About this course
The programme is designed to meet BPS Stage 2 requirements in Sport and Exercise Psychology and eligibility for HCPC registration.
- The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is ranked 6th for Sports Science (QS World University Rankings 2024)
- Benefit from quality teaching and supervision provided by experienced sport and exercise psychologists
- Study on a course underpinned by high-grade research and practice, designed to meet BPS Stage 2 training requirements in Sport and Exercise Psychology and eligibility for registration as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist with the HCPC
- Enjoy the world-class facilities in the award-winning Tom Reilly Building
- Look forward to enhanced career opportunities in Sport and Exercise Psychology professional practice and promotion, as well as education, teaching and research
The programme is underpinned by a strong focus on equipping future Sport and Exercise Psychologists with the competencies required to work in a range of professional practice scenarios. You will work closely with academic staff who are leaders in their research field and experts in training. In keeping with the nationally agreed curriculum competences for Sport and Exercise Psychologists, you will develop your professional skills in teaching and training (education and dissemination), ethics and professional standards, research and consultancy through your own work-based learning experiences, taught sessions on the programme and extensive supervision.
Daniel's story
Daniel joined LJMU as an undergraduate and achieved his BSc and MSc Sport Psychology qualifications here before embarking on the Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
"I stayed at LJMU because I have had a really good experience here. The staff are very supportive and have similar interests to me. In many ways it was the natural choice.
The course was ideal for me as it offers the chance to combine Level 8 study with professional training. From the outset expectations have been very well explained to us. There are relatively small numbers of students on the course and that means we really feel well supported. Staff always have the time for you.
I came to Liverpool six years ago and the fact that I'm still here is testament to how much I like the city. It's such a friendly place to be."
Mike's story
Mike moved to LJMU for his Masters following a recommendation from his undergraduate tutors at Leeds Beckett. He is now studying for the Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Study at this level is all about being challenged by your lecturers and learning more about yourself as a practitioner. It’s also about sharing your experiences with your peers.
Naturally, doctoral study is a step up but LJMU offer the support you need to get you there. I love the fact that the tutors guide your discovery rather than providing answers. They question your decisions and make you really think about what you are doing.
In essence I’d say that postgraduate study is challenging but enjoyable. I want to go into full-time practice and this is certainly the right course to get me there.”
Nick's story
Nick moved to LJMU to undertake a Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology. He is now studying for his Professional Doctorate.
I was drawn to LJMU by the knowledge of the lecturers and their practical experience in the field. This doctorate links theory and practice and a real highlight has been meeting peers whose different experiences have given them different perspectives. We are all learning from each other.
As students we are here to be challenged and to progress. The support has been excellent and there are always three or four lecturers you can go to for help in any area. The relationship with staff is very different at this level. You are not lectured at, you discuss topics and further your learning.
I have been working in professional football for the last three years and am also lecturing at another University. I would certainly recommend this programme for those who want to develop their knowledge and skills in this area.”
David's story
With an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Geography and a Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology, David decided to study for a Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
The Professional Doctorate offers the best of both worlds: applied experience and research supervision. It is very unusual being able to do something so practical at PhD level.
I work as a coordinator of a Sport Scholarship scheme and Football Development officer in Ireland and I’ve really appreciated the flexibility of LJMU staff in terms of enabling me to do what I need both from a work and from a study point of view. There is quite a lot of travelling involved for me but tutors are always more than happy to catch up with me via Skype if I can’t attend one of the sessions in person.
When it comes to Liverpool itself, I lived here for a year whilst I was doing my Masters and simply loved it. It’s a great place to socialise and make friends and I felt very much at home.”
Go on a tour of the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
The Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology is available in various durations to suit your circumstances. The minimum is a statutory 2 years as a full-time student. The equivalent part-time programme is 4 years long. In addition, we also offer a full-time programme that is 3 years duration, and a part-time version that lasts up to 6 years.
