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Psychology and Sport and Exercise Science BSc Joint Honours

  • UCAS code: C8C6
  • Full time
  • 3 years

This accredited degree allows you to explore both psychology and sports and exercise science. You'll apply your learning to help athletes perform, and promote physical activity and exercise with the wider public.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2024-25


Next start date:

  • September 2024

Fees (per year)

  • Home: £9250
  • International: £25800

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: AAA-AAB
  • IB: 34-36 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

This three-year Psychology and Sport and Exercise Science BSc joint honours degree focuses on building your knowledge across both psychology and sport and exercise science.
 
You'll study key disciplines in psychology and sport and exercise science, such as:
 
  • physiology
  • bioenergetics
  • nutrition
  • social and developmental psychology
You will also have the opportunity to complete a placement or study abroad year, which you can apply for after you have completed your first year.
 
Your teaching will be informed by internationally recognised research, much of which is delivered in the purpose-built, state-of-the-art Dame Margaret Barbour building

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

You will be introduced to the basic concepts in psychology through core topics including cognitive psychology, sensation and perception, instinct, learning and motivation.

You also study key disciplines of sport and exercise science including sport and exercise psychology, bioenergetics, and physiology. You will develop your communication and study skills by working in small group tutorials on a guided research investigation in psychology.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Cognitive Psychology 10
Sensation and Perception 10
Introduction to Psychology for Joint Honours 10
Research Methods and Data Analysis B 20
Principles of Evolution, Genetics and Behaviourial Development 10
Human Physiology and Practical Skills 20
Bioenergetics 20
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology 20

You continue to develop your knowledge in core areas of sport and exercise science, including applied sport and exercise psychology, applied sport and exercise nutrition, and exercise physiology.

You also study core psychology topics in more depth, including visual perception, social psychology and cognition.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Developmental Psychology 10
Social Psychology 10
Individual Differences 10
Biological Psychology: Sex, Drugs, Rhythms and Blues 10
Statistics for Empirical Psychology 10
Methods in Psychology 2A 10
Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology 20
Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition 20
Exercise Physiology 20

You study advanced sport and exercise science topics including: clinical sport and exercise psychology; sport and exercise medicine; and factors affecting elite performance.

You choose from a range of psychology modules, which currently include areas such as: abnormal psychology and psychiatry; clinical psychology; personality and eating disorders; and forensic psychology.

You will also undertake an empirical project, giving you the opportunity to specialise in an area of psychology that interests you.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Psychological Enquiry 3: Psychological Literacy and Professional Skills 10
Clinical Sport & Exercise Psychology 20
Empirical Project 30
Sport and Exercise Medicine 20
Factors Affecting Elite Performance 20
Optional Modules Credits
Art, Mind and Brain 10
To Cheat or not to Cheat: The Evolution of Cooperative Behaviour 10
The Damaged Brain: Case Studies in Neuropsychology 10
Psychology of Religion 20
Eating and Weight Disorders 20
Psychobiology of Drug Addiction 10
Sex Differences and the Brain 10
Cultural and Technical Intelligence: Developmental and Comparative Perspectives 10
Psychology for Sport Performance 20
Advanced statistics for Empirical Psychology 10
Making Sense of Forgotten Senses: Investigating Olfaction and Gustation 20
Neurodiversity of Development 20

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Teaching methods include:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • workshops
  • lab work
  • practical classes
  • computer based lab sessions

You'll be taught the skills essential to carrying out research such as conducting experiments, analysing and interpreting data, and writing up research reports.

Your assessments will include both summative and formative tasks and many modules incorporate formative practice.  We provide you with formative assessment opportunities which allow you to gain feedback ahead of summative assessments and we encourage you to reflect on your feedback.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Assessments

  • Case studies

  • Dissertation or research project

  • Dossier

  • Essays

  • Examinations – practical or online

  • Group work

  • Practical sessions

  • Presentations

  • Reflective report/journal

  • Reports

  • Seminar tasks/exercises

Skills and experience

In addition to the key concepts and principles of Psychology, our programme provides you with a broad range of graduate skills that you will come to know as Psychological Literacy.  You will be able to transfer these skills to a variety of professional, societal and personal settings.

