Sport & Exercise Psychology

What do Sport and Exercise psychologists do?

What they do:

It is relatively rare for individuals to practice in both sport and exercise psychology; typically, though some exceptions exist, they specialise in one or the other.

Sport psychologists work with sports participants across a range of both team and individual sports and from amateur to elite levels of competition. The aim is predominately to help athletes prepare psychologically for competition and to deal with the psychological demands of both competition and training. Examples of the work they carry out include counselling referees to deal with the stressful and demanding aspects of their role, advising coaches on how to build cohesion within their squad of athletes and helping athletes to deal with the psychological and emotional consequences of sustaining an injury.

An exercise psychologist is primarily concerned with the application of psychology to increase exercise participation and motivational levels in the general public. Examples of the work they do include optimising the benefits that can be derived from exercise participation and helping individual clients with the implementation of goal-setting strategies.

Where they work:

Sport and exercise psychologists work in a wide range of sport and exercise settings and with a diverse range of clients. Most sport psychologists combine consultancy work with teaching and research or psychological consultancy in other areas such as the clinical and occupational domains. Some sport psychologists do hold full-time positions with professional sports teams or national governing bodies and opportunities to work as a full-time sport psychologist are constantly increasing in number.

A similar scenario exists for exercise psychologists, with most practitioners combining consultancy with teaching and research careers. The work of exercise psychologists might involve GP exercise referral and setting up and evaluating exercise programmes in employment, prison and psychiatric contexts.

The work of a sport or exercise psychologist is centred on people and can be extremely varied. Although consultancy work may be office-based it is equally likely that consultants will work in field settings such as team premises, competition venues, clinical rehabilitation and recreational exercise settings

How do I become a Sport and Exercise psychologist?

• You will need a Society accredited degree level qualification in psychology that gives eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR).
• You will then need to complete a Society accredited masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology; plus
• Two years practical experience under the supervision of a Chartered Psychologist. To achieve the correct competencies during supervision, you will need to complete Stage 2 of the Society's Qualifications in Sport and Exercise Psychology.

What is relevant work experience and how do I get it?

How much will I get paid?

Pay is variable dependent on whether the individual is working with local, amateur level athletes or has a contract to work with elite athletes. Many sport and exercise psychologists combine consultancy with lecturing therefore the usual salary for lecturers would be applicable.

Salaries for lecturers at FE and HE institutions range from:
Lecturer: £17,000 - £25,500
Senior Lecturer: £24,000 - £31,500
Principal Lecturer: £30,000 - £37,000

University Lecturers' salaries range from:
Lecturer: £23,500 - £29,500
Senior Lecturer: £27,000 - £36,500
Principal Lecturer: £34,000 - £43,000
Professorial from £43,500

Figures correct at 08/2004. For up to date information visit http://www.ucu.org.uk/.

Where are jobs advertised?

• In Psychologist Appointments, which is part of The Psychologist, the Society's monthly publication.
• In the National Press, e.g. The Times, The Guardian, The Independent

What if I'm a mature student?

• Mature students often ask us if their age will prevent them from succeeding in a psychology career. You can find out more under the Change of Career section of the website.

Where do I find out more?

• DSEP: the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology of the BPS. Access to publications, conferences, and special interest groups and chat rooms with membership.
• BASES : British Association of Sports and Exercise Sciences
• Contact us: request form for further specific information.