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What makes MSc Applied Sports Performance Analysis at Worcester special?

Over the past decade the sports science discipline of Performance Analysis has seen a rapid growth at both elite and grass roots levels. Our course has been specifically designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive as a Performance Analyst. 

At Worcester you will have access to the latest software and hardware, giving you experience of new and emerging technologies at the forefront of the discipline. The applied nature of the course forms the core of the programme with a significant part being vocationally based.

The course content builds on the foundational skills and theory learnt on an undergraduate degree course in sports coaching, sports science or performance analysis. Enabling you to obtain the essential skills, knowledge and experience to enter employment. 

Overview

Overview

Key features

  • Heavy emphasis on development and application of the applied skills of a performance analyst 
  • Strong links to professional sports clubs and organisations
  • Excellent facilities, including two performance analysis laboratories, Motion & Performance Centre, McClelland Health & Wellbeing Centre, 2,000-seat sports arena, two indoor sports centres, floodlit 3G astro, floodlit synthetic pitch, exercise physiology suite (BASES accredited), sports science laboratories, gymnasia and dance studio
  • Full or part-time options, with a flexible modular scheme so that you can study at your own pace
Students sitting around tables being taught

Ranked 1st for Teaching

University of Worcester Biological and Sports Science courses were ranked 1st for teaching in the 2021 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey

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Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of 2:1 in a relevant Sport (Performance Analysis, Sports Coaching or Sport Science) OR Mathematics, Statistics, or Data Science related programme AND prior experience in performance analysis, which can be demonstrated in one or more of the following: hands-on delivery (minimum of 20 hours), training and engagement with hardware and software as an analyst or coach (minimum of 20 hors) and/or completion of a research project focused on performance analysis (minimum of undergraduate research project).

Applicants with a 2:2 degree in a relevant programme (to include a transcript with no more than 4 modules graded at less than 50%) will be considered on a case by case basis AND prior experience in performance analysis, which can be demonstrated in one or more of the following: hands-on delivery (minimum of 50 hours), training and engagement with hardware and software as an analyst or coach (minimum of 50 hors) and/or completion of a research project focused on performance analysis (minimum of undergraduate research project).

All applicants shall be interviewed.

International students require IELTS of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in any component) or equivalent.

Other information

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email pgadmissions@worc.ac.uk for advice.

Course content

Course content

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative. 

Evidence-informed Performance Analysis

This module focuses on developing students processes of collecting, analysing and evaluating sports performances to dissemination accurate and meaningful performance insights to coaches and athletes using a range of pertinent software (30 credits).

The Role of the Analyst

This module appraises the role of the performance analyst by drawing on a range of theoretical perspectives to help students’ examine their place in the multidisciplinary sporting environment and understand approaches to improving their current or future practice as an analyst (30 credits).

Future Directions in Performance Analysis of Sport

This module examines the current issues and future directions of performance analysis in relation to current performance analysis provisions. Students are encouraged to explore the key concepts and issues in a variety of sporting activities, thereby allowing evaluation of the effectiveness of a performance analysis provision in relation to briefing and debriefing performance, feedback and player learning (30 credits).

Negotiated Professional Development Project

This component of the course offers students the opportunity to create a Personal and Professional Development Project within performance analysis aligned to their current applied learning environment (minimum 100 hour project). Students will work autonomously with flexibility and independence while rigorously and critically participating in professional inquiry to promote their growth as reflective applied performance analyst practitioners (30 credits).

Sports Research Project

The module gives students the opportunity to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of a current issue or topic within applied sport physiology. In conjunction with their supervisor, the student will design and implement a Masters level research project. This will be supported by appropriate justification, methods, analysis and interpretation of the data obtained during the study. The research findings and conclusions will be discussed in light of relevant contemporary research (60 credits).

What will you study and when?

An example of the structure which will be followed by a full-time student on any of the pathways, starting in September and finishing in the following September would be:

  • 1 x 30 credit Evidenced-Informed Performance Analysis module in semester 1 (September – January)
  • 1 x 30 credit The Role of the Analyst module in semester 1 (September – January)
  • 1 x 30 credit Professional Placement module in semester 2 (January – May)
  • 1 x 30 credit Future Directions in Performance Analysis in Sport module to be taken in semester 2 (January - May)
  • 1 x 60 credit Research Project module including research methods to be taken between May and September.

Part time students would normally complete the course over 2 years:

  • In Year 1 they would take one 30 credit module in semester 1 and 2.
  • In Year 2 they would take the remaining 30 credit in semester 1, complete their placement in semester 2, and complete their Research Project over the summer.

