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Our MSc in Applied Sport Psychology is aimed at those wishing to develop a career in the area of sport psychology or wanting to enhance their understanding and skills in the area. 

  • BPS accredited programme
  • BASES endorsed course
  • Development of knowledge and applied skills critical to practitioners
  • Research and practitioner expertise of staff

Why study Applied Sport Psychology?

The Applied Sport Psychology master's degree at St Mary's University has been accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).

It is designed to enable students to attain professional recognition beyond the programme and to help those wishing to develop a career in sport psychology or aiming to enhance their understanding of the field.

The programme has a discipline-focussed curriculum, looking closely at developing knowledge and applied skills that are critical to practitioners.

Motor skills are an integral element of the programme, allowing students to enhance their ability to work closely with both performers and coaches.

Why St Mary's?

Over the previous 20 years there has been a gradual acceptance and involvement in psychology within sport at all levels. The application of psychology with sports performers and coaches has been rapid and continues to develop.

Recognising this, the professional bodies of both sport science and psychology (the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences and the British Psychology Society) have developed professional routes to recognition within the field.

Our focus on sport and elite sporting performance makes the University an ideal environment for students. The Faculty of Sport, Health and Applied Science has five specialised laboratories, in addition to a £8 million sports centre.

Entry requirements

2:1 Previous degree

Applicants should hold or be working toward a 2:1 or higher undergraduate degree in Psychology, Sport Psychology or Sport Science.

Additional requirement information

The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as a recognised stage 1 qualification for those wishing to pursue a career as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist, whilst also fulfilling the requirements for graduates wishing to pursue professional training through the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).

Only applicants who already hold, or are eligible for, Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (eg: they have undertaken a BPS-accredited undergraduate degree in psychology or sport psychology), or those who plan to obtain it by completing a BPS-accredited conversion course, are eligible to register for the BPS-accredited MSc programme.

For applicants without GBC, we only admit those whose undergraduate degree has a substantial sport psychology component (eg: Sport Science) and meet eligibility for the BASES professional training pathway.

 

International requirements

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section (or equivalent).

We now accept IELTS Indicator test results as proof of your English language level.

The British Psychological Society does not accredit overseas institutions, therefore if you have an overseas degree in Psychology you will need to apply for individual Graduate Membership of the BPS. To discuss your eligibility for Graduate Membership please contact qualifications@bps.org.uk.

Further information

For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.

Course content

Modules

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

Career opportunities

The specific focus of the programme on applied sport psychology enables students to focus their understanding and skills to enhance their opportunities for employment within the sport and performance sectors.

The options on completion of the MSc are wide ranging but include moving onto BPS stage-2 training, taking the BASES Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation route, or progressing into teaching or research positions within higher education - as well as building skills towards business ventures in the applied psychology field.

The Careers Service has more information on graduate careers and part-time work available during your course.

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How the degree is taught

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

A range of teaching methods are used on the programme including lectures, seminars, role plays and student-led discussions.

Students are expected to engage in discussion and enter into significant preparation and self-motivated research to be able to contribute and share knowledge in sessions.

Assessment methods

Assessments are varied including essays, case studies, group projects, role plays, oral presentations, reflections and guides for performers and coaches.

All modules have a credit value of 20, except for the research project which has a credit value of 60. All modules are assessed by a variety of both written and oral forms of assessment. 

How the course is taught

Teaching takes place all day Monday and Wednesday mornings.

Qualifications available

In order to qualify for the Certificate, students will be required to achieve 60 credits and for the Diploma 120 credits. For the degree of Master of Science, students will be required to achieve 180 credits, 60 of which will be the Research project.

Facilities

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Fees and funding

Tuition fees

September 2023

  • Home: £10,500
  • International: £16,800

The tuition fees listed are for the duration of the course. Students will be charged for the modules undertaken per academic year. Module prices are calculated as a percentage of credits against the total credits and cost of the degree. Please see clause 5.15.2 of the Tuition Fee Regulations for further information.

Tuition fees are subject to an inflationary increase each year, meaning if your course runs over more than one academic year you may pay an increased fee per module for each subsequent year of study. Tuition fee increases for returning students will be capped at the higher of 5% per annum or the rate of Consumer Price Index inflation in the United Kingdom.

Alumni discount

A 10% tuition fee discount is available for our alumni (undergraduate and PGCE) planning to study this Master's degree. Those studying for a PGDip of PGCert are not eligible for the discount.

Funding

A non-refundable deposit of £200 is required for Home/EU students to confirm their place.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme. Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage

Teaching staff

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Further information

Previous dissertations

  1. The effects of time-constraints as a function of anxiety manipulations on basketball free-throws
  2. Context: A mediating variable in motivational climate perceptions and the coach-athlete relationship
  3. Can physical activity be used as a vehicle for post-traumatic growth?
  4. An investigation into the pre-performance routines of elite long jumpers
  5. Going pro: Exploring adult triathletes' transitions into elite sport
  6. Investigating the predictive nature of past performances and leadership on collective efficacy
  7. Team halo effect - Does it exist in the world of professional rugby?
  8. The practice of sport psychology: A youth coaches' perspective
  9. Boxing between coaches: A case study of a coach-athlete-coach triadic relationship
  10. Organisational stressors, coping strategies, and effectiveness in elite track and field coaches