Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc

What you'll study

The modules on our Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc are designed to advance your knowledge and understanding of human psychology and their relationship with sport performance and exercise participation.

Modules

This programme covers a wide range of topics; to give you a taster we have expanded on some of the core modules affiliated with this programme and the specific assessment methods associated with each module.

• Semester 1
• Semester 2

Semester 1

Introductory Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Introductory Qualitative and Quantitative Research

The aims of this module for the student are: (a) to gain a critical understanding and appreciation of the philosophical, ethical and stakeholder issues which underpin research, and how this affects research design; (b) be able to critically review and communicate how different research designs inform understanding in psychology, health and sport sciences; (c) to be able to create a clear and effective research proposal; (d) display an understanding of the importance of collaborative, team-based research; and (e) to be able to measure phenomena appropriately in accordance with research design.

Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity in Youth

Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity in Youth

The aim of this module is for the student to critically examine theory, research and practice in understanding and enhancing motivation, developmental, and interpersonal processes in youth sport and physical activity. The module includes such topic areas as: motivation theories: self-determination theory; hierarchical model; transcontextual model; achievement goal frameworks. Personal theories of ability, as well as fear of failure, social comparison processes and self-concept: big fish little pond effect and social physique anxiety.

Current Research in Performance Psychology and Management

Current Research in Performance Psychology and Management

The aims of this module are: (a) to provide an educational experience for students in the study of humans¿ mental and social processes and their relationship with fulfilling a specific task or function, (b) to advance students¿ knowledge and understanding of human psychology, management, and their relationship with sustained high performance, and (c) equip students to enter doctoral study of performance psychology and/or management. The module includes such topic areas as: performance psychology and management; research skills, organizational functioning and effectiveness; performance leadership and management; stress and emotion; psychological resilience; team resilience; adversarial growth; human thriving; psychosocial interventions.

Psychology of Exercise for Clinical Populations

Psychology of Exercise for Clinical Populations

The aim of this module is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the psychological principles that inform effective exercise promotion in clinical populations within community and healthcare settings. The module includes such topic areas as: Exercise is medicine; Psychological determinants and outcomes related to exercise in clinical populations (e.g. spinal cord injury, cancer, schizophrenia, eating disorders); Behaviour change interventions; Models of knowledge translation; Principles of implementation science; Evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence.

Semester 2

Mental Health in Sport and Exercise

Mental Health in Sport and Exercise

The aims of this module are to examine and translate evidence relating to mental health and exercise in athlete and other populations. The module includes such topic areas as: common mental disorders; evidence for exercise in preventing and managing mental health problems; mental health in athletes; translating evidence to practice; exercise promotion in mental health settings.

Professional Practice in Sport Psychology

Professional Practice in Sport Psychology

The aims of this module are: (a) to prepare students who are intending to pursue a professional qualification in sport psychology, and (b) to provide students with practical knowledge and skill development opportunities related to the practice of applied sport psychology. The module includes such topic areas as: professional philosophy and models of practice; gaining entry and sport specific psychological demands; psychological assessment methods in sport; ethical principles and dilemmas; intake interview and counselling skills; contemporary psychological strategies/techniques (e.g., hypnosis; imagery); professional practice with teams and individual cases; competency in workshop delivery; reflective practice.

The Psychology of the Coach-Athlete Relationship

The Psychology of the Coach-Athlete Relationship

The aims of this module are: (a) to provide students with theoretical underpinnings that revolve around the interpersonal dynamics between coaches and athletes and (b) to provide students with practical knowledge and skills that aim to improve the quality of the coach-athlete relationship, increase better communication and decrease potential interpersonal conflict. The module includes such topic areas as: models that examine coach-athlete interpersonal dynamics; 3+1 Cs model definitional, theoretical, operational and measurement issues; Determinants and outcomes of relationship quality; Communication and maintenance of relationships through the utilisation of such methods as relationship rules, empathy, the use of Repertory Grid, and COMPASS; Interpersonal Conflict; Education and Intervention; Ethical Issues.

Quantitative Research

Quantitative Research

The aims of this module are for the student: (a) to gain a critical understanding and appreciation of statistical theory and its application in psychology, sport, exercise and health sciences; and (b) to gain a working knowledge of common statistical procedures in psychology, sport, exercise and health sciences research.

Qualitative Research

Qualitative Research

The aims of this module are for the student: (a) to gain a critical understanding and appreciation of qualitative and interpretative methods in the sport sciences; (b) to be able to critically review and communicate how different qualitative research designs inform understanding in sport and exercise research; (c) to understand the process of guided inductive analysis and the representation of interpretative data; (d) to understand the importance of collaborative, triangulated, team-based research; and (e) to be able to measure phenomena appropriately in accordance with research design.

Research Project

Research Project

The aim of this module is for students to design, conduct and report an original research study of sport and exercise psychology-related phenomena

You will be assessed by a combination of coursework (including coursework assignments, presentations, portofolios, individual and team project reports) ) and examination(s).