MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology BPS Accredited

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Bangor University

Program Overview

The MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology (BPS Accredited) at Bangor University offers intensive one-year training in how psychological science applies to sport performance, exercise behaviour, and athlete well-being. It suits graduates with a psychology background (or equivalent) who aim to work in sports, coaching, health or research settings, and want a programme recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Bangor University+2Prospects+2

Curriculum structure:
Since this is a full-time one-year programme, students progress from core taught modules into a substantial research project. In the first phase you study units such as Performance Psychology and Exercise Psychology where you explore how motivation, mental skills, coaching relationships, and exercise behaviours operate in sport and health contexts. You also engage with Advanced Research Skills/Research Methods, where you build competence in quantitative and qualitative methods tailored to sport and exercise psychology research. The programme culminates in a Research Project (Dissertation) where you design, conduct and report a novel empirical investigation in sport and exercise psychology.

Focus areas:
“sport psychology; exercise behaviour; performance enhancement; coaching psychology; research methods; empirical dissertation”

Learning outcomes:
“develop advanced knowledge of sport and exercise psychology theory; apply psychological interventions and skills in performance and health settings; design and conduct independent empirical research; communicate psychological findings effectively to coaches, athletes and practitioners”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The MSc is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as providing Stage 1 training in Sport and Exercise Psychology, and graduates who hold or subsequently obtain GBC (Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership) may progress toward Chartered Sport & Exercise Psychologist status.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Bangor University’s School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences is known for strong research and teaching in sport and exercise domains, and this programme is listed among UK sport-psychology postgraduate courses with applied and professional emphasis.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students develop practical skills through supervised clinical practice and hands-on research. They utilise the School of Psychology's specialist facilities and have access to the award-winning Bangor University Behaviour Analysis Clinic. The programme's experiential components include:

Supervised Practice: Hands-on experience in the Bangor University Behaviour Analysis Clinic
BCBA Supervision: Required supervised practice for Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification
Research Project: An applied dissertation in behaviour analysis
Clinical Training: Development of behaviour assessment and intervention skills
Practical Focus: Training in functional analysis and positive behaviour support techniques

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Bangor University's MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology (BPS Accredited) are prepared for roles in sport psychology, health and exercise science, and performance consulting, often working with athletes, sports teams, and health organizations. Career outcomes include business/research professional, sport psychologist (after further training), mental health and wellbeing specialist, and teaching professional.

Highlights include:

University services providing career mentoring, access to clinical networks, and specialist research supervision
Median salary around £27,000 within 15 months of graduation, with 80% employed as business/research professionals in the sector
Strong partnerships with sports institutes, the NHS, and Olympic organizations for practical placements
Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), supporting long-term career progression and professional recognition
Graduates secure work in national governing bodies, healthcare, professional sports teams, and research

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can pursue Stage 2 doctoral training for HCPC registration, PhD research, or additional professional qualifications in sport and exercise psychology.