BSc (Hons) Sports Studies with Psychology

Key information

Typical offer:
Entry requirements
Fees: See below
Full details
UCAS code: C603
Institute code: H36
Study abroad option
Work placement option
Find out more

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC
112-120	BBC - BBB	DMM- DDM

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	Accepted T Levels	IB requirement
104–112	BCC– BBC	DMM	Design Survey and Planning for Construction; Design Production, Design and Development; Education and Childcare; Healthcare Science; Health; Science; Digital Support Services; Digital Business Services; Onsite Construction; Building Services Engineering for Construction; Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control; Finance; Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing; Management and Administration; Agriculture, Land Management and Production; Legal Services	104–112 points from a minimum of 2 HL subjects at H4 or above

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Maths.

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	Accepted T Levels	IB requirement
104–112	BCC– BBC	DMM	Design Survey and Planning for Construction; Design Production, Design and Development; Education and Childcare; Healthcare Science; Health; Science; Digital Support Services; Digital Business Services; Onsite Construction; Building Services Engineering for Construction; Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control; Finance; Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing; Management and Administration; Agriculture, Land Management and Production; Legal Services	104–112 points from a minimum of 2 HL subjects at H4 or above

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Maths.

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

Professional accreditations

The University of Hertfordshire, Division of Sport, Health and Exercise has recently been assessed for Laboratory Accreditation via the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).

The course does not allow graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) but this could be obtained through a further year of study on a MSc Psychology Conversion Course.

Why choose this course?

2nd in the East of England for Sports Science (2023 Complete University Guide)
Study core Sports Business Management, Sports Development & Psychology
Opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a year abroad

If you love sport and you’re also interested in psychology, this is the course for you. You’ll get a grounding in sports business management, sports development and psychology throughout the degree programme.

You might be thinking about a career in sports psychology, sports development or maybe forensic and clinical psychology. Perhaps you see yourself working in a more managerial role, or possibly working in education and teaching. Because you’ll study various aspects of sport and psychology, this course will set you on the path to a wide range of career opportunities.

With optional modules, you can tailor your degree to what interests you most. For example, you can choose modules in exciting areas such as nonverbal behaviour, cyberpsychology and forensic psychology. Plus, you’ll be able to attend a vibrant research seminar series, hosted by us, welcoming leading academics from across the UK and around the world.

Benefit from our specialist sports facilities

You’ll have access to some of the best University sports facilities in the UK. You’ll benefit from our brand new multi-million-pound Institute of Sport Building based at the de Havilland campus and will be able to join our on-campus Sports Village. Facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a 12m high climbing wall and a 110+ station gym. The gym has both strength and cardio equipment, such as rowing machines, cable stations and a free weights area. Facilities also include match-quality courts, sports halls and new generation astro pitches and so much more. There is also a smaller 24-hour gym on the College Lane campus.  

Whether you’re interested in sport on a competitive or casual level, there is something for you. There are opportunities for students to participate, compete and represent us in a wide variety of sports. We are also one of the few universities with an Active Students and Staff programme. This means we offer free sports and exercise sessions to all our students and staff. This is something you can tap into as a participant or possibly also as a facilitator.  

What's the course about?

In your first year, you’ll learn about the sports industry, national and international sport business, physical activity and sports development settings, and sport as a social and global phenomena. Your psychology content will focus on the inner workings of the mind, child development, and people in society. To help you settle into university life, you’ll take a module focused on developing skills for psychologists that will enable you to be a successful student.       

Your second year builds on what you learnt in first year. You’ll study global perspectives of sports development, process and practice in high performance sport, and the ethics of sport. The module on research methods helps you understand the principles and methods that underpin social science of research. You’ll be able to use this to critique and understand research done in the areas of sports development, psychology and sports business management. It’ll also come in handy for your final year project. Your sport experience learning module provides you an opportunity to get applied work experience in the sport psychology industry. You can choose two optional modules to compliment your studies. In Semester A, you can study leadership in sport or funding for active communities. In Semester B, you choose from a range of exciting psychology topics, such as nonverbal behaviour, cyberpsychology, developing interventions for behaviour change, and mindfulness and wellbeing. 

