Course overview

This innovative course is designed to offer an interdisciplinary approach to sports performance, providing a qualification that will enable you to apply theory to practice. You will gain a thorough grounding in the science underpinning performance enhancement and will develop research expertise through the key areas of biomechanics, physiology and psychology. This will complement the practical skills you will develop on the course in applied settings, providing an insight into the way that scientific support is integrated into the real world of top-level sport .

The integration of theory and practice within this course will enable you to develop and improve your ability to administer performance evaluation tools, plan appropriate training programmes and adapt, modify and critically analyse existing approaches to improving sports performance.

Is this the right course for me?

If you're interested in applying sports science theory to practice and have some of the key skills required, this is the course for you. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme will enable you to increase and deepen your subject knowledge to postgraduate level and obtain lab-based and field skills, as well as develop the ability to communicate with clients in a professional and approachable style.

For more information about the types of jobs that graduates from this course have gone on to, please see our Employability and Alumni page.

Course content

The programme is offered in two formats:

• a full-time (one year) course
• a part-time (two year) course

The delivery of the course in either format is modular with most of the delivery taking place on one day (full time) or half a day (part time) per week, usually on a Thursday. The only exception to this is the Environmental Factors Affecting Sports Performance unit, which will be delivered in a short block format. Units have 30 credits attached (one credit equals ten hours of learning), with the exception of the final MSc Project (60 credits). The modular approach and mixture of core and compulsory units means that there is good flexibility for part-time students.

In the event that you are unable to complete the180 credits for the award of MSc, there are two additional exit awards:

• Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) which is obtained if you have successfully completed 60 credits
• Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) which is obtained if you have successfully completed 120 credits

An example of the course structure (this is subject to innovation and progression within the field and may therefore change slightly over the years):

• Applied Sports Physiology - 30 credits (optional)
• Applied Sports Psychology - 30 credits (optional)
• Environmental Factors Affecting Sports Performance - 30 credits (optional)
• Applied Sports Biomechanics - 30 credits (optional)

• Applied Research Methods - 30 credits (core)
• MSc Research Project - 60 credits (core)

Part time students will typically undertake 90 credits per academic year, with Applied Research Methods normally being undertaken in the first year and the MSc Research Project being undertaken in the second year.

Teaching and assessment

The delivery format for the course is largely based around practical workshop sessions. These are typically two hours long where you directly apply the skills and strategies that you have learnt working with athletes or each other in a practical context. Reading lists and preparatory work are expected in this delivery format so that practical application is maximised with scientific and theoretical underpinning. Some course content and student support utilises cutting-edge elearning technology. All students are provided with a personal tutor to assist with academic and pastoral issues. The MSc Project will require you to choose a supervisory committee consisting of at least two members who have expertise in the area in which you have chosen to focus your research.

The course will test problem-based learning skills, with assignments consisting of both formative, self-assessed elements and summative elements. Other assessment methods will include practical and written examinations, presentations, role plays, laboratory reports and projects.

Our expertise

There are in the region of 25 academic staff in the Department, supported by a dedicated team of technicians and administrative staff. The academic staff have a close affiliation with sport and are research active within their chosen specialism.

The physiology team: the diversity of this discipline is well supported within the team, as we have specialists who are research active and work in a range of applied human physiology areas including: bioenergetics and pacing, pulmonary physiology, strength and conditioning, exercise nutrition, and exercise in extreme environments. Research is both laboratory and field based with an emphasis towards application. Members of the team have BASES sports science support accreditation.

The biomechanics team: this cognate area has an applied research profile with an emphasis on motion analysis and EMG. Members of this team are BASES accredited and have specialisms in sports apparel, biomechanics of sports performance, breast biomechanics, and neuro-muscular assessment.

The psychology team: members of this group are BPS chartered and BASES accredited and have prolific research profiles with specialisms in the effects of psychological skills training for enhancing performance, performance profiling, visual search, organisational dynamics, and the psychology of extreme environments.

Career prospects

It is estimated that the global sports industry will be worth in excess of £110 billion by 2012 and is growing at a rate of six per cent per year. Our MSc Sports Performance provides the skills necessary for range of careers in the sport industry and beyond, as well as providing opportunities to work toward BASES accreditation as a sport and exercise scientist, and the theoretical basis for further specialised study.

Our MSc Sports Performance has a strong employment record. Recent graduates from have gone on to work in a range of careers including:

• sport scientist
• strength and conditioning coach
• professional sports coach (football, surfing, rugby, gymnastics, golf)
• exercise health specialist
• physical training instructor
• sports science research
• lecturer/ teacher
• cycling performance and aerodynamic consultant
• sports development officer
• personal trainer
• technical research assistant
• sports facility management

For more information about the types of jobs that graduates from this course have gone on to, please see our Employability and Alumni page.

Facilities and features

The Department of Sport and Exercise Science is a vibrant and dynamic environment in which to study. We strive to provide a high-quality and satisfying educational experience within a stimulating and supportive environment.

The Department has strong links with UK Sport and the Fuchs Foundation, and we are proud of the our three-storey, purpose-built teaching and research facilities that include a range of outstanding state-of-the-art laboratories enabling the department to remain at the forefront of research and teaching in sports and exercise science. We are located right next to the University’s Nuffield Sports Centre and very near to the University’s St Paul’s Sports Centre. These two centres offer many facilities including sports halls, a 100-station gym, squash courts and fitness studios.

The fully equipped facilities include:

• a psychology laboratory
• two physiology laboratories
• two biomechanics laboratories
• a world-class human performance laboratory containing three climatic chambers and capable of controlling temperature between -10°C and +45°C, controlling humidity, simulating wind, and simulating altitudes up to 8,000 metres. This facility also includes two water immersion facilities both with water temperature control and one with an integrated swimming flume
• a biochemistry and kinanthropometry laboratory for specific activities
• dedicated seminar spaces and interview rooms

The Department has approximately 25 academic staff, supported by a dedicated team of technicians and administrative staff. Academic staff have a close affiliation with sport and are research active within their chosen specialism.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Sports Performance are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: Sport and Exercise Science
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 5550
Email: sci-pgrad@port.ac.uk