Sport Psychology Internship

Internship Details

Closing Date: Friday 31 July 2026

Interview Date: Friday 7 August 2026

Start Date:

• Monday 24^th August 2026: Induction with Sport & Physical Activity – Performance Programme. You will attend the Team Derby scholar camp to meet staff and athletes.
• Week commencing 7^th September 2026: MSc induction at University of Derby

Person Specification

Please read the following information in full before applying. Emails requesting information contained within this specification will not be answered.

Department: Sport and Exercise Science / Sport & Physical Activity

Role title: MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science / Sport Science Internship

Fees: £9720 – 25% funded - £2430 (applicant will need to fund the remaining 75% - £7290)
International applications are welcomed; however applicants should be aware that the bursary is only to the amount of UK fees

Responsible to: Performance Sport Manager (Sport & Physical Activity) / Assistant Head of Subject (Sport and Exercise Science)

Start Date: Performance Sport Programme Induction with Sport & Physical Activity – w.c. 24 August 2026
                  MSc enrolment will be week commencing 7 September 2026

Ref: MSc TD SP

Sport & Physical Activity (Performance) and the Sport and Exercise Science department at the University of Derby are providing a partial bursary award toward postgraduate fees as part of an ongoing initiative to enhance athletic performance support within the University.

In this unique opportunity, the successful candidate will support the delivery of sport psychology support to performance athletes and scholars within the University’s Performance Sport Programme. This will provide the successful candidate with valuable applied experience and will satisfy the placement component of the MSc programme. The candidate will operate under the supervision of the Sport Psychology Lead (Sport & Physical Activity / School of Psychology) and the Performance Sport Manager as well as being supported in their studies on the MSc programme.

This opportunity is designed to support career development and will ensure that the necessary skills needed to progress into Sports Psychology roles are developed.

The successful applicant will:

• Gain valuable experience of working with athletes and providing psychology support.
• Be able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and contribute to team meetings where appropriate.
• Be able to collect data for their Independent Research project
• Have the opportunity to engage with additional CPD opportunities where available.

The successful candidate will be expected to

1. Fully commit to the MSc course, attending modules of study and meeting expectations of attendance throughout
2. Engage in up to 10 hours of internship activity and delivery of psychology support to athletes per week. This will include both remote working to support the development of resources and in-person activity when observing teams or supporting the delivery of workshops.
3. Work with the Sport Psychology Lead and Trainee Sport Psychologist to support the postgraduate workforce in associated psychology provision.
4. Conduct a dissertation linked to their internship
   1. Dissertation topic to provide value to the University’s Performance Sport Programme. Sport & Physical Activity to be acknowledged in the research outputs.
5. Attend monthly update meetings with the Performance Sport Manager
6. Attend monthly update meetings with the Sport Psychology Lead
7. Review progress with the Sport Psychology Lead and Performance Sport Manager at the end of each semester
8. Share key findings from their research with the internship provider if requested.
9. Support the production of an internship Case Study to support future recruitment activities and showcase the MSc opportunity.
10. Support the end of year Sport & Physical Activity workforce recognition event

Criteria for the role

Our tables show you whether criteria are essential or desirable for this role and whether evidence of this is required on application and/or at interview.

Qualifications: vocational, professional, academic

Experience and knowledge

Skills and abilities

Applicant Information

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION VERY CAREFULLY

There are two tasks to complete as part of your application:

1. Interested applicants are required to complete the MSc application form available through the course pages by the closing date detailed above:

https://www.derby.ac.uk/postgraduate/sport-exercise-courses/applied-sport-exercise-science-msc/ 

Please ensure evidence of undergraduate degree classification is appended to the application where available.

2. Interested applicants must also email a copy of their personal statement to Dr Charlotte Chandler (details below) by the closing date. Applicants should quote the reference MSc TD SP at the start of their personal statement; failure to do so will invalidate your application.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted and invited to interview as outlined above. Applicants should inform Charlotte (details below) if they are unavailable on the interview date.

Selection

Shortlisted candidates will be required to deliver a presentation as part of the interview process. Further guidance will be made available within interview invites.

The panel will endeavor to make decisions on the interview date and inform successful applicants accordingly.

If you require any further information regarding the MSc programme and content, the internship position, or the research project, please contact:

Dr. Charlotte Chandler

Assistant Head of Subject (Sport and Exercise Science)

Tel: 01332 593373

E-Mail: c.chandler@derby.ac.uk