BSc (Hons) Psychology (Sport and Exercise Psychology)

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How You Study

This course is aimed to reflect current research-informed teaching and innovation to evaluate how psychological knowledge is understood and applied in real-world settings, particularly in the fields of sport and exercise. The first year is designed to provide a broad and extensive understanding of the key concepts of psychology and research. The second year builds on these concepts in greater detail to understand how they can be applied in context. Third-year studies provide students with the opportunity to tailor their degrees towards their particular interests. Students will complete an independent research project, under the supervision of an academic staff member, on a topic of their interest.

Students will have the opportunity to learn through a mixture of lecture-based teaching, small group seminar discussions, practical workshops, computer-based labs, and one-to-one meetings. Most modules have a minimum of two hours per week of timetabled teaching time. Students are expected to contribute to small group sessions and undertake independent study. Staff use the intranet to provide course materials in an online virtual learning environment to support face-to-face teaching. This platform can facilitate remote learning if needed. In addition, students will be able to meet with academic staff in regular drop-in sessions.

First Year

• Brain, Behaviour & Cognition (Core)
• Conceptual & Historical Issues in Psychology (Core)
• Developing Individual in Society (Core)
• Foundations of Applied Psychology (Core)
• Research Skills I (Core)
• Research Skills II (Core)

Second Year

• Cognition (Core)
• Developmental Psychology (Core)
• Psychological Assessment & Psychometrics (Core)
• Research Skills III (Core)
• Research Skills IV (Core)
• Social Psychology (Core)
• Sport and Exercise Psychology (Core)
• International Study (Option)†
• Work Experience Year (Option)†

Third Year

• Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (Core)
• Independent Study (Psychology) (Core)
• Advanced Multivariate Statistics (Option)†
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders (Option)†
• Body image and eating disorders (Option)†
• Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology (Option)†
• Cognitive Neuroscience of Visual Attention (Option)†
• Cross-Cultural Psychology (Option)†
• Developmental Cognitive Neuropsychology (Option)†
• Developmental Psychopathology (Option)†
• Discourse (Option)†
• Fantasy Neuroscience (Option)†
• From Molecules to Mind (Option)†
• Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Option)†
• Investigative and Courtroom Psychology (Option)†
• Occupational Psychology (Option)†
• Perception and Visual Art (Option)†
• Psychology of Music (Option)†
• Psychopharmacology: Drugs, Brain and Behaviour (Option)†
• Risk Perception, Assessment and Management (Option)†
• Sleep, Cognition and Well-Being (Option)†
• Sleep, Dreaming and Circadian Rhythms (Option)†
• Solution-Focused Coaching in Practice (Option)†
• Vision Research (Option)†

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

How You Are Assessed

The aims of the module assessments are to measure the development and attainment of course outcomes, including the development of key skills such as critical analysis and evaluation.

Accordingly, the nature of the assessment varies across the three years of study and may further vary between different modules. Assessments in years one and two focus on the acquisition and understanding of knowledge and skills. In contrast, the year three assessments place far greater emphasis on the ability to apply, analyse and evaluate knowledge. Examples of assessment methods that may be used include essays, in-class tests, research reports, research diaries, research or clinical proposals, and dissertations; practical exams, such as poster and oral presentations, or observations; and written exams (including essay-based exams), such as formal examinations, or in-class tests.

The University of Lincoln's policy is to ensure that staff return assessments to students promptly. Psychology students currently receive feedback within a 20-working day period on large modules and a 15-working day period on smaller modules.

BPS Accreditation

The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC) the first step towards becoming a chartered psychologist. The BPS is the main professional body representing psychology and psychologists in the UK.

How You Study

This course is aimed to reflect current research-informed teaching and innovation to evaluate how psychological knowledge is understood and applied in real-world settings, particularly the fields of sport and exercise. The first year is designed to provide a broad and extensive understanding of the key concepts of psychology and research. The second year builds on these concepts in greater detail to understand how they can be applied in context. Third year studies provide students with the opportunity to tailor their degree towards their particular interests. Students will complete an independent research project, under the supervision of an academic staff member, on a topic of their interest.

Students will have the opportunity to learn through a mixture of lecture-based teaching, small group seminar discussions, practical workshops, computer-based labs, and one to one meetings. Most modules have a minimum of two hours per week timetabled teaching time. Students are expected to contribute to small group sessions and to undertake independent study. Staff use the intranet to provide course materials on an online virtual learning environment to support face to face teaching. This platform can facilitate remote learning if needed. In addition, students will be able to meet with academic staff in regular drop-in sessions.

Professional fields within psychology to consider range from clinical, health, occupational and educational, to forensic, sport and exercise, counselling, neuropsychology, and academia, research, and teaching. Sports psychologists help athletes improve their performance. In most sports psychology careers, you may work with athletes on motivation, stress management, effective teamwork, and other psychological factors affecting their athletic performance.