Overview
Sport psychologists help athletes enhance their performance and well-being through mental skills training, coping strategies, and psychological support. Increasingly in demand due to growing recognition of the importance of psychology and mental health to performance, sport psychologists work across a range of sport, health, performance, and physical activity settings with an expanding demographic of clients.
Our BSc (Hons) Sport Psychology degree will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the diverse, complex, and wide-ranging territory of sport psychology.
The course will explore academic knowledge and practice associated with sport psychology, analyse psychological issues across a range of sport psychology settings (for example, from local communities to high performance settings), examine research evidence associated with sport psychology, and investigate a myriad of contemporary issues facing practitioners.
On this course, you will study topics such as:
- Human interaction and behaviour
- Cognitive psychology
- Social psychology
- Psychology of exercise
- Quantitative and qualitative research methods to guide scientific inquiry
- Sports role in a modern, global society
- The value of inclusion and diversity in sport.
- Athlete Motivation, Stress, and Resilience
- Application of mental skills techniques
- Organisational sport cultures
- Mental health in and through sport
Why choose Stirling for this course?
- Stirling is one the best places to study sport in the UK. We’re Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence and were awarded UK Sports University of the Year 2020 (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide). We're also 1st in Scotland for sports research with 80% of our research in Sport and Exercise Sciences classed as world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021).
- We have strong partnerships with many national governing bodies of sport and other sporting organisations, some of which are based on campus (e.g. Tennis Scotland, Triathlon Scotland, Sport Scotland Institute of Sport). We also work alongside many innovative community sport and active lifestyle organisations, meaning that our students have a range of excellent networking and development opportunities.
- You will be taught by leaders in the field. Our sport psychology faculty are experienced and active applied practitioners and researchers, meaning they bring their real-world knowledge and cutting-edge research into the classroom.
- The course integrates sport psychology modules with key modules provided by our innovative and award-winning psychology department, along with well-chosen modules in broader sport and also exercise psychology. Students therefore build important foundations across key knowledge areas that will support entry into a variety of employment or further study options.
- Based on a single campus, the sport psychology course maintains a community atmosphere. Students benefit from small seminar sizes and social and professional development events where you can get to know your instructors and other students.
- There are exciting opportunities to study abroad (e.g., Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand) for a Year 3 semester through Stirling’s well-established connections with several international universities.
Entry requirements
SQA Highers
AABB
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28 points
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
SQA Advanced Higher
ABB
GCE A-level
ABB
IB Diploma
32
Essential subjects
Psychology
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Year 2 entry
Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the routes available.
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
BSc (Hons) Sport Psychology is an innovative four-year course that will give you in-depth understanding of sport, exercise, and general psychology. You will complete a novel research project related to the application of psychology to sport and/or exercise and have the opportunity to undertake relevant and exciting work experience within the sport industry.
Year 1
Sport modules in Year 1 will introduce the importance of sport to individuals and communities, focusing on physical activity and health, sport and exercise science, sports psychology, sociology, and management.
You will also study mainstream psychology modules delivered by the Psychology department. These will be on a wide range of topics designed to give you an introduction to psychology and provide key foundations on which to build, including laboratory practice and reporting.
Year 2
In your second year, you will study a module focused on sport as a global phenomenon. This module will increase your awareness and appreciation of the far-reaching impact of sport around the world by exploring not only the social, political and cultural benefits of sport, but also the less favourable impacts of sport. Additionally, you will study a module focused on the foundational knowledge, theories and contemporary issues of relevance in sport and exercise psychology. You will develop a knowledge and understanding of what sport and exercise psychology is and an appreciation of what sport and exercise psychologists are seeking to achieve.
Additionally, you will continue to study mainstream psychology modules delivered by the Psychology department. There are two themed modules in Year 2: The Social Mind and Brain and Behaviour–Clinical Perspectives. The Social Mind integrates material from social, cognitive, developmental and biological psychology, while Behaviour–Clinical Perspectives integrates material from biological and cognitive psychology. You will also take a module in Research Methods delivered by the Psychology department.
In the first three semesters, you will be given the choice of one additional module from across the University. This will broaden your knowledge in a range of topics and develop your academic abilities ready for a more in-depth and specialised exploration in sport and exercise psychology in your final two years.
