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Advanced Talent Identification and Player Recruitment (Distance Learning) MSc

Start date

September

Previous degree

2:2

Distance learning available

Yes

Student visa accepted?

No

Duration

1 year (full-time), 2/3 years (part-time)

football

A talent identification course designed by industry experts

The Advanced Talent Identification and Player Recruitment MSc has been developed with recruitment specialists, performance analysts, and senior practitioners working across elite and developing performance environments.

On this course, you’ll learn from industry experts who will guide you through how to identify, assess, and support emerging players within modern recruitment systems.

The curriculum reflects the realities of modern sport. It combines insights from professional clubs and organisations, alumni working across the sports industry, and research-active academics to ensure your learning stays aligned with current professional practice, technological innovation, and global trends in talent identification.

Why choose this talent identification course?

Flexible study anywhere in the world

  • Delivered fully online, this flexible talent scouting course can be accessed from anywhere in the world.

  • Access pre-recorded lectures, case studies, and applied tasks on demand so you can study around professional commitments.

  • The programme also includes three intensive learning blocks, including networking events with industry partners.

Learn from industry experts

  • Learn from experienced practitioners and academics working at the forefront of talent identification and recruitment.

  • Our teaching team has experience across performance analysis, scouting, player development, and recruitment operations.

  • Many are also actively engaged in research, ensuring the ideas and tools you learn reflect the latest thinking in talent identification.

Access to specialist software and platforms

  • Access specialist software, scouting platforms, and performance analysis systems commonly used in talent identification and recruitment in clubs and academies.

  • Interactive materials and applied digital resources within the virtual learning environment further support your learning.

Strong industry connections

  • Through our collaboration with the Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA), students receive free access to their suite of online courses.

  • Students may also benefit from study visits and professional insights from clubs and practitioners connected to the programme.

Industry experience

  • Students are encouraged to be in relevant employment or secure a placement that supports their development.

  • The programme also offers industry experience opportunities through partner organisations, where specific roles and projects may be available.

Please note: this course is subject to validation.

Upcoming Event

campus aerial

MSc Advanced Talent Identification and Player Recruitment webinar

Wednesday 20 May 2026, 2pm

Course content

Modules

These modules are the modules that were available to students in the 2025/26 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2026/27. 

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

Entry requirements

2:2

Previous degree

Additional requirement information

Minimum 2.2 degree or international equivalent, preferably in a sports-related subject.

Please note: our ‘non-degree entrants’ (NDE) pathway allows for those with significant industry experience to enter the course without a previous degree. Eligible students will be asked to undertake a 5-week summer module titled ‘Academic Introduction to Professional Development’ as part of their enrolment.

This programme of learning is free to access and will help develop applicants understanding of core academic and research related skills, helping to build confidence prior to beginning the degree.

Students wishing to apply for this route, should contact course lead Ben Stanway at ben.stanway@stmarys.ac.uk to discuss their background and confirm eligibility for this route prior to applying for the degree.

Further Information

For more information about entry requirements please get in touch.

Fees & funding

September 2026

Home

£12,150

International

£12,150

Additional costs

*Please note: The tuition fees listed are if you study the course in full during the 2026/27 academic year. Part-time students will be charged for the modules undertaken per academic year. Module prices are calculated as a percentage of credits against the total credits and cost of the degree for that academic year. Please see the detailed breakdown of tuition fees for further information.

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme. Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage. 

For more information about whether you are likely to pay home or international fees, please visit our 'understanding your tuition fee status' page.

Alumni discount

A 20% tuition fee discount is available for our alumni (undergraduate and PGCE) planning to study this Master's degree. Those studying for a PGDip of PGCert are not eligible for the discount.

Funding

Except for any iQTS courses, you can check on the UK government website to see if you may be eligible for a loan of up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate programme.

Home and international students for non-iQTS courses may also be eligible for external sources of funding. International students should check their eligibility for our International Scholarship.

For more information, please look at our postgraduate funding page.

How the degree is taught

Contact time
35%
Independent study
65%

Assessment methods

Our flexible online delivery allows you to engage with the course in a way that fits your schedule. Recorded lectures, discussion forums, blogs and a range of media tools enable you to interact with your lecturers, your peers and the weekly content at a pace that suits you. All course materials and resources are provided through our virtual learning environment, giving you continuous access throughout your studies.

Assessment methods are varied to allow you to demonstrate a broad set of skills relevant to talent identification and player recruitment. These include interactive documents, presentations, match and recruitment analysis tasks, reports, portfolios and a small number of written essays. The programme uses both formative and summative assessments to support your development, providing opportunities for feedback, refinement and evidence of learning. Your degree concludes with an independent research project that can be completed within your professional setting or focused on a subject that reflects your interests within the discipline.

Who teaches this course?

Career opportunities

Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of Advanced Talent Identification and Player Recruitment (Distance Learning) MSc include:

Performance Data & Insights AnalystVideo ScoutNational or Regional ScoutAcademy ScoutOpposition AnalystEmerging Talent SpecialistRecruitment AnalystPlayer Insights AnalystData Analyst

Apply now

September 2026

Make sure to check our step-by-step guide to application process.

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