About this course
Complete a BPS-accredited Masters in Sport Psychology at LJMU under the guidance of world-leading academic staff who carry out internationally recognised research.
- This programme is British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited for applicants with Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) and offers a route into Stage Two training to become an HCPC Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist
- It is one of the first courses to be endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) SEPAR Endorsement Scheme (PSES)
- Completion enables you to proceed onto LJMU's Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology, the British Psychological Society's Stage 2 training programme, or the British Association for Sport and Exercise Science's SEPAR training programme — all of which make you eligible to register as a sport and exercise psychologist
- Benefit from high levels of academic and pastoral support and access to world-class facilities in the award-winning Tom Reilly Building
- Look forward to excellent vocational opportunities, including a professional practice placement in a sport or exercise setting
- The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is ranked 6th for Sports Science (QS World University Rankings 2024)
The School of Sport and Exercise Science has been delivering this programme for over 20 years, yet we keep our course design current so that you can apply the most relevant theory and research within your practice. We have a strong ethos of theory and applied knowledge, and it is this practice-based learning that we instil in our postgraduates — a style of knowledge transfer that no other BPS accredited course offers.
The programme philosophy seeks to critically engage you with a broad spectrum of Sport Psychology perspectives, drawing on a range of research and applied methodologies. Founded on an academically rigorous knowledge base, studies focus on the impact that research and psychological theory has on applied practice.
Our academic team members have been selected for their specialist expertise, and you will be taught by these experts in performance enhancement. As a postgraduate on this programme, you will experience a rich and highly relevant education and be able to grow as a sport and exercise psychology professional in this elite environment of thought-leaders from the field of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Our commitment to your ability to support the performance, development and welfare of sportspeople remains our primary focus. You will develop consultancy skills and the knowledge to counsel sportspeople. The results of your work, and the effect it will have on an athlete's physical and psychological development, will become one of your key outcomes.
Go on a tour of the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Find out more about studying MSc Sport Psychology
Find out more about studying MSc Sport Psychology
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules and a research project as detailed below.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Personal Effectiveness as a Senior Professional
10 credits
10 credits
This module is an integrated and holistic part of the first year of the programme and seeks to facilitate personal and professional growth, acting as a catalyst for reflection on learning from other first year modules and the wider aspects of the programme.
This module aims to explore the concept of senior professional practice through a personal, professional and organisational lens. Learners will be introduced to, and draw upon, theoretical perspectives to illustrate the complexity of leadership within different sectors. As a result, learners will locate and challenge both personal and professional constructs of a senior people professional and their own identity.
Work and Working Lives in a Changing Business Environment
20 credits
20 credits
Learners will critically investigate the developments in ethical leadership, management and practice in a continuously evolving business context. Learners will critique a wide range of literature which explores the future world of work which includes the advancement in technology, sociodemographic changes, political and economic impact and influences and evolving employment legislation. Learners will also explore the role of values, behaviours and organisational citizenship and how this can drive business effectiveness and performance.
The Future of Work
10 credits
10 credits
This module will introduce learners to contemporary changes in the world of work by interrogating how interventions have changed the meaning of work, what new forms of work and employment relations have emerged, and the economic, social and ethical implications. In doing so, learners will also have an opportunity to consider financial aspects of the world of work from an organisational position.
People Management and Development Strategies for Performance
20 credits
20 credits
The module aims to explores how people professionals create value and deliver outcomes for organisations and employees, and how contributing to the achievement of business objectives improves performance and enhances the employee experience.
Applied Business Research
10 credits
10 credits
This is a year long module designed to allow learners to develop learner skills to research a real-life workplace problem whilst gathering appropriate evidence. Learners will learn the research process through participating in workshops and conducting online exercises. Learners will work on a real research problem that will develop their skills in designing and implementing quantitative and qualitative research projects. During this module, a systematic knowledge of change management will be deployed to allow learners to consider organisational change. In addition, the module prepares learners for professional enquiry, by enabling them to independently conduct a research project utilising quantitative and/or qualitative methods. When considering future practice, learners will be encouraged to reflect on planning for sustainability.
Strategy Implementation
20 credits
20 credits
This is a specialist module on the programme for the Organisational Development pathway and will build upon previous learning, analysing and evaluating organisational strategy to provide solutions to meet Organisational Development needs. In addition the module will have a strong focus on approaches and tools to inform Organisational Development strategy development.
Organisational Design & Process Improvement
10 credits
10 credits
This module will enable learners to:
- Critically evaluate models of organisational design to facilitate efficient workflow that promotes collaborative working across functions.
- Critically analyse process improvement methodologies that support organisational effectiveness and performance.
This module is a specialist module on the SPPA/MSc programme for the Organisational Development pathway. The module will build upon previous Organisational Development learning and will develop learners' capabilities in organisational design and process improvement.
