Atlantic Technological University has launched a new BSc (Hons) in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, bringing together expertise from its Mayo and Galway campuses in what it says is the first undergraduate programme of its kind to be delivered collaboratively across the two locations.

Students will spend their first year at ATU’s Mayo campus in Castlebar before moving to the Galway City Dublin Road campus for years two and three.

The programme has been designed in response to growing demand for a deeper understanding of the psychological factors that influence sporting performance, participation, motivation, health and wellbeing.

It was officially launched by Mayo Senior Football Manager, entrepreneur and ATU graduate Andy Moran.

“The conversation around performance in sport has changed dramatically in recent years,” he said.

“Physical preparation remains important, but we now recognise that mindset, resilience, confidence, motivation and well-being are equally critical to success.

“This programme gives students an opportunity to study one of the most exciting and rapidly developing areas in sport while preparing for careers that can have a genuine impact on athletes, teams and communities.”

Students will develop a foundation in psychology before examining how psychological principles can be applied within sport, exercise and wider performance environments.

Course areas will include motivation, mental health and wellbeing, behaviour change, decision-making and the development of psychological skills to support performance and participation.

Graduates are expected to pursue opportunities across sport, exercise, health, coaching, performance analysis and athlete-support environments.

Dr Lisa Ryan, Head of School of Health, Sport Science and Nutrition at ATU, said the programme reflected the growing importance of psychology and behavioural science within sport and wider society.

“As awareness of mental well-being, performance psychology and behavioural science continues to grow, there is increasing demand for graduates who understand how psychological principles can be applied to help people perform, participate and thrive,” she said.

The course will also draw on expertise across ATU’s health, sport science, nutrition and psychology disciplines.

Damien Costello, Head of Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, said its distinctive feature was the intersection between psychology, human performance and exercise science.

“Students will examine how psychological factors influence performance, motivation, learning, well-being and engagement across a variety of sporting and physical activity contexts,” he said.

“Through practical learning experiences, research-informed teaching and engagement with industry, students will develop the knowledge and professional skills required to contribute to high-performance sport, exercise participation, health promotion and athlete support environments.”

Applications for the programme will open through the CAO on November 5.

Sport for Business Perspective

The professionalisation of Irish sport is increasingly about far more than strength and conditioning, coaching and technical preparation.

Psychology, behavioural science and athlete wellbeing are now central parts of both high-performance environments and the broader challenge of keeping people engaged in sport and physical activity.

That creates a requirement for a new generation of graduates who can operate comfortably across disciplines rather than within traditional sporting silos.

For ATU, the significance of this programme is also in the collaborative model between Mayo and Galway.

Drawing students through different campuses, facilities and areas of expertise provides a useful reflection of how the modern sports industry itself operates.

For Irish sport, the continuing expansion of specialist third-level programmes is another important part of building the workforce that will support athletes, coaches, clubs and governing bodies over the coming decade.

 

 

 

 

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Image Credit: ATU

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