12th in the UK
for the quality of teaching in the subject area Psychology.
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
Overview
Unlock the science behind peak performance with our BPS accredited BSc (Hons) Psychology (Sport and Exercise Studies) degree.
What you’ll learn
- Explore how motivation, mindset, and mental health influence athletic performance and physical activity.
- Examine the psychological processes that impact athletes, exercisers, and those wanting to be physically active.
- Develop practical skills in research and data analysis to investigate how people think, feel, and behave in sport and exercise settings.
- Dive into the psychology of winning, learn how to boost confidence and resilience, and study how to support people coming back from injuries and trauma.
- Apply your knowledge in real-life situations through case studies and research projects in sport and exercise psychology.
Taught by expert academics and active researchers, this course blends psychological theory with real-world sport and exercise practice.
What’s more, you’ll learn in our specialist psychology and sport labs using professional equipment, gaining hands-on experience from the start. You can also opt for a placement year to gain industry experience before graduating.
Whether you’re aiming to become a sport psychologist, work in health and fitness, or support mental wellbeing through exercise, this sports psychology degree will give you the practical skills and scientific understanding to thrive.
Accredited by the British Psychological Society
Our course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), ensuring quality standards. Accreditation from the British Psychological Society gives qualifying graduates the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. It allows graduates to pursue postgraduate vocational training in areas such as clinical, educational and health psychology.
British Psychological Society
Entry requirements
112
UCAS Tariff Points
Accepted qualifications
We accept a wide range of general qualifications that attract UCAS Tariff points either on their own or in combination with others. Below are some common examples.
| Qualification | Grades |
|---|---|
| A Levels | BBC |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access | 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits |
| International Baccalaureate | 29 Points |
The grades in this table provide an indication of what is required to study this course. If you have qualifications that are not present in the table or want to tell us more about you specific situation then please contact our friendly Course Enquiry Team.
Extra requirements
We require a GCSE level 4 or above in maths or equivalent (such as a GCSE in statistics).
Equivalent qualifcations may be accepted.
We do not require you to have taken Psychology at A-Level, although a background in the subject is always helpful.
Don’t meet these entry requirements?
If you do not meet these entry requirements, a foundation year is a great way of beginning your university journey. We recommend you speak to our Course Enquiries team who will advise on a route to study that fits you.
More information
Contact us
Module information
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
You will be taught through a combination of real and virtual lectures, seminars, practical sessions, labs, workshops and tutorials.
Seminars and tutorials in smaller groups will enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures and other sessions. In addition, you will meet with your personal academic tutor on a regular basis.
When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions you will continue learning through self-study. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for workshops, seminars, coursework and examinations.
Each module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before and/or after class to support your learning and development. Your allocated personal academic tutor will help you review your performance, and support your independent learning.
You will have access to your own IT lab, and all teaching is supported by online study skills material.
During the final year of study, the research project (dissertation), offers the opportunity to engage in an independent research programme where you will work under the supervision of a member of the academic staff who you will meet regularly.
This is a full-time course and so the expectation is that you will spend the equivalent of full-time working hours dedicated to it. However, the way you manage these hours is up to you. You will have scheduled sessions on campus (typically 14 hours per week) which you should prepare for and revise afterwards during your independent study time. In addition, there will be field trips, events, conferences, keynote talks and other activities you will be able to undertake. You will also be encouraged to think about extracurricular activities and volunteering to put what you have learnt into action and boost your employability.
The teaching team consists of highly qualified academics, supported by specialist professional services and skilled technical teams. They have a range of expertise and experience across the breadth of disciplines in Psychology, and Sport and Exercise Psychology.
The majority of staff hold the highest academic qualification (doctorate), with a small number of staff working towards achieving this standard. We have staff who are chartered psychologists with the British Psychological Society (BPS), registered sport psychologists with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and accredited sport scientists with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. As such, our staff have excellent understanding and first-hand experience of supervising students in becoming chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologists.
Finally, our staff are conducting internationally recognised research that is at the forefront sport and exercise psychology. They have substantial experience in delivering research led and research informed teaching that you will help students gain in-depth understanding of the relevant and timely topics that will be required after graduating.
The course covered multiple psychological techniques that can be used to help athletes improve their sport performance, such as imagery and self-talk. These techniques will not only assist me in helping athletes in sporting scenarios but will also be helpful for me in more general psychology situations.Emily IngramBSc (Hons) Psychology (Sport & Exercise) student
How you’ll be assessed
Assessment methods include a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, presentations, your final year project (dissertation) and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
Staff on the course frequently provide opportunities to test understanding of the subject informally before students complete the formal assessments that count towards their final mark.
Many modules contain practice or 'formative' assessments or similar submissions for which students receive feedback from their tutor. Formative or practice assessments and submissions are developmental and any grades received for these do not count towards the module mark.
The formal or 'summative' assessments on each module are planned to take account of two interdependent aspects - the acquisition of relevant theory / principles, and the development of both academic and practical skills.
Your future career
A degree in Psychology (Sport & Exercise Studies) gives you a vast number of employment and postgraduate study options. Careers in the health and well-being are clear, with many going into fitness and leisure industries. Sport coaching, teaching positions, or "athlete support personnel" roles are similar options that are underpinned by the skills developed within the course.
Graduates also often find employment in the caring professions, education, business and management, and other people focused occupations.
Studying Sport and Exercise Psychology at CCCU not only helped me become a teacher of PE but it also helped me become a subject specialist and I am now helping students find their own passion in sport psychology! I cannot recommend this course and staff highly enough - the best decision I have ever made. You will never watch sport the same way again!Laura GreenPsychology (Sport & Exercise) graduate
Related courses
Fees
Tuition Fees for 2026/27 have not yet been finalised. These course web pages will be updated with Tuition Fee information once they have been agreed.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Placement further information
The responsibility for finding, applying for and securing a placement ultimately rests with you. This is because if you make the initial investment in securing the role, you gain the most benefit at the end. However, the Psychology Team are on hand to help with your search and to find suitable placement roles to apply for.
The year-long placement is overseen by the academic lead for placements with mentor sessions for each student. Support is also available via the University Careers Team to develop your CV and covering letter, as well as help preparing for placement interviews.
Although a placement benefits you enormously, it is not guaranteed and if you are unsuccessful in securing a role you’ll continue on with the non-placement version of your course.
Industry links
The members of staff who will teach you on the course collaborate and have strong links with a number of local, national and international organisation, who can give you the insight and knowledge for a range of graduate careers. Examples include, the International Olympic Committee, the World Anti-Doping Agency, British Athletics, the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme and the Kent Football Association. Similarly, we have strong links with the NHS, Mind and Kent County Council and the team of staff has several connections with professionals and practitioners who can provide you with the tools and knowledge for building your own career in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
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Duration:
3 yearsUCAS code:
C813Location(s):
CanterburyAny questions?
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