Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc

Overview

Sport and exercise psychologists work with athletes, either as individuals or as teams. They develop strategies that improve performance. We will prepare you with the skills and knowledge to develop better performance in individual and team-based sports.

Newcastle University is the first Russell Group University to develop an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology. We have expert academics and clinical staff from the Faculty of Medical Sciences. The Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc at Newcastle University is accredited by the British Psychological Society.

You'll develop your understanding of psychology in a sport and exercise context. This includes the theory, evidence and practice. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills to become a reflective practitioner. We'll prepare you for further professional training. This is a route towards eligibility to practice as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist.

Students will prepare for:

• careers in sport and exercise psychology
• higher research-related degrees (for example a PhD)

 

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

During the course, you will learn how to:

• apply and evaluate psychological theory, strategy and techniques to facilitate performance enhancement and behaviour change
• critically evaluate psychological research evidence in sports and exercise
• use a range of quantitative and qualitative skills as well as use advanced statistical and analytical methods
• assess and devise appropriate interventions for performance enhancement
• apply appropriate psychological skills and counselling techniques

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc modules

Compulsory Modules

• PSY8061 Advanced Research Methods for Applied Psychology A (10 credits)
• PSY8062 Advanced Research Methods for Applied Psychology B  (10 credits)
• PSY8073 Professional Development for Sport and Exercise Psychologists 20
• PSY8074 Clinical Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 credits) 
• PSY8075 Social and Interpersonal Processes in Sport and Exercise (20 credits) 
• PSY8076 Applied Sport and Performance Psychology (20 credits) 
• PSY8077 Psychological Techniques for Sport and Exercise Psychology Practice (20 credits) 
• PSY8078 Sport and Exercise Psychology Project (60 credits) 

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

You'll be taught using a range of methods, including:

• lectures
• seminars
• small group work
• case studies

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Essay
• Observation of professional practice
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral examination
• Oral presentation
• PC examination
• Poster
• Report
• Reflective log
• Research proposal
• Research paper
• Thesis
• Viva

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Our staff

The course is located within the School of Psychology, part of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University. We take great pride in the quality of our teaching and you'll benefit from being taught by staff who have a wide range of expertise. Areas include:

• the application of clinically-related psychological techniques
• strategies to enhance sporting performance
• well-being in both athletes and non-athletes

In the School of Psychology, we focus on the scientific and experimental study of mind and behaviour. Our main aim is to provide excellent, global education to our postgraduate students.

Your development

Transferrable skills

You will achieve a 'psychological literacy', leading to a range of successful careers and further study. You’ll develop a diverse set of transferable skills during the course, including:

• experience of working with athletes in a real-life environment
• the ability to use advanced statistical packages
• planning, managing and implementing tasks at a professional level
• formulating hypotheses and applying research skills to create new knowledge
• communicating effectively and confidently in both verbal and written formats
• collaborating effectively in academic and non-academic environments

Your future

Career development

The course is for graduates who are looking to develop a career as a:

• sport and exercise Psychologist
• performance psychologist
• sport and exercise scientist
• sports director
• sports coach
• academic researcher

Further Study

Our MSc also provides a route into sport and exercise psychology at PhD level.

Networking opportunities

As part of your professional development as a sport and exercise psychologist, you will have the opportunity to meet with external agencies and guest lecturers. These provide real-world examples and networking opportunities.

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

The Dame Margaret Barbour Building is the new home for the School of Psychology at Newcastle University. This bespoke facility is the newest addition to the Faculty of Medical Sciences and offers psychology facilities such as:

• forensic interviewing suite
• nutrition and food preference unit
• media and behaviour lab
• medical consultation rooms
• psychological testing cubicles

In addition to this, we've invested £32m in state-of-the-art teaching facilities for sport and exercise, including:

• psychological testing cubicles
• exercise physiology lab
• biomechanics lab
• gait track
• high-performance lab
• nutrition kitchen
• blood preparation and analysis lab
• an environmental chamber that enables the simulation of altitude, temperature and humidity

 

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

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How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

• campus tours
• on-campus open days
• virtual open days
• webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events