Sports psychologists are increasingly in demand to help improve performance by developing key psychological and perceptual-cognitive-motor skills in a wide range of people involved in sport – from professional clubs and athletes through to schools.
They can be found working with elite and Paralympic athletes and professional sports clubs, as well as in physical education or therapeutic professions. They also work with individuals with specific neurological differences to help develop motor learning and control processes, plus aspects of social cognition.
The basis of applied sport psychology is to take the core psychological principles that underpin sport and apply them to real scenarios in professional sport, exercise, and physical activity settings plus areas such as physical education or therapeutic professions.
On this course you will develop scientific research skills, theoretical knowledge, and skills in reporting empirical findings so that you will be able to carry out research projects based on real sports practice. Moreover, a key component of the programme structure is to develop applied skills that will allow you to operate effectively in the sporting context.
You will develop fundamental and principal skills in Levels 4 and 5, culminating in an applied placement in Level 6, where you will spend a proportion of your final year working with professional athletes or clubs. In doing so, you will also develop transferable skills that are essential in most careers, such as critical evaluation and verbal and written presentations.
Practice is an essential part of your studies, so you will have regular use of our £25million state-of-the-art science laboratories and equipment, as well as opportunities to gain experience during your placement at a number of professional sports organisations.
