PSYCHOLOGY (SPORT AND EXERCISE) at Canterbury Christ Church University

Why study Psychology (sport and Exercise)?

Psychology seeks to understand human thoughts, emotions and behaviour though scientific study such as observations, interviews, experiments and questionnaires. A degree in Psychology (Sport and Exercise) gives you the chance to study an inherently fascinating and useful subject, within the specific contexts of sport and exercise, while offering you many opportunities for future development and employment.

The degree has three key strengths. First, the applied nature of our course provides insight into the practical application of psychological knowledge in the athletic and physical domain from early on in your academic journey. All core modules are designed to complement and balance one another. Second, aspects of employability are embedded within our course from start to finish, helping you to build a broad range of academic, personal and career skills, relevant to sport, exercise and physical activity. Finally, we are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This ensures quality and affords those passing their final year project and graduating with a 2:ii or above the Graduate Basis of Chartered Membership (GBC) required for many postgraduate psychology training courses.

Who is this course for?

Psychology is a diverse and fascinating subject that deals with how we perceive the everyday world. From early on, we provide insight into the practical application of psychological knowledge in sport and exercise contexts. If you have a keen interest in the thoughts, emotions and behaviours of others and want to study them in a scientific way, specifically in relation to athletes, teams and physical activity, then this could be the ideal course for you. You will develop a specific and generic knowledge and skills that will make you a valuable asset to any employer. The degree programme will qualify you for a range of careers related to sport, exercise, physical activity and the wider field of psychology. It also opens up routes into teaching, and further study to Masters level and beyond.

What will i study?

Our British Psychological Society accredited course is designed to offer a coherent delivery of subject specific knowledge, research skills, practical application and personal development at all levels of study. All the core areas of psychology are covered: biological, cognitive, developmental, individual differences, social, as well as conceptual and historical issues. These are related to key themes within the unique environments of sport and exercise. These themes, and typical questions asked, include:

• The Psychology of the Individual: Is there a ‘psychological profile’ that predicts athletic success?
• Social Psychology: How does our social environment influence the way we think, feel and act?
• Motor Skill Acquisition and Coaching: How could a coach enhance a goalkeeper's perceptual anticipation of a penalty?
• Health and Physical Activity: If regular exercise makes people happier and healthier, why do so few people actually do it?

These themes are connected and supported by a common psychological research theme that seeks to unpick the methods and procedures we might use to explore issues of a psychological nature, particularly within in the physical domain. By examining the theoretical, applied and practical literature underpinning each of these themes and core areas, you can develop your descriptive, investigative and critical thinking skills at every successive level of study. lar exercise makes people happier and healthier, why do so few people actually do it?

What can i do next?

A degree in Psychology (Sport and Exercise) affords you many employment and postgraduate study options. Careers in the health and fitness professions are common, and sport coaching roles are underpinned by the skills developed within the course, as are a variety of teaching positions (via postgraduate teacher training) or roles as sport ‘scientific support’ personnel. Psychology graduates also often find employment in the caring professions, education, business and management, and other people­ focused occupations.

Accreditation from the British Psychological Society gives qualifying graduates the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. It allows graduates to pursue postgraduate vocational training in areas such as clinical psychology, educational psychology and health psychology.