Psychological Literacy 

You'll learn research related skills including , how hypotheses and research questions, out psychological ,research, the management and visualisation of data sets, use appropriate data analysis methods, and write up research reports. Through our School’s work on humanising our psychology curriculum you will develop your ethical understanding and intercultural competence, both as a scientist and as a citizen.  You will learn how to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills, and develop the capacity to self- reflect. 

In your Sport and Exercise Science modules, you'll work in the laboratory and in the field to develop key practical skills.

Modules in Sport and Exercise Science look to equip you with professional skills and ethical guidance, preparing you for a career in sport. 

Chat with a Sport and Exercise Science student

Jack

Opportunities

Professional Placements

Subject to eligibility, students can apply to take a professional placement between Stage 2 and Stage 3 of their programme. The School of Psychology placement team secure and advertise a wide range of placements, for example in the NHS Foundation Trust, Northumbria Police, University research institutes and local mental health support charities. National placement opportunities are also advertised, for example at Great Ormond Street Hospital. If successful in being offered a placement, then students are supported by the placement team whilst preparing for and undertaking their placement. Placements are an excellent opportunity for students to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in a practical context and are an opportunity to gain an important advantage in a competitive job market.

Study Abroad

As part of your psychology degree, you have the opportunity to study abroad for a year at a University in a different country. Currently, we have partnership agreements with Universities in North America, Canada and Sweden and we are continually expanding our global study opportunities. The international study year takes place between Stage 2 and 3. To join the international study you need to apply for a place and numbers are limited. 

Find out more information on studying abroad. Further information will be provided during the course.

Careers Placements

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. Placements are subject to availability.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

As a joint honours Psychology and Sport and Exercise Science student, you'll be based between the School of Psychology and the School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences, at our city-centre campus. 

As well as having great access to University facilities like its libraries, student's union and sports centre, both schools are less than 10 minutes' walk from Newcastle city centre.

You'll also have access to our excellent practical facilities in the School of Psychology, such as:

  • a forensic interviewing suite
  • a nutrition and food preference unit
  • a media and behaviour lab
  • medical consultation rooms
  • psychological testing cubicles

While in Sport and Exercise Science, you'll be able to access brand new sport and exercise science research and teaching facilities. They include: 

  • an environmental chamber to enable the simulation of altitude, temperature and humidity
  • gait track
  • biomechanics laboratory
  • physiology laboratory
  • high-performance suite
  • nutrition kitchen
  • blood preparation and analysis lab

The facilities also support performance and recreational sport. They include an eight-court sports hall, four squash courts, strength and conditioning gym, spin studio and gym.

Situated next to Newcastle’s RVI hospital, we’re one of the largest integrated teaching/hospital complexes in the country.

Support

You'll have an academic adviser in both subject areas as well as student buddies to help you settle into life at Newcastle University. 

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

As a joint honours graduate, you'll develop a range of skills that are sought by employers. By studying two disciplines, you're well prepared for the multidisciplinary challenges of everyday work, such as:

  • time management
  • organisation
  • self-motivation

Graduates with a strong background in sport and exercise science are also ideally suited to fulfil emerging roles that overlap the fields of medicine, exercise and health promotion.

Opportunities for diverse career paths

Recent graduates have secured employment in areas such as clinical psychology, forensic psychology, and educational psychology, in companies such as:

  • NHS
  • Home Office
  • HMRC
  • Prison Service
  • local, national, and international charities

Many of our graduates embark on further study, including master's degrees and PHDs in areas of psychology and related disciplines. 

As a psychology and sport and exercise science graduate, you'll also be incredibly versatile, with plenty of transferable skills, including analytical thinking, research skills, strategy development, problem solving, and content writing skills. Many graduates go on to careers in teaching, marketing, and financial services.

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2024 entry.

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

Find out more about International Pathway Courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BSc Joint Honours

Home students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

9250

International students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

25800

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

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