MSc in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, University of Limerick

12 Months

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About this course

This MSc programme is designed to provide a thorough understanding of psychological principles applied to sport, exercise, and performance settings, aiming to enhance wellbeing and performance. It focuses on developing core competencies and professional skills across various domains such as performance psychology, exercise and mental health, ethics, and research design. The course emphasizes a scientist-practitioner approach, innovative teaching methods, and ethical considerations in practice. Unique to this programme is its focus on performance restoration, resilience, and mental health, moving beyond just performance enhancement. It aims to extend the traditional scope of sport psychology by incorporating positive psychology and a multidisciplinary mode of enquiry. The programme prepares students for postgraduate training in performance psychology and is relevant for those seeking professional recognition and roles in high-performance sport, clinical settings, or health promotion.

Why this course is highly recommended

This programme is highly ranked, being in the QS Top 100 worldwide for sport-related programmes. It prepares students with a balanced focus on theory, research, and practical skills, especially in emerging areas like mental health and resilience in sport. The course supports career development in high-performance sport, coaching, sport management, and clinical or health psychology settings. Its accreditation pursuit by the Psychological Society of Ireland adds further value, making it an excellent choice for those aspiring to professional recognition and leadership in sport psychology.

Specialisation

The course offers a broad range of modules covering performance psychology, exercise psychology, and mental health, with a focus on performance restoration, resilience, and mental health. The curriculum includes modules like Psychological Skills Training, Applied Positive Psychology, Performance Psychology, and Exercise Psychology and Mental Health, across three semesters. It is designed to develop multidisciplinary and professional competencies to support careers in sport, exercise, and health psychology.

Course fees

Application fees

12.82L

1st year tuition fees

12.82L

Living cost

Degree requirements

Applicants should typically have a first or second class honours degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) in a relevant subject, or recognized prior learning. The selection process is based on a written application and references, without an interview. Additional documents like transcripts, CV, membership evidence, support statement, and English proficiency certificates are required if applicable.

English language test

PTE

TOEFL

DUOLINGO

120

IELTS

6.5

Want to learn more about the admission process, eligibility criteria, and acceptance rates for international students? Visit the University of Limerick admission page for complete details.

Career prospects

Graduates can pursue roles as performance directors, professional sport coaches, sport managers, or in clinical and counseling services to athletes and other populations. The programme supports careers across four tracks endorsed by the American Psychological Association, including teaching, research, consulting, clinical practices, and health promotion. The field is expanding, especially in high-performance and clinical sport settings, making employability strong for graduates with this qualification.

FAQs

What are the entry requirements for this course?

Applicants need a Level 8 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, along with academic references and supporting documents. English language proficiency is required if qualifications are obtained outside an English-speaking country.

What are the fees for the course?

EU students pay €7,000, while non-EU students pay €14,100. Payment plans are available upon request, and more details can be obtained from the Student Fees Office.