and cognitive psychology. You will also take a module in Research Methods delivered by the Psychology department.
In the first three semesters, you will be given the choice of one additional module from across the University. This will broaden your knowledge in a range of topics and develop your academic abilities ready for a more in-depth and specialised exploration in sport and exercise psychology in your final two years.
Years 3 and 4
In the final two years, you will deepen your understanding of the sport sector/industry by completing two subject-specific modules in sport and exercise psychology, and develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to undertake academic inquiry into sport.
All students take an Advanced Studies in Sport module to help them prepare for a major independent project on a topic that reflects their interests and/or career aspirations. You will also complete a Professional Practice in Sport module, which includes a period of work-based learning and guest lectures on working in the sport and exercise psychology industry.
You will also study a range of core subjects: cognitive psychology, social psychology, individual differences, and developmental psychology. These modules will provide opportunities to develop skills in group work, practical work, and experience of working with pre-school children. You will also get the chance to sharpen your communication skills through group discussions and oral presentations.
We would encourage you to develop your knowledge, skills and experiences in sport and exercise psychology by engaging in voluntary and/or paid sport and exercise psychology opportunities beyond the course.
You will complete your BSc (Hons) Sports Psychology course as an independent learner, capable of critical analysis and communication through various mediums to a range of audiences. You will have also laid the foundations of being an independent researcher, prepared for further study at MSc and/or PhD / Professional Doctorate level.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2022). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
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.
Work placement opportunities
In the final year of the course, there is a sport professional practice module which involves a placement element. The placement opportunity will either be
- a role students are currently in (e.g., in a sport / exercise / psychology role) which they can reflect upon, demonstrate key learning, and utilise for the purpose of the course, or
- a placement opportunity from within the University (e.g., University sports teams), or
- running an event within the University with fellow students
In the latter option, students may be tasked with, for instance, running a sport and exercise psychology event series, putting on a school sport event, running a webinar series around sports and exercise psychology topics of interest, running a sports tournament for charity or running an academic conference.
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 Chris Hartley, Course Director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820* | £1,820 * |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| European Union students | £18,800 | £20,300 |
| Overseas students (non-EU) | £18,800 | £20,300 |
Scottish students
* This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, students domiciled in Scotland can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on their behalf. If you’re unsure of your fee status, you can check your eligibility.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you’ll 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 will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
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 £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities below for more information.
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.
European Union students
Eligible EU students will automatically receive our EU Undergraduate Scholarship, which is worth up to £30,000 over the duration of your course.
Students from the Republic of Ireland should see the fee and funding information under England, Wales, NI and Republic of Ireland.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
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.
Overseas students (non-EU)
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
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 opportunities
Sports Scholarships
See details of our International Sports Scholarship Programme.
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students domiciled in Scotland
Use our scholarship finder to find funding opportunities for Scottish-domiciled students.
EU students
Eligible students will automatically receive our automatic scholarship of up to £30k, which is worth up to £30,000 over the duration of your course.
Students domiciled in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Choice Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
Students domiciled overseas
The University of Stirling offers generous undergraduate funding opportunities for overseas students. To find out if you're eligible to apply for an award, use our scholarship finder.
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.
EU and overseas 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
Having a sport psychology degree will equip you for a range of career options in sports, performance, exercise, and/or psychology industries. A sport psychology degree also makes you eligible for further study and training to become a qualified sport and exercise psychologist.
What jobs can you get with a Sport Psychology degree?
- Graduates from this course will be well placed to source a range of jobs in the sport and exercise industry. For example, by working directly with athletes and clients (e.g., as a coach, personal trainer, etc.) or by working with sport and fitness organisations (e.g., as a sport development officer, administrative staff, or team co-ordinator).
- With further postgraduate training, graduates from this course can be employed to work with a broad range of clients including individual athletes, teams, and support staff across a range of sporting disciplines, providing sport psychology support to help them deal with the demands of their sport
- With further postgraduate training, graduates from this course can be employed in exercise psychology settings, including being employed to work with individuals and groups in GP surgeries, employers' premises, client's homes, clinical settings, and local fitness centre roles, to counsel clients about the potential benefits that can be derived from participation in regular exercise
- Graduates from this course can be employed to conduct research in sport and exercise psychology in commercial and academic settings.
- With further postgraduate training, graduates from this course can be employed to teach and train sport and exercise psychology students (in lecturing roles, for example) and/or establish and direct private practice in sport and/or exercise psychology.
94.3% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2019/20, HESA).
Employability skills
Your employability is one of our highest priorities, and we want to make sure you have every possible advantage when you enter the job market. Our BSc (Hons) Sport Psychology course will not only provide you with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of sport and exercise psychology, it will also ensure you develop key skills essential for your future employability. Skills you will gain include; organisation, communication, planning, reflection and team-working skills.
Flexible study
This course is not available as a combined degree.