How to become a sport psychologist

Whether it's boosting motivation, building resilience, or refining focus, sports psychologists play a pivotal role in maximising athletic potential

What is sport psychology?

Sport psychology and exercise psychology are two distinct areas of study. However, they are often discussed together since 'sport and exercise psychologist' is the official title for professionals in the UK.

Sport psychologists primarily work with athletes, coaches, and referees, from amateur to elite-level, to improve their performance. They focus on how psychology affects sport and how it can be used to prepare sporting professionals for the demands of their job, such as competition and training. For example, a sports psychologist could help a referee cope with the stress of their role or assist athletes in dealing with the consequences of an injury.

In healthcare settings, 'sports psychologists typically create and teach sport and exercise psychology skills and strategies to healthcare professionals or the general public' explains Pete Coffee, professor of psychology and Dr Jennifer Meggs, associate professor in sport psychology at Heriott Watt University.

Exercise psychologists, on the other hand, typically work with the general public to increase motivation and participation in exercise to improve health and wellbeing, rather than performance.

In either field, individuals work with a team of professionals, such as nutritionists, GPs, coaches and physiologists, to achieve their goals.

Why choose a career in sport psychology?

The role offers exceptional variety. You'll collaborate with a diverse clientele across various backgrounds and skill levels, ensuring each day brings fresh challenges. The varied nature of the job takes you to a range of locations, from university campuses and healthcare settings to sports villages, gyms, and training grounds.

For most sport and exercise psychologists, international travel is a possibility, particularly if working outside healthcare or teacher training and education fields. If you're looking to work abroad, especially in the USA, a career as a sports psychologist unlocks exciting possibilities of working with elite athletes around the world.

Although the challenges can be difficult, the thrill and satisfaction of helping individuals or teams achieve their full potential will bring you a huge sense of accomplishment.

Do I need a sports degree?

If you are interested in becoming a sport and exercise psychologist, there are two main routes - the British Psychological Society (BPS) route and the British Association of Sport Exercise Sciences (BASES) route.

'Students should have either a BASES student membership or Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) BPS status. This is typically achieved by completing an accredited BSc psychology degree and achieving a 2:2, or a BASES accredited BSc sport and exercise science degree,' advise professor Coffee and Dr Meggs.

If you have an undergraduate degree in an unrelated subject or if your degree is not accredited by the BPS, you can take a relevant conversion course, such as the Graduate Diploma (GradDip) in Psychology.

'You will then need to complete a BPS accredited and/or BASES endorsed MSc in sport and/or exercise psychology. This can be done by enrolling on a registered training route - either BPS Stage 2 training or BASES SEPAR training. This will be under the supervision of a Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) registered sport and exercise psychologist who is a trained and approved supervisor,' explains professor Coffee and Dr Meggs.

The MSc Sport Psychology at Heriott Watt University is an example of an accredited programme that focuses on the study of psychology in a range of sports and exercise settings. During the one-year degree, you will study various modules, including:

• Professional Practice in Sport Psychology
• Psychology of Team Sport
• Psychology of Elite Sport
• Psychology of Community Sport.

It is important to note that entry onto the BPS or BASES professional training routes is not possible without a degree. Professor Coffee and Dr Meggs advise that this should be at a 2:2 classification as a minimum. A foundation degree or HND alone will not be sufficient.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in sport and exercise psychology, you can search for postgraduate courses in sport and exercise psychology, and  learn more about postgraduate funding.

Where can I find work experience?

Gaining work experience is crucial for those who wish to become sports or exercise psychologists. Typically, relevant work placements or internships are required to secure a place on a Masters course. However, it can be challenging to find specific sports psychology internships.

Nevertheless, there are various ways to gain relevant experience. 'Research assistant roles in projects related to sport and exercise psychology can be useful, as well as work shadowing a HCPC registered sport and exercise psychologists in practical settings. You could also consider producing blogs or media resources to promote and share your sports psychology knowledge and education,' suggest professor Coffee and Dr Meggs.

Volunteering with local youth sports teams is also an excellent option. Additionally, if you like the idea of working abroad, Sporting Opportunities provides a 4 to 12-week sports psychology internship programme in Ghana.

Find out more about work experience and internships.

What jobs can I do with a sport and exercise psychology degree?

There are various routes for sports psychology graduates to take:

• Employment - many sport psychology graduates become practitioners, working full-time for professional sports teams or governing bodies like the UK Institute of Sport.
• Consultancy - others choose to be self-employed consultants working for specific sports teams or organisations such as football academies, tennis centres or private schools. This route has high earning potential, often exceeding £1,000 per day at elite level.
• Academia - some choose to combine practitioner work with academic roles in higher education. They may then pursue a PhD related to BPS Stage 2 training and/or BASES SEPAR training or take on a research assistant position with the potential to advance to a research fellow.

Exercise psychologists typically work alongside GPs in the NHS or private providers like Bupa, focusing on promoting exercise participation and motivation. Like sport psychologists, they can pursue consultancy, teaching, or research in higher education.

Even if you don't become a sport and exercise psychologist after graduation, the skills you developed through your degree are valuable in other areas like general psychology, teaching, human resources (HR), and healthcare.

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