From helping professional athletes prepare for the demands of competition to motivating everyday exercisers to increase their physical activity, our BSc examines the fascinating role of psychology in its application to sport coaching and performance, as well as exercise, health and wellbeing. Advance your psychological research skills, applicable to a range of careers in sports coaching, science and related industries. Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Course overview

Have you considered how the mind, emotions and behaviour can influence performance in sports and exercise? Are you keen to learn more about the impact of sport and exercise on mental health and wellbeing? Our BPS-accredited programme* introduces you to the psychological methods and theories that can be applied to support individuals, teams and coaches in enhancing sporting performance to improve leadership, encourage motivation and promote team building.

Delve into the core psychological principles to better understand why people behave and perform the way they do, exploring biological influences, cognition, individual differences and social development. Through the exploration of human behaviour in sport and exercise contexts, you will develop strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, equipping you as a science practitioner ready to embark on a range of careers in sports coaching, personal training and related science fields.

Work Placement Year

Gain hands-on experience with an optional placement year in between years two and three of your degree programme. This valuable character-building experience will help you to prepare for the workplace by spending a year in industry, developing skills and knowledge, whilst drawing on psychological principles, theories and methods. With this experience, you will become well prepared for employment and strengthen your prospects for life after university.

Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Your future career

95% of Keele students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)

A degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology will equip you with a wide range of personal and professional skills that will be valuable to a variety of roles across industries. Whether you wish to pursue a career in psychology, sports or science, you will attain core graduate attributes that will enable you to communicate effectively with others, project manage efficiently and resolve challenges in the workplace environment.