MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology

The MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology at ARU delivers BPS- and CASES-accredited training (Stage 1) in applying psychological theory to sport, exercise, and performance. It suits students wanting to work as sport psychologists, performance consultants, coaches, or researchers.

Curriculum Structure

During the one-year full-time (or two-year part-time) course, students study:

Psychology of Exercise, Physical Activity and Health, understanding how exercise influences mental and physical wellbeing across populations. Advanced Topics in Motor Skills, focusing on motor learning, skill acquisition, and performance under pressure in sport contexts. Cultural Diversity in Applied Sport Psychology, which explores how cultural, social and individual differences impact sport participation, performance, and wellbeing. Professional Practice in Sport and Exercise Psychology, where students build consultancy, assessment, and intervention skills to support athletes and clients in real-world settings.

Focus areas (string):
“Exercise psychology, motor skills & performance, cultural & individual diversity, professional practice, research methods”

Learning outcomes (in a string):
“Understand psychological factors in sport and exercise; design interventions and consultancy solutions; respect cultural and individual differences; carry out rigorous empirical research; prepare for further professional training”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES) — fulfills the required Stage 1 training for a career as a sport & exercise psychologist. 

Reputation (employability rankings):
The course benefits from ARU’s high-performance labs and applied teaching; graduates are well-positioned for roles in sport psychology consultancy, athlete support, health-and-wellbeing, or further Stage 2 professional training.