Performing Under Pressure
PostgraduateACU-EXSC6582023
Course information for 2023 intake
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Performing Under Pressure
About this subject
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- Appy and reflect on sport psychology theory and evidence to create a pressure-resistant environment appropriate for high performance sport (GA1, GA4, GA5)
- Apply and reflect on skill aquisition theory and evidence to design training activities to support high performance athletes' performance under pressure (GA4, GA5)
- Apply psychological skills strategies in specific contexts for performance under pressure. (GA1, GA3)
- - Perception and Action, and Complex Systems in Sport
- - Decision Making Under Pressure
- - Mind-Set, Mental Toughness, Self-Confidence and Personalities in Sport
- - Coaching Psychology and the Psychology of Expertise
- - Applied Sport Psychology in High Performance Sport
In high performance sport, athletes and coaches recognise that psychological preparation and associated performance strategies are critical to sporting success. Therefore, the aim of this subject is to develop in students an understanding of theoretical concepts and their practical application of sport and performance psychology, and their practical application as they relate to high performance athletes and the environments in which they operate. The subject will address basic and contemporary skill-acquisition and performance psychological concepts related to sport performance in high-pressure situations and their application into practice in a variety of high-pressure contexts.
By developing evidence-based knowledge of performance psychology and skill-acquisition concepts and ideas, and their application in high performance sport, students will discover that psychology is as much about understanding the contexts, tasks, and environments of high performance sport as it is about the individual athlete’s mind and behaviour. The emphasis is on translating theory into practice with a means to determining the power of understanding and applying psychology in the arena of high performance sport, within appropriate scope of practice and referral pathways.
In order to best enable students to achieve unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes, standards-based assessment is utilised, consistent with University assessment requirements. Media presentation assessments are used to allow students to demonstrate their understanding and application of knowledge, reflect on their practice in a high performance setting, and communication in a range of applied sport science settings.
The three assessment tasks allow for progressive development of knowledge, requiring application, and reflection on learning as an iterative process. That is, assessment 2 will reflect and build upon assessment 1, and assessment 3 will reflect and build upon assessment 2.
Students must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 50% across all assessments.- Media presentation 1 (Video Recording) - Enables students to apply psychological principles to create a pressure-resistant environment in high performance sport. (30%)
- Media presentation 2 (Video Recording)- Enables students to reflect on the application of psychological principles to create a pressure resistant environment and design training activities to support performance under pressure in high performance sport. (35%)
- Media Presentation 3 (Video Recording) - Enables students to reflect on the application of training design principles and implement psychological skills strategies in high performance sport. (35%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about ACU.
Explore ACU courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 35
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 26
Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.