Sport and exercise psychologist
Study the mental and emotional effects of sport and exercise.
About the job
What it's like
You would study the mental and emotional effects of sport and exercise to help people reach their potential.
You would probably specialise in either sport or exercise, but you may work in both.
As a sports psychologist, you would work with everyone from amateurs to top professionals. You would help them with issues such as:
Dealing with nerves
Improving self-confidence
Coping with training and competing
Improving concentration
Staying motivated
Coping with injuries
Controlling aggression
Setting goals
You would work closely with people such as coaches, managers, nutritionists and physiotherapists.
As an exercise psychologist, you would find ways of getting the public to become more active and healthy.
You would:
Work in cardiac rehabilitation or GP exercise referral schemes
Promote the benefits of exercise by working with health promotion staff
Study the reasons some groups of people are more active than others
In both sport and exercise psychology, you would usually combine consultancy work with teaching and research, or with work in other areas, such as clinical or occupational psychology.
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Top skills
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It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- analysing
- developing a plan
- filtering
- researching
- observation
- problem solving
- written communication
- verbal communication
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Care
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Childcare and Development
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Human Biology
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PE (Physical education)
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Psychology
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Religious Moral and Philosophical Studies - RMPS
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Skills for Work: Sport and Recreation
You would need an honours degree in psychology (SCQF level 9/10) recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Or an honours degree in another subject (1st or 2:1) plus a BPS-recognised conversion course leading to the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) and BPS-accredited Masters (MSc) in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
To enter a psychology degree requires minimum of Highers at BBC and selection of Nationals or equivalent.
Courses must be approved by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), the British Psychoanalytical Council (BPC) or Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA).
Once graduated, membership of one of the psychotherapy professional organisation and registration on approved psychotherapist database is recommended.
It is essential you would work towards registration with the British Psychological Society (BPS)
All practising psychologists must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
A psychology degree or conversion course leads to Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS and allows you to register with the HCPC and work under the title of clinical psychologist.
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