BSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise
About this course
BSc (Hons) Psychology of Sport and Exercise is an undergraduate degree exploring the psychological principles that influence athletic performance, physical activity, and well-being. Core topics include Research Methods and Human Behaviour. The course includes a compulsory placement year and an optional year abroad. The first year covers academic skills, research training, early years psychology, and brain function through modules such as Learning to be a Psychologist, Research Skills A, Psychology of the Early Years, Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Cognitive Research, and Understanding the Brain. The second year examines human diversity, lifespan development, and sport expertise via modules including Understanding Human Diversity, Psychology Across the Lifespan, Expert Performance in Sport, Research Skills B, Applied Cognitive Research, and Current Themes in Sport and Exercise Psychology. The final year focuses on an enquiry-based project alongside advanced applied psychology topics, with compulsory modules like Project (Psychology Programmes), Applied Exercise Psychology, and Applied Psychology in Competitive Sport. Optional modules allow students to study areas such as learning in early childhood, advanced experimental and qualitative design, eating behaviour, educational neuroscience, clinical psychology, and parenting and socialisation.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAB IB: 35 (6,6,5 HL) BTEC: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: D plus two A levels at Grades AB BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: D*D plus one A level at Grade B The BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma will not be acceptable as a stand-alone qualification but will be accepted at DDD overall in conjunction with one A level at Grade B Preferred BTEC: Applied Science, Health and Social Care, Sport, Business
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What students say
Based on about 44 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 84%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 95%
- Learning resources: 95%
- Student voice: 89%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 90 students who started
- Continued on course: 99%
- Left higher education: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 25 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 25%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 35%
- Sports and fitness occupations: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 105 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 18%
- West Midlands: 7%
- East of England: 17%
- London: 19%
- South East: 23%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 80 students who started
- A levels: 94%
- Baccalaureate: 4%
- Other qualifications: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Learning to be a Psychologist
- Research Skills A
- Psychology of the Early Years
- Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Cognitive Research
- Understanding the Brain
- Understanding Human Diversity
- Psychology Across the Lifespan
- Expert Performance in Sport
- Research Skills B
- Applied Cognitive Research
- Current Themes in Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Project (Psychology Programmes)
- Applied Exercise Psychology
- Applied Psychology in Competitive Sport
- Learning in Early Childhood
- Advanced Experimental and Qualitative Design and Analysis
- The Psychology of Eating Behaviour
- Educational Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
- Parenting and Socialisation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise at Loughborough University earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £31,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £41,000. The £31,500 median after five years is £6,500 less than the UK median for Anatomy, physiology and pathology.
What do graduates of BSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise at Loughborough University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise at Loughborough University?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise at Loughborough University?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 149 UCAS points.
Is BSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise at Loughborough University accredited?
Yes. Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Does BSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise at Loughborough University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise at Loughborough University?
99% of students continued into their second year, and 1% left higher education.