Work placement/study abroad option: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the option to study abroad or do a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about but will also give your CV a boost. If you’d rather go straight to your final year, that’s fine too. You’ll decide in your second year with us, so there is still plenty of time to think about this. 

In your final year, you’ll be able to develop either your research skills through our research dissertation module or focus on a work experience dissertation within the field of sports psychology. You’ll get a personal supervisor to support you with the research or work experience dissertation that you choose to study. Here, you’ll design and undertake your own project on a topic relevant to your area of study, and more importantly, it will be aligned to an area that interests you. You’ll also be able to study other modules in the final year, such as sport psychology, psychology in coaching, behaviour change for physical activity and sport, and professional practice in sports studies. In addition, we also offer optional psychology modules for you to choose from such as health psychology, counselling, educational psychology, forensic psychology, culture and psychology, occupational psychology, and clinical psychology.

One of your campuses is de Havilland

You’ll share this campus with students from business, law, sport, and education subjects. The student housing is close to our Sports Village which includes a gym, swimming pool and climbing wall. You can get breakfast, lunch, or dinner in our on-campus restaurant or bar (in the newly built Enterprise Hub) on days you don’t feel like cooking. You can also use the common room to play pool, video games or just to hang out with friends.  Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.  

One of your campuses is College Lane

This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes. 

What will I study?

Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6. These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study. Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each. 

At level 4, you’ll study 60 credits from the Sports Studies suite of modules and 60 credits from Psychology. At level 5 and 6, you’ll study 90 credits from the Sports Studies, and 30 credits from Psychology.    

Modules are assessed in a variety of ways via coursework, debates, presentations, viva and practical. The type of coursework is varied, depending on the module and includes reports, reflections, practical write-ups, portfolios, posters and seminar presentations.

