The Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc at Loughborough stands out for its combination of high-quality teaching and strong integration of key academic research with applied, real-world practice. It gave me the clarity and confidence to develop my identity as a Sport Psychologist and define my own practice philosophy. The outstanding sporting facilities further enhanced the experience, providing a high-performance environment closely connected to an elite sport context.
I particularly valued working on a project built around case assessment and needs analysis of an athlete, which was very interesting to develop and engage with. It challenged me to think more systematically about formulation, to build a clear understanding of the athlete’s needs and to justify my decisions using theory and evidence. Receiving structured feedback and being evaluated on this work was especially valuable, as it helped me refine my clinical reasoning and strengthen my confidence in applying these skills in real-world performance settings.
Furthermore, my end-of-year project had the greatest impact on my learning, as it gave me the freedom to choose a topic, I was passionate about, supported by strong academic guidance and structure. It also gave me a real sense of ownership over the work - doing something for me and shaping it in a way that felt both personally meaningful and academically rigorous. I chose to focus on sexual abuse and harassment within international elite-level sport. Working with my supervisor was particularly insightful, as I learnt a great deal about safeguarding, ethical considerations and how to approach such a sensitive topic in a rigorous and responsible way.
Through this work, my supervisor, generously integrated me into a research project he was leading in collaboration with FIFA, focused on safeguarding and athlete welfare in elite sport environments, which gave me invaluable insight into applied research at the highest level. We published a paper in February 2026 and are currently working on a second publication which is in fact my end-of-year project, which is an amazing prospect. Loughborough and its experts, offer support not only during your time studying there but also beyond—it creates connections that can last a lifetime. The academic/research opportunities made available by my supervisor were integral to the enjoyment of my Master's at Loughborough.
My experience of studying the MSc programme at Loughborough was enhanced by its strong focus on applied excellence in Sport Psychology and its supportive and engaging academic community. The accessibility of academic staff, their openness to discussion and the sense of belonging to a motivated Sport Psychology community were valuable to me. The environment encouraged both academic and industry relevant development, as it was supported by facilities that genuinely reflect the demands of high-performance sport.
The Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc programme helped me become more grounded in who I am and how I want to work, strengthening both my sense of direction and my ability to trust my judgement in applied settings.
Academically, it strengthened my understanding of key theories and research in Sport Psychology. Professionally, it provided access to a valuable network of researchers and practitioners, which helped me bridge the gap between research theory and applied practice. On a personal level, it also encouraged me to refine my thinking, clarify my values and grow in confidence in my role as a practitioner.
Indeed, being surrounded by world-class training environments helped bring theory to life and deepen applied understanding. More than that, it had a real motivational impact - there was a constant sense of “wow, I am part of this,” from simply walking around the campus and being immersed in a high-performance context. I felt a strong sense of gratitude and belonging within that environment. I particularly remember walking into the swimming pool and seeing posters of current and former students who had performed, medalled and broken world records - it was genuinely striking and inspiring and it stayed with me as a reminder of the level of excellence embedded in the culture.
My studies at Loughborough have opened the door to a wide range of professional opportunities. Since completing the Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc, I have been undertaking the CASES SEPAR accreditation route to qualify for independent professional practice. I also completed an internship at INSEP in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, gaining insight into the psychological demands of elite performance. Alongside this, I have worked at Apex2100, supporting young alpine athletes through individual and group sport psychology sessions. I am currently working with the French Badminton Federation at INSEP, providing performance psychology support within a high-performance programme. I have also maintained involvement in research, continuing to link academic knowledge with applied practice.
Even though sport culture is often rooted in competition, comparison and metrics, at Loughborough there is a strong sense of people looking out for each other, sharing experiences and helping one another navigate both academic and sporting demands. I really valued being part of a community where students support students so naturally. It is within this supportive and enriching environment that I have been able to grow both personally and professionally. My advice for anyone considering studying at Loughborough is to be open to new experiences and fully immerse yourself in the sporting societies and everything the environment has to offer.
During my time here, I competed in the BUCS National Championships for equestrian sport. Taking part in competitive BUCS sport helped me develop leadership, teamwork and resilience, particularly in my role as captain of the A team, which led to a third-place finish.
Loughborough is a platform, a backbone to your growth but the real strength comes from you—trust your path, your timing and your way of doing things.
Mona graduated from Loughborough University in 2023.