Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology - MSc

During this programme, you will:  

• Understand how to apply psychological strategies to boost sports performance. You will focus on mental skills training, assessment methods and team dynamics. 

• Develop counselling and communication techniques, helping you build effective relationships with clients in sport and exercise settings. 

• Explore ethical considerations in practice, understanding how to navigate real-world challenges as a responsible practitioner.

• Reach stage one of the recognition process for sport and exercise psychologists for PSI and BPS. Develop a case study submission as part of your application for professional membership at the Irish Institute of Sport. 

Key Information:  

• Complete full-time in one year 

• Delivered on-campus 

• Modules taught during Autumn and Spring semesters 

• Complete a research project tailored to your practice and career goals in the summer semester 

• Graduate with a Level 9 Master’s qualification in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology   

 You will learn through a blend of: 

• Lectures, workshops, and experiential learning 

• Reflective practice and supervised research 

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers through group work and assessments 

Year 1 

Autumn Semester  

• Advanced Research Design (PS6041) will teach you how to match specific research questions with advanced research designs, such as experimental, non-experimental, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches, equipping you with the skills needed for your Major Research Project. 

• Psychological Skills Training (SS6063) will help you understand how to apply psychological concepts and strategies to enhance sports performance, focusing on mental skills training, assessment methods, and understanding group dynamics in sports settings. 

• Applied Positive Psychology (SS6113) will support you to understand advanced research designs and how they can be developed for psychological research.  

• Professional Practice 1: Professional Competencies (SS6171) will introduce you to strength and conditioning principles to improve athletic performance and prevent injuries, while also providing certification in Safeguarding Welfare in Sport and Exercise Sciences through a core workshop. 

Spring Semester  

• Dissertation Development (SS6182) provides the backdrop to the development of your research question, the ethical approval process, the analyses and the dissemination of the findings. 

• Performance Psychology (SS6152) takes you beyond understanding what is done in performance psychology to understanding how performance psychology service is delivered. 

• Exercise Psychology and Mental Health (SS6162) provides you with a sound understanding of the brain and behaviour in physical activity and exercise settings. 

• Professional Practice 2: Professional Issues and Ethics (SS6103) will explore professional issues and ethics in applied psychology, focusing on ethical decision-making, evidence-based practice, and practical skills like counselling and reflection, helping you develop your own professional approach. 

Summer Semester 

• Dissertation (SS6163) supports you to design and carry out a research project which makes a substantial contribution the knowledge base in the field. 

• Professional Practice 3: Consulting and Reflective Practice (SS6153) will help lay the foundation for your ethical and reflective practice and offer a range of practical activities to enhance your practitioner skills, including a core workshop on Reflective Practice for Sport and Exercise Scientists that will provide a BASES certification.   

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.  

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s Book of Modules 

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree ((NFQ Level 8) with at least a second-class honours, grade 2 (2:2) in a relevant discipline. Preference will be given to graduates of Sports Science, Physical Education, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, anatomy or human biology. 

• Relevant work experience will also be an advantage. 

Other Entry Considerations: 

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme. 

At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. 

International students:  

• For details on country-specific qualifications visit postgraduate entry requirements for international students. 

 Checklist of Documents: 

• *Academic transcripts and certificates, translated if needed.
  • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport
• Copy of your CV
• Copy of any membership of psychological societies and CPD workshop attendance
• Supporting statement 

English Language: 

• English Language Competency certificate
• For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements 

Guidelines on Completing your Application  

• To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
  • Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist.
  • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc.
• *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying. 

EU - €7,200

Non-EU €14,600

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).  

 
Funding 

Find further information on funding and scholarships.. 

The MSc Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology can lead graduates to the following sectors and careers:    

• Performance directors
• Professional sport coaches
• Sport management
• Consulting in sport sciences, sport psychology
• Counselling services to teams and athletes 

Still Curious?  

The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.     

Online Information Sessions 

Image

Tim Marron from Tim Marron Sports Psychology graduated from the MSc Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology programme in 2021.  

"I work with clubs as well as individual athletes across multiple sports, including rugby, athletics, soccer, golf, boxing, rowing, and GAA.  

My favourite subject was Professional Issues and Ethics. I felt it was the most applicable to the path I wanted to take following completing the course. It allowed us to create solutions for real-world scenarios. The discussions allowed us to get different perspectives, from peers and lecturers.   

I always ensure that my work has a strong foundation in professional ethics and I often revert to what I learned in my MSc when dealing with ethical dilemmas. 

The advice that I would give to someone thinking about this course - just like anything, you get out of it what you put into it!"

Online Information Sessions