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Understanding the Sports Industry	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will develop an understanding of the management skills and knowledge needed to operate and promote a range of fitness, sports and leisure facilities within the public, commercial and voluntary sector environments. It will identify and explore the basic skills and knowledge required to operate these facilities, including those required for customer care, staff management, marketing, budgeting, health and safety, programming and maintenance of physical resources.
Sport Business Management: National and International Perspectives	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will set the scene for the way in which sport is run as both a commercial and not for profit business both in the UK and internationally. For example it will explore the delivery models for sport in different parts of the UK and consider international delivery such as the franchise model popular in North American sport.
Sports as Social and Global Phenomena	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will focus on the social context of sport and the interaction between sport, society and culture. This will include an exploration of the development of sport as a significant part of many societies today, as well as consideration of the ways in which sports may be seen as global phenomena.
Skills for Psychologists	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module will provide students with a range of study skills useful to those studying psychology. This will include coverage of general study skills for Higher Education, how to be precise and summarise, how to evaluate your own work, using citation and referencing conventions in psychology, preparing for successful essay writing including sourcing effective psychology related material, adjusting to learning styles, and an individual's self-regulation skills, critical thinking, joining together ideas and learning to structure and write a successful essay.
People in Society	15 Credits	Compulsory
Human beings engage with and spend their lives surrounded by other people from close family members to the wider society. This module is concerned with the many ways in which people's thoughts, feelings and behaviour can be affected by the real or imagined presence of others.
Understanding Child Development	15 Credits	Compulsory
The greatest changes in cognitive and social development arguably occur in childhood. This is therefore a period of particular interest in psychology. This module introduces students to topics in child development including language.
Inner Workings of the Mind	15 Credits	Compulsory
Everyday day our brain processes a multitude of information including thoughts, memories and feelings. It is responsible for maintaining attention, filtering irrelevant information and problem solving. This module will introduce students to fundamental topics in cognition and everyday mental processing.
Introduction to Sport Development	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will introduce the core concepts that shape and influence community sport development. The sport participation and physical activity of various population groups will be explored, while the role and influence of policy in the sector will be appraised.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Process and Practice in High-Performance Sport	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will examine the essential processes and required practice that determine a nation's and individual sports success. It will include consideration of social and cultural elements. It will allow students the opportunity to acknowledge the significance of the leadership and management of process. The overall perspective will be considering the essential features of how a high performance system and pathways operates.
Exploring Sports Ethics	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will explore a range of issues and concerns relating to sports ethics in 21st century societies. Matters for consideration include amateurism and professionalism, discrimination, deviant behaviour in the sports context, and the role of technology. Students will be encouraged to analyse such issues through the application of theoretical perspectives from the field of sports sociology.
Research Methods for Sports Studies	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students are introduced to research traditions and philosophies within the context of sports studies. The concept of research design is explored, with an emphasis on the role of literature in informing decisions about what to investigate and how to guiding principles. The topic of ethical consideration for research is also introduced. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis are examined. Overall, the core aim of the module is to enable students to develop the skills required in order to progress to a Sports Studies Research Dissertation at L6.
Nonverbal Behaviour	15 Credits	Optional
This module examines the nonverbal behaviour of individuals (including facial expression, eye gaze, posture) with a focus on hand gestures. Over the course of this module, students will gain insight into the social, cognitive and developmental aspects of gestures and understand the wider, real world implications of nonverbal behaviour. Specific topics include: the formation and interpretation of facial expressions, the communicative and cognitive functions of gestures, the role of gestures in development and the implications of nonverbal psychology in the real world. Students will be asked to review and evaluate current published research in this area.
Cyberpsychology	15 Credits	Optional
The course will introduce students to a variety of key theoretical concepts and empirical evidence in the field of Cyberpsychology and how these may be relevant in various settings. Topic areas to be studied will typically include: online leisure activities (e.g. consumer, gambling, video gaming); online education and online health; online identity & impression formation; technology and psychological wellbeing; individual differences and the use of social networking and the internet; online relationships, dating and communication; technological addiction; online aggression & cyber-bullying, cyber security, privacy, and ethics. The module will also consider the similarities and differences between online and comparable face-to-face behaviours.
Global Perspectives of Sports Development	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will examine the global reach of sports development. It will explore the role of sporting mega-events to the host nation and to the international audience . Then using case studies, it will examine the global processes, practices and consequences of participation. Local determinants and cultures will be considered as we attempt to explain global and local active participation.
