BSc Honours, Accredited by British Psychological Society Sport Psychology Degree

The first year of the course introduces you to the core domains of psychology including social, cognitive and developmental psychology, along with research methods. In addition to this, you will also study the ‘Introduction to Sport Psychology’ module which aims to develop your knowledge of the fundamental concepts of sport psychology practice, establishing links between core psychological theories and topics, and practical work conducted in the applied setting. This module utilises a problem-based learning approach, allowing you to apply taught content to a range of professionally relevant scenarios which a qualified sport psychologist may face. You also complete a professional placement at the end of the year in a relevant industry setting.

Year 2

The second year of the course builds upon the knowledge and understanding gained within year one, with those core strands of psychological study progressing further through a range of specified modules. The sport specific module is titled ‘Sport Psychology: Theory to Practice’ and includes topics such as athletic transitions, stress, appraisal and coping, mental toughness, and leadership. A key feature of this module is the opportunity for you to design, and collect data for, a mini-research project which builds upon contemporary research trends within the domain. You also have the option within your second year to either complete a second professional placement at the end of the year or, alternatively, to volunteer throughout the year within a relevant setting.

Year 3

You complete a ‘Major Research Project’ in an area of your choosing, working with one-to-one supervision from a tutor. This provides an invaluable opportunity to focus on an area of study which you have particularly enjoyed throughout the course, and to lead a research study through from initial conceptualisation to eventual completion. You also take ‘Applied Sport Psychology’, which offers you the opportunity to again work independently, this time in an applied capacity working alongside an athlete to help improve their performance and/or psychological wellbeing. The remaining modules offer a choice from a range of options including Business Psychology, Health Psychology and Counselling Psychology. You may also, if you wish, undertake an additional work-based learning module that provides more valuable professional experience prior to graduation.

On this course you will study a range of modules which may include the following:

PSY4012 - Research Methods in Psychology 1
This module provides students with the requisite skills for investigative work throughout their degree. There is an emphasis upon both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, which are introduced alongside tools for analysis (including SPSS) and report writing skills. Content will include the nature of research in psychology, the importance of conducting ethical research and principles of careful research design. A range of quantitative and qualitative approaches and methods will be covered.
PSY4402 - Psychological Approaches to Personality and Intelligence
This module introduces students to core aspects of two of the main fields of psychology. For each subject area it provides a background and framework in the defining characteristics, methods and scope of the core topic areas of Personality and Intelligence: Individual Differences: Personality: major theories - Freud; humanistic; cognitive and learning theory approaches; the biological bases of personality; contemporary issues in personality; personality disorder. Intelligence: major issues and perspectives in intelligence research and theory; heritability of intelligence; IQ research, theory and debates; emotional intelligence; contemporary issues in intelligence including gender and ethnicity/cultural issues. Developmental Psychology: Personality: key theoretical approaches to development, personality and temperament; behavioural genetics approach; resilience and vulnerabiltiy as inherited characteristics, ageing and personality development across the lifespan. Intelligence: key historical and theoretical approaches to intelligence and cognitive development; Piaget's theory and critique; Vygotsky's constructivist approach; Information Processing Approach; cultural variation, the role of schools and Ecologial Systems theory; children's drawings and intelligence.
PSY4412 - Cognition and the Brain
This module encapsulates two core areas of Psychology that are often approached in experimental fashion. It will emphasise student-led activity and problem-based learning, while holding true to experimental roots. Students will also learn basic statistical techniques and apply them to collected data (group sessions). The following is indicative of module content. (1) Biological Psychology: Students will gain grounding in the structure and function of the brain. In addition, the module will focus on how the brain encourages survival - focusing on key areas such as pain, fear, eating & drinking and sleeping. Although the same mechanisms exist throughout the world, students will consider physiology in a global context: for example, the frequency of narcolepsy in Japan; cultural differences in eating habits, etc. (2) Cognitive Psychology: Students will also gain a theoretical underpinning of the main theories within Cognitive Psychology - namely the concepts of attention, memory, and problem-solving.
PSY4442 - Psychology of Social Issues 1
Introduction to social psychology, its evolution as a discipline within psychology and its use in everyday life. Indicative content includes; history of social psychology, including the contributions of early philosophers through to key 19th and 20th century thinkers, social thinking, social beliefs & judgements, attitudes & behaviours, research methods and the ethical issues related to conducting psychological research and applying social psychology to social issues (both in the past and in the present) including international and cultural perspectives. Throughout the module the relationship between the individual and society will be highlighted.
PSY4992 - Ethics, Society and Employability
The module aims overall to introduce students to the social justice mission of Leeds Trinity University and invites them to consider a range of contemporary social issues, as well as their own personal and academic development. The module will help students to engage with a broad range of ethical topics and perspectives that are relevant to their specific programme. It will help students transition in to higher education and introduce the learning and teaching approaches at Leeds Trinity, allowing students to integrate their own learning from personal experience with an ability to engage in an empathic, ethical and compassionate way with the wider world. Core topics may include: •The LTU mission •Diversity •Social justice •The Environment •Professional and career aspirations •Preparation for a work placement As it is a University wide module, we will be using a shared repository of materials which may be helpful to staff teams and some generic content may be commissioned from time to time for inclusion in the series of workshops by all programmes. The second part of the module aims to encourage students to reflect on and enhance their employability; identify and apply for suitable placement opportunities; and prepare for and successfully complete a professional placement at the end of Semester 2.
SHN4302 - Introduction to Sport Psychology
This module aims to introduce the fundamental aspects of sport psychology, and to enable students to apply these concepts to their studies of other relevant disciplines. This module will develop students' knowledge of the fundamental concepts of sport psychology practice, establishing links between core psychological theories and topics, and practical work conducted in the applied setting. This module also examines and appraises contemporary research methods (both quantitative and qualitative) within the Sport Psychology discipline.

