Working Life

• Consulting with athletes and teams with a view to providing psychological skills training appropriate to the individual and commensurate with their level of participation.
• Organising and operating workshops for coaches, teachers and exercise specialists.
• Guiding and advising clubs, schools, coaches, parents and athletes in the application of sport psychology theories and practices.

• Assisting governing bodies in the area of planning and implementing policy relating to participation, performance and training from a psychological perspective.
• Counselling referees to deal with the stressful and demanding aspects of their role.
• Advising coaches on how to build cohesion within their team.
• Helping athletes to deal with the psychological and emotional consequences of sustaining an injury.
• Planning and conducting research in sports psychology.
• Keeping up to date with the literature and best practice in their field.
• Providing an arena for sports people to engage in reflective assessment of their involvement in sports and future developments.

Sport and Performance Psychologists work in a wide range of settings across all levels of performance Novice to elite

Amateur to Professional

Individual to group schools, colleges, clubs, provincial, national level

Private consultants: Historically ‘part-time’ positions [professional sport teams 

Non Governmental Bodies

Most practitioners combine their consulting work with other roles in teaching, research, other specialism areas such as in academia, clinical, occupational settings.

Further Information

• Sport and Exercise Psychologist- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

In order to become a Sport Psychologist, an accredited honours undergraduate degree where psychology is the major subject is required.

Completion of a recognised accredited postgraduate training programme in Sport psychology is then necessary.

Recognition with the The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), is the learned and professional body for psychology and psychologists in the PSI Psychological society of Ireland. 

Professional Development

Complete an accredited Undergraduate (Hons) Psychology degree (PSI/BPS).

Complete an appropriate Postgraduate Masters degree [Currently, there is no PSI accredited Sport Psychology programme; UUJ’s MSc programme is accredited by the
BPS; See UL / SETU / Setanta College for other relevant Level 9 (in Rep. of Ireland)].

PSI/BPS Supervised Experience (typically 2 years / 200 hours). Apply for HCPC membership / Irish Sport & Exercise Sciences Association

Accreditation [see ISESA (Previously the remit of SII) website for details regarding how to become accredited and then join their Professional Sport Psychology services Provider panel.

Other Options: Complete a recognised Doctorate related to the domain of Sport / Clinical Psychology and a Masters degree in Sport Psychology.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: training and development, supervisory management and leadership.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: psychology, soccer coaching and sports psychology, sports performance, psychology and fitness advanced, applied psychology, education and training with psychology, psychology and social studies, pre-university sport science, sports science personal training with sports science.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Lean Sigma Management.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: coaching science and sports pedagogy, sport and exercise science, sports science and health, athletic therapy and training, strength and conditioning, exercise science, health and exercise science, health and performance science.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: sports coaching, applied sports coaching, mental skills and mental health in sports and exercise, public health physiotherapy, sports science research, sports exercise and performance psychology, sports performance, sports performance practice.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €34k - €97k

Salaries vary based on employer, grade, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Jobted/ Salary expert/ Payscale/ Indeed/ HEI/ HSE/ Talent

Last Updated: April, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Psychologists; Pharmacists; Opticians (including dispensing opticians); Dental practitioners; Veterinarians; Medical radiographers; Podiatrists; Health professionals n.e.c.; Health services and public health managers; and directors Social services; managers and directors Health care practice managers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was above the national average for this occupation, although employment in 2022 were similar to 2021 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment was spread across a large number of roles in 2022, with increases across all within this occupation since 2016.

While the numbers employed have increased since 2016, for the most part, the supply from the education and training system has not, and plans to expand training will not have an impact on the potential supply to the labour market in the short-term, given the duration of training required. This has led to issues for a number of roles within this group; for instance, there is an increasing number of students opting to study veterinary medicine in Poland due to the lack of available places to study in Ireland.

Psychologists and pharmacists were added to the employment permits Critical Skills list in June 2022 although new permits issued in 2022 primarily related to radiographers/sonographers, with a small number issued for dentists and pharmacists. With a quarter of those employed aged 55 years or older, replacement demand alone will create job opportunities in the coming years. Demand remains high across these occupations and issues with recruitment are occurring; however, as the numbers employed are too small across the roles for detailed analysis, evidence of shortages are difficult to determine.

• Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)

  • Digital Office Centre Camden, 12 Camden Row, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 8, D08 R9CN, Ireland
  • (0)87 387 7179
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Sport Ireland

  • Sport Ireland National Sports Campus, Snugborough Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
  • (01) 8608800
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here