“Practical modules delivered by lecturers from the industry has given me direction on how to get into the industry.”
BSc (Hons)Sport and Exercise Psychology
Apply on UCAS- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
Why study a sport and exercise psychology degree at Solent University
Understanding performance and wellbeing is essential for helping athletes to cope with pressure and regulate their emotions. Prepare for your future in sport psychology on this BPS accredited degree.
- Top0%for teaching quality, out of 131 institutions (Times Good University Guide, 2025)
- 0thUK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes 2022)
- £0minvested in our campus estate and facilities
- Solent ranked in the top 25% of UK universities for satisfaction with assessment in psychology (out of 116 institutions) (The Guardian University Guide 2025).
- Access to Solent’s dedicated psychophysiological recording equipment, eye-tracking facilities, and psychology labs.
- Develop an understanding of intervention techniques that can be applied in exercise and team settings. Gain an insight into the coach-athlete relationships.
- Members of the course team, work with premiership pugby teams, international athletes, and local health organisations.
- You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who can assist you with pastoral support to help you make the most of your learning.
Course overview
Solent’s sport and exercise psychology degree, accredited by The British Psychological Society, is the ideal way to kickstart a career in this growing area. You will explore how people act and interact, and the thoughts and feelings that underlie their behaviour. You’ll develop an understanding of intervention techniques that can be applied in exercise and team settings. You’ll also gain an insight into the coach-athlete relationships.
The subject contributes to an understanding of the day-to-day problems faced by people all around the world. Psychologists use a wide variety of methodological techniques including experiments, questionnaires, observations, video analysis and interviews to investigate human behaviour and obtain reliable evidence. This evidence can then form the basis of potential interventions and recommendations.
Core areas of study include cognitive psychology, child development and social psychology. All of these can be applied within a sport and exercise context. We work closely with sport teams and health organisations in order to provide you with hands-on learning opportunities. The applied nature of the course ensures that you’ll develop the professional skills needed for work in the sports industry.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066Accredited by:
Course features
Additional qualification
This course offers additional qualifications for you to obtain with your degree
Foundation year available
If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
Further studies
After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent
Study abroad
You have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities for a semester on this course
Who is this course for?
Our sport and exercise psychology programme is well-suited to students from a wide range of academic backgrounds.
You should have an inherent interest in human behaviour and a desire to apply this interest in sport, exercise and coaching contexts.
What does this course lead to?
The scientific aspects of your psychology course - the application of a reasoned approach, problem solving and manipulation of data - provide useful tools for careers in healthcare, law enforcement, finance, IT and research.
Your knowledge of human behaviour and motivation, as well as your ability to critically analyse a problem, formulate a considered response and create a reasoned argument, will lend themselves well to careers in the creative industries, the legal sector, government administration and education.
To practise as a psychologist, further postgraduate training and supervision is required. Find out more on the British Psychological Society (BPS) website.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more storiesMeet the team
The course team is made up of research and industry active lecturers, guaranteeing that students remain at the forefront of both academic knowledge and industry practice. Members of the course team work with Premiership rugby teams, international athletes and local health organisations.
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
You’ll have access to the University’s first-class sport, exercise and psychology facilities. These include specialist software, psychophysiological recording equipment, eye-tracking apparatus and experiment cubicles. You can use these facilities to carry out cognitive and psycho-physiological investigations, for example, the sophisticated eye tracker can trace eye positions on a computer screen. Collecting a wide range of data using these resources gives you the opportunity to build knowledge of psychological methods and analysis.
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces. Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
International opportunities
Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.
Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.
For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.
What you'll study
Core modules
Thinking and Writing Psychologically
Why do people, think, act, and feel the way they do? In this era of unreliable news and abundance of untested theories, any serious attempt to answer this question would have to take a careful and measured approach. Often described as the scientific study of mind and behaviour, Psychology is an attempt to do just that. This module will begin to get to grips with what is meant by the ‘mind’ and ‘behaviour’, and – crucially – the reasons why Psychology adopts a scientific approach in trying to answer the big questions about the mental processes and behaviours of our own species and others. Ultimately, the emphasis of this module is on getting you to think and communicate like a Psychologist.
Beginning as a Researcher
In our day-to-day lives we tend to make judgements about human behaviour in a subjective manner using anecdotal evidence. You will be introduced to qualitative and quantitative research approaches used in psychology to study human behaviour in an objective and systematic way. This will enable you to make informed decisions as to people’s actions and motivations.
Sport and Exercise Psychology
During this module, you will cover topics relating to both sport and exercise psychology. You will explore how different psychological constructs e.g., confidence and motivation, impact sporting performance. You will also learn about how psychological principles can explain how individuals adopt and maintain more healthy and physically active lifestyles.
Developing as a Researcher
By knowing more about the research process that is used to study psychology and the basic steps that are used, you can better understand the process researchers go through to arrive at conclusions about human behaviour. This module will develop and enhance your skills in conducting data analysis from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective.
Skill Acquisition and Motor Learning
In this module you will learn how our body and mind take in information from the environment to execute sporting skills. Examples of this include how our eyes pass information from the environment to the brain or how our memory systems work.
Perspectives within Psychology
You will be introduced to major perspectives which exist within psychology, for example psychodynamic, behaviourist, cognitive and biological perspectives. This will enable you to establish an understanding of the origins and history of research within psychology and have awareness of the fundamental assumptions that each perspective holds. You will be able to see the continuity and development of psychology as a scientific disciple over time and understand the places of differing perspectives in psychology today.
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Individual presentations
- Group presentations
- Written exams
- Coursework
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out moreStudy support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
Access Solent provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose the industry?
Studying psychology gives you skills that span both science and the arts, opening up opportunities with a variety of employers.
Around two thirds of psychology graduates are in employment in the UK six months after graduating, while almost a quarter undertake further study.
The scientific aspects of your psychology course - the application of a reasoned approach, problem solving and manipulation of data - provide useful tools for careers in healthcare, law enforcement, finance, IT and research.
Your knowledge of human behaviour and motivation, as well as your ability to critically analyse a problem, formulate a considered response and create a reasoned argument, lend themselves well to careers in the creative industries, the legal sector, government administration and education.
You could earn:
Sport and exercise psychologist
Typical salary: £27,000 to £38,000
Starting salaries typically range from around £20,000 to £23,000. With experience, you can earn in the region of £27,000 to £38,000. Senior sport and exercise psychologists can earn in excess of £48,000.
The stated salaries are published on prospects.ac.uk.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more stories“Practical modules delivered by lecturers from the industry has given me direction on how to get into the industry.”
Solent Futures
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Accreditations
Accredited by:
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,250 per year
- International full-time fees: £17,750 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2025/26 other costs are not yet available. For guidance, the 2024/25 other costs were:
Compulsory costs:
- Students must purchase a branded Solent t-shirt from year two: £19
- Students are also required to undertake DBS criminal records checks as part of their enrolment. This is compulsory and is payable by the student at a cost of £60. The DBS check is organised by the University.
Optional costs:
- Discounted NGB coaching qualification: Prices vary, please click here to view our courses.
- Students may also have the chance to undertake optional Active IQ qualifications alongside their studies.
- Additional kit
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
104-120 UCAS tariff points
- A minimum two completed A-levels with science A-Levels preferred, a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D*, a T-Level Merit, or equivalent, which comply with the minimum entry requirement of 104 UCAS points.
- GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above.
- Students may need to interview where appropriate.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066How to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 in each component or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Make your application
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year