BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology

Summary 2012/13

• Join a Psychology department ranked top in the North West for overall student satisfaction (National Student Survey, 2011);
• Study a degree accredited by the British Psychological Society;
• Explore cutting edge psychological theory and research surrounding sport performance, exercise participation and adherence;
• Gain a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of psychology - the scientific study of mind and behaviour - and focus on the application of psychology in sport and exercise settings;
• Study motivation, elite sport performance and the influence of exercise on psychological wellbeing.

Interest in sport and exercise psychology continues to grow and the discipline is currently one of the fastest developing areas of psychology.

This course will provide you with the opportunity to explore how psychological science explains sport and exercise behaviours and how we can use this to help develop athletes and exercisers. It capitalises on the expertise and resources at Edge Hill University in the Department of Psychology and the Department of Sport and Physical Activity, providing a unique studying experience.

2012 Entry Requirements

280 UCAS tariff points overall.

Details

Who is this course for?

If you have a strong interest in sport, exercise and physical activity and would like to advance your understanding of behaviours in these settings, then this is the programme for you.

What will I gain from this programme?

This programme lets you explore psychological theory and research addressing sport and exercise behaviours. Specifically, you will look at issues such as elite sport performance, motivation, exercise adherence and the influence of exercise on psychological wellbeing. You will also gain experience and understanding of the application of psychology in sport and exercise settings.

Questions which will be addressed include what motivates elite athletes, how do athletes go through the pain barrier, why do people exercise and why do people not exercise, and what are the psychological benefits of being physically fit and active?

In addition, the programme will provide you with training in the core areas of psychology, including the development of research skills and the opportunity to develop a wide range of transferable skills including data handling and analysis, presentations and IT literacy.

How we will support you

You will be provided with a personal tutor to monitor and support your progress throughout your time at Edge Hill University. The first year of the degree includes a programme of academic development, providing guidance on academic reading and writing, critical thinking skills and using library resources.

What will I study?

In Year 1, you will study the basic theories and concepts in psychology and receive an introduction to the methods of conducting psychological research. Key concepts and theories of Sport and Exercise Psychology will be introduced and explored and you will also learn a range of personal and academic skills required in higher education.

Year 2 covers the core areas of psychology in detail, including further research training and an examination of the research and theory of psychology in sport and exercise settings. Specifically, students will address topics such as the psychology of elite sports performance, the development of athletes and skills, exercise participation and its psychological benefits and physical activity and health behaviours.

In Year 3, the course focuses on the application of psychology in sport and exercise settings. In addition, you will undertake a piece of research in either a sport or exercise psychology area, submitted as a dissertation. There is also the opportunity to explore the application of sport and exercise psychology through practical experience in sport and/or exercise settings.

How will I study?

The programme uses a variety of teaching methods, from traditional lectures to tutorials, seminars and workshops. Project work allows for the development of ideas and skills in investigating psychological issues while impressive laboratory facilities enable practical activities and student research projects. The equipment available can be used for assessing eye movements, reaction time, decision making, force production, muscular endurance, fitness and more. There is a wide range of IT facilities, including spreadsheet and statistical packages, internet access, electronic journals and abstract databases.

Who will be teaching me?

The Sport and Exercise Psychology team are highly experienced and enthusiastic with a real commitment to teaching, research and consultancy in sport and exercise settings. The team is made up of British Psychological Society (BPS) Chartered Psychologists and Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologists, as well as accredited British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) psychology practitioners.

As a team we are dynamic, friendly and supportive of individual student's needs. Staff are actively involved in research and consultancy projects that influence the development of sport and exercise psychology and directly feed into your degree, continually updating the experience you receive.

How will I be assessed?

Work will be assessed through a variety of approaches including examinations, coursework, lab reports, essays, presentations and a final year dissertation.

What are my career prospects?

A degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology is ideal preparation for a career in Sport and Exercise Psychology, as well as the many other careers in psychology such as clinical, health or forensic. Additionally, through the development of analytical, practical and personal skills, graduates from this subject are attractive to many prospective graduate employers in a range of areas. Postgraduate study, and the undertaking of research opportunities, may also be followed.

Professional Accreditation

This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), provided the minimum standard of a lower second class honours is achieved. This is the first step towards becoming a chartered psychologist.

Students must recognise that completion of this degree does not confer qualification to practice as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist without further training through postgraduate education and supervised practice.

Further study at Edge Hill University

• MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science
• MSc Psychology

In addition, there are opportunities for students wishing to pursue further research within sport and exercise psychology through registration for higher degrees (eg MPhil or PhD).

Related Programmes

• BSc (Hons) Educational Psychology
• BSc (Hons) Health Psychology
• BSc (Hons) Psychology

A Great Study Environment

Based in 160 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the Ormskirk Campus is a unique and inspirational place to study. Industry standard resources and cutting edge technology combine to make an interactive and highly advanced teaching and learning environment. Everything you could want is on one site with 25 acres of sport and leisure facilities, more than 1,000 rooms in halls of residence and fantastic modern spaces in which you can study and socialise.

The University library gives you access to thousands of books, journals, online resources and extensive PC and media provision. You'll get all the support you need to succeed, reflected in Edge Hill University being ranked in the top two in England for students' personal development, and the top three in the country for assessment and feedback, in the 2011 National Student Survey. The University is also featured in the top four in England for graduate employment.

How do I apply?

Apply online through UCAS at www.ucas.ac.uk.

See our How to Apply pages for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria.

Fees and Finance

For academic year 2012/13, Edge Hill University will charge £9,000 for full-time BA, BSc and LLB degrees. Eligible students will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000.

Eligible full-time students can also apply for a maintenance grant, subject to household income, and a non-means-tested loan to help with living costs.

Edge Hill University offers a range of scholarships for prospective full-time students. These include £2,000 Entrance Scholarships rewarding determination, commitment and achievement in creative arts, performing arts, sport and volunteering. Eligible entrants with outstanding grades are recognised through the £1,000 High Achievers Scholarship.

The University will also be offering awards, worth £3,000 in cash benefits and fee/accommodation waivers for academic year 2012/13, to eligible prospective full-time students through the National Scholarship Programme.

For more information on scholarships, including eligibility criteria for each award, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships.

To find out more about fees, grants and loans for academic year 2012/13, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/undergradfees2012.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only. International students should check the fees and finance information at www.edgehill.ac.uk/internationalfees2012.

Not got the entry requirements?

Students returning to education may present their previous experience in work (paid or unpaid) to support their application.

Students with relevant study through either a professional body or appropriate academic course can apply to join the programme at an advanced stage.

For personalised advice based on your circumstances, please contact us or come to an event.

Where can I find out more?

If you would like to receive a copy of our prospectus or be kept updated about forthcoming events, contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team by emailing study@edgehill.ac.uk or calling 01695 657000.

If you want to attend one of our open events held throughout the year, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays to book your place.

You will also find Edge Hill University staff at many national careers fairs and UCAS events.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course, please contact Dr David Marchant on 01695 584871 or email David.Marchant@edgehill.ac.uk.

Overseas students should visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/international or email international@edgehill.ac.uk for further information.

Modules

Year 1

PSY1111 Introduction to Personality, Social and Developmental Psychology will familiarise you with the approaches and concepts central to the study of behaviour. The module explores the historical and theoretical concepts of personality and individual differences, social cognition and social and cognitive development.

PSY1112 Introduction to Cognitive and Biological Psychology considers the processes underlying behaviour (such as perception, sensation and memory) and how human beings are embedded in their world (e.g. by way of their shared biology and learned knowledge). In this way, the module aims to equip you with a broad understanding of basic theories and concepts and a range of interrelated approaches towards the psychological study of human behaviour.

PSY1113 Investigating Psychology provides background and training in the skills necessary to plan, conduct, analyse and report psychological research. You will receive training, support and practice in the use of SPSS software to conduct psychological research and learn the skills necessary to produce descriptive and inferential statistics, providing the building blocks for the more advanced research methods encountered later in the programme.

SPT1423 Introducing Sport and Exercise Psychology introduces you to the discipline of sport and exercise psychology. It aims to cover key concepts and theories, and introduces basic psychological measures. Key topics include an overview of psychological theories and perspectives, personality and motivational theory, emotions in sport, and basic measurement methods and tools.

PSY1108 Essential Skills in Psychology develops a range of academic, personal and interpersonal skills designed to enhance your potential both within and beyond university. The focus is on harnessing key undergraduate skills such as academic reading, writing and critique, group working, finding and presenting information, time management, self-awareness and reflection, and applying them in the context of the degree subject. The module takes a holistic approach to applications of theory.