Developing Interventions for Behaviour Change	15 Credits	Optional
This module focuses on behaviour change and understanding how behaviour change interventions are developed. Theoretical approaches and determinants of behaviour will be explored, alongside frameworks for developing interventions. The module will explore behaviour change in different contexts and will consider how behaviour change interventions can be implemented successfully in practice.
Mindfulness and Wellbeing	15 Credits	Optional
This module will explore theories and research on mindfulness using a positive psychology framework of health and well-being. Mindfulness will be explored within the context of mental health, physical health, and emotional well-being, and links will be made between positive psychology models and mindfulness-related practice.
Diversity and Individual Differences	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module focuses on the scientific method of studying individual differences including topics such as personality, intelligence, mental health, psychometrics, emotion and motivation. Students also gain awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of theoretical and research approaches related to individual differences, and the historical origins of thinking in this area.
Leadership in Sport	15 Credits	Optional
The module aims to enable students to gain leading-edge academic knowledge of how to work with different individuals and to adopt conflict solving techniques. Group exercises will be used as well as individual tasks. Leadership knowledge will be gained in class, enabling students to become more professionally focused to work in groups in later working life.
Funding for Active Communities	15 Credits	Optional
This module will explore the role of funding in supporting active communities in the UK. The key principles for successful funding applications will be introduced, considered, and applied to real life community examples through creating funding applications for local organisations.
Sport Experience Learning	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module provides opportunities for the student to apply academic and vocational learning in a professional sport-related setting, and vice versa to bring workplace skills and issues into the academic and vocational learning environment. Students will develop evidence-based working practices and enhance associated knowledge and skills to improve their employability and reflective practice. Opportunities for continuing development to add personal transferable skills will be present. Students will revisit reflective models previously introduced at Level 4 as well as explore models that can be used to reflect within their coaching, such as Schon's Reflective Model.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Sports Studies Research Dissertation	30 Credits	Optional
This module is intended to offer students the widest possible scope, within controlled parameters, to research a topic beyond the constraints of usual coursework assignments and examinations. Guidance on the design, planning, execution and presentation of projects will have been given to all students during level 5 in the Research Methods for Sports Studies module. All students will also be allocated a supervisor with whom they should maintain regular contact throughout the research process. A research handbook is provided which details the responsibilities and expectations of students, and the role of supervisors. Additionally, the handbook contains guidelines for the expected content and format of the dissertation and poster. A series of workshops on specific aspects of the research process is provided, as well as tutorial support from supervisors.
Health Psychology	15 Credits	Optional
Health psychology is the practice and application of psychological research into the promotion and maintenance of health; prevention and treatment of illness; the analysis and improvement of the health care system and health policy formation. This module introduces some of the key theories and principles of health psychology in relation to the maintenance of health, the adoption of healthy behaviours as well as the development of, recovery from and adaptation to illness. In particular the emphasis will be on health in its broadest sense, i.e. a state of social, physical and mental well-being, rather than simply the absence of illness.
Counselling	15 Credits	Optional
The module begins with an introduction to the historical and professional basis of counselling and routes into the profession. Theories of counselling may typically include humanistic, psychodynamic, and CBT approaches. Ways of working with a range of client groups will also be covered, including where clients present with either mental health problems or a range of life issues. Clinical methods and practice and their weaknesses are considered, as are ways to improve the validity of clinical assessments, and assess the effectiveness of counselling interventions. The module will also focus on practical, methodological and ethical issues that are likely to affect the efficiency of counselling and psychotherapy in the different settings. There will be opportunities throughout the course for discussion, evaluation activities and experiential learning.
Educational Psychology	15 Credits	Optional
The module will deal with the main areas of the discipline of Educational Psychology. This course will cover the contexts in which educational psychologists operate. It will outline the professional routes towards practice within this discipline, and the legislative and policy guidance within which practitioners operate. The module will cover conceptual issues of social educational needs, inclusion and diversity in learners. It will present material on a range of assessment practices, and their limitations within the context of different learning settings. The course will also deal with special intervention work with specific populations such as young people with a range of social and emotional difficulties and vulnerable adolescents. The ethical dimension of the Educational Psychologists work will be looked at, covering questions such as "who is the client" (school, family, parent, child, society?), and whether diagnosis and formulation can have disadvantages. Finally the course will examine psychological approaches to group work with teachers and pupils as well as the application of theory in helping transform aspects of schools and other organisations.
Sandwich Placement - Sport	0 Credits	Optional
