Course overview

This three-year, joint honours degree focuses on building your knowledge across both psychology and sport and exercise science.

You'll study key disciplines in psychology and sport and exercise science, such as physiology, bioenergetics, nutrition, and social and developmental psychology.

You'll have access to our brand new building, with state-of-the-art facilities, including:

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

You'll also cover advanced topics which are linked to the research of our expert staff, exploring applied sport and exercise psychology and clinical psychology.

Download information about this course as a PDF

Your course during COVID-19
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.

Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to guidelines that may be in place from time to time.

View our COVID-19 Study page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2021-22.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information

Quality and ranking

• top 20 in the UK – The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 and The Complete University Guide 2021
• top 100 – Psychology category – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020
• top 150 – Life Sciences category – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2020
• 8th in the UK for Medicine and Life Sciences research – Research Excellence Framework 2014

Teaching excellence

TEF Gold

A ringing endorsement of Newcastle University’s long tradition of excellence in teaching.

Professional accreditation

This degree is professionally accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

This gives you the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (providing you achieve the minimum standard of a lower second-class Honours). Having Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership means you can join the BPS and will be eligible to go on to further training and, if successful, to practise as a professional psychologist. For information on the benefits of studying an accredited course, visit the BPS website.

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

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

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

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

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

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.

You will be introduced to the basic concepts in psychology through core topics including cognitive psychology, sensation and perception, instinct, learning and motivation.

You also study key disciplines of sport and exercise science including sport and exercise psychology, bioenergetics, and physiology. You will develop your communication and study skills by working in small group tutorials on a guided research investigation in psychology.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Cognitive Psychology	10
Sensation and Perception	10
Instinct, Learning and Motivation	10
Research Methods and Skills 2	20
Introduction to Psychology for Joint Honours	10
Human Physiology and Practical Skills	20
Bioenergetics	20
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology	20

You continue to develop your knowledge in core areas of sport and exercise science, including applied sport and exercise psychology, applied sport and exercise nutrition, and exercise physiology.

You also study core psychology topics in more depth, including visual perception, social psychology and cognition.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Developmental Psychology	10
Social Psychology	10
Individual Differences	10
Biological Psychology: Sex, Drugs, Rhythms and Blues	10
Methods in Psychology 2B	10
Statistics for Empirical Psychology	10
Methods in Psychology 2A	10
Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology	20
Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition	20
Exercise Physiology	20

You study advanced sport and exercise science topics including: clinical sport and exercise psychology; sport and exercise medicine; and factors affecting elite performance.

You choose from a range of psychology modules, which currently include areas such as: abnormal psychology and psychiatry; clinical psychology; personality and eating disorders; and forensic psychology.

You will also undertake an empirical project, giving you the opportunity to specialise in an area of psychology that interests you.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Psychological Enquiry 3: Psychological Literacy and Professional Skills	10
Clinical Sport & Exercise Psychology	20
Empirical Project	30
Sport and Exercise Medicine	20
Factors Affecting Elite Performance	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Consumer Psychology	20
Art, Mind and Brain	10
To Cheat or not to Cheat: The Evolution of Cooperative Behaviour	10
The Damaged Brain: Case Studies in Neuropsychology	10
Psychology of Religion	20
Disorders of Development: A Psychological Perspective	20
Foundations in Forensic and Criminal Psychology	20
The Psychology of Teaching and Learning	20
Eating and Weight Disorders	20
Psychobiology of Drug Addiction	10
Sensation & Perception in Atypical Development	10
Sex Differences and the Brain	10
Cultural and Technical Intelligence: Developmental and Comparative Perspectives	10
Psychology for Sport Performance	20
The Social Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination	20
Advanced statistics for Empirical Psychology	10
Making Sense of Forgotten Senses: Investigating Olfaction and Gustation	20

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Teaching methods include:

• lectures
• laboratory practical classes
• computer sessions

You'll be taught the skills essential to carrying out research such as conducting experiments, analysing and interpreting data, and writing up research reports.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assessments

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Practical sessions

• 

  Reports

Skills and experience

Practical skills

The majority of your Psychology and Sport and Exercise Science modules will involve practical lab work, working with state-of-the-art, purpose-built facilities in our brand new building.

In Psychology, you'll learn how to formulate theories, conduct experiments, use statistical techniques, and write up research reports.

In your Sport and Exercise Science modules, you'll work in the laboratory and in the field to develop key practical skills.

Business skills

Your psychology modules focus on psychological literacy, applying psychology in a real-world setting. Modules in Sport and Exercise Science look to equip you with professional skills and ethical guidance, preparing you for a career in sport. 

Research skills

In stages 1 and 2, you'll complete Research Methods and Skills modules, in which you'll develop as an independent researcher.

In your third year, you'll put these skills into practice, completing a comprehensive research project in an area of your choice.

You'll also have the opportunity to gain additional research outside your course, including the School's certified research apprenticeship scheme.

Opportunities

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements

Facilities and environment

Facilities

As a joint honours Psychology and Sport and Exercise Science student, you'll be based between the School of Psychology and the School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences, at our city-centre campus. 

As well as having great access to University facilities like its libraries, student's union and sports centre, both schools are less than 10 minutes' walk from Newcastle city centre.

You'll also have access to our excellent practical facilities in the School of Psychology, such as:

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

While in Sport and Exercise Science, you'll be able to access brand new sport and exercise science research and teaching facilities. They include: 

• an environmental chamber to enable the simulation of altitude, temperature and humidity
• gait track
• biomechanics laboratory
• physiology laboratory
• high-performance suite
• nutrition kitchen
• blood preparation and analysis lab

The facilities also support performance and recreational sport. They include an eight-court sports hall, four squash courts, strength and conditioning gym, spin studio and gym.

Situated next to Newcastle’s RVI hospital, we’re one of the largest integrated teaching/hospital complexes in the country.

Support

You'll have an academic adviser in both subject areas as well as student buddies to help you settle into life at Newcastle University. 

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

As a joint honours graduate, you'll develop a range of skills that are sought by employers. By studying two disciplines, you're well prepared for the multidisciplinary challenges of everyday work, such as:

• time management
• organisation
• self-motivation

Graduates with a strong background in sport and exercise science are also ideally suited to fulfil emerging roles that overlap the fields of medicine, exercise and health promotion.

Opportunities for diverse career paths

Recent graduates have secured employment in areas such as clinical psychology, forensic psychology, and educational psychology, in companies such as NHS, Home Office, HMRC, Prison Service, and local, national, and international charities.

Many of our graduates embark on further study, including master's degrees and PHDs in areas such as forensics, sports and exercise, medicine, clinical psychology, and teacher training.

As a psychology graduate, you'll also be incredibly versatile, with plenty of transferable skills, including analytical thinking, research skills, strategy development, problem solving, and content writing skills. Many graduates go on to careers in teaching, marketing, and financial services.

Make a difference

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Careers support

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

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.

Read our detailed explanation

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2021 entry (per year)

Home Fee Students

£9250

International Fee Students

£23400

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

You will be charged tuition fees for each year of your degree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchange programme). 

The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightly year on year as a result of inflation.

For courses commencing from September 2021 and beyond, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fees or Student Finance England support.

If you are from the EU you will pay international tuition fees.

Read more about fees and funding

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages