Psychology of Sport and Exercise

BSc (Hons)

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Start dates available

  • September 2026

Study on the UK’s only sports and exercise psychology distance learning degree and kick-start your future career.

Explore how athletes think, feel, and behave through our distinctive degree, designed for those aspiring to become sport or exercise psychologists, performance lifestyle practitioners, or professionals looking to support health, general wellbeing, and performance through psychologically informed practice. It is also ideal for those already working in related roles who want to deepen their knowledge and develop a more psychologically informed approach.

We offer the UK’s only BSc (Hons) Psychology of Sport and Exercise to be delivered through distance learning. It’s the ultimate flexible approach for students with busy lifestyles.

You’ll learn how psychology plays a pivotal role in both human performance and wellbeing. This includes helping athletes cope better under pressure and developing people’s confidence, motivation and resilience.

We teach the fundamentals of sport and exercise psychology from day one, while also giving you a valuable multi-disciplinary perspective through topics such as social, cognition and developmental psychology. Alongside this, there is a strong focus on employability and industry-led teaching, helping you to build your professional identity and put yourself in the best possible position to achieve your career ambitions.

The course covers a wide range of engaging topics, from group dynamics and leadership to the interaction between the brain and body. You may also explore areas such as the psychology of exercise addiction, dark triad, as well as interventions for managing stress and irrational beliefs.

We place a strong emphasis on applying theory to real-life situations. Our team of academics are research-active and internationally recognised in contemporary research, with many also working directly in the field, ensuring your learning is both research-informed and rooted in professional practice.

The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society, which means we meet rigorous national standards. It’s an ideal springboard for careers in a range of specialist roles, including working with professional sports clubs, becoming a wellness coach or performance consultant, or setting up your own business.

We have extensive experience in delivering online distance learning degrees and attract a diverse student cohort. Our students include athletes competing at national and international level, sports coaches, military personnel, professional business coaches, and those progressing directly from school or college.

You can develop your professional skills while at home or in the workplace, with the option of using our facilities on campus too. The degree can be taken full-time or part-time.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Psychology of Sport and Exercise

Duration

  • Full-time course runs for 3 years
  • Full-time with a placement year runs for 4 years
  • Part-time course runs for 4-9 years

Work placements

The Sport and Exercise Department works with local, regional and national employers to provide placement and work experience opportunities. We also have international university partners.

Other opportunities include becoming a volunteer with our Sports Academy. You could be helping to deliver physical activity and classroom-based workshops to young people in schools and communities.

Study on the UK’s only sports and exercise psychology distance learning degree and kick-start your future career.

Explore how athletes think, feel, and behave through our distinctive degree, designed for those aspiring to become sport or exercise psychologists, performance lifestyle practitioners, or professionals looking to support health, general wellbeing, and performance through psychologically informed practice. It is also ideal for those already working in related roles who want to deepen their knowledge and develop a more psychologically informed approach.

We offer the UK’s only BSc (Hons) Psychology of Sport and Exercise to be delivered through distance learning. It’s the ultimate flexible approach for students with busy lifestyles.

You’ll learn how psychology plays a pivotal role in both human performance and wellbeing. This includes helping athletes cope better under pressure and developing people’s confidence, motivation and resilience.

We teach the fundamentals of sport and exercise psychology from day one, while also giving you a valuable multi-disciplinary perspective through topics such as social, cognition and developmental psychology. Alongside this, there is a strong focus on employability and industry-led teaching, helping you to build your professional identity and put yourself in the best possible position to achieve your career ambitions.

The course covers a wide range of engaging topics, from group dynamics and leadership to the interaction between the brain and body. You may also explore areas such as the psychology of exercise addiction, dark triad, as well as interventions for managing stress and irrational beliefs.

We place a strong emphasis on applying theory to real-life situations. Our team of academics are research-active and internationally recognised in contemporary research, with many also working directly in the field, ensuring your learning is both research-informed and rooted in professional practice.

The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society, which means we meet rigorous national standards. It’s an ideal springboard for careers in a range of specialist roles, including working with professional sports clubs, becoming a wellness coach or performance consultant, or setting up your own business.

We have extensive experience in delivering online distance learning degrees and attract a diverse student cohort. Our students include athletes competing at national and international level, sports coaches, military personnel, professional business coaches, and those progressing directly from school or college.

You can develop your professional skills while at home or in the workplace, with the option of using our facilities on campus too. The degree can be taken full-time or part-time.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Psychology of Sport and Exercise

Duration

  • Full-time course runs for 3 years
  • Full-time with a placement year runs for 4 years
  • Part-time course runs for 4-9 years

Course content

You will explore a wide-ranging curriculum, covering subjects such as applied sport psychology techniques, group dynamics and leadership (social psychology), embedded research methods, cognitive psychology, psychobiology, physical activity and mental health, developmental psychology, stress, and resilience. Alongside this, you will begin to develop the knowledge, practical skills, and professional identity needed for a future as a practitioner.

You will end your degree with a supervised research project which focuses on the application of psychology in a sport and exercise environment.

All teaching is delivered in an online, distance-learning format. We use a mixture of live sessions and those you can study at a time that suits you. You’ll contribute to online discussion boards, interactive tasks and will have weekly tutorials and recorded lectures. Assessments can be through presentations, reflective pieces on your own experience, essays, lab reports and exams.

You will explore a wide-ranging curriculum, covering subjects such as applied sport psychology techniques, group dynamics and leadership (social psychology), embedded research methods, cognitive psychology, psychobiology, physical activity and mental health, developmental psychology, stress, and resilience. Alongside this, you will begin to develop the knowledge, practical skills, and professional identity needed for a future as a practitioner.

You will end your degree with a supervised research project which focuses on the application of psychology in a sport and exercise environment.

All teaching is delivered in an online, distance-learning format. We use a mixture of live sessions and those you can study at a time that suits you. You’ll contribute to online discussion boards, interactive tasks and will have weekly tutorials and recorded lectures. Assessments can be through presentations, reflective pieces on your own experience, essays, lab reports and exams.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Progression routes to masters

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Becoming A Sport And Exercise Psychologist 30 credits
Psychology Of Sport And Exercise 30 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Cognition In Sport And Exercise 30 credits
Individual Differences In Sport And Exercise 30 credits
Year 3 compulsory modules
Lifespan Development In Sport And Exercise 30 credits
Teamwork And Leadership In Sport 30 credits
Year 4 compulsory modules
Brain, Body And Behaviour In Sport And Exercise 30 credits
Contemporary Issues In Sport And Exercise Psychology 30 credits
Year 5 compulsory modules
Applied Sport And Exercise Psychology 30 credits
Psychology Of Pressure 30 credits
Year 6 compulsory modules
Applied Sport And Exercise Psychology 30 credits
Psychology Of Pressure 30 credits

Entry requirements

112-120 UCAS Tariff points

  • GCE A Levels - grades BBC or equivalent
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • Access to HE Diploma - Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
  • UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • T Levels - Eligible T Level applications will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of P (A*-C) or Higher Pass as a condition of offer

We welcome applicants from a diversity of backgrounds and all applicants are individually assessed.

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

112-120 UCAS Tariff points

  • GCE A Levels - grades BBC or equivalent
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • Access to HE Diploma - Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
  • UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • T Levels - Eligible T Level applications will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of P (A*-C) or Higher Pass as a condition of offer

We welcome applicants from a diversity of backgrounds and all applicants are individually assessed.

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

Facilities

Support for distance learners

Studying remotely doesn't mean that you will be left to study alone. Which is why we ensure that however you study with us, you'll still be able to access the same services as our on-campus students. Read more

However you study with us, or wherever in the world you’re based, you’ll still be able to access the same services as our on-campus students, including IT and study support, online library, careers and wellbeing service. We’ll help to connect with other online learners to help you get the most out of your learning experience and feel a part of the community. Find out more: Support for distance learners

Blackboard (VLE)

Blackboard is a virtual learning environment which houses your learning content. It enables online teaching/learning, provides spaces to build online communities and knowledge sharing.

Sports Psychology Lab

The Basil Ashford Sports Psychology laboratory and consulting room are used extensively for teaching, research and consultancy in the areas of Sports Psychology, Exercise Psychology and Motor Learning. Read more

Find out more about our Ashford Sport Psychology Lab.

Psychology Observation Suite

The Observation Suite contains an Observation Laboratory setup with a one-way mirror, video cameras and microphones to allow activities to be observed and recorded from the Control Room. Read more

Find out more about our Psychology Observation Suite. 

Biomechanics Facilities

The Gait Analysis Laboratory within the Biomechanics Facility consists of motion capture and associated software, force platforms, digital video camera and associated kinematic analysis software and plantar pressure measurement system. Read more

Find out more. 

Careers

This degree will put you at the forefront of a growing field, equipping you for roles in sport, healthcare, industry and teaching.

You can go on to train as a qualified sport and exercise psychologist, become a self-employed consultant or work with a sports club or business.

There are opportunities in both public and commercial sectors, with typical roles including:

  • Wellness coach
  • Active living consultant
  • Practising sport psychologist
  • Performance consultant
  • Exercise psychologist
  • Professional sport welfare officer
  • Athlete career and education advisor

Many graduates also pursue Masters-level study in relevant fields of science and technology. You’ll be perfectly placed to take our MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology, which is also delivered through distance learning.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

This degree will put you at the forefront of a growing field, equipping you for roles in sport, healthcare, industry and teaching.

You can go on to train as a qualified sport and exercise psychologist, become a self-employed consultant or work with a sports club or business.

There are opportunities in both public and commercial sectors, with typical roles including:

  • Wellness coach
  • Active living consultant
  • Practising sport psychologist
  • Performance consultant
  • Exercise psychologist
  • Professional sport welfare officer
  • Athlete career and education advisor

Many graduates also pursue Masters-level study in relevant fields of science and technology. You’ll be perfectly placed to take our MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology, which is also delivered through distance learning.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

As a distance learning student, you'll be an active learner interacting with content, your fellow students and your module tutors. Support is available when you need it. You can contact your module tutor, your personal tutor, Information Service staff and subject specialist librarian by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are via your PC, tablet or phone. This includes accessing video, audio and discussion forums where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

We also interact with students (including webinars, feedback and student discussion) using the suite of software provided by Microsoft, in particular Microsoft Teams. 

You'll have the opportunity to develop your digital proficiency with external and industry approved qualifications provided by Microsoft.

Assessment

You’ll experience a wide variety of assessment formats including project briefs, negotiated assignments, self-initiated proposals and reports tailored in the form appropriate to professional outcomes required for each module.

For each assessment undertaken, you receive a set of guidelines and a set of specific grading criteria outlining the standards expected.

Summative assessment is provided in the form of a grade percentage, an annotated assignment and accompanying summary feedback sheet.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We will normally give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days.

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We will normally give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days.

Teaching

As a distance learning student, you'll be an active learner interacting with content, your fellow students and your module tutors. Support is available when you need it. You can contact your module tutor, your personal tutor, Information Service staff and subject specialist librarian by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are via your PC, tablet or phone. This includes accessing video, audio and discussion forums where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

We also interact with students (including webinars, feedback and student discussion) using the suite of software provided by Microsoft, in particular Microsoft Teams. 

You'll have the opportunity to develop your digital proficiency with external and industry approved qualifications provided by Microsoft.

Assessment

You’ll experience a wide variety of assessment formats including project briefs, negotiated assignments, self-initiated proposals and reports tailored in the form appropriate to professional outcomes required for each module.

For each assessment undertaken, you receive a set of guidelines and a set of specific grading criteria outlining the standards expected.

Summative assessment is provided in the form of a grade percentage, an annotated assignment and accompanying summary feedback sheet.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We will normally give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days.