The sandwich placement will provide students with the opportunity to expand, develop and apply the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes acquired during levels 4 and 5 of the relevant degree programme, in a professional work-based environment. Prior to the commencement of the sandwich placement, students will seek and apply for a position suitable for their programme of study, in the UK or overseas, Students will be allocated a work-place supervisor, and a University supervisor. The student will agree an appropriate working pattern with the work-place supervisor, and will establish relevant aims to work towards during the course of the sandwich placement. Students completing a UK-based sandwich placement will normally attend a one-day placement symposium at the university, part way through the year. They will present a poster relating to their placement experience. Students completing an overseas sandwich placement will normally submit a poster electronically. Throughout the sandwich placement, students will evaluate and reflect on their experiences, with consideration of current literature and evidence-based practice. The sandwich placement will culminate in a work-based evaluation, and the production of a reflective placement report.
Study Abroad - Sport	0 Credits	Optional
Learning and teaching methods may include taught courses, a research project, practical studies or a mixture of these components. The Year Abroad will be for two academic semesters or their equivalent. The students will therefore follow a programme negotiated by the Programme Lead or nominee and an equivalent representative of the host institution. Prior to commencement of the Year Abroad, the student, the programme officers from the University of Hertfordshire and from the host institution will agree a learning agreement and mode of attendance.
Forensic Psychology	15 Credits	Optional
Forensic Psychology concerns the application of psychological theory and principles to the understanding of crime, crime control and the legal process. This module is designed to give students an understanding of how forensic psychology can be applied to legal and criminal issues, where it stands in relation to other disciplines, and make clear the paths and routes to becoming a Forensic Psychologist. The module will equip students with an overview of current and historical psychological theory as applied to forensic topics. Particular attention will be paid to the psychology of judicial proceedings, eyewitness testimony, false confessions, offender profiling, investigation of the causes of offending behaviour and methods of tackling crime and offender behaviour. In addition, students will study the role the media play in the construction of ideas about crime, fear of crime, and policy responses in relation to crime.
Culture and Psychology	15 Credits	Optional
This module will explore the impact of culture on human cognition, emotion and behaviour in different subject areas in psychology, such as social psychology, health psychology and clinical psychology. The module will also examine issues related to equality, diversity and inclusion in psychology.
Occupational Psychology	15 Credits	Optional
This module will provide an introduction to some of the key topics relating to people's behaviour in the workplace. This module will also introduce students to the routes for professional practice in Occupational Psychology.
Clinical Psychology	15 Credits	Optional
The module begins by providing an overall conceptual framework for considering traditional and contemporary theories relevant to clinical psychology. In the following sessions, the module addresses substantive and methodological issues relating to mental illness from a cognitive perspective. This will be achieved by exploring a range of mental health disorders.
Professional Practice in Sport Studies	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module explores the techniques and tools required to manage oneself effectively in the sports industry. Topics that may be covered include how to manage time, set goals, prioritise activities, create a strategic networking plan to achieve career aspirations, personal development planning, and prioritisation of tasks.
Sport Psychology	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students will be introduced to the subdiscipline of sports psychology, exploring the application of cognitive and biological psychology in order to gain a better understanding of their impact upon performance in sport. This lecture-based module will typically include coverage of professional routes for becoming a sports psychologist, performance profiling, goal setting, imagery and mental rehearsal, self-confidence, stress and anxiety, concentration and the integration of psychological theory into the planning and implementation of interventions designed to improve athletic performance.
Psychology in Coaching	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to introduce students to how Sport Psychology principles can help to enhance coaching practice. Students will explore key psychological principles such as basic psychological needs, well-being, the coach-athlete relationship and athlete career transitions. By the end of the module students will be able to critically evaluate the importance of psychological concepts within coaching and reflect on how they can incorporate this into their own practice.
Behaviour Change for Physical Activity and Sport	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module focuses on how to positively change physical activity and sport participation behaviour. A range of behaviour change theories will be critiqued and appraised for their potential to change individual and population physical activity and sport participation. In addition, a whole systems approach to influencing behaviour change will be examined.
Sport Studies Experience Dissertation	30 Credits	Optional
This Experience Dissertation module embraces the philosophy of empowerment in that it offers Level 6 students the opportunity to continue their professional experience in a Sports Studies setting of particular interest. The module builds upon the 15-credit Sport Experience Learning module at Level 5, while having a greater focus upon the opportunity for immersion in a community of practice, whilst appreciating the value of professional debate of contemporary issues. The module is an academic and vocational hybrid, which relies upon the application of advanced academic theory and skills developed during the BSc (Hons) Sports Studies programme to professional practice in the chosen experience setting. The reflective nature of the assessment will facilitate the appraisal of learning and the prominence of significant milestones to enhance future employability and to inform future career destinations. Students will be expected to use reflective models introduced at Levels 4 and 5 to critically reflect on their own work experience and appraise areas for future development.

