Sport Psychology

Sport psychology is the study of how psychological factors affect performance, participation, and wellbeing in sport and exercise, and how psychological principles can be applied to help athletes, coaches, and active individuals get the most from their physical activity. It draws on the core theories of psychology, including motivation, self-determination, goal-setting, attentional focus, and the psychology of stress and recovery, and applies them to the distinctive demands of competitive and recreational sport.

The three-year full-time Sport Psychology programme at Liverpool Hope University merges psychology with sport and exercise science, giving you both the theoretical foundations of psychology and the applied knowledge of sport and exercise contexts. You will explore how people view the world through a sport and exercise lens, examine their thoughts, problem-solving skills, and interactions in sport and exercise settings, and develop the ability to apply psychological theory to improve performance, enjoyment, and wellbeing. A sandwich year, year abroad, and work placement options give you substantial professional and international experience within the degree structure, which is particularly important in a field where applied practice and client-facing skills are as important as academic knowledge.

With a typical entry tariff of 120 points, the programme is accessible to students who combine psychological curiosity with a genuine interest in sport and physical activity. Graduates pursue careers in sport psychology support roles, fitness and wellbeing coaching, health promotion, sports performance analysis, and education, as well as progressing to postgraduate training in sport and exercise psychology, which is the route to professional chartership with the British Psychological Society and the Health and Care Professions Council.