Degree overview
This degree combines contemporary and traditional areas of research and theory which underlines the practical application of psychology in sport and physical activity.
You will be introduced to the world of sports psychology, examining behavioural, social, developmental, cognitive and biological aspects of psychology in order to gain a better understanding of the psychological impacts on performance.
This new psychology programme replaces the old programme which is BPS accredited. The new programme is in the process of applying for BPS accreditation.


Degree content
Along with core psychology modules you will gain a clear understanding of the application of sport and exercise psychology in real world contexts and how it can aid performance, improve mind-set and improve athlete/performer well-being.
Along with football, a number of sporting and performance contexts will be examined in order to give you a rounded education of sport and exercise psychology.
The similarities of performance enhancement techniques employed in both the sport and business world will be examined, including motivation, decision making, leadership skills and team cohesion.
Teaching locations for this degree include:
In addition to our teaching locations, we also use specialist facilities throughout the academic year as well as additional facilities where required.
University Campus of Football Business is an embedded college of the University of East London. All graduates that begin their degrees with UCFB from September 2021 onwards will receive a degree from the University of East London.
Together with the University of East London, we are taking the opportunity to review and reinvigorate our curriculum. While at present we cannot confirm specific details of our new modules before they have been confirmed at a validation event, we are able to confirm that the new curriculum will have:
- Updated, fit for purpose, content
- A strand of academic and research skills to support your learning journey
- A strand of learning to better equip you for the 21st century workplace and enhance your employability opportunities
- More alignment to the needs of local, national and global industry
The structure of the advertised programme may therefore change prior to it beginning in September 2022, however, all applicants will be notified of any such changes prior to enrolment.
UCFB degrees fall under five subject benchmark statements – Business and Management (2019); Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies (2019); Events, Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism (2019); Law (2019), and Psychology (2019). Visit the QAA website to access each of these benchmark statements.

If you ask any sports person or any coach what’s the difference at the highest level it’s the mental side of the game, so why wouldn’t we try and train that?
Modules
Together with the University of East London, we are taking the opportunity to review and reinvigorate our curriculum. The modules below are planned for delivery on the programme beginning in September 2022, but are still to be confirmed at a validation event beforehand:
- Psychological Research Methods 1
- Psychological Research Methods 2
- Industry Competencies (Mental Wealth)
- Introduction to the Applications of Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
- Foundations of the Psychology of Sport, Exercise and Performance
- Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology
- Psychological Quantitative Research Methods
- Psychological Qualitative Research Methods
- Industry Readiness (Mental Wealth)
- Social Psychology
- Application of Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychology Dissertation
- Personalities, Individual Differences and Abnormal Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Industry Engagement (Mental Wealth)
- Professional Practice in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
Entry requirements
Applications are welcomed from students with a genuine passion and ambition to work in the football and sports industries.
- UCFB Wembley course code: SPSY
- Institution: U10
- Campus: W
The minimum academic requirement for this degree course is a 112 UCAS point score under the UCAS tariff system.
Applicants will normally have achieved one of the following:
- A minimum of 2 A Levels including two C grades
- A BTEC Extended diploma grade DMM
- A BTEC Diploma grade D*D*
- A combination of BTEC and A-Level qualifications with at least two C graded A levels or Merit graded BTEC equivalents.
- International applicants will be asked to achieve Duolingo 95 or IELTS for UKVI at grade 6.0 overall or above.
- International Baccalaureate (minimum of 30 points)
- An Advanced GNVQ in an appropriate subject at Distinction level
- An Access Course: minimum of 60 credits, including at least 45 at Level 3
- An equivalent level 3 qualification
Applicants should have a strong GCSE profile, including English at Grade 4 or Grade C, or equivalent and Maths at Grade 4 or Grade C (specifically for Football Business & Finance, Sports Business & Sports Law and Sport Psychology).
Other equivalent qualifications, including those from your own country, will be considered for entry.
Applicants for whom English is a second language will need a valid Academic IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.0 with no lower than 5.5 in each component for entry on to a degree programme (Level 4).
All qualifications are subject to approval by the UCFB Admissions team, based on UKVI requirements.
We also welcome applications from mature students who may not possess the above qualifications but may have relevant experience.
All applicants will be expected to demonstrate a specific interest in their preferred area of study and should have a commitment to engaging with the subject through the academic programme and our Employability & Enrichment involving high profile guest speakers, master classes and short course opportunities.
International students
Our access to an International Licence is currently being reviewed. This means we are unable to accept applications for anyone who requires a student visa to study in the UK as we cannot issue Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Once the review if finalised and we have a definitive outcome, all students who've expressed an interest in studying at UCFB and the Global Institute of Sport will be notified.
If you are still unsure whether you would need a visa to study in the UK, or for more information, please contact compliance@ucfb.com.
Students are normally expected to start at Level 4, but can be admitted to any level of the course which is considered suitable depending on an assessment of their previous certificated studies or evidence of relevant experience. To be considered for entry with advanced standing, please contact our Admissions Team at admissions@ucfb.com for information, advice and guidance.
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Career prospects
Further specialised postgraduate study and training is necessary to become a qualified sport and exercise psychologist. However, once qualified, sport and exercise psychologists work with a variety of clientele at various levels in a fascinating and expanding field not necessarily constrained within the limits of sport. As well as working with professional clubs, athletes and governing bodies, the qualified sport psychologist may incorporate: performing artists, health and business clients depending on their interests. The core elements of the programme also allow you to embark on other non-sport related areas of psychology. It is recognised that psychology students have a large number of transferable skills that will equip them well for employability or further training beyond undergraduate study.
Over 90% of UCFB graduates are in employment within six months of graduating and almost two-thirds of them work within the global sports industry.
At UCFB we bridge the gap between education and business, allowing a unique approach to education. We provide two curricula; the academic curriculum which encompasses exams and coursework and the Employability & Enrichment programme – a three year journey of professional and personal development.
This provides access to best-in-class industry guest speakers, additional qualifications and exceptional opportunities to apply for work experience placements to ensure our students graduate as well-rounded, empowered professionals.
Find out more about your career journey at UCFB

The UCFB Global Insight Series is a thought leadership series, exclusively collated and made available for all UCFB on-campus and online students. The UCFB Global Insight Series provides unprecedented access to UCFB’s elite sports network; including interviews with LMA managers and other UCFB guest speakers, and content from UCFB’s Global Sports Summits at Inter Miami CF Stadium, New York’s Red Bull Arena, Atlanta’s brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Toronto FC’s BMO Field and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
We’ve been really impressed with the performance of the students we’ve had working with us over the last few months and are looking to employ some of them full time once they have finished their studies. Working with UCFB’s Employability & Enrichment team has been really easy and he’s been great at getting us candidates with relevant experience and skill sets.
A First Class Honours graduate of the BSc Sports Psychology programme, Chloe has been working at Adelphi Values since the beginning of 2021.
Chloe said: “Sports psychology is a growing field, so with determination, hard work and the support of your lecturers, your journey into psychology at UCFB will be one full of opportunities and achievement.”
Read more
Send a message to one of our friendly student ambassadors, or read their blogs to find out more about life at UCFB.
Fees
Visit our dedicated page about fees and student finance.
The provision of a facility or service including accommodation may be subject to an additional charge (i.e. separate from tuition fees). Where this is the case, we will make this clear in advance and payment for such service shall be made in accordance with any additional contract made between you and the University.
In some instances, optional Employability & Enrichment activities provided by UCFB may carry an additional cost for participants (e.g. additional courses such as the Mindfulness Course and various trips, etc.). Any additional costs will be provided to students in advance of any such sessions running.
UCFB has a range of scholarship and bursary options to help with the cost of studying and to encourage students to embrace their time at UCFB and graduate with more than just their university degree. Click here to learn more.

New York’s Red Bull Arena, Atlanta’s brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Toronto FC’s BMO Field and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) play host to the Global Institute of Sport hubs, enabling students and graduates to enhance their knowledge and expertise of the international sports industry.
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At UCFB we are dedicated to maximising the career opportunities of all of our students. This is why we offer unparalleled opportunities beyond the learning environment, enhanced by exclusive partnerships with some of the biggest and most influential names and organisations in world sport.
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