On this course you will study a range of modules which may include the following:

PSY5012 - Research Methods in Psychology 2
Ethical issues in conducting psychological research. The design, control and analysis of experiments with more than one independent variable. Using experimental software (E-Prime) to implement complex experimental designs. The design of scales to measure psychological concepts, including issues of internal reliability and validity. The analysis of quantitative data, including distributions and transformation of data; the use of two-way analysis of variance; post-hoc analyses; multiple regression; reliability analysis. The use of specialist software (e.g. SPSS, G*Power) to perform and interpret statistical analyses. Issues in qualitative research, including ethical issues. The collection and analysis of qualitative data using a range of approaches (e.g. discourse analysis, grounded theory, IPA, narrative analysis). Presenting the outcomes of research.
PSY5072 - Professional Development and Placement in Psychology
A professional development programme comprising: 1Introduction to Professional Development Planning and Placements at Level 5; 2Workshop sessions including, for example, -team work -assessment centre tasks -briefings on EPO procedures, skills and preparation for attachment/assessment -international and cultural perspectives -Further development of employability skills, including digital skills 3Interview with Placement Tutor. Placement with suitable organisation(s), normally six weeks in total. Reflection and evaluation of the placement.
PSY5302 - Psychological Issues in Gender and Emotion
This module builds on core aspects of two contemporary themes in psychology. For each subject area it provides a background and framework in the defining characteristics, methods and scope of the core topic areas included, but are not exclusive to, gender and emotion: For Individual Differences: Motivation, social cognition models, mood disorders, irrational belief, personality disorders, the role of individual differences in health and illness, gender differences, cultural differences. For Developmental Psychology: Theories of gender identity, transgender issues in development, sex differences in aggression and other characteristics; emotions and attachment; parenting/social influences; identity, the self, self- esteem, adolescence and relationship formation.
PSY5312 - Mind and Brain
Building on PSY4412 Cognition and the Brain, students will critically examine the ways in which cognitive and bio psychology employ different methods of enquiry and develop different theoretical explanations of psychological phenomena, including neurological and psychological disorders. Indicative content includes cognitive and biological studies of memory function, perception, thinking and language. Throughout the module, students will be encouraged to consider the inter-relationship between cognitive and biological processes, along with the role of mediating factors such as stress and emotion. Historical development, cultural considerations and international aspects will also be included throughout, in order to provide a balanced and broad examination of topic areas.
PSY5342 - Psychology of Social Issues 2
Building on Psychology of Social Issues 1, students will critically examine the ways in which social psychology draws upon different theoretical perspectives and methods of inquiry. Indicative content includes social influence, social relations, social identity, social justice in everyday life, critical psychology (including relativism and constructivism) and the implications of applying social psychology to social issues (both in the past and present) including international and cultural perspectives. Throughout the module the relationship between the groups and society will be highlighted..
PSY5692 - Professional Development and Placement (Volunteering) in Psychology
A professional development programme comprising: 1Introduction to Professional Development Planning and Placements at Level 5; 2Workshop sessions including, for example, -team work -assessment centre tasks -briefings on EPO procedures, skills and preparation for attachment/assessment -international and cultural perspectives -aspects of volunteering -further development of employability skills, including digital skills 3Interview with Placement Tutor. Students must complete 60 hours volunteering over an extended period (12-20 weeks) Reflection and evaluation of the placement.
SHN5262 - Sport Psychology: Theory to Practice
This module aims to show how research-based evidence can be applied in practical situations. This module places an emphasis on the application of sport psychology within a team setting and will look to explore contemporary research findings to challenge student perceptions of what sport psychology is and, importantly, what applied practice entails. In doing so, the module will build on students' developing research skills to ensure that they are well positioned for this module and also for other areas of study.

