MSc Sport Psychology 12 months Postgraduate Program By Heriot-Watt University |Top Universities
Program Duration

12 monthsProgram duration

Tuitionfee

23,248 GBPTuition Fee/year

Scholarship

YesScholarships

Main Subject Area

PsychologyMain Subject Area

Program overview

Main Subject

Psychology

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Overview

The MSc Sport Psychology programme at Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh campus combines expertise from our Department of Psychology with the sporting excellence of Oriam, Scotland’s Sport Performance Centre. 


This programme is led by expert sport and exercise psychologists and is accredited by the British Psychological Society, a highly regarded marker of quality assurance that prospective employers value. Applicants for MSc Sport Psychology are eligible for Sports Scholarships that we offer for a variety of student-athletes. These scholarships are available on an individual and team sport basis and give you exclusive access to benefits as well as a percentage reduction on your tuition fees based on the level of scholarship.  


This degree will provide you with a stepping-stone towards the qualifications you need to work with athletes, coaches, and exercisers in psychological settings across community and elite sports. This master’s degree is also ideal if you want to pursue further academic study in research-driven environments and a research career.  


While studying MSc Sport Psychology, you’ll gain a critical understanding of the knowledge and skills involved in Sport Psychology practice, together with developing specialist psychological knowledge within principal contexts in Sport Psychology including elite sports, community sports, team sports, and individual sports. You’ll be able to apply advanced research knowledge and skills which are relevant to psychology, including completing a significant independent project. You’ll also obtain transferrable skills that will be useful in careers outside of sport and exercise psychology, both in the public and private sectors.   


Each course included in the programme will equip you with highly employable expertise and skills in sports psychology, from the psychology of team sport, professional practice in sports psychology and the psychology of elite sport. You’ll benefit from the industry relevance and connections that are embedded in the programme, which afford a highly successful trajectory in your career after graduation. Assessments on the programme are designed such that you will build a portfolio of resources and experiences as trainee sport and exercise psychologists, providing a firm foundation towards progressing in the profession. Upon completion, you’ll be able to use a significant range of professional skills, techniques, and resources to understand the application of good ethical practice across the entire research process.  

 

Expertise  

Our MSc Sport Psychology degree is taught by experienced, leading academics who have published research which shapes their discipline, and which will guide your learning. Academics delivering courses on the programme balance teaching time with research and professional practice in their discipline, including sports and exercise psychologists. They bring real-world experience to the classroom. Collectively, staff have practised as sport and exercise psychologists with elite national sporting organisations, have edited leading international academic research journals, and are internationally recognised, publishing widely in their disciplines. 

 

Your learning environment   

The MSc Sport Psychology programme uses teaching and research expertise within Sport Psychology to deliver a high-quality learning and teaching experience. The programme is supported by sport and exercise science provision across Heriot-Watt University and uses world-leading sports facilities and resources at Oriam – a trusted training base of many of Scotland’s top sports teams and athletes. Our facilities include a high-performance sports laboratory with specialist equipment, sports halls, pitches, gyms, studios and squash courts.   


Our small and interactive group teaching approach is provided by a team with diverse academic and practice skills. Our exclusive sport and exercise partnerships on campus will provide you with a truly unique community where your learning and professional development will thrive.  


This degree is taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, and practical labs to allow you to develop a wide range of relevant theoretical and practical skills and knowledge. You’ll also have the opportunity to work in partnership with practitioners, coaches, individual sports people and/or teams as you develop your skills (e.g., through the development of educational workshops).   


You’ll be assessed through a mix of authentic formative and summative assessments. Reflective learning is embedded throughout the programme and in summative assessments, you’ll be required to show how you creatively explored and solved problems to industry-relevant global matters.   


Customise your learning   

The MSc Sport Psychology programme includes innovative, contemporary courses and teaching methods which will allow you to acquire the knowledge and skills to successfully contribute to performance and wellbeing initiatives in dynamic sport and health-related contexts.   


In semester three, you’ll choose a topic within Sport Psychology and produce an independent project. This will provide you with opportunities to learn and demonstrate your critical ability to use a range of techniques and research methods. You’ll critically evaluate relevant literature and apply detailed knowledge and understanding of psychology theories and methods to support your rationale. You’ll undertake research, plan your project, collect/analyse data, critically evaluate and discuss/summarise your research in a manner appropriate in the academic field.  

 

Examples of research topics include:  

  • Exploring the relevance of ‘us' through examining social identities in sport  
  • Examining social support processes in sport  
  • Examining leadership and active (engaged) followership in sport  

You can choose whether to study the programme full-time or part-time. This flexibility allows you to fit your postgraduate studies around your lifestyle.