Years 3 and 4
In the final two years, you will deepen your understanding of the sport sector/industry by completing two subject-specific modules in sport and exercise psychology, and develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to undertake academic inquiry into sport.
All students take an Advanced Studies in Sport module to help them prepare for a major independent project on a topic that reflects their interests and/or career aspirations. You will also complete a Professional Practice in Sport module, which includes a period of work-based learning and guest lectures on working in the sport and exercise psychology industry.
You will also study a range of core subjects: cognitive psychology, social psychology, individual differences, and developmental psychology. These modules will provide opportunities to develop skills in group work, practical work, and experience of working with pre-school children. You will also get the chance to sharpen your communication skills through group discussions and oral presentations.
We would encourage you to develop your knowledge, skills and experiences in sport and exercise psychology by engaging in voluntary and/or paid sport and exercise psychology opportunities beyond the course.
You will complete your BSc (Hons) Sports Psychology course as an independent learner, capable of critical analysis and communication through various mediums to a range of audiences. You will have also laid the foundations of being an independent researcher, prepared for further study at MSc and/or PhD / Professional Doctorate level.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
The Sport Psychology course will be delivered using a blended learning approach of face-to-face and online learning. Modules will be delivered through lectures, small group seminars and practical classes. Learning also takes places through a wide range of activities within and beyond these classes:
- group project work;
- participating in experiments run by staff and other students;
- oral presentations;
- opportunities to undertake work placements.
Materials posted online through our virtual learning portal will support this contact time. Additional learning materials will take the form of podcasts, video lectures, and additional reading material.
The courses uses a wide range of assessment approaches. The assessments are designed to improve and assess students’ attainment of the learning outcomes, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, communication, and group working skills. Assessments make use of coursework and exams.
Coursework assessments can take the form of online tests, essays and digi-essays, reports, as well as individual/group presentations. Exams include multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, essay-based questions or a combination of question types. The assessments and marking criteria are aligned to the appropriate level on the SCQF Framework.
In the final year of the course, there is a sport professional practice module which involves a placement element. The placement opportunity will either be
- a role students are currently in (e.g., in a sport/exercise/psychology role) which they can reflect upon, demonstrate key learning, and utilise for the purpose of the course, or;
- a placement opportunity from within the University (e.g., University sports teams), or;
- running an event within the University with fellow students.
In the latter option, students may be tasked with, for instance, running a sport and exercise psychology event series, putting on a school sport event, running a webinar series around sports and exercise psychology topics of interest, running a sports tournament for charity or running an academic conference.
You’ll have the opportunity to study abroad through our well-established connection with several North American, Australian and European universities.
Fees and funding
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Sports scholarships
Our International Sports Scholarship Programme is one of the largest high-performance sports programmes in the UK.
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
A sport psychology degree also makes you eligible for further study and training to become a qualified sport and exercise psychologist. Having a sport psychology degree will equip you for a range of career options in sports, performance, exercise, and/or psychology industries.
What jobs can you get with a Sport Psychology degree?
- Graduates from this course will be well placed to source a range of jobs in the sport and exercise industry. For example, by working directly with athletes and clients (e.g., as a coach, personal trainer, etc.) or by working with sport and fitness organisations (e.g., as a sport development officer, administrative staff, or team co-ordinator).
- With further postgraduate training, graduates from this course can be employed to work with a broad range of clients including individual athletes, teams, and support staff across a range of sporting disciplines, providing sport psychology support to help them deal with the demands of their sport.
- With further postgraduate training, graduates from this course can be employed in exercise psychology settings, including being employed to work with individuals and groups in GP surgeries, employers' premises, client's homes, clinical settings, and local fitness centre roles, to counsel clients about the potential benefits that can be derived from participation in regular exercise.
- Graduates from this course can be employed to conduct research in sport and exercise psychology in commercial and academic settings.
- With further postgraduate training, graduates from this course can be employed to teach and train sport and exercise psychology students (in lecturing roles, for example) and/or establish and direct private practice in sport and/or exercise psychology.
96% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2020-21, HESA).