On this course you will study a range of modules which may include the following:

PSY6032 - Business Psychology
This course is designed to chart the timeline of an employee from career counselling to retirement. In doing so it will consider the influence psychology can have on developing the individual and/or the organisation across the following areas; career counseling; job design, task analysis and person specification; recruitment, selection and assessment; motivation and job satisfaction; teamwork, management and leadership; employee relations; stress management and interventions; cognitive ergonomics; ageing workforce, disability, unemployment and retirement. Each area considers relevant history, seminal and contemporary studies/theories, practical application and future issues.
PSY6052 - Aspects of Health Psychology
Indicative content includes introduction to contemporary issues in Health Psychology. Nature of disability. Biological basis of health. The field of Psychoneuroimmunology. The psychological and biological effects of exercise participation. Placebo effect. Experience of treatment. The social cognition approach. Modelling and changing human behaviour to improve health. Communication in healthcare. Careers with health psychology.
PSY6062 - Applying the Mind
This module is designed to encourage a broad and critical understanding of key issues in cognitive psychology as applied in real world contexts. The emphasis is on challenging assumptions, assessing implications and questioning conclusions drawn. The following is indicative of the content and it is not envisaged that students will cover all of these topics, as the content covered will be for students to select. The nature and evolution of cognition. Issues of representation and process and how these relate to our understanding of and interventions in everyday functioning. The rationality debate and its implications. Cognitive processes and functioning in disease, so called "deficit" and degeneration. Implications and interventions. The effect of and interaction between cognition and factors such as content, context, culture and emotion.
PSY6114 - Major Research Project
This module provides an opportunity for students to complete an original research project in an area of psychology which is of particular interest of them. It forms the culmination of the various research methods modules / module elements which have preceded it. Students may choose any research method appropriate to the particular area of enquiry.
PSY6122 - Psychology Special Subject
The Special Subject will not entail the student conducting empirical research. Rather, the extended essay is intended to provide an opportunity for the student to write critically about a selected and approved area in considerably more depth than is possible in other assessed essays.
PSY6222 - Forensic Psychology
This module option covers a broad spectrum of topics pertinent to the area of Forensic Psychology. Topics may include: theories of crime, violent and sexual offenders, treatment, female offenders, personality disorder, risk assessment, forensic mental health and suicide and self-harm.
PSY6322 - Childhood and Society
Applied issues in psychological development are presented and explored as the complex interaction of inherited and environmental effects, set in a varying cultural context that governs the roles, goals and purposes of childhood. Indicative content: cross-cultural (and historical) experiences of childhood and development; the impact of early experiences - vulnerability and resilience; ethnicity - growing up with minority status; poverty - 'relative': role of cultural influences, comparisons and effects; transracial/inter-country adoption; street-children - development and effects; separated children - separation from parents due to divorce, bereavement, etc.; child abuse - short and long term effects; role of the father in development; role of children in adult development.
PSY6422 - Biopsychology of Stress and Health
