BSc (Hons) Sport Psychology
- Entry year:
- 2026/27
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Campus:
- City
- UCAS Code:
- C890
Available in Clearing for 2026 entry
Visit our Clearing hub: You can call one of our helpful and friendly Clearing advisors on 0808 5 564 565 or complete our online application form.
Why study this course with LJMU?
- The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is ranked first in the North West and among the top 20 in the world for Sports Science (QS World University Rankings 2026)
- LJMU ranked in the top 20 universities in the UK for Sports Science (Complete University Guide Subject League Tables 2027)
- Accredited by the BPS
- 100% of students surveyed on this course said teaching staff were good at explaining things (NSS 2025)
- Taught by BPS Chartered Psychologists and Health and Care Professions Council Registered Practitioner Psychologists
- Study in state-of-the-art laboratories and teaching facilities
- Applied learning experiences led by experienced staff and guest speakers from the sector
- Includes a free, full-day applied event with invited practitioners from sport and exercise psychology, alumni and industry leaders
- Step one on the career path to becoming an HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist in Sport and Exercise
About your course
BSc (Hons) Sport Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University is professionally accredited by the British Psychological Society. The course offers exciting placement opportunities that are all, uniquely for the sector, both external and pre-sourced across a range of settings including schools, councils, local charities and sports clubs.
Sport and exercise psychologists are increasingly in demand to help improve performance by developing key psychological and perceptual-cognitive-motor skills. They can be found working with Olympic and Paralympic athletes and professional sports clubs, as well as in physical education or therapeutic professions. They also work with individuals with specific neurological conditions to help develop motor learning and control processes, plus aspects of social cognition.
The basis of the programme is to take the core psychological principles 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 practice. Moreover, a key component of the programme structure is to develop applied skills that will allow you to operate effectively in a wide range of contexts.
You will develop fundamental and principal skills in Levels 4 and 5, culminating in a core applied placement or work-based learning project and major project in Level 6. If you choose an applied placement, you may spend a proportion of your final year working with an external placement provider. In doing so, you will also develop transferable skills that are essential in most careers, such as critical evaluation and verbal and written presentations. For your major project, you will experience the research process through the safe and ethical planning, production, analysis and reporting of a piece of independent research.
Practice is an essential part of your studies, so you will have use of our 25 million state-of-the-art science laboratories and equipment, as well as opportunities to gain experience during your core placement.
Course modules
What you will study on this degree
This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the University’s approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.
Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.
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
Professional Practice in Sport Psychology 1
20 credits
20 credits
This module offers students an introduction to the history, philosophies, and paradigms of sport and exercise psychology. It also familiarizes them with the profession's training requirements and outlines pathways for development within organizations like the BPS Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology and BASES SEPAR. Furthermore, it delves into contemporary issues, techniques used by sport and exercise psychologists, and ethical and diversity considerations in the field, promoting self-awareness of career-relevant knowledge and skills.
Introduction to Developmental Psychology and Individual Differences
20 credits
20 credits
This module covers various topics in developmental psychology and individual differences research. It introduces research methods used to investigate these areas and equips students with the skills to summarise relevant sources and explain key issues in developmental psychology and individual differences research.
Introduction to Cognitive and Biological Psychology
20 credits
20 credits
This module explores theories and processes in cognitive and biological psychology. It includes studying the neuroanatomy and components of the nervous system and gaining an understanding of the behavioural and neuroscientific evidence that underpins cognitive and biological psychology.
Psychosocial Principles of Sport and Exercise
20 credits
20 credits
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the psychosocial concepts that underpin the sport and exercise environment.
Core modules
Professional Practice in Sport Psychology 2
20 credits
20 credits
This module explores psychological techniques in sport and exercise psychology, focusing on needs analysis and interventions. It covers psychological skills training and emphasizes client understanding, intervention design, and professional development, including relevant knowledge and skills.
Advances in Cognitive and Biological Psychology
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to connect original research data and modern theories in cognitive and biological psychology. It explores cutting-edge experimental techniques tailored to these fields and encourages critical reflection on the utility and scientific rigor of benchmark methods and study paradigms in cognitive and biological psychology.
Developmental and Social Psychology
20 credits
20 credits
This module explores how developmental and social psychology influence group behaviour and individual differences. It covers key areas in human development, individual differences, and social self-concepts, including developmental disorders, self and identity, gender, personality, and group dynamics like close relationships and prejudice.
Research Methods 2
20 credits
20 credits
This module will enhance your understanding of the research process and related methodological approaches, whilst also developing your knowledge, skills and to complete investigations involving data collection, analysis and interpretation.
Sport and Performance Psychology
20 credits
20 credits
This module will develop your ability to evaluate psychological principles associated with sport performance, motor control and learning, considering individual (e.g., personality) and environmental (e.g., culture) factors.
Optional modules
Study Year Abroad - Applied Sport Psychology
120 credits
120 credits
Core modules
Professional Practice in Sport Psychology 3
20 credits
20 credits
This module prepares you for your work-based learning opportunity by focusing on developing your skills in planning, preparing, initiating and reflecting on applied sport and exercise psychology practice with clients. It covers legal requirements, personal conduct, teamwork in project settings and the necessary skills for practice in this field.
Applied Motor Behaviour
20 credits
20 credits
This module will provide you with a critical understanding of contemporary issues in motor behaviour, and the ability to synthesise and apply findings to sport, exercise and health settings.
Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology Placement
20 credits
20 credits
This module focuses on applying theoretical knowledge and practical skills in sport and exercise psychology through group placements and supervision. It involves group work, creating practical products or services, and practicing reflection. Structured around group learning agreements, placement activities, and supervision tutorials, the module includes assessments and interaction with experienced practitioners.
Professional accreditation
The programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and confers eligibility for graduate membership of the BPS and the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). To be eligible for Chartered Membership via your undergraduate degree you must have achieved at least a 2:2 award.
LJMU is a member of ASET, the UK’s leading authority on work-based and placement learning (WBPL). This membership reflects our commitment to providing students with high-quality WBPL experiences that are well-supported and aligned with best practice guidelines.
Your Learning Experience
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
Teaching is via formal lectures (including guest lectures from sport psychologists working in industry), seminars, online activities and tutorials, plus fieldwork and laboratory sessions.
Web-based content is also available through our virtual learning environment Canvas. Seminars and tutorials give you the chance to go over material covered in lectures in the form of group discussions, presentations, worked examples or practical demonstrations, while fieldwork and laboratory sessions help you develop your applied skills.
Work-related learning
Application of theory to practice is a vital element of this course and this can significantly enhance your professional development and career prospects. You will not only spend time doing practical laboratory work, but will also participate in applied sport and exercise psychology learning opportunities in your final year to explore typical sport and exercise psychology careers and practice.
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
Throughout your degree you will have the support of a personal tutor, to discuss your coursework planning, assessment feedback and any other course-related issues. Your personal tutor will also give you one-to-one feedback on your exam performance and advice on areas for improvement. Additional support is provided when you come to write your research dissertation in the final year. You will also work with your personal tutor in small groups to develop study skills essential for the sport psychology programme.
The school is fully committed to promoting a learning environment that supports a culture of equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) and has a Disability Support Coordinator, an EDI Coordinator and a School EDI Working Group. Personal Tutors also play a vital role in promoting awareness of support services for students.
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
All students perform differently depending on how they are assessed, which is why we use a combination of assessment methods. These include:
- written assignments (essays, brief response questions)
- exams (seen and unseen)
- practical work
- portfolios (including e-portfolios)
- presentations (group and individual)
- and reflective practice/diaries
You will then complete an independent research dissertation supervised by one of your tutors in your final year. You will be given plenty of help with planning your workload as a full assessment schedule is provided at the start of each academic year.
Feedback on all coursework is provided within three weeks of submitting it and may be given via Canvas (our virtual learning environment), face-to-face and/or in writing. You can always arrange one-to-one sessions with your tutors to discuss or clarify issues related to feedback as well. We believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work.
Where you will study
You will study in Liverpool city centre at our City Campus. Our sport and exercise sciences facilities are world-leading and feature state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for our current and future sport scientists. The City Campus Library is within easy walking distance and here you'll find all the information you need to support your studies.
On my placement I had the opportunity to work with children with autism and trampolining, supporting the children and parents to enjoy the exercise sessions. This was an opportunity to help me to grow as a trainee sport and exercise psychologist.
Career paths
LJMU is one of a limited number of UK universities to provide a complete training route to become a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered Practitioner Psychologist in Sport and Exercise.
The demand for high-quality science graduates continues to increase. This course puts you on the pathway for a career in sport and exercise psychology. Further training is required after a degree in BSc (Hons) Sport Psychology in order to become an HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist in Sport and Exercise. This involves completing a postgraduate qualification, such as an accredited masters in sport psychology and a period of supervised practice. A British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited and Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES) endorsed MSc Sport Psychology can be undertaken at LJMU. The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences also offers a BPS accredited and HCPC approved Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology, which will enable students to complete their training at LJMU.
This course will also enable you to pursue further professional, postgraduate training pathways into a career as a clinical, educational, occupational, forensic or health psychologist, or in wider allied health professions. Alternatively, you can pursue further study at PGCE, masters or PhD level. With your BPS Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), you will be eligible to apply for other psychology MSc programmes, such as Health Psychology, Clinical Psychology or Educational Psychology.
Find out more about career opportunities in sport and exercise sciences.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.
Tuition fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students beginning their studies in September 2026 will be £9,790 for the 2026/27 academic year, subject to Parliamentary approval.
In England and Wales, tuition fees for home undergraduate students are set in accordance with the Government’s regulated fee cap. The Government has confirmed that this cap will be £9,790 for 2026/27 and £10,050 for 2027/28, in both cases subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Government has also indicated that from the 2028/29 academic year onwards, the fee cap may be adjusted annually in line with inflation. As a result, tuition fees in future years may increase in line with inflation. We will provide confirmation of any changes as early as possible in advance of each academic year.
The university reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament.
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 Wi-Fi.
Financial Support
The University offers a range of scholarships to support students through their studies. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist funding 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 including those for placements, visas and travel for studying abroad and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
A DBS check is not required for your application, however a DBS may be required for modules where there is a work based learning placement option. Work based learning placements that do not require a DBS check are available.
Applying via Clearing
Minimum UCAS points required:
For the latest entry requirements, complete our Clearing Application Form or call our Clearing hotline on 0808 5 564 565.
You can find out a wealth of useful information and support with the Clearing process on our Clearing webpages.
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