Skip to content Exit mobile menu

Your next steps...

Open days

The Performance Analysis specialist pathway has been designed for students wishing to progress their careers in elite sport, specifically to support elite athletes. 

  • Access to industry partners through course collaborations, including the RPA and coaches from professional football clubs
  • Flexible learning allows you to study at your own pace around your professional role
  • Access to industry-specific technology, BASES accredited laboratories to enhance professional development

Why study Professional Development: Performance Analysis?

This programme will provide a nuanced bespoke understanding of Performance Analysis whilst being framed with core professional development modules in order for students to quantify key performance elements to inform their future practice.

In particular, the course aims to facilitate the development of theoretical knowledge and the development of practical and professional skills of sports performance analysts working or hoping to work in the professional sports industry. This will be achieved through topic areas such as applied performance analysis processes, development within the role of an analyst and covering contemporary issues in performance analysis.

The flexible nature of the programme will ensure inclusiveness and will empower students to develop their professional skills within the area of performance analysis.

The programme will be delivered by highly qualified staff within the field to ensure students are encouraged to develop professionally and personally to ensure they make an impact in the wider sports industry.

Why St Mary's?

St Mary's is a renowned institution to offer a blended learning course, allowing you to study when and where it suits you. This course allows you to specialise in your given field, developing a bespoke expertise. This flexible format means you can advance your knowledge, expertise and professional skills in parallel through a specialised pathway in Performance Analysis.

We are a leading provider of postgraduate taught sport science programmes and are widely recognised as one of the UK’s premier sports institutions. The University has a wide knowledge-base in the professional development of sports professionals.

Our staff are comprised of highly regarded coaching professionals, coach developers and academics involved in world-leading and applied research, consultancy, and high-level coaching activities; all of which are directly relevant to - and inform - the modules delivered on the programme.

Other specialised pathways in this programme include Sports Coaching and Rugby Performance.


Upcoming open days and webinars

We'll be running events for you to find out more about Professional Development: Performance Analysis MSc on the following dates:


  • Wednesday 5th April 2023, 6.30pm

  • Wednesday 10th May 2023, 6.30pm

  • Wednesday 21st June 2023, 1pm

  • Wednesday 19th July 2023, 6.30pm

Course lead

Dr Joana Fonseca headshotDr Joana Fonseca
Course Lead - MSc Professional Development

Entry requirements

2:2 Previous degree

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

Additional requirement information

Applicants are encouraged to hold or have the intention to work towards, an NGB L3 coaching award or international equivalent qualification and demonstrate continued commitment to coaching or professional practice.

Applicants must satisfy the general admissions requirements of St Mary's University outlined in the Admissions Policy.

Non-degree entrance

Applicants without formal degree level qualification but with significant relevant work or playing experience are encouraged to apply. We will assess your suitability and any support you may need for the non-degree entrance through a two-step process. For more information please check our entrance task details.

Non-degree entrants will have to take an additional module (Academic Introduction to Professional Development) in the summer before the degree begins.

Please note: the deadline for non-degree entrance will not be able to apply after the summer module begins.

International requirements

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section (or equivalent).

We now accept IELTS Indicator test results as proof of your English language level.

Further information

For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.

Course content

Modules

  •  Core (Non-Degree Entrance Students)
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core

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.

Career opportunities

As a MSc Professional Development with a specialism in Performance Analysis graduate, you will be highly sought after by employers in a rapidly growing market both nationally and globally. Your professional placement will allow you to build your skills, knowledge and experiences within industry which will enhance your employability prospects in elite sport.

Employment areas include:

  • Performance Analyst
  • Opposition Analyst
  • Recruitment Analyst
  • Data Analyst
Return to sub navigation

How the degree is taught

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

We are committed to providing the very best teaching and look to continually use innovative approaches alongside traditional methods to best support the student’s needs. As a result, the Performance Analysis modules will be delivered online through our lecture capture system, Panopto. This will allow flexibility with your learning whilst focusing on your professional development within industry.

You will be allocated a personal tutor who you will speak with on a regular basis to focus on your professional and academic development. This individualised approach looks to collectively problem solve to guide you towards your desired career in elite sport.

You will receive your timetable in advance of teaching to ensure when you commence the programme you are fully prepared.

Assessment methods

There will be a large range of assessment strategies available to the students tailored around industry specific role in Performance Analysis.

These include but are not limited to;

  • Performance analysis presentations
  • Intervention strategies
  • Case studies
  • Professional reviews

Modes of study

You can choose to study this degree as either full distance learning or blended learning (one visit per month to campus).

Studying this degree full-time will take 12 months. The duration of part-time study is either 24 or 36 months.

Facilities

View all facilities

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

September 2023

  • Home: £10,500
  • International: £16,800

The tuition fees listed are for the duration of the course. 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. Please see clause 5.15.2 of the Tuition Fee Regulations for further information.

Tuition fees are subject to an inflationary increase each year, meaning if your course runs over more than one academic year you may pay an increased fee per module for each subsequent year of study. Tuition fee increases for returning students will be capped at the higher of 5% per annum or the rate of Consumer Price Index inflation in the United Kingdom.

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

Government-funded loans of over £11,000 are available to many Home postgraduate students.

Home and International students 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.

Additional costs

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

Teaching staff

Return to sub navigation

Further information