Study abroad

An opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Find out more about Study abroad opportunities

Please note Erasmus+ funding is only available until May 2023. For students starting their course in September 2022 and wishing to study abroad in 2023-24 or 2024-25, please refer to the Turing Scheme.
Work placement

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.

Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process.

If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Find out more about work placements
What if I need support?

Throughout your time at the university, you’ll work closely with a personal tutor in order to help develop academic, personal, and vocational skills. This work is supported by the University’s online platform, which provides a location for lecture slides, lecture recordings, module guides, assessment details and discussion forums amongst other things.
Personal Tutors and Supervisor Support
From the first year, students are allocated a Personal Tutor and will have frequent meetings throughout the first year (L4) and into the second year (L5) on all degree programmes we offer. In the final year (L6), students will be aligned with a project supervisor who will support them with their dissertation module(s) and provide overarching guidance.
Academic Support Services (ASU)
You might also want or need extra support during your time with us. Rest assured, no matter what you study, we have got you covered. For help with study skills, including referencing, essay writing and presentations, you will have access to our Academic Support Services (ASU). You can attend workshops, 1-to-1 sessions and online tutorials. Both our Learning Resources Centres (LRCs) run drop-in study skills sessions.
Student Wellbeing
Student Wellbeing is here to support you with any emotional, mental health, disability and health-related issues which you may experience throughout your time at university. All of our services are delivered by trained and experienced staff who take a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that you get the best support possible.

Alumni Stories

Gavin Beard

Meet Gavin Beard who has taken his love for sports into industry. Since graduating he has worked his way up the career ladder and is now the Head of Marketing for Norwich Football Club.

Current job role	Head of Marketing
Year of graduation	2013
Course of study	BSc (Hons) Sports Studies

More than a degree

Gavin graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with more than a degree; his university experience helped him to gain valuable insight to several disciplines and allowed him to narrow down his career choices.

He says, 'My degree allowed me to study various disciplines, including coaching, science and business. Having exposure to these different areas helped me understand what I favoured, and it was clear that business (and in particular, marketing) was an area I felt I could forge a career in.'

After successfully completing his degree Gavin began moving up the career ladder, working at many well respected companies such as Coral, BT Sport and currently Norwich City Football Club. Gavin puts a lot of his success down to the degree he studied and the support provided by the university.

He comments, 'The variety of modules and the exposure to different disciplines within my course were extremely useful. This was crucial in helping me determine my path. After year one, I knew I liked marketing, so I worked with the ERASMUS team to find a pathway to help me study this abroad. I then studied business in Valencia for a year and it was an experience I’ll never forget.'

Aspirations for the future

Gavin is still really enjoying his career in leading the Marketing team at Norwich City Football Club. He says, 'It’s an incredibly varied role; one day I could be leading the campaign to promote the new kit, the next it’ll be marketing the Take That gig at Carrow Road!'

Gavin is hopeful for the future and says 'Given my experience, my future roles will continue to be in marketing, hopefully I will help Norwich to become an established Premier League team. Then who knows!'

Alumni Stories

Dr Suzy Walton

Meet Suzy Walton who has utilised her psychology degree to benefit those around her. She is on numerous governing boards and has supported the work of the Ministry of Defence.

Current job role	Multi sector Board Director Former Senior Civil Servant Ministry of Defence and Cabinet Office
Year of graduation	1994 / 1995
Course of study	BSc (Hons) Psychology
MSc Psychology

University life and experience

Suzy initially decided to study at the University of Hertfordshire due the reputation of the course and its proximity to her home and easy access to London. Throughout her degrees, Suzy was managing a hectic schedule working in London as well as looking after a young family.

