LJMU postgraduate Sport Psychology programme first of only three in country to gain BASES accreditation

The School of Sport & Exercise Sciences at LJMU is one of only three universities to have its MSc Sport Psychology course accredited by professional body, the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). 

Being recognised by the inaugural BASES Postgraduate SEPAR Endorsement Scheme (PSES), means that future sport and exercise psychologists can be confident that undertaking postgraduate study with LJMU offers multiple routes towards obtaining further professional recognition.

LJMU Sport Psychology Programme Lead, Dr David Todd said:

“BASES endorsement is great news for current and prospective students because it gives them the greatest flexibility possible when deciding how they want to proceed towards legal recognition as a sport and exercise psychologist. 

“The LJMU MSc Sport Psychology is recognised nationally and internationally for its focus on giving students practical experience in helping athletes and exercisers. All the staff are highly experienced as sport and exercise psychology practitioners, and they use these experiences to make student learning both fun and applied.”

Thanks to the new course endorsement, all graduates will now be eligible to apply for the BASES Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route (SEPAR) – one of three pathways to then become registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). Being a HCPC member unlocks many more opportunities to work in a range of sport and exercise environments.

The other two existing pathways include our own Professional Doctorate Programme in Sport and Exercise Psychology and another independent training route with the British Psychological Society (BPS) which also accredits our postgraduate course with a stage one endorsement.

Commenting on the first endorsements of the BASES scheme, Dr Lisa Board FBASES, Chair of the HE Endorsement Scheme Advisory Group said: 

“SEPAR offers an exciting new professional development pathway for graduates interested in sport and exercise psychology. The HE Endorsement Advisory Group extend their congratulations to the SEPAR development team, the SEPAR reviewers and to the institutions, who enthusiastically engaged with the rigorous and robust pilot scheme.

“The HE Endorsement Advisory Group were pleased to support the first BASES postgraduate programme endorsements in the UK. The work completed paves the way forward for wider postgraduate programme endorsement.”

More information about the BASES Postgraduate SEPAR Endorsement Scheme (PSES) can be found on the BASES website and BPS course endorsement detail can be accessed on the BPS website.

Find out more about courses in the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences.