Ulster University

Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc

The overarching aim of the programme is to provide a recognised level of training for aspiring professionals in the field of sport and exercise psychology by providing them with the competencies required to apply psychology professionally and ethically in sport and exercise settings. The programme has three themes at its core which influence the pedagogical outcomes throughout the modules: theorypractice; stability-change and individual-context.

Both the overall objective and the themes are achieved through the goals outlined below:

1. To provide students with a sound understanding of key theoretical issues in the field of sport and exercise psychology.

2. To enable students to develop an in-depth understanding of the application of theory to sport and exercise settings.

3. To provide the opportunity for students to gain practical skills that will enhance their ability to work with individuals and groups in the sport and exercise context.

4. To provide students with the skills to plan, implement and evaluate work in an applied setting.

5. To enable students to develop a range of practical competencies pertinent to completion of Stage 1 with the BPS. In order to gain accreditation as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist, completion of an approved HCPC stage 2 qualification and registration with the HCPC is required.

6. To help students to develop the skills necessary to design, conduct, analyse and report empirical research in the field of sport and exercise psychology.

7. To facilitate students in acquiring employment and entrepreneurial skills that would enable them to commercialise their skills and intellectual property.

8. To facilitate the development of critical and self-reflective awareness of the ethical concerns and implications of applying psychology in sport and exercise settings.