The MSc Sport (Applied Performance Analysis) has been specifically designed for students wishing to progress in their careers as a sports performance analysts, in either an athlete support or a research role. Sports performance analysis is an objective way of observing and recording performances to quantify key performance elements in a valid and consistent manner to inform future practice. 

Sports performance analysts are now employed by virtually every professional club to provide coaches, athletes and other support staff with objective data to aid in improve sporting performance. Roles that sports performance analysts typically fulfil include coding performances to prepare reports and videos to evaluate past and/or future performances, identifying trends and patterns between teams/individuals through statistical analyses, using objective performance data to answer key performance related questions posed by coaches, players and/or other performance related staff etc.

In particular, the course aims to facilitate the development of theoretical and practical knowledge, understanding and professional skills of sport performance analysts working in or hoping to work in the sports performance industry. With this in mind the primary focus of content and the flexible learning delivery method is related to developing and enhancing the competencies of an applied sports performance analyst. This specific focus provides students with a greater depth of understanding and technical skills and will better prepare students to further their careers in the highly competitive field of applied sports performance analysis.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and assessment

We place emphasis on enabling you to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement.

A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support through the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will enable you to flourish and be successful.

Teaching

Students are taught through a combination of intensive weeks, interactive workshops, lectures, seminars, fieldwork, practical activities etc. Interactive workshops take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion and small group activities. Seminars enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures, and practical activities are focused on developing subject specific skills and applied individual and group project work.

In addition, postgraduate you will have a minimum of two meetings with their Personal Academic Tutors, timed to coincide with key points such as induction or assessment. 

Contact time

For intensive study weeks students are expected to have 5 x 8 hours of contact time per intensive week (2 in total). While studying the distance learning content, students are expected to have approximately 3 hours of contact time (via virtual learning) per module, per week.

In addition, students are able to access 8 hours of tutorial support during the course of their Sports Research Project study. Students will also receive two days of structured Research Project preparation.

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, students are expected to undertake substantial personal self-study per week. Typically, this will involve online study tasks, reading journal articles and completing formative assignments. MSPO4270 requires approximately 100 hours for the completion of work based project learning and online tasks, and the Sports Research Project requires the completion of approximately 600 hours of work.

As a guide, completion of the entire course should require 1800 hours of total student learning time. 

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources.

Duration

  • 1 year full time
  • Typically 2 years part time

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that whilst we try to be as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week; and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings. Given the importance of planning ahead, indicative timings of intensive teaching blocks are normally available at time of application / interview.

 

Teaching staff

Students will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics with research and consultancy experience, postgraduate students, laboratory technical staff and demonstrators. In addition, you can expect to receive sessions with guest lecturers who are currently engaged in Sport and Exercise science activities outside of the university.

Teaching is informed by research and consultancy, and the majority of lecturers on the course have a higher education teaching qualification or are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments. Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessment which is graded and counts towards the overall module grade. Assessment methods include a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and a final research project. The precise assessment requirements for an individual student in an academic year will vary according to the course selected.

Programme Specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.

Meet the team

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course and have experience of both research and applied practice and consultancy. 

You can learn more about the staff by visiting our sports staff profiles.

Dr John Francis dressed in sports attire smiling at camera

Dr John Francis

Drawing on his wealth of applied performance analysis practice and his emerging research portfolio, Dr John Francis is passionate about enhancing the learning and employability opportunities for all undergraduate and post-graduate performance analysis students. He has provided performance analysis support to a variety of teams during eight European Championships, four World Championships, two World Cups and a Paralympic Games as part of his ongoing applied performance analysis work. Producing impactful and insightful research that informs future practice is important to his research interests and is particularly proud of how his work is shaping the future of performance analysis and the role of the analyst.

Michael Bateman

Mike Bateman

After accepting that being a professional footballer wasn’t his destiny, Mike did the next best thing and forged a career as performance analyst in professional football. Working at the top of the elite level, Mike’s experiences have included both first team and academy positions, helping to develop and support some of the world best players. Now he uses those experiences to guide the next generation of practitioners, focusing on the application of theory into practice through engaging, innovative teaching practices.

Tom Corden

Before joining the University Tom worked as an applied performance analyst for seven years at Nottingham Forest Football Club. There Tom had the opportunity to work with a variety of athletes and coaches from the academy all the way up to the Premier League, giving him a wide range of skills, experiences and expertise.

Tom's passion is using performance analysis to create positive learning environments, to provide helpful feedback to both coaches and players.

Careers

Careers

University of Worcester graduates in the field of performance analysis have continued to study higher level qualifications at both UW and other institutions across the UK. Many have found employment within professional sports clubs and some have extended their internship into a part-time paid role.   

The success of students studying on this programme has primarily been based within elite sport but has also been as diverse as local authority organisations (performance analyst role). The course has a strong record of helping students gain employment upon completion of studies.

