StudyQA — Master: Sport and Exercise Psychology

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Description Contents Requirements

The MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology is aimed at students who have completed a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited undergraduate degree in psychology and who wish to specialise in sport and exercise psychology, either as researchers or practitioners.

Aims

* To provide students with a coherent programme of study, consistent with the BPS accreditation criteria, which prepares students for Stage 2 of training to become a sport and exercise psychologist.
* To extend students knowledge and understanding in the field of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
* To provide students with a range of learning experiences designed to enhance critical analysis and independence of thought.
* To provide students with grounding in research methods and data analysis that prepares them for higher research-related degrees (e.g., PhD).

Assessment

Your academic performance will be assessed in a variety of ways. Assessment procedures include essays, case studies, oral presentations, poster presentations laboratory report writing and computer-based tests. Formal written examinations constitute part of the assessment in some modules. In addition, you will need to submit, and pass, a research dissertation.

Core ModulesResearch and Application in the Psychology of Sports Performance (15 credits) The primary focus of the module is on attentional processes relating to skill learning and expertise. In the first half of the module we will consider current research on topics such as choking, direction of attention, and implicit motor learning. We will then examine topics around perceptual expertise, including anticipation skill, perceptual training and deliberate practice. Throughout the module, we will explore the applied implications of this work for performers and practitioners.

Social Processes in Exercise and Sport (15 credits)

The purpose of this module is to apply the theoretical knowledge of social processes and group dynamics to sport and exercise environments. It will increase your awareness and expertise in the areas of leadership and coach-athlete relationships, group cohesion and motivation, and the home advantage phenomenon. The module is designed to be relevant to those aspiring to become applied sport psychologists or sport/exercise scientists. The module content is particularly relevant to those who intend to work with sport or exercise groups. It is common practice for the best work from this module to be presented as poster presentations at the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Conference and at the BASES Student Conference. We will also now be targeting the British Psychological Society Conference. (based on comment we received when presenting to the BPS.

Psychological Skills for Practitioners (15 credits)

This module is designed to enable you to develop an understanding of key psychological theories that underpin performance and also to develop critical evaluation of current research. The module will enable you to apply an effective programme of psychological skills and develop independent thinking.

Individual Differences in Sport & Exercise (15 credits)

This module aims to enable you to synthesise your knowledge of recent developments in individual differences theory and research; develop your ability to critically appraise and evaluate sport psychology literature; be able to synthesize a large and disparate literature; produce a scientific report in APA format; demonstrate your oral presentation skills in a supportive environment.

Research Methods and Data Analysis (45 credits) This module aims to enable you to develop the necessary skills to undertake a piece of research; develop competence in the range of quantitative and qualitative research methods available; critically assess the appropriateness of any research method in relation to a research question; effectively search for and utilise a variety of research sources; critically analyse personal research ideas; develop a critical appreciation of principles and techniques involved in analysing quantitative and qualitative data; apply statistical techniques using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS); analyse qualitative data, including the use of software; undertake your MSc dissertation appropriately.

Research Dissertation (60 credits)

Students select an appropriate topic of study that is approved by their supervisor. These topics normally span the research interests of Department staff.

Elective Modules (one from)Professional Development (15 credits)

This module enables you to develop areas/skills to enhance your professional development in the future. It will allow you to engage in a work-based study. The topic area will be agreed with the module leader and an appropriate supervisor. You will negotiate and agree a learning contract and the procedures and assessment to be undertaken. The topic chosen must be different from the topic of the dissertation.

Performance Lifestyle (15 credits)

This module focuses on high achieving athletes and those tasked to care for them as they strive to create an environment that facilitates success while maintaining a balanced lifestyle. The module has been endorsed by UK Sport and the content reflects the Performance Lifestyle support available to athletes through advisors at the English Institute of Sport. The module provides students with an opportunity to consider the performing athlete in a broader sense.

The normal minimum entry requirement is an upper second class honours degree (2:1) in Psychology or Sport and Exercise Sciences. Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS) is no longer required before taking this course; however, students wishing to enrol on Stage 2 practitioner training must have GBC either by virtue of their undergraduate degree or successfully completing a BPS-accredited conversion course.Students who hold a good honours degree in an unrelated subject who have successfully completed a BPS-accredited conversion course (e.g. Graduate Diploma in Psychology) are also eligible to apply.Note: In the UK, GBC is attained either by completing a BPS-accredited undergraduate degree in psychology (minimum lower 2nd class honours) or by completing a BPS-accredited conversion course. If you have completed a degree in psychology outside of the UK the BPS will consider applications for GBC on an individual basis. The Society will consider whether you hold a degree from a recognised university or comparable institution and if it is of an equivalent standard to a British bachelors degree at a minimum lower 2nd class honours level (in addition whether your degree includes at least 50% psychology).Applicants may be required to attend a telephone interviewEntry criteria is subject to change.English Language Requirements * IELTS: 7 (min 6 in all areas) * Pearson: 64 (51 in all subscores) * BrunELT: 70% (min 60% in all areas)Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.Our International Pathways and Language Centre offers a range of foundation and pre-masters courses to provide you with the academic skills required for your chosen course. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.