Culture Change
20 credits
20 credits
This is a specialist module on the programme for the Organisation Development (OD) pathway. The module will build upon previous OD learning and will put practice OD interventions utilising diagnostic and dialogic tools and techniques. In addition the module will have a strong focus on analysing and evaluating organisational culture.
Professional Enquiry
60 credits
60 credits
Based on the research proposal submitted for the applied business research module, the first element of this module focusses on developing ability to produce a literature review that critically analyses key publications and other evidence to underpin the research questions. This is followed by the professional inquiry which enables a systematic approach to define, design and undertake a business approach project in people management/organisational development/learning and development practice. This module addresses the significance of capturing robust quantitative and qualitative evidence to inform meaningful insight to influence critical thinking. It focusses on analysing evidence through an ethical lens to improve decision-making and how measuring the impact of practice is essential in creating value.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
Semester 1: 1 x 20 credit module running on Tuesday and 1x40 credit module running on Wednesday
Semester 2: 1 x 20 credit module running on Tuesday and 1x40 credit module running on Wednesday
Year-long: 1 x 60 credit research project with submission deadline of last working day in July
Teaching methods
We offer you a fantastic and supportive environment in which to study a sport and exercise science-related postgraduate course. You will develop consultancy skills and the knowledge to counsel sportspersons. The results of your work, and the effect it will have on an athletes physical and conscious development, will become one of your key outcomes.
Applied learning
Studies focus on the impact that research and psychological theory has on applied practice. We pride ourselves on our long standing status as a preferred training route and we welcome applications from ambitious sports scientists keen to ultimately contribute to our portfolio of experience and produce their own research grounded in the real world.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
The programme is designed to train sports psychologists in how to successfully improve performance, the mind/body connection and the wellbeing of elite sportspersons. Assessment methods for this course include: essays, oral presentations, consultancy reports, a research proposal and ethics application, research papers and a viva.
Where you will study
This programme is based in the City Campus. LJMU has invested £35 million in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for our current and future sport scientists. All of our labs are furnished with the latest equipment which enables us to work with our students and partners to enhance our understanding of the science behind human performance and behaviour.
Course tutors
Professor Butt gained her MSc and PhD from Miami University, Ohio in the USA. Before joining LJMU, she worked at Sheffield Hallam University in the Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences. Professor Butt has spent a significant portion of her career working in elite sport as a sport psychologist, including a secondment as Head of Performance Psychology for the English Institute of Sport and an assignment at the London 2012 Olympic Games. She is currently working with individual performers in golf and tennis. Professor Butt also works for the British Equestrian Federation as a practitioner and as part of their youth coach development programme. Her research interests include: key psychological constructs that impact on athletes performance; the factors influencing athlete development; and understanding how athletes can continue to thrive in pressure environments. Professor Butt has published over 50 journal articles and continues to take a research-informing practice approach to her work and teaching.
I enjoy helping our students at LJMU develop on their journey towards becoming a sport psychologist and sharing my research and consultancy experiences along the way. I particularly enjoy leading our Applied Sport Psychology research group as part of the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences (RISES)
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
The integrated and critical nature of the programme promotes qualities and skills relevant to employability within the sport psychology field and many career opportunities are open to you on graduation. Many graduates continue their training to become registered sport and exercise psychologists. They go into applied work, teaching and lecturing in schools, colleges and universities or continue their studies with a doctoral research/training programme. Some graduates have engaged in sports science support and/or athlete support programmes with national governing bodies and professional sports clubs or acted as consultants in professional sport settings.
A large number of graduates continue in education, research or applied work, including BPS Stage 2 training, such as the Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University. Some go into teaching and lecturing in schools, colleges and universities.
Past graduates have engaged in sports science support and/or athlete support programmes with national governing bodies and professional sports clubs or acted as consultants in professional sport settings.
Tuition fees and funding
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
GCSEs and equivalents
Maths and English
Further information
-
Extra Requirements
Mature entry
The programme team has a strong commitment to widening participation and positively welcomes non-standard applicants. Candidates with some management experience or those who are about to enter a managerial role and have demonstrated an aptitude for study can be accepted without previous experience of higher education.
-
RPL
In line with the UK Quality Code (2018) fairness and reliability are embedded principles within admissions and recruitment, and inclusivity pervades throughout the process from outreach activity to processes and practices to enrolment.
Recognition of prior learning for apprenticeship applications to the programme will be in alignment with the present LJMU Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Policy acknowledging:
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL)
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
Your university life
From accommodation and academic support to clubs and societies. Find out what LJMU has to offer.
Related Links
Talk to our students
Connect with a current LJMU student for advice and guidance on university life, courses and more.
See what our students are saying
At LJMU we want you to know you’re making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:
News and views
Browse through the latest news and stories from the university
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.