Unique in our ability to worry about things that have not happened (anticipatory stress), human beings are especially vulnerable to the consequences of stress. This module will take a modern and biological approach, exploring in depth the effects that stress hormones have on our physiological and psychological well-being. It will explain the importance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the stress hormones secreted by it (e.g. cortisol). The module will consider the methodology of the objective measurement of cortisol - via a practical demonstration (saliva sampling) and an assessment in which students will be expected to design a relevant, cortisol-based experimental - as if they were applying for a hypothetical research grant. The module will consider the positive and negative effects of cortisol on a range of physiological mechanisms (e.g. the heart) before considering the psychological factors that initiate the stress response, individual differences and why some people will become stressed when others do not. br> Students will consistently be asked to consider the individual differences that affect physiological function - specifically (but not limited to) effects of socio-economic status, cultural identity and increasing age. For example, it is important that students are aware of the psychological and physiological challenges of being a member of a minority group.
PSY6462 - Counselling Psychology
Introduction to psychotherapy and counselling psychology. Critical consideration of a variety of psychotherapy and counselling schools and theories. Consideration of the challenges faced by psychotherapists and counselling psychologists working in a variety of contexts with a variety of populations. Wider counselling perspectives including eclectic and integrative, time-limited and the influence of positive psychology. The wider applications of counselling psychology with specific groups. Introduction to the skills used by psychotherapists and counsellors. Consideration of health economics and of broader modes of delivery, for example, group and internet counselling.
PSY6472 - Psychology, Mental Health and Distress
Critique of core concepts of mental health and distress; historical, social and cultural conceptions of distress and its treatments; psychiatric classificatory systems, diagnostic procedures, medical aetiology and interventions; psychological formulations of distress and interventions; overview of depression and anxiety, schizophrenia and personality disorders from both psychiatric and psychological perspectives; introduction to the service user movement and service user led research.
PSY6502 - Professional Learning Through Work
This module enables students to develop and negotiate learning outcomes and assessment modes that provide the flexibility for them to apply theoretical understanding and practical work-based development to a chosen context. This could include a work-based project or intervention or an alternative professional development project within their work setting. Students will be expected to negotiate a project with their employer or prior placement provider organisation that meets the needs of both the employer and Leeds Trinity University.
PSY6512 - The Psychology of Eating Behaviour
Obesity and successful weight management are one of the world's greatest health concerns. This module will comprise a survey of recent evidence and current thinking on the control of eating behaviour and the regulation of body weight. Lectures and associated tutorials will cover the following topics: Approaches to human appetite research; Homeostatic and hedonic factors in the regulation of appetite; Physiological and nutritional determinants of appetite; Obesity and eating disorders; Physical activity, exercise and energy expenditure; Gene-environment interactions in the regulation of body weight and food choice; Dieting and weight management; Food addiction; Appetite across the lifespan.
PSY6522 - The Psychology of Reproductive and Sexual Health
This module will explore the topic of reproductive and sexual health and understand why psychology is important in promoting healthy reproductive and sexual health behaviours. Each week will see a different reproductive and sexual health topic explored in terms of why psychology is important, what behaviours could be changed, which psychosocial factors are influential and how psychologists could intervene to encourage behaviour change and healthy reproductive and sexual health. Example topics include: menopause, sexually transmitted infections, teenage pregnancy and one-year postnatal. Public Health England's reproductive and sexual health data will be used throughout the module to demonstrate the real world need to research this topic. Students will take ownership of this module and take part in weekly presentations, which end with them leading a class discussion.
SHN6292 - Applied Sport Psychology
This module will allow students to apply their knowledge of sport psychology literature and to consider the differing approaches to practice utilised by sport psychology practitioners. Students are also given the opportunity to consider moral and ethical issues in the practice of sport psychology, to encourage personal development and wider professional understanding.