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This is a flexible part-time, level 7 postgraduate short course delivered online.

Psychological skills training has been a mainstay of sports psychology and evidence is supportive of their beneficial effects for performers (e.g., athletes, business executives etc). In this module you will gain a critical appreciation for the contemporary research literature surrounding psychological skills, with an emphasis on self-talk and imagery

Who is this Short Course suitable for?

This online distance learning module on Psychological Skills Training is suitable for anyone interested in aiding performer’s psychological states (e.g., confidence, anxiety, motivation) and performance. These skills are applicable across various fields, including sports, business, emergency services, the performing arts and more. 

Our learners have included people from across the UK, and more widely from across the globe. This short course is part of our MSc Performance Psychology (distance learning), and our alumni include:

• Professional sport coaches and instructors: Rugby, Cricket, Gaelic Football, and Endurance Running Coaches
• UK Coaching Team Members
• Elite Athletes: Professionals in football, gaelic football, cricket and rugby players, Golfers,
• Performance Directors for Professional Rugby Union Teams
• Opera Performers
• Professional Musicians
• Business Leaders
• Senior management from organisations such as MasterCard and Facebook
• RAF Helicopter Rear Crew
• Air traffic controllers
• Police Officers
• General Practitioners and Anaesthetists
• NHS Managers

Why study this course?

The main objective of this module is to highlight how psychological (or mental) skills are relevant across performance domains, with an emphasis in understanding how evidence-based (i.e., effective) interventions can be conducted in various performance contexts (e.g., sport, armed forces etc). 

How long does this course take to complete?

This short course takes 12 weeks to complete. You will have access to all lecture material at the start of the course, which will enable you to go as fast or as slowly as your personal circumstances dictate.

Assessment

The assessment strategy is two-fold making use of two linked case style intervention-oriented assignments: (a) a 2-page practical “how to” (end-user facing) pamphlet and (b) a 10 min (marker facing) presentation explaining the justification for part (a).

Technical Requirements 

This is an online course delivered via Blackboard Ultra. Students must have access to a stable internet connection, IT and up-to-date computer and software, a microphone and headphones or speakers.

Tutor

Dr James Hardy

Having obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Birmingham, James went to North America to see how they did sports psychology. He completed his postgraduate training (both MA and PhD) at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, under the supervision of Prof. Craig Hall. He is a regular presenter at international conferences and has published numerous research articles focusing on his two main areas of expertise: mental skills (specifically, self-talk and imagery) and group dynamics (e.g., team cohesion and leadership) in both the sport and exercise domains.

James guested edited the first special edition of a journal devoted to Self-talk in Sport (in The Sport Psychologist) and is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology as well as an Editorial Board member for the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. His research has been funded by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), UK Sport, ESRC, and City Football Services (aka Manchester City FC). James also coaches men's gymnastics (MAG).
 

What will you study on this course?

Applied practitioners are commonly asked to aid performers' psychological states - e.g., increase their confidence levels, facilitate better performance under pressure. Mental skills interventions have been a mainstay in the sports psychology literature and evidence is largely supportive of their beneficial effects for athletes. In this module you will gain a critical appreciation for the contemporary research literature primarily surrounding psychological or mental skills, with an emphasis on self-talk and imagery. Importantly, the reasoning for doing so, is to be able to apply this knowledge in form of effective interventions.

Based on the adage that there is nothing as practical as a good theory, this module will place emphasis on relevant theories and research-based literature pertinent to the following topics: 

• Basic and advanced psychological skills
• Psychological skills packages
•  Intervention effectiveness 
• Goal setting
• Imagery
• Self-talk

This is roughly the order in which we cover the above topics too. Theoretical content and related research (i.e., evidence) will be presented and discussed along with their practical significance. 

Learning Units

• Module fundamentals
• Basic and advanced psychological skills
• Psychological skills packages
• Intervention effectiveness 
• Goal setting
• Imagery
• Self-talk
• Live sessions x 3
   

• The fee for the 2025/26 academic year will be £584 (including VAT).
• Please see our Postgraduate Fees and Finance page for further information.
   

Candidates will typically require at least a 2.ii honours degree. We also encourage applications from those with non-graduate or alternative professional qualifications and from those who can demonstrate at least 3 years relevant work experience within a high-performance environment (e.g. as an athlete, coach, professional musician, business or finance executive or within a broad range of other professional roles).

How to Apply

Please make sure you read and follow the step-by-step application guide as this will specify which sections of the application form are compulsory for the type of course you want to apply for and save you time.

Please prepare the following information (in a Word document):

• Current employment details;
• Years of experience, and employment history (where relevant)
• Name of staff member and organisation that have approved your funding for this module.

This will speed up the process of completing the application form.