Industry  

Our MSc Sport Psychology programme is aligned with sport and exercise science provision at Heriot-Watt University and capitalises on world-leading sports facilities and resources at Oriam, Scotland's Sport Performance Centre. Students have opportunities to observe and work in partnership with practitioners, coaches, and athletes as they develop their skills (e.g., through the development of educational workshops). 


We work closely with the industry to ensure our course content is up-to-date and reflects the current and emerging needs of the industry and employers. You’ll gain the right blend of knowledge, practical skills and soft skills to set you up for life after graduation.  

 

Accreditation 

The MSc Sport Psychology programme is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). 

Program overview

Main Subject

Psychology

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Overview

The MSc Sport Psychology programme at Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh campus combines expertise from our Department of Psychology with the sporting excellence of Oriam, Scotland’s Sport Performance Centre. 


This programme is led by expert sport and exercise psychologists and is accredited by the British Psychological Society, a highly regarded marker of quality assurance that prospective employers value. Applicants for MSc Sport Psychology are eligible for Sports Scholarships that we offer for a variety of student-athletes. These scholarships are available on an individual and team sport basis and give you exclusive access to benefits as well as a percentage reduction on your tuition fees based on the level of scholarship.  


This degree will provide you with a stepping-stone towards the qualifications you need to work with athletes, coaches, and exercisers in psychological settings across community and elite sports. This master’s degree is also ideal if you want to pursue further academic study in research-driven environments and a research career.  


While studying MSc Sport Psychology, you’ll gain a critical understanding of the knowledge and skills involved in Sport Psychology practice, together with developing specialist psychological knowledge within principal contexts in Sport Psychology including elite sports, community sports, team sports, and individual sports. You’ll be able to apply advanced research knowledge and skills which are relevant to psychology, including completing a significant independent project. You’ll also obtain transferrable skills that will be useful in careers outside of sport and exercise psychology, both in the public and private sectors.   


Each course included in the programme will equip you with highly employable expertise and skills in sports psychology, from the psychology of team sport, professional practice in sports psychology and the psychology of elite sport. You’ll benefit from the industry relevance and connections that are embedded in the programme, which afford a highly successful trajectory in your career after graduation. Assessments on the programme are designed such that you will build a portfolio of resources and experiences as trainee sport and exercise psychologists, providing a firm foundation towards progressing in the profession. Upon completion, you’ll be able to use a significant range of professional skills, techniques, and resources to understand the application of good ethical practice across the entire research process.  

 

Expertise  

Our MSc Sport Psychology degree is taught by experienced, leading academics who have published research which shapes their discipline, and which will guide your learning. Academics delivering courses on the programme balance teaching time with research and professional practice in their discipline, including sports and exercise psychologists. They bring real-world experience to the classroom. Collectively, staff have practised as sport and exercise psychologists with elite national sporting organisations, have edited leading international academic research journals, and are internationally recognised, publishing widely in their disciplines. 

 

Your learning environment   

The MSc Sport Psychology programme uses teaching and research expertise within Sport Psychology to deliver a high-quality learning and teaching experience. The programme is supported by sport and exercise science provision across Heriot-Watt University and uses world-leading sports facilities and resources at Oriam – a trusted training base of many of Scotland’s top sports teams and athletes. Our facilities include a high-performance sports laboratory with specialist equipment, sports halls, pitches, gyms, studios and squash courts.   


Our small and interactive group teaching approach is provided by a team with diverse academic and practice skills. Our exclusive sport and exercise partnerships on campus will provide you with a truly unique community where your learning and professional development will thrive.  


This degree is taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, and practical labs to allow you to develop a wide range of relevant theoretical and practical skills and knowledge. You’ll also have the opportunity to work in partnership with practitioners, coaches, individual sports people and/or teams as you develop your skills (e.g., through the development of educational workshops).   


You’ll be assessed through a mix of authentic formative and summative assessments. Reflective learning is embedded throughout the programme and in summative assessments, you’ll be required to show how you creatively explored and solved problems to industry-relevant global matters.   


Customise your learning   

The MSc Sport Psychology programme includes innovative, contemporary courses and teaching methods which will allow you to acquire the knowledge and skills to successfully contribute to performance and wellbeing initiatives in dynamic sport and health-related contexts.   


