Psychology in Sport & Exercise BSc (Hons) (with Foundation Year)

The Foundation Year is a great opportunity if you have the ability and enthusiasm to study for a degree, but do not yet have the qualifications required to enter directly onto our degree programmes. A significant part of the Foundation Year focuses upon core skills such as academic writing at HE level, becoming an independent learner, structuring academic work, critical thinking, time management and note taking.

Successful completion of the Foundation Year will enable you to progress into the first year (Level C) of your chosen honours degree. Further details can be found here.

In your first year, you’ll tudy a set of 30‑credit modules that introduce you to the core areas of psychology and sport psychology. This includes Psychology, Self and Society, Psychological Research Methods, Fundamentals in Sport and Exercise Psychology and Fundamentals in Sport Management and Teaching. These modules give you the foundations you need for the rest of your degree and help you understand how psychology works in real life and the field of sport and exercise.

Psychology, Self and Society

This module helps you understand how psychology became a scientific discipline and the big debates that shaped it. You’ll explore key theories in social psychology, personality and individual differences, and connect them to real issues affecting society today — including racism, populism, and environmental pressures. It’s a great introduction to how psychology helps us understand people, communities, and the world around us.

Psychological Research Methods

Here, you’ll learn the essential skills needed to study psychology scientifically. You’ll explore how research is designed, how data is collected, and how psychologists analyse evidence. You will also develop and conduct your own research study to use these principles in practice. These skills are crucial and form the backbone of psychological training.

Fundamentals in Sport and Exercise Psychology

This module introduces you to the history, sociology, and psychology of sport. You’ll study the codification of sport, the development of sport in the community, and the impact of sport on local and national identity. You will develop your knowledge of psychological theories about motivation, confidence, and personality, and learn how these can have an impact on participation and performance in sport.

Fundamentals in Sport Management and Teaching

In this module you’ll explore key themes underpinning coaching and teaching in the field of sport. You’ll learn about the four main principles of coaching: talent ID, development, children and young people, and community. Across the module you will be taught how to use different coaching and teaching perspectives to support learning, for example, studying how games can be used to teach understanding.

In your second year, we build on the principles developed in first year. In this year, you will take the modules Cognitive & Developmental Psychology, Biological Psychology & Research Inquiry, Health Psychology, the Applied Psychology Placement and Sport Psychology and Pedagogical Practice. Each of these modules help to further shape your knowledge and awareness of the role of psychology in sport and exercise.

Cognitive & Developmental Psychology

Take your understanding of the human mind to the next level as you explore how people think, learn, and develop throughout life. Building on the foundations from your first year, you’ll discover how cognitive psychology explains the way we perceive the world, form memories, focus our attention, and use language every day.

You’ll also investigate how biological, social, emotional, and cognitive influences shape human development from childhood through to adulthood. By connecting psychological theory with real-life behaviour, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what makes us who we are and how our experiences influence the way we think, feel, and act. If you’re curious about human behaviour and want to understand the science behind it, this module offers fascinating insights that you can apply far beyond the classroom.

Biological Psychology & Research Inquiry /p>

Discover how the brain shapes the way we think, feel, and behave as you explore the fascinating world of biological psychology and neuroscience. You’ll investigate topics including brain plasticity, cutting-edge neuroscience techniques, the science behind addiction and the brain’s reward system, and how stress and emotions influence both mental and physical health.

Alongside these exciting areas of psychology, you’ll develop the practical research skills that psychologists use to investigate real-world questions. You’ll gain experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods, including ANOVA, regression analysis, interviews, participant observation, Thematic Analysis, and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). These highly transferable analytical and research skills are valued across psychology, healthcare, education, business, and research careers, giving you the confidence to tackle complex questions and make evidence-based decisions in your future profession.

Health Psychology

How can psychology help people live happier, healthier lives? This module explores the powerful links between the mind, behaviour, and physical health. In this module, you’ll investigate how stress, coping strategies, and everyday lifestyle choices influence long-term wellbeing, using psychological theories and research to understand why people make the health decisions they do.

You’ll apply your knowledge to real-world challenges, including workplace stress, ergonomics, sleep, shift work, and the psychological impact of ageing. By connecting theory with practical issues affecting individuals and society, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of how psychology can improve health and wellbeing across different settings. With strong links to Liverpool’s thriving health and social care sector, this module provides an excellent foundation for careers in public health, occupational health, wellbeing services, health promotion, and a wide range of healthcare professions.

Applied Psychology Placement

Put your psychology knowledge into practice with a placement that gives you valuable real-world experience. Working alongside professionals, you’ll see how psychological theories and research are applied to improve wellbeing, solve complex problems, and make a meaningful difference to individuals, organisations, and communities.

This is your opportunity to develop practical skills, build confidence in a professional environment, and enhance your CV with hands-on experience that employers value. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while making valuable industry connections across Liverpool’s thriving psychology, healthcare, education, business, and community sectors. Whether you’re planning to enter employment after graduation or continue your studies, this placement will help you stand out and prepare for your future career.

Sport Psychology and Pedagogical Practice

In this module you’ll broaden your understanding of sport psychology by exploring themes centred on health and wellbeing and their impact on sport performance, participation, and psychological wellbeing. Topics include theories of exercise behaviour, body image, and motivation/barriers to exercise. You’ll learn about the importance of attention in performance and learning and you will examine issues such as the globalisation and commercialisation of sport, the influence of the media, and the management and governance of sport.

In the third year, you will take Social & Applied Psychology, complete a Research Project (Dissertation) and choose a Specialist Option. You will also study Applied Practice in Sport Psychology and Professional & Contemporary Issues in Sport & Exercise Psychology. During this year, you also take two Advanced Option modules (one per semester). This lets you choose the topics of most interest to you in your final year.

Dissertation (Final Year Project)

Your dissertation is your chance to show everything you’ve learned across your psychology degree. Working closely with a supervisor, you’ll design and carry out your own research project from start to finish.

Social & Applied Psychology

This module explores how motivation, emotion, and social processes shape human behaviour. You’ll build on earlier learning (like Psychology, Self and Society) and examine topics such as attitudes, self‑concept, aggression, social cognition, environmental influences, motivation, goal setting, growth mindsets, and emotional intelligence.

You’ll also look at how communities, culture, and social environments affect wellbeing and behaviour. The focus is on understanding complex psychological processes and how they apply to real‑world situations, from everyday interactions to large-scale social issues.

Specialist Options in Psychology

You’ll choose one 12‑week Specialist Option to explore a topic in depth. Each option revisits core areas of psychology and shows how theory and evidence apply to real-world challenges. These options will help you tailor your degree to your interests and future career goals. Current options include:

Perception & Action in Training & Rehabilitation - How perception and movement work together to improve sensorimotor performance.

• Cognition & Wellbeing - How emotion and thinking interact, especially under pressure.
• Forensic Psychology - Crime causation, profiling, eyewitness reliability, and how psychology supports the legal system.
• Psychology of Addiction - Why people develop addictions, how they’re diagnosed, treated, and understood.
• Psychology of Aesthetics & the Arts - How psychological research explains human preferences, creativity, and aesthetic experience.

Applied Practice in Sport Psychology

In this module you’ll explore advanced applications of psychological principles, including imagery, motivation, self-talk, and mental toughness. There is a focus on psychophysiology, with practical work examining motor control using state-of-the-art equipment.

Professional & Contemporary Issues in Sport & Exercise Psychology

In this module you will learn about psychological skills training and its application to enhance preparation and sport performance, as well as topics such as perfectionism, mental health and wellbeing, and effective career transitions.

Advanced Psychology Option 1 (Semester 1)

You’ll choose one applied option to deepen your knowledge and sharpen your critical thinking. These modules encourage you to explore how psychology interacts with culture, values, and diversity. Current choices include:

• Applied Developmental Psychology - Extends Year 2 learning and focuses on skills that improve life chances across different settings.
• Human Memory - A detailed look at how memory works and how it changes in different contexts.
• Psychology of Peace & Conflict - Explores how psychologists understand war, peace, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.

Advanced Psychology Option 2 (Semester 2)

You’ll choose a second applied option to further tailor your degree. Current choices include:

• Cognitive Neuroscience - Links earlier modules to explore the brain basis of normal and abnormal cognitive functions.
• Counselling Theory & Practice - Teaches core counselling skills and introduces person-centred and behavioural approaches to therapy.
• Identity, Self & Society - Examines how identities are formed, maintained, and shaped by social environments.