COURSE CURRICULUM

The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology degree at the University of Portsmouth is designed to give students a deep understanding of psychological theories and their application in sport and exercise settings. In the first year, students focus on developing their research skills through modules such as Applying Psychological Research Skills, which covers both qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis techniques, and report writing. In Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology, students explore the key psychological theories that explain sport and exercise behavior, while Professional Skills for Psychology helps students build essential academic and professional skills, including communication, critical thinking, and teamwork, all while preparing for future careers in psychology.In the second year, the course delves into more specialized topics like Biological and Cognitive Psychology, where students study the biological basis of behavior, Individual Differences and Psychometrics, which focuses on intelligence and personality assessment, and Principles of Performance Analysis and Skills Acquisition, which teaches students about performance analysis and how humans acquire motor skills. Modules such as Psychology of Sport and Exercise and Quantitative Data Analysis provide further insight into the psychological factors affecting performance and mental health in athletes, as well as advanced data analysis techniques using software like SPSS.In the final year, students apply their learning in practical contexts through modules such as Applications of Performance Analysis in Skill Acquisition and Applications of Sport and Exercise Psychology. These modules allow students to work with elite populations, applying performance analysis and sport psychology theories to real-world situations. The degree culminates in a Project module, where students conduct independent research, culminating in a dissertation and a poster presentation. This hands-on project allows students to showcase their ability to design and conduct research, analyze data, and communicate their findings effectively.