Ning came to the UK from Malaysia to study a Masters in Psychology of Sport and Exercise. Now working as a trainee sport psychologist with a local professional esports team, Ning credits her Leeds Beckett tutors for her success. 

Course: MSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise

Why did you choose to study MSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise?

From a young age, I’ve always enjoyed doing sports. It was also my go to stress relief remedy. As I grew older, I became more and more interested in the thoughts, behaviours, and emotions of people, hence that made me really interested in the field of psychology too.

During my undergrad I was searching for postgraduate courses that combined sport and psychology together, and that is how I came across the field of sport and exercise psychology. I immediately started looking for opportunities to immerse myself in this field. One internship with established sport psychology practitioners and 1 and a half years of working in a mental health field later, I decided to pursue the MSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise programme!

What attracted you to study Psychology of Sport and Exercise at Leeds Beckett?

The first thing that attracted me to study my masters at Leeds Beckett was the reputation of the programme, including the expertise of the teaching staff as well as the facilities that were provided on campus. 

The course at Leeds Beckett provided opportunities for first-hand, practical experiences. I was able to provide supervised psychological services with athletes as part of my degree. 

Equally important factors were the cost of the programme and location. I like Leeds for its mix of vibrant city life and nature; and the cost of living here is reasonable as well. 

Did you undertake any placements as part of your course?

I was selected to work with Leeds Beckett’s Athletics Club as a sport psychology volunteer. I also had the opportunity to observe Leeds Talent Hub race walkers competing in a track meet. 

I was very grateful for the opportunity to have first-hand experience of practical sport psychology practice as well as working with established sport psychologists and coaches under the Talent Hub programme.

Can you tell us a little about your career since graduating?

I’m working as a trainee sport psychologist with a local professional esports team back home in Malaysia. 

I work with esports athletes to provide psychoeducation and support. As this is my first time working in a high-performance environment, the pressure to deliver is high not just for the athletes, but for the support staff as well. But it is through this experience that I believe I am learning so much about the industry and myself at a much faster pace. And most importantly, I feel that it is rewarding to be able to grow together with my team.

Did having a Masters in Psychology of Sport and Exercise help you secure this employment?

The Masters programme gave me the solid foundation needed to kick start my career as a sport psychology practitioner. 

The degree gave me vital insight into the importance of evidence-informed practice, as well as the contemporary issues that athletes might face. I learnt so much from talking to the teaching staff at Leeds Beckett who are established professionals in the field. 

Did you feel supported by your lecturers at Leeds Beckett whilst doing your Masters?

100%. My lecturers have gone above and beyond their roles as educators to my cohort. Their enthusiasm and energy were what kept me engaged throughout the programme. Also, as an international student who came to the UK to pursue this programme (and it was during the pandemic as well), I could feel the support from my lecturers beyond the classroom that kept me going in this short but demanding course. I am so grateful for them. 

Having access to knowledge held by my tutors was a fantastic opportunity for me to learn as much as I could. I would encourage other students not to be afraid to ask lecturers questions because they’re the ones with the experiences under their belt! There is no such thing as a stupid question!