Trending
It’s a great choice for students interested in human behaviour, performance, motivation and mental skills training, especially in a sport and exercise context.
What You Study
Sports Psychology is often offered as:
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A specialised degree (e.g. BSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology)
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A joint honours degree (e.g. Psychology with Sport Science)
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A route within a general Sport and Exercise Science degree
Typical areas of study include:
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Motivation and goal-setting in sport
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Confidence, focus and anxiety management
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Team dynamics and leadership
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Personality and individual differences
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Mental skills training for performance
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Exercise and mental health
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Research methods and statistics
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Cognitive and behavioural psychology foundations
Many courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which is essential if you want to become a qualified psychologist in the future.
Useful A-Levels (or equivalent qualifications)
To study Sports Psychology in the UK, helpful subjects include:
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Psychology (often preferred)
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Biology
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PE
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Maths or Sociology
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BTECs in Sport may be accepted, especially if combined with a science or Psychology A-level
Entry requirements vary. For BPS-accredited degrees, a stronger academic profile is usually expected.
What Makes a Strong Application
To strengthen your application:
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Show a genuine interest in both sport and psychology
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Include examples of:
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Involvement in sport or physical activity (as a participant, coach, or volunteer)
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Academic or personal interest in psychology topics
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Independent reading, podcasts, or online courses in sport psychology
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Any school projects, EPQs, or coursework related to mental health or performance
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Explain what draws you to understanding the mental side of sport
Career Prospects
A Sports Psychology degree opens doors to careers in sport, health and education, although becoming a chartered sport psychologist requires postgraduate training.
Potential careers include:
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Sport psychologist (requires MSc + supervised practice)
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Performance psychologist (working in elite sport, military or business)
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Exercise psychologist (supporting physical activity and mental wellbeing)
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Coaching or mentoring
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PE teaching or sport development
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Mental health support roles
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Further study in clinical, counselling or educational psychology
Transferable skills:
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Research and analysis
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Communication and empathy
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Understanding of behaviour and motivation
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Data handling and report writing
Studying in the UK vs Other Countries
UK
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BPS-accredited undergraduate degrees available
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Psychology-heavy with sport applications
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Route to professional psychologist status via postgraduate study and supervised practice
USA
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Sports Psychology is often studied at postgraduate level
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Undergraduates typically major in Psychology or Kinesiology
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Opportunities to work with NCAA athletes and sport performance teams
Canada
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Similar to the USA: start with a Psychology or Kinesiology undergraduate degree
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Sport Psychology often offered at the Master’s or PhD level
Australia and New Zealand
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Clear routes to becoming a registered psychologist
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Study pathways include Bachelor of Psychology or Exercise and Sport Science, followed by accredited Masters programmes
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Practical experience is often built into postgraduate training
Europe
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Some English-taught programmes available in countries like the Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia
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Focus may be more research-based or theoretical
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Becoming a practising psychologist often involves meeting country-specific licensing requirements
Final Thoughts
Sports Psychology is a fascinating and rewarding field for anyone curious about the mental side of performance and wellbeing. It suits students who:
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Are equally interested in sport and human behaviour
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Want to work with individuals or teams to help them perform or feel better
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Enjoy research, analysis and communication
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Are willing to pursue further training to work as a psychologist
