Psychology and Sport Studies

If you are interested in Sport Psychology and other areas of Sport and Exercise Studies, then this course is an excellent choice for you.

Our Psychology courses are designed to be challenging, stimulating and relevant to the needs of today's society. You'll learn techniques that enable people to enjoy healthy lifestyles and facilitate their physical and mental health and wellbeing. As part of your studies, you’ll look at the applications of psychology in a wide range of areas – from understanding the nature and causes of mental illness to investigating decision-making in real-life situations. 

This will then be paired up with a range of interesting and engaging sports topics for you to choose from including modules on sports management, nutrition, strength and conditioning, sport psychology, sport coaching and physical activity and health.  

You’ll get to choose from a range of optional modules, tailoring your degree to the areas that interest you as well as developing your skills and knowledge. 

Excellent facilities 

Enhancing your employability through internships and applied experiences is a passion of ours and, as such, forms a central part of the course.   

During the course you will have lots of opportunities to do practical work in our outstanding sport and psychology facilities. Our psychology specialist facilities include high specification computing labs with the latest software for designing experiments and analysing data, a variety of psychological recording equipment such as EEG, as well as observation suite equipped with video recording and one-way mirrors. There's also eye-tracking equipment and project rooms which provide students the special space they need for conducting research. 

For sports, our physiology laboratory contains the latest equipment for testing and measuring fitness for both participation and performance sport. You will also use a range of computer software packages for performance and statistical analysis. In addition, we have some of the best sport and exercise science equipment available in our dedicated performance suite.  Our sport facilities and associated equipment are overseen by our subject experts and a dedicated team of Sport Technicians.    

You will also have use of our modern Sport Hall, Outdoor 4G Pitch and Health and Fitness Suite during your time on the course.   

Be taught by experts 

You will be taught by experts who are specialists in their chosen field and have had their expertise recognised by accrediting bodies. Our teaching team includes accredited Psychologists, Sport Psychologists, Physiologists and Strength and Conditioning experts. 

They are also active researchers in a range of exciting areas including maths anxiety, nature connectedness, physical activity in children and international research in long-covid. 

Accredited course  

British Psychological Society accreditation means we're delivering a high standard of psychology education. It shows we've met BPS standards for course content and design, and student development. It also means you can apply for BPS student membership. This provides:  

• Access to networking opportunities  
• The BPS student online community  
• Discounts on books  
• Events and e-learning  
• Academic journals  
• The chance to transfer to graduate membership free of charge after completing your degree  

And you will have the opportunity to progress to accredited postgraduate qualifications and training to gain chartered membership of the BPS.  

For students to receive the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS), students need to do the following:  

• Choose a Psychology major pathway with all prescribed modules  
• Obtain at least a 40% overall for the Independent Study in Psychology  
• Obtain at least a lower second-class degree 

What is a Joint Honours degree?

A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.

A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:

• You want to study two subjects you’re passionate about
• You’ve got a specific career in mind and want to create a tailored degree to prepare you for the future
• You want to study a new subject alongside one you’re already familiar with

The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact jhs@derby.ac.uk.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You will learn in a variety of different ways including formal lectures, discussion led seminars, practical demonstrations and other technology-based innovations. There will be opportunities to get involved in applied case studies, role playing scenarios, coaching sessions and community-based work. You will be assessed on your theoretical knowledge and your ability to apply this in practice. Our practice-based learning takes place in our specialised Psychology and Sport and Exercise facilities.  

You will also learn from industry experts and from peers on your course. You will be allocated your own personal academic tutor who will work with you on a one-to-one basis to support your personal development and career planning. 

How you are assessed 

You will be assessed on the course via a range of different methods.  This includes written reports, oral presentations, practical demonstrations, examinations and other forms of problem solving.   

For Sport you will work on both individual and group-based assessments with students from across the world. You will also have the opportunity to work on real world and live assessment briefs with external organisations. For example, you may be asked to present to employers new ideas for the development or enhancement of external projects. 

For Psychology modules, you’ll be assessed mainly through assignments, via essays, posters, presentations, and reports. You may also have to take some exams. These can include essay questions, multiple choice and short answer questions. 

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)

2025/26

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Minimum numbers

Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.

Other courses you might like

• Psychology BSc (Hons)
• Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)
• Sport Management BA (Hons)