Overview
Course In Depth
Modules
Entry Criteria
Careers and Employability
Finance
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Overview
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UCAS Code: | C813 |
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Course Length: | 3 Years Full-Time |
Start Dates: | September 2021 |
Subjects: | Psychology Sport and Physical Activity |
Location: | Edge Hill University |
Example Offers: | BCC-BBC (A Level) or DMM (BTEC) View full entry criteria |

Psychology is increasingly used by elite athletes in pursuit of the marginal gains that will propel them over the winning line. However, winning isn’t everything, so research also focuses on how psychology can promote engagement and motivation in non-elite physical activity. This degree, accredited by the British Psychological Society, is an innovative collaboration between the departments of Psychology and Sport and Physical Activity. It explores the science of mind and behaviour, equipping you with an understanding of the principles of psychology, including cognitive, developmental, physiological and social psychology. You will explore how psychological science explains performance and engagement in sport and exercise and discover how this can be used to help develop athletes and promote physical activity. You will study what motivates athletes and exercisers, how to support and develop elite sport performers, and the influence of exercise on psychological wellbeing.
Student and Alumni Profiles
Discover Uni: Full-Time Study
In Depth
What will I study?
Year 1 begins with the study of cognitive and biological psychology, exploring the relationship between brain and behaviour, perception, memory and intelligence. The course then progresses onto aspects of social and developmental psychology, personality and individual differences. There is an opportunity to develop academic, personal and interpersonal skills in a specially designed module called Essential Skills in Applied Psychology. Emphasis includes student personal development, career aspirations and employability. You will also be introduced to the research methods and data analysis that underpin psychological science. There are two additional sport-focused modules on which you will discover key concepts in sport and exercise psychology and explore both the structure and function of various physiological systems.
In Year 2 you will study four major interrelated areas of psychology (social, developmental, biological and cognitive) helping to develop a critical awareness, improve interpersonal and social skills and understand human behaviour. More advanced research methods will be introduced where you will work as part of a group conducting qualitative and quantitative research. Continuing the exploration of sport and exercise psychology, on one sport-focused module you will address topics within the learning of sports skills, sport performance, and exercise participation and its psychological benefits.
In Year 3 the course focuses on the application of psychology in sport and exercise settings with an emphasis on real-world challenges. Three sport-focused modules explore how psychological principles can be trained to enhance the learning and performance of movements, how psychological skills training can help support and develop athletes, and how physical activity and exercise behaviours can be changed and maintained. You will also study personality and individual differences, benefit from a dedicated employability module, and undertake a piece of individual research submitted as a dissertation within an area of sport and/or exercise psychology.
How will I study?
Two thirds of this degree will be spent in the Department of Psychology, with one third being spent in the Department of Sport and Physical Activity. Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. Our dedicated sport and exercise science laboratories allow hands-on exploration of human movement and performance in sport and exercise through class activities and student-directed research projects. There is a wide range of IT facilities, including experiment generation and statistical packages.
How will I be assessed?
Most modules are assessed through a mixture of examination and coursework, although some are assessed solely by coursework. Assignments may be traditional essays and literature reviews, research project reports, case studies and oral presentations. In Year 3, you will complete your dissertation project.
Who will be teaching me?
You will be taught by highly experienced and enthusiastic tutors 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 your needs.
A Great Study Environment
The £6m Law and Psychology building provides contemporary teaching and learning facilities for students in the Department of Psychology and the Department of Law and Criminology.
The three-storey building includes a 250-seat lecture theatre, seminar and tutorial rooms, and social learning areas which encourage a more informal and interactive style of learning. There are also specially designed experimental facilities for psychological research.
Psychology resources include state-of-the-art eye trackers, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) methods, and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for examining cognitive functioning and brain activity. Other specialist laboratories include a group testing laboratory, two bi-directional observation rooms, a ‘bar simulation laboratory’ (for alcohol research), audio-visual suites and dedicated IT facilities equipped with subject specific software installed to support experimental work.
Modules
Expand AllYear 1
PSY1109Essential Skills in Applied Psychology (20 credits)
PSY1111Introduction to Personality, Social and Developmental Psychology (20 credits)
PSY1112Introduction to Cognitive and Biological Psychology (20 credits)
PSY1116Investigating Methods in Psychology (20 credits)
SPT1430Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Physiology and Nutrition (20 credits)
SPT1434Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 credits)
Year 2
PSY2112Developmental Psychology (20 credits)
PSY2113Social Psychology (20 credits)
PSY2114Cognitive Psychology (20 credits)
PSY2115Biological Psychology (20 credits)
PSY2116Research Methods and Data Analysis (20 credits)
SPT2434Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 credits)
Year 3
PSY3129Personality and Individual Differences (20 credits)
PSY3135Dissertation (30 credits)
PSY3136Reflections and Future Directions (10 credits)
SPT3434Applied Sports Psychology (20 credits)
SPT3435Applied Exercise Psychology (20 credits)
SPT3436Applied Skill Acquisition in Sport (20 credits)
Timetables
Timetables for your first week are normally available at the end of August prior to enrolment in September. You can expect to receive your timetable for the rest of the academic year during your first week. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information, however our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.
Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
Entry Criteria
Entry Requirements
Typical offer 104-112 UCAS Tariff points, for which no specific subjects are required, plus GCSE English and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent).
Example Offers
Some examples of how you can achieve 104-112 UCAS Tariff points are detailed below.
- A Level: BCC-BBC;
- BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications): Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM);
- International Baccalaureate (IB): We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points;
- Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 credits at Level 3, for example 9 credits at Distinction and 36 credits at Merit or 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations.
Please note, the above examples may differ from actual offers made. A combination of A Level and BTEC awards may also be accepted.
As long as you have a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent), there is no maximum number of qualifications that we will accept UCAS points from. This includes additional qualifications such as the Welsh Baccalaureate and Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), AS Levels that haven’t been continued to A Level, and General Studies AS or A Level awards.
For further information on how you can meet the entry requirements, including details of alternative qualifications, please visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/offers.
EU students can get country-specific information about the University’s entry requirements and equivalent national qualifications at www.edgehill.ac.uk/eu.
International students should visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/international for information on the entry criteria for overseas applicants.
English Language Requirements
International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score no lower than 5.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.
If your current level of English is half a band lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.
Are there any alternative ways to meet the entry requirements?
If you have the ability to study for a degree but lack the necessary qualifications or confidence, our Fastrack: Preparation for Higher Education course could be for you. This free, seven-week programme provides a great opportunity to enhance your study skills and subject knowledge and demonstrate that you are ready to study a particular subject with us, in lieu of achieving the UCAS Tariff points in the entry criteria.
Upon successful completion of a Fastrack course, you will be well placed to progress onto a corresponding Edge Hill University degree, although additional entry requirements may apply and the availability of specific programmes cannot be guaranteed. For more information, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/fastrack.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Edge Hill University recognises learning gained elsewhere, whether through academic credit and qualifications acquired from other relevant courses of study or through recognition of an individual’s professional and employment experience (also referred to as ‘experiential learning’). This may include credit or learning undertaken at another university.
Previous learning that is recognised in this way may be used towards meeting the entry requirements for a programme and/or for exemption from part of a programme. It is your responsibility to make a claim for recognition of prior learning. For guidance, please consult the University’s academic regulations (sections C7 and F3.1) or contact the faculty in which you are interested in studying.
Career Prospects
What are my career prospects?
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.
Successful completion of this degree will open up a variety of postgraduate training and career opportunities in psychology, notably sport and exercise psychology, but also educational psychology, clinical psychology, health psychology and research. You will also be well qualified to enter professions within the sport, health and fitness industry as well as physical education (further training required). Other opportunities range from advertising and the caring professions to teaching (further training required).
It is important to recognise that training in sport and exercise psychology is acquired through postgraduate education and supervised practice. On completion of this programme, you will require further training to practice as a sport and exercise psychologist.
How can I enhance my employability?
It is useful to consider, even before you apply, how you will spend your time while studying and make the most of your university experience.
Optional, additional activities may be available on this degree which could help to prepare you for a stimulating and rewarding career. These include:
- Sandwich Years – you may have the opportunity to apply to complete a sandwich year placement, usually as the third year of a four year degree, and gain highly relevant work experience;
- Erasmus+ and Study Abroad – you may have the opportunity to apply to spend time studying or working abroad, usually as the third year of a four year degree, enabling you to immerse yourself in a different culture;
- Learning a Language – you may be able to participate in Language Steps classes, delivered at the Edge Hill Language Centre, as additional study.
Please note, the availability of these additional activities cannot be guaranteed for all students. Depending on availability and the number of students wanting to participate, there may be a competitive application process for sandwich year placements or studying abroad opportunities or you may be required to secure a relevant placement yourself.
Finance
Tuition Fees
If you are a prospective UK student who will be joining this undergraduate degree in academic year 2021/22, the tuition fee will be £9,250 per annum (subject to final Government approval).
Tuition fees for international students enrolling on the programme in academic year 2021/22 are £12,500 per annum. Exemptions apply for EU students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, who may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
The University may administer a small inflationary rise in tuition fees, in line with Government policy, in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.
Financial Support
Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this undergraduate degree can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the programme may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.
For comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students joining this programme in academic year 2021/22, together with details of how to apply for potential funding, please view our Money Matters 2021/22 guide at www.edgehill.ac.uk/undergradfinance2021.
EU students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals should apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).
Financial support information for international students can be found at www.edgehill.ac.uk/international/fees.
Scholarships
Edge Hill University offers a range of scholarships with a competitive application process for prospective full-time undergraduate students.
These scholarships aren’t linked to academic success and celebrate determination, talent and achievement beyond your coursework, for instance in creativity, enterprise, ICT, performance, sport or volunteering.
An additional scholarship, which you may qualify to receive, rewards outstanding A Level and BTEC grades.
To find out more about scholarships, to assess your eligibility, and to meet some of our dedicated scholarship winners, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships.
Apply
How to Apply
Apply online through UCAS at www.ucas.com.
Visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/applyucas to find out more about the application process.
Further information for international students about how to apply is available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/applyinternational.
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.
Visit Us
If you are considering applying to study at Edge Hill University, the best way to gain an insight into student life is to discover our stunning campus for yourself by attending an open day. You can view dates and book your place at www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays.
Alternatively, if you are unable to attend an open day, you can find out more about our full range of events for prospective students, including campus tours and virtual activities, at www.edgehill.ac.uk/visitus.
Request a Prospectus
If you would like to explore our full range of degrees before you apply, you can order an undergraduate prospectus at www.edgehill.ac.uk/undergradprospectus.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about this programme or what it’s like to study at Edge Hill University, please contact:
- Course Enquiries
- Tel: 01695 657000
- Email: study@edgehill.ac.uk
International students should visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/international or email international@edgehill.ac.uk with any queries about overseas study.
Course Changes
Expand All This page outlines any material changes to course content, programme structure, assessment methods, entry criteria, and modes of study or delivery, implemented in the past two years.12th February 2020 - Change to Entry Requirements
Covid-19 - Sport & Exercise Psychology Essential Information
Teaching and Learning at Edge Hill University in 2020
In this video Pro Vice-Chancellor, Lynda Brady, answers your questions and explains how teaching will work when you join us at Edge Hill University in September.
Campus Facilities at Edge Hill University in 2020
In this video Pro Vice-Chancellor, Lynda Brady, explains how we’re preparing the campus for your arrival in September and the facilities that will be available.