1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Sport and exercise psychologist

Sport and exercise psychologist

Alternative titles for this job include

Sport and exercise psychologists work with athletes, teams and coaches to improve their motivation and performance.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£48,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

Find out more about jobs in this group

See which sectors you’ll find this job in, what qualifications you need to work in this area and if these types of jobs are going up or going down. This information can help you make good career decisions.

Explore job trends for this group.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a sport and exercise psychologist

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course

University

You'll need to complete:

You may be able to study for an approved postgraduate conversion course, if you're a graduate in a subject other than psychology, or your psychology degree is not accredited by the BPS.

Competition for postgraduate training is strong. You'll need an upper second class or first class degree, and evidence of excellent research skills to apply. You'll also need relevant work experience.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 3 A levels or equivalent
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

More Information

Registration

Professional and industry bodies

You can join The British Psychological Society for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You'll find more details about working in sports and exercise psychology from The British Psychological Society and The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • knowledge of psychology
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to enjoy working with other people
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a sport and exercise psychologist, you'll:

  • help athletes develop strategies to deal with nerves, anxiety, self-confidence, concentration and motivation
  • set up activities to improve team and individual performance
  • support athletes in coping with injuries
  • give advice to coaches on team communication
  • assess clients' needs and develop fitness plans and recommendations
  • work with health promotion staff to show the therapeutic and health benefits of exercise
  • create exercise programmes in organisations, workplaces, prisons and psychiatric units
  • teach people psychological techniques to improve their wellbeing and performance

Working environment

You could work at a sports arena, at a fitness centre, at a health centre, in a prison or on a sports field.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could work as a full-time sport psychologist or you could combine consultancy work with teaching and research.

As an exercise psychologist, you could work for a local health authority, or on a GP exercise referral scheme. You could also assess exercise programmes in workplaces, prisons or psychiatric settings.

With experience and further study you could become a senior psychologist or head of a psychology department. You could also move into lecturing.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a sport and exercise psychologist right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to HE: Science

  • Provider: ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
  • Start date: 27 September 2021
  • Location: Colchester

Access to Higher Education: Science

  • Provider: LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2022
  • Location: Loughborough
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat

  • 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday
  • 10am - 5pm Saturday

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.