Year 2

PSY2112 Developmental Psychology addresses the processes involved in key aspects of human development and their relevant applications in real world settings. It will focus mainly (though not exclusively) on development in childhood including areas such as cognition, memory, language, emotional, and social development. Emphasis will be placed on the evaluation of key theories and psychological research that have informed our understanding of development in these areas.

PSY2113 Social Psychology reveals the extent to which social influences and interactions are pervasive in affecting individual behaviour, while also considering how the actions of an individual in turn affect other individuals and groups. You will develop an awareness of the relationship between person and situation and examine how this dynamic relationship both influences, and is crucial to, the understanding of behaviour.

PSY2114 Cognitive Psychology will examine both classic and contemporary research that has led to the development of theories regarding how attention, perception and memory all function. The module will also examine how each of these components interact during everyday tasks. You will consider how thinking, language and emotion enable us to reason about, and interact meaningfully with, the external world, gaining an understanding of the processes used to communicate, comprehend, and use information and knowledge.

PSY2115 Biological Psychology studies the human nervous system, including its structure and functioning. There will be a particular focus upon the brain. You will learn in detail the processes by which messages are passed through the system and the way the brain interacts with the hormones of the endocrine system in order to preserve life. The methods by which the brain is commonly researched will also be explored in order to provide a basis for understanding much current research and theorising in psychology.

PSY2116 Research Methods and Data Analysis provides you with the skills necessary to design, execute and report your own research. A particular emphasis is placed on data analysis: quantitative techniques (analysis of variance and regression) and qualitative techniques (grounded theory and phenomenological analysis). These data analysis skills will be essential for carrying out dissertations and are also highly valued by employers.

SPT2423 Psychology of Sport and Exercise provides a theoretical understanding of sport and exercise psychology principles. The module will evaluate psychological theory in sport and exercise, and assess the influence of psychology on performance and participation respectively. You will also gain practical experience of laboratory and/or field-based activities within the discipline and develop an insightful understanding of the underpinning psychological theories and concepts in both sport and exercise settings. Small research projects will allow core theories and issues to be investigated.

Year 3

SPT3200 Dissertation allows you to engage in an in-depth independent research project specialising in an area of sport and exercise psychology of particular interest. You will have the opportunity to identify a research question, conduct a relevant literature search, generate and test hypotheses, write up your results and discuss their implications. While you will be developing your skills at working as an independent researcher, you will also receive supervision and guidance from one of the psychology tutors.

PSY3105 Mind, Body and Consciousness considers the constraints and contributions that have been supplied by psychological research, with particular emphasis on the relationship between body, mind and world and the nature of consciousness. In doing this, the module focuses on research problems that exemplify historical constraints in psychology (e.g. consciousness, emotion and embodiment). By critically evaluating the subject-method relationship and the constraints on a successful psychology of how mind, body and behaviour relate, this module empowers you to reason about current directions in psychological science. PSY3129 Personality and Individual Differences is a module designed to develop your appreciation of individual differences in the study of human behaviour. In particular, the module will examine how individual differences interact in almost every example of psychological research with experimental or situational paradigms to produce results differing profoundly for individuals of different personalities, different capacities and different motivations.

SPT3425 Applied Exercise Psychology offers you an opportunity to review, consolidate, extend and apply knowledge of exercise and health psychology theory. The focus of the module is on how exercise and physical activity participation can be encouraged and maintained. Levels of intervention will be addressed, giving due consideration to how strategies and theories can be matched to appropriate populations.

SPT3427 Sport and Exercise Psychology in Practice represents the opportunity to explore psychological issues and theories in sport and/or exercise settings. Using experience gained within a sport and/or exercise setting, you will assess the evidence underpinning the practices and behaviours observed or delivered. You will evaluate and reflect on how psychological theory, research and practical competencies are applied in sport and/or exercise settings, and how psychological theory can improve practice in such settings.

SPT3242 Applied Sport Psychology offers you an opportunity to study the application of the theory of sport psychology. You will review, consolidate, extend and apply knowledge of sport psychology theory through a problem-based learning approach. This module will examine the application of psychological skills training (PST) intervention strategies and other psychological approaches in order to maximise sporting performance and support athlete wellbeing.