How to become a sports psychologist

Becoming a sports psychologist involves both academic and practical on the job training. Read more to discover the steps you need to take to qualify in this guide.

CAREER PROSPECTS CHOOSING A COURSE CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE

Tamsin Mosse 10 Jul 2023

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Routes to becoming a sports psychologist
Skills you’ll need
Finding work experience
How to get a job as a sports psychologist
What it's like to be a sports psychologist

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Routes to becoming a sports psychologist

To get into sports psychology, you’ll usually study for various academic qualifications including a relevant undergraduate degree and a postgraduate qualification. You’ll also need a minimum of two years supervised practice to gain chartered membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS). This professional organisation also approves university courses. Once qualified you must register with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) in order to use the protected title of sports psychologist.

Undergraduate degrees

You’ll usually need between 104–162 UCAS points to study for a sports psychology degree. Some universities offer a foundation year. Although these courses take four years rather than the standard three to complete, entry requirement will usually be lower.

It’s worth checking if the course you’re considering is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This demonstrates to potential employers that you have the standard of knowledge and skills required and you’ll be eligible to become a graduate member of the BPS on successful completion of your studies.

GO TO
Find an undergraduate sports psychology degree

Degree apprenticeships

It is not currently possible to do a sports psychology degree apprenticeship equivalent to an undergraduate qualification, as with some other roles. You will complete on the job training as part of the route to qualifying as a sports psychologist but this is usually undertaken later following a postgraduate course.

Postgraduate degrees

To practice as a psychologist, you’ll need an additional postgraduate qualification in sports and exercise. Entry requirements include a relevant undergraduate degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Competition is fierce so you’ll usually need a 2:1 or above.

If you have an unrelated degree or one that isn’t recognised by BPS, it’s possible to complete an approved psychology conversion course first.

Courses can take from one to three years to complete.

GO TO
Find a postgraduate sports psychology degree
Types of degrees in the UK

Skills you’ll need

As well as being empathetic, you’ll also need:

counselling and communication skills
customer service skills
patience
ability to stay calm under pressure
self-motivation
resilience
teamworking
critical thinking
Ability to read people’s reactions and behaviours

Finding work experience

Having some relevant work experience will help you feel confident this highly specialist role is the right one for you. You’ll get some practical experience during your studies, but you could also try:

Shadowing someone in a relevant profession such as a personal trainer, PE teacher or sports coach
Volunteering as a coach for local sports teams e.g., at a university or community youth sports club

How to get a job as a sports psychologist

As a sports psychologist you might become a self-employed consultant or be employed by a sports team or professional sporting body like the English Institute of Sport.

If your qualifications are in exercise psychology, you’re more likely to get a job with a public or private healthcare provider like the National Health Service or BUPA. You may also be interested in the research side of this profession and find a vacancy with a research centre such as at a university. The BPS advertises available positions on its website.

What it's like to be a sports psychologist

As a sports psychologist you’ll use your comprehensive knowledge to improve motivation and performance of individuals and teams as well as advising coaches and managers.

Depending on your role and specialisation, your tasks could include:

assessing clients' needs and developing fitness plans and recommendations
setting up activities to improve team and individual performance
advising coaches and managers on effective ways to communicate
supporting athletes in coping with injuries, confidence, and motivation issues
teaching people psychological techniques to improve their wellbeing and performance

You’ll usually work in a multidisciplined team which might be based at a range of locations such as a fitness centre, health centre, GP surgery, sports arena or even in a prison or psychiatric centre.

On qualifying you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Professional and industry bodies to join include The British Psychological Society for professional development opportunities.

Sports psychology graduates can expect an entry-level salary of approx. £20,000, which will increase to £48,000 or more with considerable experience.

Is a role as a sports psychologist right for you?

If you’re looking for a rewarding opportunity to combine a passion for psychology with a love for sports, helping athletes improve their mental resilience, performance, and overall well-being, sports psychology could be for you.