Course summary

Explore the relationship between stress, health, and performance across diverse environments, from corporate offices to space exploration. Understand how humans adapt and thrive in high-pressure settings and maintain longevity in highly demanding occupations. The psychology of human performance is a unique and dynamic field that plays a crucial role in helping individuals and teams fulfil their potential. On this course you’ll gain a holistic understanding of human adaptation and functioning in performance domains. You’ll examine the enablers and disablers of human performance as well as learn about the factors that predict who will thrive in extreme conditions, from a biopsychosocial perspective. You’ll also explore the concept of “extreme jobs” and their impact on health and performance. You'll engage in a variety of learning experiences, including lectures, small group tutorials, and workshops, all designed to foster holistic and practical understanding. You’ll also have the opportunity to hear from guest speakers including world renowned individuals working in high-performance domains. Our course staff are research and practice active; they’ll be able to draw on their experience to bring relevant and contemporary examples to classes. Some members of staff continue to work in human performance psychology practice alongside their teaching. Features and benefits

• Research active department - The School of Psychology is home to the Stress, Health and Performance Research Group.  The teaching team includes practitioners and academics who bring insights from their leading-edge expertise in psychological skills, and interventions to elevate human performance and potential across demanding environments. This includes: arduous and prolonged expeditions in some of the most extreme, remote and inhospitable places on the planet; defence and security settings; policing and public safety; emergency medicine; humanitarian aid; space travel; and blue-chip companies.

• Flexible independent project – Complete an independent project in a format that suits your interests and career goals, building practical research experience along the way.

• Taught by experts - Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers, researchers and experts in their chosen field. Staff research interests include stress, health and performance, understanding and enhancing human performance in order to contribute innovative and evidence-based solutions to help people live healthier lives and fulfil their potential in demanding performance environments. In addition, drawing from our enviable network of external contributing speakers, your learning will be enhanced by individuals with a track record of translating theory into practice.

• Transferable skills - Develop critical thinking, leadership and problem solving skills that are valuable in a wide range of careers, from management to research.

• Holistic approach – Learn how biological, psychological and social factors impact human performance, giving you a well-rounded understanding to apply in various fields like healthcare. Gain knowledge of key theories and practical applications to optimise human performance in real-world settings such as coaching or performance management.

• Enhanced student support - We strongly believe in enhancing student wellbeing. Each student has a Personal Tutor and the Programme Support Tutors work closely with students throughout the course.

• Outstanding facilities - You’ll have access to our specialist facilities for psychology demonstration and practice, including an fNIR imaging research device, 12 experimental testing laboratories and 6 psychology laboratories.