Laptop with performance analysis software in use on the screen

MSc / Postgraduate Diploma / Postgraduate Certificate

Applied Performance Analysis in Sport

Typical offer: 2:1 honours degree (2:2 applicants considered individually)

Duration: 1-3 years; full-time and part-time options

Awarding body: Hartpury University

Apply for this course here: https://www.hartpury.ac.uk/university/courses/postgraduate/msc-applied-performance-analysis-in-sport-msc-postgraduate-diploma-and-postgraduate-certificate/msc-applied-performance-analysis-in-sport-2023/

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Overview

Course overview

This exciting postgraduate degree has been designed to meet modern industry demands. It stands apart from other courses, focusing on the application of theory to practice in real-world settings across a range of sports and levels.

The role of a successful sports analyst has changed in recent years, as new technologies enable the fine-tuning of athletic performance like never before.

Successful analysts are still required to produce and evaluate complex datasets. However, they now play a more integral role in athletic success, connecting player and coach using insight and consultancy to refine athletic performance in real time.

This course provides the ideal opportunity for you to reach the top of your game as an analyst.

Alongside a guaranteed work placement with one of our performance sports academies and an external work placement, you’ll benefit from expert lecturers and world-class facilities including a dedicated performance analysis suite and the latest technologies.

With both full and part-time learning options, you could study alongside existing employment or other commitments. As a graduate, you'll be ready to progress directly into the field of performance analysis, whether with green site sports venues or high-level performance sports settings.

Studying a postgraduate certificate or diploma is ideal for those who want to complete a specific part of a master’s degree, without the academic research.

Hudl Academy

As an Applied Performance Analysis in Sport student at Hartpury University, you’ll have complementary access to Hudl Academy Level 1 courses.

Access to the HUDL suite of courses will provide opportunities for you to develop your skills and enhance your CV with an industry leading product in performance analysis.

Apply now Contact us: +44 (0)1452 702244

What you'll study

MSc

The master’s degree focuses on the application of performance analysis principles into practice. You will learn how to set up equipment and performance analysis coding templates and apply this knowledge in your work placements.

You’ll learn how to design and implement performance sports metrics, using global software Hudl SportsCode and Nacsport. You’ll develop skills across different software and systems, and get to grips with modern equipment including IP cameras, live broadcasting technology and drones.

You’ll undertake two work placements while studying to enable you to test your ideas and develop real industry skills. A 60-hour placement will be with one of our performance Sports Academy teams – a safe and supported environment for you to implement ideas and test skills. You’ll critique contemporary approaches to analysis and the research that underpins it.

Alongside this, you’ll complete a 200-hour placement; this could be with your current employer or a new employer.

Our students benefit from our outstanding industry connections. Alongside our own Hartpury RFC Championship rugby team, we have strong relationships with England Rugby, Gloucester Rugby, Cheltenham Town Football Club, Exeter City Football Club, Forest Green Rovers FC, Bristol Rovers Football Club, GB Rowing, Pentathlon GB, Dallas Jackals and Olympic champion equestrian coaches and athletes.

Your dissertation enables you to research an area of your own interest within performance analysis. In addition to the core modules, you will have the opportunity to study modules within coaching and strength and conditioning. These modules are intended to widen your appreciation for the role of the analyst and other professionals in the wider team.

Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma

These qualifications form part of and are at the same level as the full master’s degree. They provide the ideal opportunity for you to develop your professional expertise via shorter qualifications, whilst allowing flexibility to progress each qualification through to the next level, including the full master’s degree.

Postgraduate Certificate

Your postgraduate certificate includes the work placement within the Hartpury Sports Academy. Please view the specific module breakdown for further details.

Postgraduate Diploma

Your postgraduate diploma includes all specialist modules within performance analysis, including Hartpury and external placement opportunities. Please view the specific module breakdown for further details.

Modules

Below you’ll find the compulsory modules for this course. You’ll also be able to choose from a range of optional modules to suit your interests and career goals.

Optional modules change each year in line with student, industry and research demands.

Compulsory modules

This module addresses the technical requirements of analysing performance, including the set-up and readiness of equipment, through to identifying factors being analysed alongside obtaining data. You’ll complete 60 hours of performance analysis contact hours within the Hartpury Sports Academy to support you to apply your skills.

You’ll be challenged and supported to analyse performance through various systematic observation techniques and to evaluate contemporary research within the field.

This module will bridge the gap between your academic preparation and the real-world environment. You’ll be required to source and complete 200 hours of industry-based placement in a pre-approved environment.

This includes discussion of research methodologies and applications, as well as strengths, weaknesses and limitations of different methods.

You’ll develop and undertake a research project of your choosing.

Optional modules

Students will develop a critical understanding and appreciation of how to work effectively within industry and multi-disciplinary/inter-disciplinary teams.

This module focuses on the use of learning theories and pedagogic principles as a conceptual lens through which to view practice. It provides practitioners with an opportunity to increase their understanding of the field of pedagogy in order to develop a conceptual base from which to refine and critique their practice. Students enrolled on this module will be required to write a report as well as design and deliver a presentation to provide practitioners with underpinning knowledge that will allow them to develop more pedagogically aware practice.

Progress an enhanced understanding of the relevant testing methods that can be used by strength and conditioning coaches as well as the data analysis methods used to assess athlete or client physical testing capabilities.

Please visit our document library for more module information.

Further module information

How you'll study

We're committed to supporting you to fulfil your unique potential while you're here so that you can achieve your personal and professional goals.

Your support network

You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one. This will range from your lecturers, supervisors and personal tutor to our specialist academic (Achievement and Success Centre), employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) and wellbeing teams.

Your learning experiences

You'll experience a range of teaching methods to strengthen your understanding of topics, including lectures, workshops and practical sessions.

Further details

One year, full-time

You can study each of these qualifications full-time and subsequently complete each within one year.

Two-three years, part-time

Alternatively, we offer flexible part-time options to help students to manage their studies alongside other commitments. These options can be tailored to suit your own needs, enabling you to complete your qualification in two or three years. Please enquire for further details.

Upon successful completion of your modules you’ll gain academic credit that accumulates towards your award. The marks you gain may contribute towards your final master’s degree differential award (pass, merit or distinction).

The modules contain a mixture of scheduled learning – lectures, online learning, workshops and practical sessions – alongside independent learning. Students are expected to dedicate at least two to three hours of independent study per contact hour. Your course includes work placement learning as part of two modules.

The course is taught in English.

	Contact learning	Placement learning	Independent learning
MSc degree	12%	11%	77%
Postgraduate Diploma	17%	17%	66%
Postgraduate Certificate	21%	0%	79%

Teaching contact time and method will vary depending on the module that you are studying.

You’ll be assessed through a mixture of practical exams and written assignments. Many of the modules will be marked based on a mixture of assessment types, whilst others will be based solely on one type of assessment. Feedback will be given in written form, with the option to discuss all feedback with academic staff.

	Written exam	Practical exam	Coursework
MSc degree	0%	36%	64%
Postgraduate Diploma	0%	41%	59%
Postgraduate Certificate	0%	62%	38%

This course is made up of three semesters. Semesters normally consisting of 12 weeks of scheduled teaching and then assessment weeks, with an overview below:

Scheduled delivery generally takes place over 1-2 days during the week, with further commitment required for Hartpury academy and external work placement
Attendance dates and timetables are available before enrolment to support the arrangement of annual leave where required

View term dates

Employability

Your career

This applied degree is focused on developing your skills in the real-world, whether with our performance sports teams and athletes on campus or an external business as part of your work placement. You'll also hear from professionals in lectures to broaden your knowledge and commercial networks.

Work placements and experience

You’ll undertake compulsory work placement experience with one of our performance sports teams and an external provider. We’ll support you to secure a placement with a UK-based or international employer. We have strong relationships with Gloucester Rugby, England Rugby, Cheltenham Town Football Club, Exeter City Football Club, Forest Green Rovers FC, Bristol Rovers Football Club, GB Rowing, Pentathlon GB, Dallas Jackals and Olympic champion equestrian coaches and athletes.

Guest lecturers

Guest lecturers may be used to enhance our delivery and provide you with additional insight into professional practice as an analyst.

Graduate destinations

As a graduate, you'll be ready to progress directly into the field of performance analysis, whether with green site sports venues or high-level performance sports settings.

Performance Sports Analyst

Facilities

World-class facilities

You’ll have access to a diverse range of facilities while you’re here, many of which are newly built and world-class. Alongside lectures halls and workshop spaces, these include:

Performance analysis suite

The analysis suite includes access to laptops with industry-leading Hudl Sportscode and Nacsport software.

Sports hall and outdoor pitches

The sports facilities include IP cameras offering live and delayed footage of training and matches, providing analysts with access to high-quality footage.

Sports laboratories

Our laboratories are modern and well equipped, providing the ideal spaces for scientific activities and research.

Study spaces

Our University Learning Centre has books, journals, ebooks, computers and breakout study spaces. In addition, we have a study Lounge - an informal space with sports equipment, study booths and chill-out spaces to support both studying and relaxation. Postgraduate students also have a specially designated study area with 24-hour access.

Entry requirements

Academic

2:1 honours degree in a relevant subject. Students with 2:2 and relevant experience will be considered on a case by case basis.

Non-academic

Students with non-relevant qualifications but with sufficient work experience or professional experience will be considered on an individual basis.

International

In addition to the academic qualification an IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required.

Please contact us for further information:

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Fees and funding

Tuition fees and financial support

Please visit our student finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs.

Explore student finance

Below you'll find extra costs associated with studying this course, as well as costs associated with living and extra-curricular activities that might be of interest.

Software

For the duration of your course, you’ll benefit from complementary access to HUDL Sportscode and Nacsport software through our institutional licences – these are accessible on Hartpury PCs only.

Software access is not available off campus. However, you’ll be able to purchase your own Nacsport licence at a student-discounted fee from £60 each year or gain access through an employer or placement provider that is using the software.

Clothing and footwear (circa £100)

Fundamentals of Performance Analysis module

We strongly recommend the purchase of a Hartpury polo and tracksuit bottoms when representing Hartpury University as part of our Sports Academy.

Costs are available vie our online shop If you’re required to travel as part of this course, related costs will be covered by the Hartpury Sports Academy.

Outdoor clothing

The outdoor nature of this discipline may also require you to wear all-weather clothing and appropriate footwear whilst engaging in practical aspects. The purchase of this clothing is your own responsibility.

Hartpury University branded clothing

Hartpury University branded clothing is available through our online shop, for those who wish to purchase it. However, this is not essential.

Visit Hartpury shop

Travel

Industry Placement Experience module

You’re responsible for travel costs for your professional work placement.

Performance Sports Academy membership

Find out costs and details for joining one of our performance Sports Academy teams.

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Hartpury gym

Find out about costs and details for joining the Hartpury gym.

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Accommodation and living costs

Please visit our student accommodation page for details.

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World Leading

Our research has been recognised as ‘world-leading’ and international excellent’ (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

Top 10

We’re in the top 10 UK universities for teaching quality (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2023)

97%

of graduates are in employment, further study or other purposeful activity (Graduate Outcomes, 2022*)

Stand out from the crowd

Graduate with a portfolio of real-world experience. You'll gain industry experience with our performance Sports Academies on campus as well as an external work placement.

Make your mark

As a graduate, you'll be ready to progress directly into the field of performance analysis, whether with green site sports venues or performance sports settings.

OUR LECTURERS

Dr. Laurence Protheroe

Senior Lecturer Sports Biomechanics & Programme Manager MSc Applied Performance Analysis in Sport

Laurence is an expert in the performance analysis of team sports. Well aligned with emerging best practice, he's also an active member of the International Society of Biomechanics in Sport and the British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences.

He's also a Senior Fellow of Advance HE, evidencing the strategic impact he has on teaching and research.

Dr Laurence Protheroe Programme Manager postgraduate MSc Applied Performance Analysis in Sport at Hartpury University

Get in touch

We would love to hear from you, so please get in touch. You can ask a specific question or simply pop your details in to be kept up-to-date with news and events.

Apply now

You can apply for the MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Performance Analysis in Sport via our website.

Apply now

SUCCESS STORIES

Andy Payne

Hartpury student and Pathway Performance Analyst & Coach, Somerset County Cricket Club

“The course marries my cricket coaching experience with my sports science degree; I’ve been working with Hartpury’s Netball Academy, taking a lead in the performance analysis.

The data I’ve produced has provided greater focus for key coaching areas and I’ll be able to transfer these skills to the game of cricket. I want to be a lead performance analyst for a successful cricket team; my master’s will put me a step ahead of the competition.”

Andy Payne Pathway Performance Analyst & Coach, Somerset County Cricket Club and postgraduate student in Applied Performance Analysis in Sport studying at Hartpury University

Further course details

For further details about this course, including the programme specification and module descriptions, please visit our document library.

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Your journey

As a small and specialist university, we're ideally placed to support you on your journey into postgraduate study and beyond.

Postgraduate study is a valuable investment, made possible for many by the funding available.

Benefit from an academic support network to help you adjust to postgraduate study.

Enjoy a virtual tour of our 360-hectare campus and leading facilities.

Join a community of students from over 60 countries worldwide.

Important information

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information, however our programmes are reviewed and developed regularly. Changes or cancellation of courses may be necessary to ensure alignment with emerging employment areas, to comply with accrediting body requirements, revisions to subject benchmark statements or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make necessary changes and will notify all offer-holders of changes as and when they occur.

*Reflects activities after 15 months for those who graduated in 2020.