All programme variants have the same essential structure, with the same taught sessions that occur primarily in the first year. The programme duration you choose is largely dictated by your work placement(s) and other work related opportunities you may secure. For example, if you are working on doctorate related activity full-time then it is likely you will opt for a full-time programme duration. If you are working half-time or more, but less than full-time, then you must opt for a part-time version. Anything less than half time is not suitable for doctorate completion.
The number of years you chose to study for will mainly be dictated by how busy you find yourself and how much spare time you have for the additional paperwork that the doctorate necessitates. For some, a two-year full-time programme is very packed and proves difficult, and the third year programme suits them better. The programme team at LJMU are happy to discuss your needs and what might suit you best depending on your personal circumstances; no two applicants are alike. It is also possible to change your study mode e.g. from full to parttime according to your circumstances.
If you wish to avail yourself of the Doctoral Loans scheme, please note that currently this is only available for programmes of durations of 3 or more years. Find out more.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Planning Training in Sport and Exercise Psychology
30 credits
30 credits
This module introduces the programme and helps you to produce a training plan in line with the competencies required by the British Psychological Society and Health and Care Professions Council. It also helps you to reflect on that plan in the form of a SWOT analysis. The module aims to:
- establish that you can plan your training in relation to the requirements of the national competences for Sport and Exercise Psychologists
- provide evidence of a critical view on your own planned development
Sport and Exercise Psychology Professional Practice
270 credits
270 credits
The aim of this module is to capture the competences of Professional Skills and Standards (including ethics of applied practice), Consultancy, Research, and Teaching, & Training (education and dissemination) in sport and exercise psychology over the period of training.
Reflection in Sport and Exercise Psychology
60 credits
60 credits
This module requires you to reflect on your learning experiences as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist by reflecting on your practitioner development and how this informs your future practice. It aims to enable you to demonstrate your:
- overall professional skills development
- ability to reflect and meta-reflect on your development and the decisions and choices you have made during your training
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
All teaching is on Thursdays 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm, leaving you some time in the day to meet with your supervisor. Sessions are formally scheduled from January to June and September to December in year one and on an ad hoc basis in subsequent years.
Teaching methods
You will develop your skills in teaching and training (education and dissemination), research, consultancy and the generic professional skills needed to qualify as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist. This is achieved through your own work-based learning experiences, taught sessions on the programme and extensive supervision.
Applied learning
To be offered a place on the programme, you need to have secured your own placement, or work related opportunities (or a combination of the two) to satisfy the hours of client contact required. Once on the programme, you are likely to encounter other opportunities, sourced by you or our staff (who have extensive networks with numerous sport and exercise organisations) that you may choose to undertake as further support for your training.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
The programme is delivered in the City Campus, in the £28 million Tom Reilly Building, which provides world-class sport and exercise science facilities.
Employability
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
A growing number of Sport and Exercise Psychology graduates work in applied settings as Sport and Exercise Psychology practitioners and promoters, as well as taking up positions in Sport and Exercise Psychology education, teaching and research.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.
Professional accreditation/links
Designed to meet British Psychological Society (BPS) Stage 2 requirements in Sport and Exercise Psychology and eligibility for Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees:
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Postgraduate degree (required for research programmes)
- a good honours degree in Psychology conferring Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership from the British Psychological Society
- a BPS Accredited MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology, normally at merit level or higher (we offer a BPS accredited Sport Psychology Masters at LJMU)
Additional requirements
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Relevant work experience
- a suitable pre-determined placement or work related learning opportunities (paid or voluntary)
Further information
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Extra Requirements
- The Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology is not eligible for the LJMU Alumni Award if the 20% discount has already been used for an alternative LJMU programme
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RPL
- RPL is accepted on this programme.
International requirements
IELTS
- IELTS score of 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in each component)
Other international requirements
- International students who have applied to study a full-time taught Masters, MRes, MPhil or PhD at LJMU, you should check if you require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme or ATAS certificate. Please contact LJMU’s International Admissions Team for further details
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
Applications for students starting in January 2026 will open on 1 June 2025 and close on 30 September 2025. Please note we have places available for seven students.
News and views
Browse through the latest stories and updates from the University and beyond
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The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.