Sport Psychology Masters - MSc/PgD/PgC

The British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited MSc in Sport Psychology provides students with the opportunity to extend their theoretical and applied knowledge and understanding of sport psychology within a supportive student centred environment. Graduates from the programme (who also hold an Graduate Basis Chartered UG degree) are deemed to have met stage one of the requirements for Chartered Membership of the Society (CPsychol) and full membership of the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology within the BPS. The programme is designed to be flexible, meet students' needs and develop a range of transferable skills that will enhance their employability. The programme is delivered by a team of dedicated sport psychology staff, many of whom are at the forefront of international research and professional practice developments in their respective fields. The application of theory to professional practice is a key strength of the programme.​

​Course Content​​

​Core Modules:

  • Dissertation Project (60 credits)
  • Research Methods in Sport (Quantitative Pathway) (20 credits)
  • Counselling Approaches and Skills for Sport Psychologists (20 credits)
  • Professional Development and Practice in Sport Psychology (20 credits)
  • Development Perspectives and Athlete Well-being (20 credits)
  • ​Research Design in Sport Psychology (20 credits)
  • Sport Psychology: Theory to Practice (20 credits)

NB: Due to the curriculum and competency requirements of the accrediting body there are no option modules on the MSc Sport Psychology programme.

Learning & Teaching​

All modules, with the exception of the Dissertation Project are 20 credit modules. Allocated teaching timetabled (contact time) delivery for such modules usually equals a minimum of 30 hours of time supplemented with up to 60 hours of directed study time and up to 60 hours of independent study time. Contact time is normally made up of lecture, seminars, practical laboratories/ workshops, professional visits and individual and group tutorials.

Modules are usually taught through a combination of lecture type, seminar and practical based sessions. Group discussions and tasks are frequently used. Student learning is supported through the use of our Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle) that provides learning resources over and above that found in the learning centre (library). All learners are supported with access to a personal tutor. Initially, this is usually the Programme Director with the dissertation supervisor adopting this responsibility at a later date within the students' programme of study.

Assessment

All module assessment is based upon the University wide model of 5,000 words or equivalent per 20 credits of level 7 study. Assessment methods are designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of theoretical, applied and professional practice issues and include coursework essays, needs analyses and the design of interventions, research reports, case studies, presentations, role play, and video analysis and critique.

All students undertaking the full (180 credit) MSc are required to submit a Dissertation Project, which is in publishable paper (8,500 word) format. 

Employability & Careers​

​The MSc in Sport Psychology provides a platform from which students can pursue Supervised Experience through the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route (SEPAR) to provide the basis for the use of the protected title: Sport and Exercise Psychologist.

The MSc in Sport Psychology provides a platform from which students can pursue Supervised Experience through the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) leading to potential accreditation as a BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist. The programme provides an excellent spring board for students wishing to progress to MPhil/PhD study.

Entry Requirements​ & How to Apply

Applicants must have one of the following:

  • Applicants must hold a BPS accredited undergraduate degree in psychology (2.1 or above) or an undergraduate degree (2:1 or above) in sport/exercise science (or related programme) with a significant sport psychology element.
  • Applicants who do not hold an initial degree must have substantial experiential learning in a sport and/or mainstream psychology domain.

International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.0 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

Selection Procedure:
Students are normally selected on the basis of their formal application, curriculum vitae and may be asked to attend an interview. All applicants are usually invited to have an informal conversation (in person, skype or phone) with the programme director before any offer is made.

​​How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made direct to the university via our self-service facility. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.

If you are interested in using credit from another institution, or have obtained qualifications and/or experience to study for a course at Cardiff Met, you can find further information on this as well as information on how to apply on the RPL page.

Additional Information

Tuition Fees and Financial Support:
For up to date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available. Please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees.

Part-time fees:
Charges are per Single Module unless specified:
Undergraduate = 10 Credits; Postgraduate = 20 Credits

Generally we find most students will complete 60 credits per year, however module selection can be specific to students and their commitments. To obtain a true costing please clarify this by contacting the Programme Director directly.

Postgraduate Scholarships:
The university also offers a postgraduate scholarship scheme to help students whilst at university. To see if you are eligible, visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/scholarships

Contact Us

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email directapplications@cardiffmet.ac.uk

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme leader, Dr Karen Howells:
Email: KLHowells@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)29 20417153​

We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary. Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.

Key Course Information

Place of Study:
Cardiff School of Sport & Health Sciences, Cyncoed Campus

Course Length:
One to two years full-time. Two to four years part-time.

Accredited by: MSc Sport Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society.

Course Disclaimer
We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary.

Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.

More About the Course
Meet The Team
Meet The Team: Karen Howells

"I came to sport psychology later in life after my first career as an RAF Officer. I have always hada passion for swimming and an introduction to psychology via the Open University made me question how I could bring my two passions of sport and psychology together. A love of learning took me on a journey through a second MSc, a PhD, and a professional practice qualification. Fast forward fifteen years and I am now a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Cardiff Met and a Chartered Sport Psychologist working with athletes from individual sports across all levels of sport.

I truly believe that sport psychology is one of those subjects where we can make a real difference not only to athletes’ performance but also to the quality of their lives in respect of mental wellbeing. My philosophy is that for me to achieve this, I need to be an allrounder: research informs both my teaching and my practice and vice versa. I hope that the students and athletes who I work with benefit from that multifaceted approach to the subject, and that the MSc Sport Psychology, in particular prepares students for the next stage of their journey to become sport psychologists, researchers, teachers, or individuals who can adopt a critical view of the world of sport to inform their (and others’) practice."

Karen Howells PhD, CPsychol, SFHEA, Senior Lecturer in Sport Psychology.