Upon successful completion of the Masters Programme, students have gained first employment, promotion within their own organisation, gained international employment or move to a senior management position in other organisations. The Masters also provides a platform to other research/higher degrees in sport and promotion in other professional organisations. The completion of the Masters may also provide students with the ability to enhance their current working practices. 

Katie Sorenson

Katie Sorenson

Game Insight Analyst at the Football Association

“The MSc course has helped me with projects within my role at Southend United. At university, I especially enjoyed the Work Based Project modules, as it allowed me to apply my knowledge into a professional analysis setting. I did a project on set pieces within my club, which had a very positive outcome within my club.

“We were able to score more goals from set pieces as we found what suited our players and style of play, and we conceded fewer opportunities when defending set pieces. Another module, which focused on feedback with coaches, has ensured I have improved how I inform the coaching process with my analytical insight. 

“The structure allowed me to work at my placement as well as play semi-pro football. Without the structure of course, I would not have been able to balance the three. I missed a few lectures due to work/football commitments, but it was available for me to catch up on and go over the lectures the next day. It meant I could be flexible, and didn't have to stress.

“The intensive weeks were great as it was great to meet everyone in September and then catch up with everyone again when it came to the January intensive week. It was great to see how everyone had grown within their roles at their clubs, through the aid of the MSc course. I have managed to stay in good contact with a few of the course. We continue to share code windows, ideas and analytical insight. As well as continuing to talk about jobs that come up at clubs!”

Danny Barham

Danny Barham

Professional Development Phase Coach at Birmingham City FC

"The MSc in Applied Performance Analysis course has helped me add academic rigour and understanding behind my practices and processes. This is so important when dealing with senior members of staff and coaches in the professional environment.

"The best thing about the course was the fact that a large proportion of the content is accessible online allowed me to manage my full-time work at the club with my studies which is imperative as the football industry is so demanding.

"A lot of the analysts on the course are practising analysts in other environments and having established relationships with them only aids club-to-club idea sharing. This is so important to growing our industry!"

Jonathan Pickering

Jonathan Pickering

Lead Analyst with the West Bromwich Football Under-18s side

“I would not be in my current role without the University. During my course they provided me with the opportunity to undertake several work placements at elite clubs, an experience that strengthened my interest in the field. The course provided me with the technical skills and practical experience within the industry to be good at the job, and ultimately to pursue a career as an analyst.”

After completing his Master’s, Jon started his work with the Baggies as an Assistant Data Analyst to the first team in 2020, but quickly worked his way up to a Lead Analyst position, initially with the Under-16s Academy side, and latterly the Under-18s.

 

mukesh talwar is wearing sports kit and standing against a green background.

Mukesh Talwar

U18 Performance Analyst at Birmingham City Football Club

"This MSc Course has provided me a greater insight of Performance Analysis. It has taught me many of the significant factors of how analysis fits within the world of sport i.e. The coaching process and the tools and mechanisms used. The course has helped me with the development of the players I have been working with.

I am currently working with the Under 18’s at Birmingham City Football Club and this course has been very useful in relation to my daily work, such as the delivery and feedback process for athletes. I have been able to use evidence-based literature to rationalise my decision-making process within my working environment, applying theory into a practical setting and vice versa, which has enabled me to make real impact to the coaching process.

One of the best things about the MSc is that it’s built around you. Working within a professional football environment where you are working 6/7 days a week for numerous hours it would be difficult to attend lectures on a weekly basis. However, with this MSc course you have interactive online lecturers which you can view from the comfort of your home or at work. If you can’t watch a lecture on the day, you can view it within the week to catch up on anything that you have missed.

The course has fantastic lecturers which is a bonus. They are easily contactable for any concerns that you might have and, from my own personal experience, they have been very helpful during my time on the course."

Ben Cresswell is smiling and looking into the camera

Ben Cresswell

Academy Data Insights Technician at Southampton Football Club

 

“The University offered a specialised Performance Analysis course where I could develop knowledge of the theory of analysis alongside the practical skills required to be an analyst. I was able to work in a professional sporting environment where you could link the applied work to your University work was beneficial to develop the skills of an analyst in a real-world environment.

“The curriculum we followed was very closely aligned to the requirements of a working analyst which ensured we were prepared to work following completion of this. Completing an Internship at Birmingham City during this time also introduced me to how analysis could be applied in a sporting setting. This experience in a sporting environment was invaluable when it comes to the skills I developed over this period.

“As the course put me alongside a group of people wanting to get into analysis, it was a great use to be able to interact with others on the course to either run new ideas past or help when I was struggling with something.”

