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Sport and Exercise Psychology - MSc

Unlock your potential with our MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology. Develop expertise in enhancing performance and well-being, while gaining advanced research skills, real-world experience and the skills to pursue either BPS Stage 2 training, the Professional Doctorate, BASES SEPAR, a broad range of psychology-related careers or continue onto a PhD.

This programme is actively seeking accreditation from the British Psychological Society (BPS) and endorsement from the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). 

Month of entry

  • September

Mode of study

  • Full time, Part time

Location

Subject area

  • Psychology, Sport

Fees for 2025/26 academic year

  • UK - Full time £10,100 per year. Part time £5,600 per year.
    International - £17,700 per year.

Duration of study

  • One year full time, two years part time, up to five years modular
Apply now

Why study Sport and Exercise Psychology at Keele University?

Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure you are fully prepared for the workplace
Benefit from authentic assessments developed by Sport and Exercise psychologists
Gain live experience in a sport or exercise setting through a work-based placement
Gain key transferable skills to pursue a wide range of psychology-related careers or further study at PhD level
Extensive opportunities to engage with the research life of the School of Psychology and the Keele Institute of Sport

Course summary

Our Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc is the perfect starting point to become a Sport and Exercise Psychologist or to deepen your understanding of applying psychology principles to sport, exercise, and mental health. Informed by the British Psychological Society's published standards and in alignment with the BASES postgraduate SEPAR endorsement scheme (PSES), you will specialise in psychology in the sport and exercise context. Throughout the programme you will assess and formulate interventions for individuals, groups and organisations; working with client groups such as junior and senior athletes, coaches, support staff and the general public. 

Experiential learning is at the core of this course, enhancing your educational experience. You will have opportunities to engage in professional practice through research and practitioner-based projects, undertake a range of authentic assessments developed by Sport and Exercise psychologists, and gain live experience in a sport or exercise setting through a work-based placement. Our applied learning techniques and industry connections ensure you are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply your knowledge in a real-world context.

This course will equip you with skills in various quantitative and qualitative psychological research methods. You'll also develop an understanding of the ethical standards established by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). These competencies will enhance your capabilities both as a Sport and Exercise psychological researcher and as a critical consumer of research.

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Course structure

The Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc can be studied as either a one-year full-time, two-year part-time or up to five-years modular course, with a September start date. As a full-time student, you will complete five compulsory modules (including the dissertation). Please note, as a part-time student, the structure of the programme will vary. 

Modules

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

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Entry requirements

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Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.

Typical offer

Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.

Typical offer: 2:2 degree in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject

Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information

UK

2:2 degree in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject

Those students that wish to continue on to Stage 2 training (to become a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist) must have graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the BPS.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Bangladesh

60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject. from a public university or CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in Psychology or related cognate discipline from a private university.
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

For those students that wish to continue on to Stage 2 training (to become a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist) must have graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the BPS. For more information please see BPS website (https://www.bps.org.uk/faqs/does-society-accredit-international-degrees).

We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Canada

70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

For those students that wish to continue on to Stage 2 training (to become a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist) must have graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the BPS. For more information please see BPS website (https://www.bps.org.uk/faqs/does-society-accredit-international-degrees).

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

China

70% in a degree in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject or 65% in a degree in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject from a '211' university
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

For those students that wish to continue on to Stage 2 training (to become a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist) must have graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the BPS. For more information please see BPS website (https://www.bps.org.uk/faqs/does-society-accredit-international-degrees).

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Ghana

Second class degree in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

For those students that wish to continue on to Stage 2 training (to become a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist) must have graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the BPS. For more information please see BPS website (https://www.bps.org.uk/faqs/does-society-accredit-international-degrees).

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

India

55% or CGPA 6/10 in a degree of at least 3 years in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

For those students that wish to continue on to Stage 2 training (to become a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist) must have graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the BPS. For more information please see BPS website (https://www.bps.org.uk/faqs/does-society-accredit-international-degrees).

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Kenya

Second class degree in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

For those students that wish to continue on to Stage 2 training (to become a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist) must have graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the BPS. For more information please see BPS website (https://www.bps.org.uk/faqs/does-society-accredit-international-degrees).

Nepal

60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

For those students that wish to continue on to Stage 2 training (to become a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist) must have graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the BPS. For more information please see BPS website (https://www.bps.org.uk/faqs/does-society-accredit-international-degrees).

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Nigeria

Second class degree in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

For those students that wish to continue on to Stage 2 training (to become a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist) must have graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the BPS. For more information please see BPS website (https://www.bps.org.uk/faqs/does-society-accredit-international-degrees).

