Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc

About the Course

The MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology is aimed at students who have completed a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited undergraduate degree in psychology and who wish to specialise in sport and exercise psychology, either as researchers or practitioners.

Aims

• To provide students with a coherent programme of study, consistent with the BPS accreditation criteria, which prepares students for Stage 2 of training to become a sport and exercise psychologist.
• To extend students’ knowledge and understanding in the field of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
• To provide students with a range of learning experiences designed to enhance critical analysis and independence of thought.
• To provide students with grounding in research methods and data analysis that prepares them for higher research-related degrees (e.g., PhD).

Enquiries

Taught Programmes Office
Sport Sciences
School of Sport and Education
Brunel University
Email sse-pgtcourses@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 266493

Special Features

The School of Sport and Education enjoys a prominent position within the University, building upon traditions that stem from Borough Road College – the oldest teacher-training college in the British Commonwealth. We have a long-standing reputation for excellence in teaching and an impressive record of research and publication which consistently attracts high-calibre students, including high level sportsmen and sportswomen who successfully combine study with training and competition.

The modules and content of our MSc Sport Sciences (Sport Psychology) course were re-designed to align with the criteria set out by the BPS’ Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology. The course capitalises on the extensive research and consultancy expertise within the sport and exercise psychology teaching team. We currently have three staff members who are BPS-Chartered Psychologists registered as consultants with the Health Professions Council and have excellent consultancy links within football and tennis. Many of our graduates have secured work-experience placements after completing their course and we are looking to further develop these opportunities. For example, recent graduates from our sport psychology courses have worked with: Fulham FC, Southampton FC, Wickham Wonderers FC, Sutton Tennis Academy, West Indies Cricket Board, IMG Bolletieri Tennis Academy.

Accreditation

This course is fully accredited by the BPS; therefore, students who successfully complete the course will have passed Stage 1 of training for becoming a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist.

Course Content

Core Modules

Research and Application in the Psychology of Sports Performance (15 credits)
The module focuses on research into attentional processes particularly in relation to skill learning and performance. Main topics of study include: stress and performance, especially ‘choking’ theories; reinvestment and self-consciousness; implicit learning; anticipation skill; and perceptual training.

Social Processes in Exercise and Sport (15 credits)
Main topics of study: introduction/group dynamics models; motivation measures seminar; group motivation: a team goals perspective; leadership theory and measures; group cohesion theory and measures; cohesion-performance relationship; home advantage phenomenon.

Psychological Skills for Practitioners (15 credits)
Main topics of study: introduction/group dynamics models; motivation measures seminar; group motivation: a team goals perspective; leadership theory and measures; group cohesion theory and measures; cohesion-performance relationship; home advantage phenomenon.

Individual Differences in Sport & Exercise (15 credits)
Main topics of study: personality theory; psychometric tools; personality and psychological testing; motivational dynamics in sport and exercise; exercise adherence and burnout; gender differences; role of music in sport and exercise.

Research Methods and Data Analysis (45 credits)
Main topics of study: research writing skills; effective literature searching; designing research: systematic observations; ethnography; interview design; experimental design; questionnaire design; data analysis: qualitative data; quantitative data.

Research Dissertation (60 credits)
Students select an appropriate topic of study that is approved by their supervisor. These topics normally span the research interests of Department staff.

Elective Modules (one from)

Professional Development (15 credits)
This module enables students to pursue an area of professional development to assist them in acquiring or improving a relevant professional skill or an area of professional knowledge or behaviour. It gives them the opportunity to negotiate, manage and present their personal learning outcomes. The topic of study will be selected by each student.

Performance Lifestyle (15 credits)

Designed alongside and endorsed by UK Sport the content of the module focuses on high achieving athletes and those tasked to care for them. Topics of study include: athlete transitions; managing rest and recovery; eating disorders; addictive behaviour; athlete abuse; the team manager / coach perspective; and working in a multidisciplinary sport team.

Assessment

Your academic performance will be assessed in a variety of ways. Assessment procedures include essays, case studies, oral presentations, poster presentations laboratory report writing and computer-based tests. Formal written examinations constitute part of the assessment in some modules. In addition, you will need to submit, and pass, a research dissertation.

Fees for 2012/13 entry

Home/EU students: £5,060 full-time, £2,530 part-time

International students: £13,860 full-time, £6,930 part-time

Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2012 Entry

The normal entry requirement is at least an upper second class honours degree (2:1) in a degree that confers Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS). Students who hold a good honours degree in a related discipline and who have successfully completed a BPS-accredited conversion course (e.g. Graduate Diploma in Psychology) will also be considered. Where possible, an interview will take place.

Note: In the UK, GBC is attained either by completing a BPS-accredited undergraduate degree in psychology (minimum lower 2nd class honours) or by completing a BPS-accredited conversion course. If you have completed a degree in psychology outside of the UK the BPS will consider applications for GBC on an individual basis. The Society will consider:

• whether you hold a degree from a recognised university or comparable institution
  
• if it is of an equivalent standard to a British bachelors degree at a minimum of lower 2nd class honours level *whether your degree includes at least 50% psychology

Full details of the process, together with the application form, can be found on the BPS website.

Entry Requirements for 2011 Entry (click to expand)

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.