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Sports students in lecture

Expand your understanding of modern sports analysis

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Bishop Otter Campus (Chichester)

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Overview

Become proficient at the delivery of coach-driven, observational, and data-driven analyses

Our highly-vocational MSc Sports Performance Analysis programme explores the more advanced concepts, processes and techniques undertaken within industry, and is aligned to employer needs.

With an emphasis on the application of theory to practice, a key focus is the development of practical competencies and software proficiency required for a career within sport performance analysis.

Students are issued with an Apple MacBook Pro with Hudl SportsCode Elite installed to support academic and placement work. This is a novel feature of the programme, and we are the only university to offer this.

Gain vital professional experience with our network of industry links

The course includes an extensive work placement, which offers invaluable industry relevant experience to support your academic learning and increase your employability within a competitive job market.

We are proud to have outstanding links with industry across multiple sports. Example placement organisations have included; Southampton FC, Brighton FC, AFC Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur FC, Harlequins RFC, Sussex County Cricket Club, Surrey Storm Netball, among others.

Prepare for your career within sports performance analysis

The outstanding links within the industry across multiple sports, cutting-edge facilities, novel assessment methods, and expert staff create an ideal learning environment for those either wishing to seek future employment in sports performance analysis, or, those currently employed within a professional club or organisation.

It caters to the rapidly developing and evolving job market within the field of sports performance analysis and is in response to the marked growth in career opportunities and proliferation of roles available to (aspiring/current) performance analysts within amateur and professional sporting organisations.

The Course

Explore the more advanced concepts and processes of contemporary sports performance analysis

You are required to complete modules in your chosen pathway plus one module in research methods and statistics, and, a research dissertation.

This list is indicative and subject to change.

Advances in Performance Analysis of Sport

Sports Performance Analysis is a well-established scientific sub-discipline of sport and exercise science. Sports Performance Analysis is predicated on the provision of valid, objective and reliable data to inform the coaching process and decision-making processes. Therefore, this module aims to provide you with a comprehensive and critical insight into the evolution, principles, theories and applications governing sports performance analysis. A theory to practice ethos is adopted throughout, promoting a research informed approach to applied practice.

Applied Performance Analysis

You will develop the seminal personal skills e.g. communication, and professional skills e.g. technical skills, sport-specific knowledge, observation skills, required by an applied performance analysis practitioner.

Computerised Analysis & Data Visualisation

The advent and evolution of computerised performance analysis systems has enabled the sophisticated design of performance analysis templates for the assessment of technical, tactical and/or physical performance. Computerised performance analysis systems also enable users to effectively generate, synthesise and report both subjective and objective data, in accordance with the demands of the sport. Proficiency with computerised performance analysis systems is essential for applied performance analysts, and facilitates the development of effective and (time) efficient workflows. Moreover, the use of computerised performance analysis systems has rapidly accelerated the production of sports data. As such, data visualisation, defined as the graphical representation of information and data, and by extension, visual analytics, is a crucial skill to readily identify patterns and trends in data, and answer data-driven questions. Therefore, the module aims to develop proficiency and autonomy with computerised performance analysis and data visualisation software.

Research Methods for Health and Performance

During this module you will learn and apply innovative and cutting-edge methods of analysis evident in physiotherapy literature.

The Research Dissertation

This module is the culmination of previous learning and is the major element of your independent enquiry on your programme.  The module requires that you reflect on, and utilise the knowledge base, context, and application of taught modules, as well as placement experiences. It is designed to encourage you to generate and explore your own ‘problem’ assisted by supervision from a tutor.

Work Placement

This double module provides invaluable experience working as a performance analyst within a sporting organisation. It will enable you to foster an acute understanding of how performance analysis is used within sport, offer insight into organisational culture, develop essential professional knowledge and skills, facilitate reflective practice, and develop a network of professional contacts.

Experience

Discover a wide range of excellent sporting facilities that support your learning

Teaching and Assessment

Innovative teaching methods that focus on practice

Teaching

Our team of principal lecturers ensure innovation, enthusiasm and expertise combine to deliver the excellent standards that give our institution its high reputation.

When you come to Chichester, you will join a community of students and lecturers working in partnership to ensure that your learning experience reflects best practice and embraces the opportunities presented by new, interactive technologies.

Each module is delivered differently depending on its content and focus of study.

In most modules you can expect lead lectures to introduce core content, but the majority of your time will be spent working in small groups with tutor support in seminars, workshops or laboratory sessions.

Many sessions will require you to have completed some preparatory work and you will also be given structured follow-up work after a session to further progress your learning, often reading or an individual/group task. As you progress through your degree you will be expected to take more and more ownership over your learning and development, directing your study into areas of most interest to you.

Assessment

The programme benefits from a wide range of summative assessments, which are both novel and vocationally relevant. Examples of assessment include; applied research projects, job application and job interview, player dossier, and, presentations in a variety of contexts.

You can monitor your own progress, allowing you the opportunity to discuss and plan your development with your lecturers throughout the course.

  • To gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Sports Performance Analysis, you need to complete 60 credits.
  • To gain a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Performance Analysis, you need to complete 120 credits.
  • To gain an MSc in Sports Performance Analysis, you need to 120 credits, and a dissertation of 12,000 words or a supervised experience portfolio

Placement Opportunities

Gain invaluable industry relevant experience to support your learning

You will typically undertake a season-long work placement and will spend circa three to four days a week on placement (dependent on placement). Placements will typically be within an elite, high performance organisation.

We have an impressive network of placement providers from which you can benefit. You may wish secure your own work placement providing an agreement is arranged.

Work placement opportunities are available across a range of sports. Previous students have worked with the following clubs and franchises:

  • AFC Bournemouth
  • Brighton and Hove Albion FC
  • Millwall FC
  • Southampton FC
  • Tottenham Hotspur FC
  • Harlequins RFC
  • Surrey Storm
  • Sussex County Cricket Club

The work placement module provides a platform for you to get involved in performance analysis in a real world situation, working closely with coaches, players, sport scientists, medical staff and management support team.

You will be able to utilise this opportunity to obtain work-related learning and practice skills learned in the University using innovative ideas to provide advanced analysis services.

Careers

Acquire the skills and knowledge required to gain employment as a sports analyst

This course boasts outstanding employability and has a proven track record of graduates securing full-time employment.

Amongst others, our graduates have gone on to secure jobs with:

  • Harlequins RFC
  • Tottenham Hotspur FC
  • England Basketball
  • Southampton FC
  • Manchester United FC
  • AFC Bournemouth
  • Brighton and Hove Albion FC
  • Bristol City FC
  • Celtic FC
  • Paris Saint Germain FC
  • New York Mets
  • Lawn Tennis Association
  • Surrey County Cricket Club
  • Wasps RFC
  • UK Anti-Doping

Student View

"I’m so glad I chose this University and the MSc Sport Performance Analysis course"

Tom

MSc Sport Performance Analysis graduate and Head of Academy Performance Analysis at Everton FC
"The MSc at Chichester is the best way to develop the theoretical understanding which underpins the work you do as a practitioner. By combining studying and a season-long work placement you get a great blend of experiences to prepare you for full-time employment in professional sport. The course encourages you to complete academic work in your professional environment allowing you to use real data to solve real problems as part of your degree. The Programme Coordinator has in-depth understanding of the needs of the Performance Analysis industry and tailors the course content around those requirements meaning the MSc is cutting edge in training the next generation of practitioners."

Noah

MSc Sport Performance Analysis graduate
The reason why I chose to study this course at Chichester was because of the amazing opportunity to work for a premier league club, Brighton and Hove Albion FC as an Academy Analyst and study intensely at the same time, putting what I learn at university straight into practice at my placement. I’m so glad I chose this University and the MSc Sport Performance Analysis course as I believe the course is so unique as it aids self-awareness which enables you to be much more employable in any field of work.

Sophie

MSc Sport Performance Analysis graduate
". I chose the course because of the work placement environments and to enhance my knowledge of Performance Analysis alongside developing my inter-personal skills. After hearing how successful previous students had been through studying the MSc here at Chichester, I knew the opportunity would be a knowledgeable stepping stone in preparing me to work at a professional level. One key strength of the course is the individual 1-1 direct contact/feedback that allowed me to develop my work to a commendable standard. I also enjoy the variety of tasks as they were applicable to the ‘real world’ which prepared me for future professional tasks at clubs. There are fantastic opportunities to work at a professional level, to experience how clubs run, and I've strengthened my people network in the domain."

Course Costs

Course Fees 2024/25

UK fee
£8,838
University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.
International fee
£16,722

For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fees page.

For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.

To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.

Entry Requirements

  • An honours degree at 2:1 or higher in a related discipline. Applicants with lower degree classifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • You will be required to attend an interview.

If English is not your first language then English language proficiency required is IELTS 6.5 (with no element less than 5.5) – or equivalent qualification.

Interview

You will be asked to attend an interview as part of the application process. The interviews allow you to showcase your relevant knowledge and passion for sports performance analysis. The interview will also start to build the personalised and individual relationship that we have with all of our students.

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