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We will normally give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days.

Staff

University of Staffordshire is considered a vibrant hub of sport and exercise psychology within the UK. All of the core teaching team are active researchers, with national and international reputations within their realm of expertise. All members of staff also hold PhDs within the area of sport and exercise psychology.

Beyond research, the teaching team are also active consultants applying sport psychology principles with sports teams and large organisations. This means they are well placed to shape students' engagement and create contemporary and ecologically valid course content, whilst offering real-world guidance to students typically unavailable within textbooks and online articles.

With this consultancy experience, the team have accrued strong external links in industry (eg, Stoke City FC, The FA), military (eg, special forces, marines), and the emergency services (eg, Police services, Fire & Rescue). 

Please note, teaching team staff members may change during your studies.

Dr Katie Sparks

Lecturer In Sport & Exercise Psychology

I am Sport and Exercise Psychology lecturer, active researcher, and Performance Lifestyle consultant. I am interested in the influence of third-wave strategies on wellbeing and performance in demanding contexts.

Katie's profile

Andrew Wilkinson

Lecturer Sport And Exercise Psychology

I am a lecturer in sport and exercise psychology whose research area focusses on psychophysiological stress and performance under pressure.

Andrew's profile

Karla Drew

Lecturer

I am a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology, and Course leader for the MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology programme. I am also a BPS Chartered, and HCPC Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Karla's profile

Dr Paul Mansell

Lecturer

I am a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology. I teach on BSc and Msc Sport and Exercise Psychology courses. My research areas include stress mindset, Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), psychological wellbeing, and athletic performance.

Paul's profile

Matthew Slater

Professor Of Sport & Exercise Psychology

Matt is a Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology and recognised as an internationally leading scholar on the psychology of leadership and group dynamics.

Matthew's profile

Joseph Dixon

Lecturer

Joseph is a Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Psychology. He combines his role at the University with working as an applied practitioner in professional sport and business.

Fees

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,790 per year of study £9,790 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by reading our additional funding web pages, or visiting www.gov.uk.

Scholarships and additional funding

If you are talented athlete, coach or official you could qualify for one of our sport scholarship or development schemes through our High Performance Academy.

You may also be eligible for other scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Our students

The staff are more supportive than I ever could have imagined!

What attracted me to this course was the element of sports/exercise combined with psychology which happen to be my two favourite subjects. I am intrigued by the way the brain works as well as having a major passion for sports and fitness.

The staff are more supportive than I ever could have imagined! No question is a silly question has been ingrained in my memory since the first day (which still stands). The head of the course in particular has provided so much help and reassurance for all students and has put the most effort into all of our lectures and resources to ensure we are getting the most out of our education. They are all so approachable and up for a laugh which makes the University experience that tad bit better.

Amber Jervis

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology

I would say that the best part of being on the course is the relationship that can be made with the course lecturers.

I chose to study Sport & Exercise Psychology because I’m a massive advocate for learning and working within a field of what you enjoy and are passionate about. I have always been a keen learner in regard to mental health and Psychology and played football all of my life. This meant that as a player and now coach, I really wanted to find what that edge was that could improve your performance just maybe even a few percent in the hope of success.

I would say that the best part of being on the course is the relationship that can be made with the course lecturers and tutors and even general staff at Staffordshire Uni. Every one of them have been approachable and friendly and have helped in any way they possibly can. 

Luke Fryer

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology

The tutor Steph is amazing. Really approachable and friendly.

The tutor Steph is amazing. Really approachable and friendly. Also the content of the course is really interesting and being able to compare with your own experiences and knowledge is exciting.

Lauren Mobsby

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology

Apply now to Psychology of Sport and Exercise

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time, distance learning 21 September 2026 Apply now

Apply now to Psychology of Sport and Exercise

Applications are not currently open for this course.

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

Have you considered?

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2026

in the UK for Games Education

Rookies Games Design and Development 2023, 2025

TIGA Best Games Institution 2024, 2025

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021