Psychology with Sport Management

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and how it shapes and influences our behaviour. On this course, we explore human behaviour using sound scientific methodology – observation, measurement, and testing – to understand how and why people function in the way they do. Alongside psychology studies, you will also explore the sporting ecosystem in the UK and beyond, looking at events, operations, and management opportunities in the sport environment and gain an understanding of how psychology skills support work in this sector and offer opportunities for specialisation.

This programme will help to equip you with transferable skills in critical thinking and communication, as well as more industry-specific competencies such as scientific research methods, data analysis, and data presentation skills.

Our graduates thrive in careers where an understanding of societal issues is key – such as in management, education, social work, research, advertising, human resources, and healthcare.

You’ll study core areas including biological, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology, and you’ll cover personality and intelligence, research methods, and historical perspectives. Through elective modules in the second and third years, you will have the opportunity to tailor your learning to align with your interests in specific areas of psychology.

Key features

• Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

• Learn alongside a dedicated and passionate academic teaching team whose expertise spans across Health Psychology, Cognition and Neuroscience, Psychology and Technology, and Self and Identity, as well as staff who are industry experts in the sports management field with active links to local, national, and international sporting organisations.

• We offer excellent facilities including dedicated psychology computer laboratories and research cubicles, interview rooms, and observation spaces, all supported by our psychology technicians.

• Tailor your degree to suit your interests and career aspirations by choosing from a diverse range of psychology modules in your third year.

• Choose to apply for an optional credit-bearing placement year, which counts towards your final degree. In the past students have worked with the Ministry of Justice in secure forensic units and with Educational Psychology Services.

• Enrich your studies with an international experience through our DMU Global programme. Psychology students have recently explored the history of mental health and neuropsychology in Paris and cross-cultural factors in psychology in Kuala Lumpur.

• Graduate careers include working in the sports industry, healthcare, research, social work, marketing, management, policing, teaching, and human resources.

• This course is professionally accredited by the British Psychological Society, and will provide eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the BPS.

Year 1
Block 1: Professional Skills for Psychologists
Block 2: Cognition, Brain, And Development: Theory and Research
Block 3: The Sports Ecosystem
Block 4: Individual Differences and Social Psychology: Theory and Research

Year 2
Block 1: Mind, Brain, and Behaviour
Block 2: Psychology across the Lifespan
Block 3: Sport Events & Operations Psychology and Mental Health OR Psychology of Social Problems
Block 4: Personality and Social Psychology

Year 3
Block 1:Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology
AND Employability Skills and Psychology
Block 2: Choose two optional 15 credit modules from:
Psychology of Addiction
Counselling Psychology
Clinical Psychology: Theory and Practice
Cognitive Neuropsychology
Well-being and Positive Psychology
Disability and Inclusivity in Society
Psychology and Culture: Global Issues and International Perspectives
Block 3: Professional Opportunities in Sporting Contexts
Block 4: Psychology Project

Assessment combines various methods including essays, written exams, multiple choice exams, presentations, podcasts, portfolios, critical reviews as well as more innovative methods, such as, oral presentations, research reports, critical reviews of research papers and portfolio assignments. In your final year you will also complete an 8000 - 10,000 word dissertation. Modules use different assessment methods, although most employ a combination of examinations and coursework.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS