Sport and Exercise Psychology
Develop your understanding of the theory and applied practice of sport and exercise psychology. Prepare for a career in consultancy, education or research.
in the region for postgraduates progressing into senior roles.
Source: Graduate Outcomes Survey 2026
Psychological factors can affect sporting performance and people’s participation in exercise.
On this Master’s degree you'll learn about the use of psychology in sport and exercise, and how to support diverse athletes across the lifespan.
You'll build the competencies to conduct needs assessments and develop interventions. As well as this, you’ll gain practical research skills such as interviewing, statistical data analysis, and data visualisation and dissemination.
This course will suit you whether you’re from a sport and exercise science or psychology background. With accreditation from both CASES and BPS, it supports progression towards Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.
This accredited course provides you with Stage 1 training in Sport and Exercise Psychology. After graduation, you can work to complete Stage 2 training to become a registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist. Your route to this will depend on the nature of your undergraduate degree.
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Hear more about our MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology from course leader Dr Francesca Cavallerio.
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![Sport and Exercise Psychology course leader Dr Francesca Cavallerio]()
Hear more about our MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology from course leader Dr Francesca Cavallerio.
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Develop your knowledge and practical skills in sport and exercise psychology
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Prepare for a career as a registered sport psychologist with this accredited course
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Discover our high-performance specialised labs endorsed by CASES
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Learn from lecturers with research expertise in sport and exercise psychology, cognitive psychology and neuroscience
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Careers
Develop the skills to work in sport and exercise psychology – or continue your academic career.
By studying this MSc, you’ll learn how to tackle complex problems through critical evaluation, use your research skills to address real-world questions, and communicate your findings to a variety of audiences.
You’ll also build counselling skills to use when working with coaches, athletes, or professionals.
As a graduate, you’ll have Stage 1 training in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
By completing Stage 2 training, you can become a registered sport and exercise psychologist.
Teaching and modules
Develop your understanding of how performance problems can arise from underlying psychological factors – and how to identity these.
Concurrently, you’ll learn essential counselling skills that are used in applied practice.
Your modules use learning strategies such as simulation of professional practice via role-play, and seminars focusing on reflection on professional experiences.
The course includes a professional development element, where you’ll consider what’s needed to start your own practice. You’ll also use your skills when working with a range of clients.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Psychology of Exercise, Physical Activity and Health (15 credits)
- Advanced Topics in Motor Skills (15 credits)
- Cultural Diversity in Applied Sport Psychology (30 credits)
- Professional Practice in Sport and Exercise Psychology (30 credits)
- Essential Research Methods (30 credits)
- Research Project (60 credits)
- Into ARU
It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as MSc/MA students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.
As a part-time student you'll typically study for twice as long as full-time students. For example if the MSc/MA course takes one year, you can expect to study over two years, though for some courses this may vary.
- Psychology of Exercise, Physical Activity and Health (15 credits)
- Advanced Topics in Motor Skills (15 credits)
- Essential Research Methods (30 credits)
- Into ARU
- Cultural Diversity in Applied Sport Psychology (30 credits)
- Professional Practice in Sport and Exercise Psychology (30 credits)
- Research Project (60 credits)
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Dr Francesca CavallerioSenior Lecturer
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Dr Matt JewissSenior Lecturer
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Dr Kjell van ParidonSenior Lecturer
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Dr Craig OwenSenior Lecturer
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Professor Matthew A. TimmisDirector of Student Outcomes
Facilities
Study at ARU in Cambridge and access a range of sport and exercise science and psychology laboratories.
Facilities include:
- a 3D motion capture suite
- EEG laboratory
- biomarker and haematology lab
- (mobile) eye-tracking equipment
- a sport therapy clinic and interview rooms.