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Pakistan

We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information

or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

For those students that wish to continue on to Stage 2 training (to become a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist) must have graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the BPS. For more information please see BPS website (https://www.bps.org.uk/faqs/does-society-accredit-international-degrees).

You will also need an English language qualification (see below)

South Africa

Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related cognate discipline
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

For those students that wish to continue on to Stage 2 training (to become a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist) must have graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the BPS. For more information please see BPS website (https://www.bps.org.uk/faqs/does-society-accredit-international-degrees).

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Sri Lanka

55% in a special bachelor's degree in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

For those students that wish to continue on to Stage 2 training (to become a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist) must have graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the BPS. For more information please see BPS website (https://www.bps.org.uk/faqs/does-society-accredit-international-degrees).

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Uganda

Second class degree in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

For those students that wish to continue on to Stage 2 training (to become a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist) must have graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the BPS. For more information please see BPS website (https://www.bps.org.uk/faqs/does-society-accredit-international-degrees).

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Zimbabwe

Second class degree in Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology, Psychology, Sports Coaching or relevant subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

For those students that wish to continue on to Stage 2 training (to become a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist) must have graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the BPS. For more information please see BPS website (https://www.bps.org.uk/faqs/does-society-accredit-international-degrees).

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

English language requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group C.

References

Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.

Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.

RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

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Funding

It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in this case, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2025 start date falls in the 2024/25 academic year. Please see the January 2025 fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2025

Planning your funding

It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

Scholarships

We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our scholarships and bursaries webpage for more information.

For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.

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Your career

Designed for students wanting to pursue chartered sport and exercise psychology status, our Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc allows graduates who meet the criteria to continue training via the stage 2 training pathway. However, this qualification may also be used for students interested in obtaining advanced understanding of sport and exercise psychology principles to be used in other careers such as: 

  • Sports coaching
  • Physiotherapy
  • Sport and exercise science
  • Sport rehabilitation
  • Performance lifestyle advisor
  • Well-being officer
  • Higher education teaching and research
  • Researcher

From critical evaluation and self-development to research methods and effective communication, on successful completion of the programme, you will gain key transferable skills - preparing you for a variety of psychology careers or further PhD study.

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Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching

Keele University is committed to providing transformative and innovative learning opportunities. Our MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology engenders these values through diverse methods of teaching including:

  • Lectures and recorded lectures
  • Seminars, interactive problems, and discussions
  • Class-based discussion with students and tutors
  • Practical work and laboratory classes
  • One-to-one project supervision
  • Work-based and/or academic-based placement
  • Directed asynchronous learning (for example, directed reading, a quiz, video content)
  • Reading scientific articles
  • Personalised written and face-to-face feedback
  • Electronic submission and return of marked coursework with feedback
  • IT instruction (e.g., analytical software)
  • Use of the Keele Learning Environment (KLE)

Assessment

You will benefit from varied assessments that authentically reflect the theoretical and applied aspects of the discipline.

Assessment methods include:

  • Case study report
  • Dissertation empirical research project
  • Evidence-based report
  • Oral presentation
  • Reflective diary
  • Scientific laboratory report

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Keele Postgraduate Association

Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.

KPA interior

Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.

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Our expertise

Our academics bring a diversity of teaching and research expertise. Tutors on the course have a range of experiences and recognition, including:

  • Direct experience as practitioners in the field
  • Those who have experience offering training to practitioners
  • Specialist staff will be HCPC registered practitioners
  • Internationally recognised leaders in their field
  • Those who manage and engage with research groups (comprising research staff, postgraduate research students and/or postdoctoral researchers) national and international research societies. 

Learn more about our academics.

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Facilities

The School of Psychology

Based in the Dorothy Hodgkin building at the centre of campus, the School of Psychology offers a thriving and dynamic environment with state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, and plenty of spaces for socialising and studying.

Our 230-seater lecture theatre is one of the largest on campus. For independent or small group study, you have the choice of a larger communal room with computers or smaller study rooms you can book.

When it comes to specialist facilities at Keele, you really are spoiled for choice. We have two video observation suites, both feature two-way mirrors and are equipped with video and audio recording equipment. There are eye tracking laboratories, with an EyeLink 1000 Plus eye tracker and SMI ET and Pupil Labs eye tracking glasses. Our brain electrophysiology lab has been kitted out to perform EEG experiments, as well as simultaneous eye tracking, pupillometry, and galvanic skin response (GSR) measurements.

Psychology eye tracking equipment

 

Keele University Institute of Sport

By joining the course, you will become a member of the Keele Institute of Sport which combines teaching, research and expertise from across the wider University allowing you the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and fellow students from across different schools and faculties.  With a significant investment in new sporting laboratory facilities, and our large 600+ acre campus, there is plenty of space to study, play, exercise, and train.

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