In semester three, you’ll choose a topic within Sport Psychology and produce an independent project. This will provide you with opportunities to learn and demonstrate your critical ability to use a range of techniques and research methods. You’ll critically evaluate relevant literature and apply detailed knowledge and understanding of psychology theories and methods to support your rationale. You’ll undertake research, plan your project, collect/analyse data, critically evaluate and discuss/summarise your research in a manner appropriate in the academic field.  

 

Examples of research topics include:  

  • Exploring the relevance of ‘us' through examining social identities in sport  
  • Examining social support processes in sport  
  • Examining leadership and active (engaged) followership in sport  

You can choose whether to study the programme full-time or part-time. This flexibility allows you to fit your postgraduate studies around your lifestyle.


Industry  

Our MSc Sport Psychology programme is aligned with sport and exercise science provision at Heriot-Watt University and capitalises on world-leading sports facilities and resources at Oriam, Scotland's Sport Performance Centre. Students have opportunities to observe and work in partnership with practitioners, coaches, and athletes as they develop their skills (e.g., through the development of educational workshops). 


We work closely with the industry to ensure our course content is up-to-date and reflects the current and emerging needs of the industry and employers. You’ll gain the right blend of knowledge, practical skills and soft skills to set you up for life after graduation.  

 

Accreditation 

The MSc Sport Psychology programme is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). 

Admission requirements

6.5+
You will have a relevant (e.g., psychology, sport science) First or 2:1 honours degree or equivalent. It is important that you have previously undertaken an empirical research project as part of your undergraduate degree and have completed a research design and analysis module. If you do not have these formal qualifications and experience but have significant relevant work/life experience (e.g., an elite-level athlete/coach), you may apply and, if shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview.
1 Year
Sep

Tuition fee and scholarships

Domestic Students

10,736 GBP
-

International Students

23,248 GBP
-

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

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From top 10 rankings to opportunities to study abroad, there are many reasons to choose Heriot-Watt.  Here are just a few of them.

A rich heritage
We are proud that since our foundation in 1821 we have been outward-looking pioneers of education, in pursuit of knowledge to the benefit of society and the world.

Become a global student
Heriot-Watt provides you with the opportunity to become a global student both at our UK campuses and internationally. On our Edinburgh Campus you’ll find that about one-third of our students are from countries outside the UK, bringing a real international flavour to our community. This mix of people provides a great opportunity to learn about other cultures and build friendships that stretch across the globe.

We also encourage students to take part in our global student programme, Go Global, by participating in an Inter-Campus Transfer, Exchange or Erasmus+ for a semester or year of their degree.

A world-class reputation
We are world-renowned for excellence in teaching and research. We are ranked 235th in the world and 32nd in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2024), and almost 90% of our research outputs are classed as world-leading and internationally excellent (REF 2021). View our rankings.

Strong links to business and industry
Our taught programmes and research are informed by the needs of business and industry. We actively facilitate collaborations and partnerships, building strategic alliances and promoting knowledge transfer.

Globally employable graduates
Global companies actively seek out our graduates as they are work-ready. Our programmes are designed to ensure that students receive a relevant, careerorientated education. As a result, more than 95% are in employment or further study six months after completing their programme.

Worldwide network
When you join Heriot-Watt you become part of a global family. We have around 123,000 alumni worldwide. The Watt Club was founded in 1854 and is the oldest graduate club in the UK. Lifetime membership is automatic upon graduation from Heriot-Watt and is free to all graduates of the University.

Heriot-Watt is one of the world’s leading universities with strong links to international business and industry driven by our established reputation as a top research-led institution. Heriot-Watt is world-renowned for conducting ground-breaking research which is relevant to business and industry. We aim to find radical innovations and solutions to real world challenges for the benefit of society.

We offer over 180 Postgraduate courses that will provide you with the knowledge to solve real world challenges. There are around 2,400 postgraduate students studying at our Edinburgh Campus. It is a friendly, welcoming place, where you will have the opportunity to meet with students from all over the world.

Heriot-Watt is regarded as a top UK university across a range of subject areas. The QS World’s University Rankings ranked Heriot-Watt 302nd in the world, 39th in the UK and 7th in Scotland. 

The international outlook of our university has been ranked 37th in the world, 13th in the UK and 3rd in Scotland by Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019.  This is based on the percentage of the university's international staff, the level of international co-authorship of academic papers and the percentage of international students studying with the university.  The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide named Heriot-Watt University ‘International University of the Year 2018’.

REF 2014 named Heriot-Watt in the top 25% of UK universities, with 82% of our research ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent. We ranked 9th university in the UK and 1st in Scotland for research impact. View our rankings.

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