Sport Psychology MSc
About this course
The MSc Sport Psychology course will develop advanced specialist knowledge, tools and applied skills for individuals wishing to pursue a career in sport psychology. The course will develop your understanding of sport psychology theories, principles, and practices that are at the forefront of the discipline.
A research-informed approach will underpin the development of theoretical understanding and an applied skillset in key areas of sport psychology such as developmental processes, performance psychology, learning and cognition, sport psychology across the lifespan, and mental health in and through sport. The course places a significant emphasis on youth development and this focus ensures that students are well-prepared to support young athletes in navigating the challenges and opportunities that sport presents. The course will facilitate your knowledge and offer opportunities to develop practitioner competencies that are required for supporting the needs of key stakeholders (e.g. athletes, coaches, parents) in sport contexts.
The course is delivered by friendly and approachable student-centred staff who facilitate a supportive, interactive, and nurturing learning environment that will help you excel and achieve your academic goals. Our teaching staff are active researchers in the Sport, Health, and Performance Enhancement Research Centre (SHAPE), who bring cutting-edge research into the classroom. Their areas of expertise include ‘Resilience’, ‘Athlete Development’, ‘Youth Sport’, ‘Self-Regulation’, ‘Motivation’, ‘Women in Sport’, and ‘Mental Health and Well-Being’.
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Top 20 in the UK
for teaching quality in Sport Science (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
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Top 10 University for Sport
in the British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Championship.
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Learn in our top class facilities
including a British Olympic Associateion approved environmental chamber, sport psychology suite and nutrition kitchen.
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Top quality research
In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) we’re proud that 100% of NTU's Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.
Talk to us about Masters study
Meet us in-person or online to explore your postgraduate course in our Department of Sport Science.
Book a convenient appointment with a member of our Sport Science postgraduate team. We will link you with a member of staff who matches your course and career interests.
What you’ll study
You will study seven modules across areas including learning and cognition, mental health in sport and performance psychology alongside an extensive research project. Additionally, all students will have the opportunity to attend an Academic Language Skills programme.
Professional Practice in Sport Psychology (20 credit points)
Develop a critical understanding of current issues in professional practice to inform your professional identity as a trainee sport psychologist. This module will focus on psychological approaches to practice in applied consultancy work, ethical principles and challenges, professional conduct and boundaries, and legal and organisational considerations that impact professional practice. The module will prepare those intending to pursue a professional qualification in sport psychology via the BPS / QSEP route (British Psychological Society / Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology) or BASES / SEPAR route (Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences / Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route) to gain Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) registration.
Performance Psychology (20 cp)
Critically understand how psychology can contribute to maintaining and enhancing high performance. This module will explore theories and research that explain the relationship between individuals, their environment, and their performance, and you will learn about contemporary performance psychology topics such as resilience, stress and emotion, and thriving. You will also develop an understanding of how empirical research is translated to practitioners working within a performance environment which may include sport, the military, healthcare, and law enforcement.
The Developing Athlete (20 cp)
Develop your knowledge and understanding of the development of athletes in sport. This module will focus on current theories, models and frameworks that underpin our understanding of athlete development in sport. You will learn about child and adolescent growth and development, youth sport and developmental pathways, the role of stakeholders in athlete development, and approaches to supporting the health, wellbeing, and performance of youth athletes.
Learning and Cognition (20 cp)
Develop your knowledge and understanding of the key factors that influence cognitive and developmental processes involved in learning and performance. This module will focus on the effects of exercise and fatigue on learning and cognition, the role of attention in learning and performance, and how cognition, learning and development evolve across the lifespan. You will learn how key domains of cognition such as memory, perception and attention have been informed by the field of cognitive psychology along with new and emerging technologies and methodologies.
Mental Health In and Through Sport (20 cp)
Develop your knowledge and understanding of the multifaceted and multilevel nature of mental health and mental ill-health in and through sport. This module will focus on mental health in different populations (e.g. athletes and coaches) and sporting contexts, the mechanisms and consequences of mental health and mental ill-health in sport, and the role of the sport psychologist in mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment.
Research Methods in Sport Psychology (20 cp)
Develop your knowledge and skills as an effective sport psychology researcher. This module will prepare you to undertake a large independent research project and write a report for an academic journal. You will learn about qualitative and quantitative methods, design and conduct small-scale research projects, and gain practical experience of applying analytical techniques to psychological data.
Research Project (60 cp)
Your research project is an independent piece of work, supervised and supported by a dedicated member of staff. Building on the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course you will undertake a novel research project and produce an original research paper for a target scientific journal.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
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How you're taught
- Lab-based and practical work
- Psychology simulations
- Group work
- Professional practice
- Lectures
- Seminars
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about the ULP.
Research informed teaching
By daring to think differently our research is tackling real-world issues. The subjects you will study with us are informed by our research so you can be sure your knowledge will be cutting-edge in your field. In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) - the UK's system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities - we’re proud that 100% of NTU's Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.
How you're assessed
Assessments for this course are 100% coursework and may comprise the following types:
- Presentation
- Case study
- Journal manuscript
- Written report
- Essay
- Proposal
Careers and employability
Graduates of the MSc Sport Psychology course will be well prepared to pursue their career goals, whether that be working with sport teams and organisations, or undertaking further research in sport psychology through the completion of a research degree (i.e., PhD).
Staff are in the process of seeking BPS accreditation for this course, which constitutes Stage 1 of training to become an accredited Sport and Exercise Psychologist. Following the successful completion of this course, you may be eligible to register for the two year full time (up to four year part time) Stage 2 Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology (QSEP). Those registering for this pathway are required by the BPS to have Graduate Status for Chartership (GBC). An alternative pathway is to enter the BASES Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route (SEPAR) which requires you to complete between two and four years of training under supervision. You may also be required to successfully complete the Open University 60-credit module (Investigating Psychology 2) as prerequisite for this pathway.
Re:search Re:imagined
To us, research is about more than writing papers and proposing new ideas. By daring to think differently, we’re disrupting the research landscape and finding the answers to the questions that really matter. From conservation management to sustainable farming, we’re inspiring the brightest minds to rise up and find solutions to some of the most significant global challenges facing society.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Erasmus Darwin and CELS Buildings with access to facilities including an environmental chamber, biomechanics lab, and nutrition suite.
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your course mates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
Take a few steps off campus and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. As well as offering a great social scene, it’s one of the UK’s key sporting hubs, home to the iconic Trent Bridge Cricket Ground; Notts County (the world’s oldest professional football league club) and two-time European Cup-winners Nottingham Forest; the Nottingham Tennis Centre, the National Ice Centre, and the National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont; plus rugby union, rugby league, hockey and ice hockey teams.
Entry requirements
UK students
- Honours degree (minimum 2.1 or equivalent) in a sport or psychology related subject.
- Applicants with a 2.2 honours degree will be considered on an individual basis.
- Applicants with relevant employment experience or other relevant qualifications will also be considered.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Other qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
- Academic entry requirements: Honours degree (minimum 2.1 or equivalent) in a sport or psychology related subject. Applicants with a 2.2 honours degree will be considered on an individual basis. Please check your international qualifications on our international entry requirements page.
- English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