Lasse Winther Andersen

Lasse Winther Anderson

Head of Performance Analysis – AGF Fodbold

"The best thing about studying Applied Sports Performance Analysis was the opportunity to complete the course online and at the same time feel a close sense of support from the course staff.

The virtual classrooms worked very well and fit perfectly into my weekly routines. Another thing to highlight, is the networking opportunities and contacts that the course has given me, which will be beneficial in the future."

Ryan Allen

Ryan Allen

First Team Performance Analyst – Swindon Town FC

"This course allowed me the opportunity to mix with other people with the same field of work and share our ideas.

The course has opened my mind in regards to my current approaches to work and how to improve what I produce for coaches and players."

Stewart Heppinstall

Stewart Heppinstall

Lead Performance Analyst Blackburn Rovers Football Club

“I was delighted to achieve a Distinction in my Master’s. It is always my aim to strive to be the best I can possibly be, and, whilst there are lots of obstacles to overcome especially within the elite sporting environment, if you keep working hard you will get your rewards."

“Since finishing the course, I have become the Lead Performance Analyst at Blackburn Rovers Football Club. This role means much more than just a job to me, being the Football Club I have supported from a young age. I am very fortunate to work with a team of highly skilled and dedicated analysts as well as a management and coaching team that believe highly in the analysis process to develop players and impact results.”

Nathan Pilecki

Nathan Pilecki

First Team Scout at Milton Keynes Dons Football Club

“[The course] expanded my knowledge around the requirements of the role as well further technical understanding and application. The staff/lecturers were always available for advice and for further help if there were any issues or advice that I needed. [They] adapted the course and gave me an alternative outlook on the crossover of recruitment and performance analysis to how they can both be interlinked and used to benefit each other.”

James Douthwaite

James Douthwaite

Football Analyst at FIFA

“The course helped me obtain my first full time role in Performance Analysis as it had a unique opportunity to work with a global sporting organisation. Furthermore, the course helped me enhance both my knowledge and skillset of how to become a better Performance Analyst. The course allowed me to develop my skills by teaching the foundation in lectures and seminars, which allowed me to apply my learning in an applied PA setting. I found that some of the software’s we were exposed to on the course played a pivotal role in enabling me to get my current role in performance analysis."

“I have found sharing ideas with fellow analysts in the cohort has enabled me to further develop as an analyst, as it highlights how different analysis provisions are run and how you can improve yours by implementing ideas that have been tried and tested in other provisions.”

James Butler

James Butler

Academy Performance Analyst at Charlton Athletic Football Club

“The course has given me an improved scientific perspective approach to analysis particularly in the area of data collection and the issues of validity and reliability. I enjoyed the opportunity to complete an independent research project into an area of performance analysis that I have strong passion for in collaboration with the organisation I currently work for which has since informed practice."

“The range of analysts in the cohort allowed me to gain an insight into how different clubs and sports approach analysis and potentially any new ideas that they have implemented that I could bring to my own club. It also gave me a perspective on where I should look to personally improve in terms of skills and experiences.”

Costs

Fees and funding

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fee for full-time home and EU students enrolling on MA/MSc/MBA/MRes courses in the academic year 2025/26 is £9,450 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on MA/MSc/MBA/MRes courses in the academic year 2025/26 is £17,900 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fees for part-time home and EU students enrolling on MA/MSc/MBA/MRes/PGCert/PGDip courses in the academic year 2025/26 are £788 per 15-credit module, £1,575 per 30-credit module, £2,363 per 45-credit module, and £3,150 per 60 credit module.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fees for part-time international students enrolling on MA/MSc/MBA/MRes courses in the academic year 2025/26 are £1,492 per 15-credit module, £2,983 per 30-credit module, £4,475 per 45-credit module, and £5,967 per 60 credit module.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Postgraduate loans

The Government will provide a loan of up to £12,471 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2024 per eligible student for postgraduate Masters study. It will be at your own discretion whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs.

For more details visit our postgraduate loans page.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Halls' at £131 per week to 'Ensuite Premium Halls' at £228 per week (2025/26 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.

Additional costs

Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses.

If your course offers a placement opportunity, you may need to pay for an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Sports Scholarships

At Worcester we are committed to supporting elite and talented sports performers who are dedicated to both sporting and academic success. Our sports scholarships are available for a range of team and individual sports. For further information, visit our sports scholarships pages.
How to apply

How to apply

Apply for enrolment  

Please make your application via our online application form. If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions office on 01905 855111 or pgadmissions@worc.ac.uk

Apply for this course - full time Apply for this course - part time

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Postgraduate Admissions Office

admissions@worc.ac.uk
01905 855111

Dr John Francis

Course leader
j.francis@worc.ac.uk
01905 855590

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