Sport and Exercise Psychology (with foundation year)

The foundation year of this Coventry University degree will be delivered from our CU Coventry campus. Course delivery from year 1 of the degree course onwards will be from Coventry University campus.

This degree course is designed for those with a particular interest in the psychology of what impacts performance in sports, exercise and beyond. The discipline examines how psychologists can help athletes optimise performance, improve motivation, and promote exercise. This course covers all core areas of psychology to give you a breadth of career options whilst specialist modules provide a deeper dive into the sports and exercise specialism.

The course includes theory, research, and applications of psychological perspectives, methods, and interventions in global contexts of sport and exercise. This is supplemented by the development of professional levels of transferable, practical and cognitive skills. The aim is to enable graduates to attain the skills and knowledge to confidently progress to their chosen career path in an international arena.

The course provides a broad and varied educational experience to optimise learning and engage you in experiential learning across a range of international contexts. The course also includes methodological and analytical research skills to conduct ethical scientific investigations in psychology.

The foundation year covers key themes such as professional skills, inequality, social determinants and communications. It seeks to develop your key skills, such as research methods, scientific fundamentals and promotion techniques. Students who successfully complete their foundation year will then progress onto the Sport and Exercise Psychology BSc (Hons) degree within Coventry University’s School of Psychological, Social and Behavioural Sciences.

The degree years of this course are accredited and recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Accreditation by the British Psychological Society means that as a graduate, provided you achieve at least a 2:2, you will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). Additional costs may apply. Please check with the BPS for full details.

Key course benefits

• In addition to a range of careers as a sport psychologist, psychologist, or coach, this course provides a strong foundation for working in sports or health and fitness industries. Explore the science behind peak performance for ultimate academic and sporting success.

• Give yourself a competitive edge: Specialising in your chosen area will set you apart from other psychology graduates.

• Develop valuable skills like critical thinking, research methods, communication, and leadership.

• Gain real-world experience with an optional UK or international placement year and our Phoenix+ scheme.

*For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website.

The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study with modules including:

• Skills for Professional Development
• Psychology of Learning and Development
• Health and Disease
• Promoting Health and Wellbeing

Successful completion of the foundation year progresses you to year one of the degree course. The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Year One Modules
Professional Practice in Psychology
Fundamental concepts in Psychology
Introducing Quantitative Research Methods
Psychology and Popular Culture
Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Introducing Qualitative Research Methods

Year Two
In year two you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with culture, gender and sexuality, cyber psychology, the darker side of psychology, and research, among others.

Modules
Core Psychological Perspectives in Sport and Exercise
Psychology of Culture, Gender and Sexuality in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology
Multiagency Sport and Exercise Psychology
The Origins and Future of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Research Methods and Project Planning

Placement Year
There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement* can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee* of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Final Year
Your final year aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two. In your final year you will complete an empirical research project, focused on a topic of your choosing, under the supervision of a research-active member of staff. Optional modules* in the final year allow you to tailor your own learning experience to the knowledge and interests you have developed so far.

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated. Before accepting any offers, please check the website for the most up to date course content.

• For full course and module details please check the course page on the Coventry University website.