Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £14,895 for the course
Course summary
- Learn how core principles and research in psychology inform applied practice in sport, physical activity and occupational settings.
- Develop your practical knowledge and consultancy skills.
- Understand how important case formulations are to support clients as individuals.
After completing this course you can become a chartered sport and exercise psychologist. If you already have a psychology undergraduate degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), you can undertake BPS Stage 2 training. If you’ve previously completed an undergraduate degree in sport and exercise science, you can complete the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route (SEPAR) .
Graduate View

‘The course helped me to apply scientific knowledge to practical settings, and equipped me with valuable skills needed for research and professional practice. The academic staff are very engaging and supportive, and offer guidance to students considering which career paths to take.’
Rachel Dunn, MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2018 graduate

Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
You’ll develop your research and consultancy skills throughout the course – as well as your core psychological knowledge, especially in the sport and exercise psychology subject area. You’ll be taught key research methods by our qualitative and quantitative research experts. With their specialist knowledge and experience they’ll help you build confidence in conducting key forms of research.
You learn through
- lectures
- seminars
- webinars
- workshops
- staff tutorials
- student group activities
- reflective practice activities
- a major research project
- staff project supervision meetings
- technology-enhanced learning
Course leaders and tutors

James Rumbold
Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Course Leader for MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology (BPS-Accredited)Dr Rumbold is a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Applied learning
Live projects
The developing professional practice module helps you develop and practise your consultancy skills, with qualified supervision from registered sport and exercise psychologists. This helps you prepare for BPS Stage 2 or SEPAR training, which you can undertake after completing this course.
Networking opportunities
You’ll learn from a series of guest speakers from academic and consultancy backgrounds. These are also great opportunities to develop your professional network for future collaborations, CPD and work opportunities.
Competitions
You’ll be able to work towards the University's Leadership Award. This aims to enhance your competitiveness in the job market – and develop high-level employability skills for the sport profession or the wider career sector.
Your lecturer's view
Watch course leader Dr James Rumbold talk about this course.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- sport
- physical activity
- psychology
- exercise
- wellness
- research
Previous graduates have gone on to work for
- the English Institute of Sport
- the NHS
- sport national governing bodies (NGBs)
- physical activity referral schemes
- university and further education institutions
Others have gone on to further PhD study or to work as researchers.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society.
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus

Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with experienced applied practitioners and expert researchers in both sport and exercise psychology.
Learn more about your department
Find out about the Sports and Physical Activity subject area at Sheffield Hallam University.
Entry requirements
All students
A second class honours degree in psychology or sport and exercise psychology that provides Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society (BPS), or, completion of an appropriate conversion course in psychology (that provides GBC from the BPS).
A second class honours degree in sport and exercise science, physical sciences, physical activity, health sciences, physiotherapy, sports therapy, sports coaching, physical education or medicine (not recognised by the BPS). Please note a second class honours degree in sport and exercise science may be recognised by BASES.
A second class honours degree in a different subject supported by evidence of an aptitude for sport and exercise psychology, or equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.
Applicants will usually be expected to have studied at least 60 credits of sport or exercise psychology or psychology at first degree level. However, the course team will assess each application on a case-by-case basis.
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English.
You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Developing Professional Practice In Sport And Exercise Psychology | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Exercise Psychology: Theory To Practice | Credits: 30 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Project | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Research Methods | Credits: 30 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Skill Aquisition And Developmental Perspectives | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Sport Psychology: Theory To Practice | Credits: 30 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2022/23 is £8,745 for the course.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2022/23 is £14,895 for the course.

Postgraduate student loans
Up to £11,222 available for Home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Sport and physical activity courses (PDF, 255.9KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.