Overview
Sport and exercise psychologists work with athletes, either as individuals or as teams. They develop strategies that improve performance. We will prepare you with the skills and knowledge to develop better performance in individual and team-based sports.
Newcastle University is the first Russell Group University to develop an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology. We have expert academics and clinical staff from the Faculty of Medical Sciences. The Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc at Newcastle University is accredited by the British Psychological Society.
You’ll develop your understanding of psychology in a sport and exercise context. This includes the theory, evidence and practice. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills to become a reflective practitioner. We’ll prepare you for further professional training. This is a route towards eligibility to practice as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist.
Students will prepare for:
- careers in sport and exercise psychology
- higher research-related degrees (for example a PhD)
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
During the course, you will learn how to:
• apply and evaluate psychological theory, strategy and techniques to facilitate performance enhancement and behaviour change
• critically evaluate psychological research evidence in sports and exercise
• use a range of quantitative and qualitative skills as well as use advanced statistical and analytical methods
• assess and devise appropriate interventions for performance enhancement
• apply appropriate psychological skills and counselling techniques
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc modules
How you’ll learn
You’ll be taught using a range of methods, including:
- lectures
- seminars
- small group work
- case studies
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Essay
- Observation of professional practice
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- PC examination
- Poster
- Report
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- Research paper
- Thesis
- Viva
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
The course is located within the School of Psychology, part of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University. We take great pride in the quality of our teaching and you’ll benefit from being taught by staff who have a wide range of expertise. Areas include:
- the application of clinically-related psychological techniques
- strategies to enhance sporting performance
- well-being in both athletes and non-athletes
In the School of Psychology, we focus on the scientific and experimental study of mind and behaviour. Our main aim is to provide excellent, global education to our postgraduate students.
Your development
Transferrable skills
You will achieve a ‘psychological literacy’, leading to a range of successful careers and further study. You’ll develop a diverse set of transferable skills during the course, including:
- experience of working with athletes in a real-life environment
- the ability to use advanced statistical packages
- planning, managing and implementing tasks at a professional level
- formulating hypotheses and applying research skills to create new knowledge
- communicating effectively and confidently in both verbal and written formats
- collaborating effectively in academic and non-academic environments
Your future
Career development
The course is for graduates who are looking to develop a career as a:
- sport and exercise Psychologist
- performance psychologist
- sport and exercise scientist
- sports director
- sports coach
- academic researcher
Further Study
Our MSc also provides a route into sport and exercise psychology at PhD level.
Networking opportunities
As part of your professional development as a sport and exercise psychologist, you will have the opportunity to meet with external agencies and guest lecturers. These provide real-world examples and networking opportunities.
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 150 for Psychology – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 200 for Psychology – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 90 for Life Sciences and Medicine – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 125 for Life Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
Professional accreditation and recognition
British Psychological Society (BPS)
Our Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc (Accredited) route is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Students enrolling on this route must have a first degree in psychology providing Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the BPS.
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
The Dame Margaret Barbour Building is the new home for the School of Psychology at Newcastle University. This bespoke facility is the newest addition to the Faculty of Medical Sciences and offers psychology facilities such as:
- forensic interviewing suite
- nutrition and food preference unit
- media and behaviour lab
- medical consultation rooms
- psychological testing cubicles
In addition to this, we’ve invested £32m in state-of-the-art teaching facilities for sport and exercise, including:
- psychological testing cubicles
- exercise physiology lab
- biomechanics lab
- gait track
- high-performance lab
- nutrition kitchen
- blood preparation and analysis lab
- an environmental chamber that enables the simulation of altitude, temperature and humidity