BSc (Hons) Psychology (Sport & Exercise Studies) with Foundation Year

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Canterbury Christ Church University

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Psychology (Sport & Exercise Studies) with Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University is designed for students who want to understand how psychological principles influence sport performance, exercise behaviour, and overall wellbeing. It is a strong choice if you are interested in motivation, fitness psychology, and how mental processes impact athletes and everyday physical activity.

This programme is ideal for students who want to build a career in sport psychology, coaching support, fitness behaviour change, or related health and performance fields.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year

In the foundation year, you build essential academic skills while being introduced to the basics of psychology and its connection to sport and exercise. You also develop confidence in scientific thinking and study methods, helping you transition smoothly into degree-level learning.

Year 1

In your first year, you study core psychological foundations through modules such as Contemporary Issues in Psychology, Brain, Mind and Behaviour, and Research in Psychology 1. These modules help you understand how psychological science works, how the brain influences behaviour, and how research is designed and interpreted.

Year 2

The second year builds on this foundation with modules including Biological and Cognitive Psychology, Social and Developmental Psychology, and Research in Psychology 2. You begin applying psychological theories to sport and exercise contexts, exploring how cognition, social influence, and development shape performance and participation.

Year 3

In your third year, you move into more applied study with modules such as Sport and Exercise Psychology applications, Personality and Individual Differences, and Research in Psychology 3. This stage focuses on motivation, performance, and psychological factors that influence physical activity and sporting outcomes.

Year 4

In your final year, you complete an independent Psychology Research Project (dissertation) alongside advanced sport and exercise psychology topics. This gives you the chance to explore a specialist area in depth while developing strong research and analytical skills.

Focus Areas

Sport psychology, exercise motivation, performance enhancement, behavioural change, cognitive psychology, wellbeing and mental health in sport, research methods, applied psychology

Learning Outcomes

You will gain a deep understanding of how psychology influences sport and exercise behaviour, develop strong research and analytical skills, and learn how to support motivation, performance, and wellbeing in real-world settings. The course also strengthens your communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities for careers in sport, health, and psychology-related fields.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society, giving you eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership. This is an important step if you want to continue towards professional psychology training after graduation.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Canterbury Christ Church University is known for its practical and applied approach to psychology education. The programme is designed to support employability through research experience, applied learning, and strong links to sport and exercise-related fields, helping graduates progress into further study or careers in psychology, sport, health, and wellbeing sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students on the BSc (Hons) Psychology (Sport & Exercise Studies) with Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University develop practical, real-world skills through an applied learning approach that connects psychology directly to sport, exercise, and performance. From the beginning of the course, you are encouraged to apply psychological theory to real situations involving motivation, wellbeing, and athletic performance, helping you build confidence in using psychology in practice rather than just studying it in theory.

You learn through research-informed teaching and structured practical activities that reflect real sport and exercise environments. This includes working with data, analysing behaviour, and engaging in performance-related psychological tasks that prepare you for professional contexts in sport and health settings:

Training in specialist psychology and sport science laboratories, using equipment designed to study behaviour, cognition, and performance in controlled settings
Use of research methods and statistical analysis tools to interpret psychological and sport performance data as part of core academic training
Applied learning through real-world sport and exercise case studies, including topics such as motivation, confidence, injury recovery, and performance behaviour
Group projects and collaborative research tasks that build teamwork, communication, and applied problem-solving skills
Research-led teaching delivered by academic staff actively working in sport, exercise, and performance psychology
Development of independent research skills through progressive modules and a final-year dissertation project focused on a chosen topic in sport or exercise psychology
Access to the university’s library and extensive digital psychology databases for advanced research and evidence-based study
Opportunities for optional work experience or placements in sport, fitness, health, and wellbeing environments
Applied workshop sessions that simulate real sport psychology scenarios and performance challenges

These learning experiences ensure you graduate with both strong academic understanding and practical skills, preparing you for real roles in sport psychology, exercise science, health promotion, and performance-related careers.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the BSc (Hons) Psychology (Sport & Exercise Studies) with Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University are well prepared for careers that connect psychology with sport performance, exercise behaviour, and wellbeing. The degree gives you a strong understanding of how motivation, confidence, and mental processes influence physical activity and athletic performance, helping you step into roles that support people in improving both physical and psychological outcomes.

Typical graduate roles include Sport Psychology Assistant, Fitness or Exercise Behaviour Coach, Wellbeing Practitioner, and Rehabilitation or Performance Support Assistant: these roles allow you to work directly with individuals in sport, health, and fitness environments to improve motivation, resilience, and performance.

Progression from this degree is supported through structured university services and strong industry connections:

Dedicated support from the university’s Careers and Enterprise Service, including CV writing, interview preparation, and personalised career guidance focused on sport and psychology pathways
Access to placements and volunteering opportunities in sport organisations, fitness centres, schools, health programmes, and wellbeing services
Strong links with applied sport, exercise, and health settings that help students gain real-world experience during their studies
A psychology degree pathway aligned with British Psychological Society requirements, supporting progression into professional psychology training routes
Graduate outcomes showing strong progression into employment or further study within 15 months of completing the degree
Long-term value through eligibility for postgraduate training in psychology and sport-related disciplines, which are essential for advanced professional roles

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, students often continue into postgraduate study such as MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology, MSc Psychology (Conversion), MSc Health Psychology, or other specialist wellbeing-related programmes. These qualifications can lead to further professional training, including doctoral-level study for careers in applied psychology or sport psychology practice.