However, she found the support and information offered to her unparalleled. She says, ‘I remember finding information very accessible however – even when I had to sometimes turn up in the wee small hours to use the library because the children wouldn’t let me do so earlier!'

Her studies have enabled her to achieve great success in her career and Suzy uses the knowledge and skills gained to enable her to communicate with fellow colleagues and solve complex problems. She says that, ‘Psychology has given me is the ability to be objective as a board member. I can take a robust approach to issues and listen to the evidence, stating my own case clearly and objectively.’

She stresses that she is also she is ‘also able to step back – as one must on a board – and put the data aside and focus on the human relationships and the key enabling factors that will allow any decision made by a board to actually translate into a difference on the ground.’

One of the highlights of her time studying at the University was being taught by Dr Richard Wiseman. She says, that ‘Through him I learnt a lot about the psychology of deception and my own expertise in this was put to extreme use by the Ministry of Defence. I can’t say any more on this without breaching the Official Secrets Act!’

Future aspirations

Suzy is currently the Vice-President of the Royal Society of Medicine (Patron – Her Majesty the Queen). and is also the longest-standing board member at the Institute of Directors. She is also on the global board of ACCA which is the regulator for the accountancy profession around the world. She has many other roles mostly in and around government.

She has achieved great things throughout her career and in the future would like to continue to bring her passion and expertise to corporate governance. She enjoys that her expertise and knowledge enables her to have a direct impact an organisation’s strategy while having legal responsibilities for its safety, solvency and compliance.

‘I want the UK to continue to be one of the centres of excellence worldwide in corporate governance and I hope to be able to continue working to achieve that. I also want to continue to enjoy my family.’

Suzy also has 7 children – the youngest arrived in lockdown 2020.

What's next for my career?

There are a variety of career opportunities within sports related employment routes and careers where transferable skills related to psychology are valued.
View our Alumni profiles

Gavin Beard Dr Suzy Walton

Course fact sheets
BSc (Hons) Sports Studies with Psychology (Revised 2024)	Download

Programme specifications
BSc (Hons) Sports Studies with Psychology	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	Optional
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes
Course length	Full Time, 3 Years Part Time, 6 Years Sandwich, 4 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

Apply using the links below:

2024

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
23/09/2024	31/05/2025	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Part Time)
23/09/2024	31/05/2025	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)

2025

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
23/09/2025	31/05/2026	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Part Time)
23/09/2025	31/05/2026	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
22/09/2025	31/05/2026	2	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)

2026

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
21/09/2026	31/05/2027	3	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)

Fees and funding
Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £9250 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time
- £1155 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
EU Students
Full time
- £15500 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time
- £1940 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
International Students
Full time
- £15500 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time
- £1940 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

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Get info and updates

BSc (Hons) Sports Studies with Psychology

Key information

Typical offer:

Fees: See below

UCAS code: C603

Institute code: H36

Study abroad option

Work placement option

Additional requirements

Additional requirements

Why choose this course?

Benefit from our specialist sports facilities

What's the course about?

One of your campuses is de Havilland

One of your campuses is College Lane

What will I study?

Personal Tutors and Supervisor Support

Academic Support Services (ASU)

Student Wellbeing

Alumni Stories

Meet Gavin Beard who has taken his love for sports into industry. Since graduating he has worked his way up the career ladder and is now the Head of Marketing for Norwich Football Club.

More than a degree

Aspirations for the future

Alumni Stories

Meet Suzy Walton who has utilised her psychology degree to benefit those around her. She is on numerous governing boards and has supported the work of the Ministry of Defence.

University life and experience

Future aspirations

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2024

2025

2026

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

Part time

EU Students

Full time

Part time

International Students

Full time

Part time

Other financial support

Living costs / accommodation

Benefit from our specialist sports facilities