Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The module has been developed to provide students with a critical, practical, and contemporary understanding of sport and performance psychology.

Outline Of Syllabus

Topics will be focussed on the multidisciplinary aspects of working as a practitioner psychologist across sport and performance psychology. Issues of ethical and professional conduct in the practice of sport and performance psychology will also be embedded throughout the module, incorporating The British Psychology Society’s Code of Ethics and Conduct and Practice Guidelines, and the Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Conduct, Performance, and Ethics.

The syllabus will cover a breadth of contemporary issues and indicative content will be selected from the following:

History and Development of Sport Psychology as a Discipline
Role and remit of the Sport Psychologist
Organisational Psychology and Sport
Positive Psychology
Peak Performance and Flow
Aggression
Emotional Control and Coping
Athlete Burnout
Athletic Injury
Mental Toughness
Concentration and Attention
Decision Making
Personality
Performance Routines and Superstition
Confidence
Motivation
Career Transitions

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Critically discuss and apply evidence informed interventions and theories to address real world case scenarios
2. Demonstrate understanding of contemporary issues in the practice of sport psychology
3. Consider performance demands upon athletes, coaches and teams operating within the sporting environment

Intended Skill Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Make evidence informed decisions which can be implemented in practice
2. Formulate and deliver workshops as part of a team to facilitate peer learning
3. Communicate effectively contemporary issues within performance sport psychology

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Taught sessions will introduce students to contemporary issues and practice in sport psychology which will be debated and discussed. Real-world case studies will be embedded throughout interactive workshops to provide students with the opportunity to evaluate the evidence base and develop bespoke hypothetical interventions for athletes, coaches, and key stakeholders in sport and performance domains.

The module will also afford students the opportunity for formative practice and feedback. Discussions will take place in workshops, group work and during active learning exercises enabling students to gain verbal feedback from both the module leader, lecturers, as well as their peers, concerning their theoretical knowledge and understanding of core concepts and communication skills (Intended Knowledge Outcome 1, 2, 3, & 4; Intended Skill Outcome 1, 2, & 3).

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The first assessment will provide students with the opportunity to present individually a contemporary evaluation of an area of performance sport psychology. The poster content should encompass key theory and research and make intervention recommendations for athletes and/or coaches. The poster should include a series of recommendations to move the area forwards (research and practice). Following the poster students will defend their position and ideas from their poster whilst drawing upon their wider knowledge in the form of an academic viva. The viva prepares students to develop a fully informed argument, grounded in research which is then debated with an academic tutor.

The second assessment, the continuing professional development (CPD) workshop will provide students with the opportunity to develop sport and exercise psychology specific educational material on a topic of their choice that they have studied as part of their MSc programme (e.g., mental health, perfectionism, autism, sport performance issues). This assessment will allow students to develop key skills of conveying complex information to a range of specialist groups, some without any formal psychology background.

General Notes

N/A