Mode of Study
Full-time, Part-timeDuration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-timeStart date
September 2023, January 2024Overview
Whether you’re interested in analysing and optimising sports performance through individual and community engagement, or at international and elite-level, this course will give you the skills you need and will deepen your knowledge of the physiology, psychology, performance analysis and biomechanics of sport.
Sports science at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 3rd of all post-1992 universities for research quality
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
On this MSc course, you'll learn the biomechanics, physiology and psychology that underpins performance enhancement. You'll develop applied techniques, practical skills and research expertise which show how scientific support can be integrated into the world of top-level sport.
The UK is Europe’s leading market for sport and sports tech with sport and physical activity contributing £39 billion to the UK’s economy. The global sports market is expected to reach $707.84 billion in 2026. The UK’s globally renowned sporting events provide many career opportunities and we’ll provide the expertise and support that will enable you to pursue a career in sports performance with professional sports clubs, national sports organisations and private clinics, or develop your own professional practice.
During your studies, you can choose to work toward British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) accreditation as a sport and exercise scientist.
On this Master's, you'll focus on applied sports performance. If you're looking for a clinical course, try our Master's in Clinical Exercise Science or Physiotherapy (Pre-registration). Please note that Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) is for UK nationals only.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
Course highlights
- Develop an interdisciplinary approach to enhancing and maintaining sports performance and understanding the techniques used to measure team and individual performance
- Hear from, and network with, industry insiders such as the English Institute of Sport
- Use your laboratory and field-based skills to conduct multidisciplinary analysis of athlete performance including notational systems, performance profiling, assessing physiological determinants of performance and motion capture
- Learn to communicate with clients in a professional and approachable style
- Study key topics in high-growth employment areas like sports biomechanics and performance analysis
- Use our professional facilities in biomechanics, physiology, psychology and performance testing
- Benefit from our outstanding new Ravelin Sports Centre, designed to be one of the UK’s most sustainable sports facilities
What you'll study on this MSc Sports Performance degree course
Full-time
All modules on this MSc Sports Performance are core.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate the professional skills, roles, responsibilities and competencies required of a performance analyst.
- Critically contextualise theory and research perspectives to optimise the delivery of performance analysis.
- Critically appraise the varying ways that performance analysis is used in practice.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Evaluate individual and synchronised biomechanical systems.
- Understand the appropriate application of biomechanical tools to a practical sporting setting.
- Appraise fundamental anatomical and mechanical principles that underpin sports biomechanics.
- Demonstrate biomechanical protocols and apply these in appropriate situations.
- Identify and apply various methodological approaches to biomechanical data collection; including critical analysis of various data processing, filtering and analysis procedures.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of how to safely conduct a range of physiological assessments.
- Analyse, interpret, and feed back data from an assessment of an athlete in a user-friendly format.
- Critically discuss the concepts that relate to physiological testing and sports performance.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate the professional skills, roles, responsibilities, and competencies required of a practicing sport psychologist.
- Critically evaluate the methods and techniques for performer assessment and develop experience of consultancy skills as a trainee practitioner.
- Critically appraise varying theoretical approaches for applying psychology to sporting performance.
- Critically evaluate the varying intervention strategies designed to provide support for the sports performer.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- To critically apply appropriate research philosophy and design.
- Critically evaluate contemporary research in a defined area to develop a scientifically and ethically sound outline research proposal.
- Produce a feasible research proposal for a project of choice, establishing viability and any ethical considerations.
- Conduct a project that will further enhance knowledge or ability in the chosen area.
- Evaluate and provide a written report of the projects' results and findings using the appropriate qualitative or quantitative analysis tools.
- Disseminate findings via a poster presentation paired or individual.
Part-time
All modules on this MSc Sports Performance are core.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of how to safely conduct a range of physiological assessments.
- Analyse, interpret, and feed back data from an assessment of an athlete in a user-friendly format.
- Critically discuss the concepts that relate to physiological testing and sports performance.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate the professional skills, roles, responsibilities, and competencies required of a practicing sport psychologist.
- Critically evaluate the methods and techniques for performer assessment and develop experience of consultancy skills as a trainee practitioner.
- Critically appraise varying theoretical approaches for applying psychology to sporting performance.
- Critically evaluate the varying intervention strategies designed to provide support for the sports performer.
All modules on this MSc Sports Performance are core.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate the professional skills, roles, responsibilities and competencies required of a performance analyst.
- Critically contextualise theory and research perspectives to optimise the delivery of performance analysis.
- Critically appraise the varying ways that performance analysis is used in practice.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Evaluate individual and synchronised biomechanical systems.
- Understand the appropriate application of biomechanical tools to a practical sporting setting.
- Appraise fundamental anatomical and mechanical principles that underpin sports biomechanics.
- Demonstrate biomechanical protocols and apply these in appropriate situations.
- Identify and apply various methodological approaches to biomechanical data collection; including critical analysis of various data processing, filtering and analysis procedures.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- To critically apply appropriate research philosophy and design.
- Critically evaluate contemporary research in a defined area to develop a scientifically and ethically sound outline research proposal.
- Produce a feasible research proposal for a project of choice, establishing viability and any ethical considerations.
- Conduct a project that will further enhance knowledge or ability in the chosen area.
- Evaluate and provide a written report of the projects' results and findings using the appropriate qualitative or quantitative analysis tools.
- Disseminate findings via a poster presentation paired or individual.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
The course offered applied sports biomechanics, applied sports physiology and strength and conditioning practice, which was exactly what I wanted. In addition, the research project offered me an opportunity to combine these units with my sport of gymnastics in a practical research setting.
Facilities
Ravelin Sports Centre
Introducing our new sports centre for our students, staff, and the local community – featuring a swimming pool, climbing wall, ski simulator, squash courts, and more.
Physiology Laboratory
This lab includes treadmills, a swim bench, ergometers and a physiological monitoring kit for analysing athletes' blood, heart rate, and urine.
Extreme environments laboratories
See how altitude and humidity affect people's comfort, performance and survival. Features an immersion pool and swimming flume, which acts like a treadmill for swimmers.
Biomechanics Laboratory
Use equipment including force plates, pressure plates and our electromyography system to explore the impact of exercise on the body in this lab, from the limits of human endurance to the effects of chronic health conditions.
Sports and Human Performance Testing
Analyse sports performance and environmental physiology, and use some of the best extreme environments facilities in the UK.
Careers and opportunities
Careers this Master’s prepares you for
When you graduate, you'll be qualified for a career in areas such as teaching, sports development, science support and the health and fitness sectors.
This course will also give you the theoretical basis for further academic research – you could go on to do a ProfDoc in Sport Exercise and Health Science or Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Graduates of this course have gone onto roles such as:
- Fitness and Health Manager
- Sports Physiologist
- Personal Trainer
- Performance Analyst
- Sports Coach
- Sports Physiologist
- Wellbeing Personal Trainer
Graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies such as:
- Lotus Strength and Fitness
- Nuffield Health
- English Institute of Sport
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and our Careers and Employability Centre – which you can access for up to 5 years after you graduate.
Career outcomes shown are sourced from the latest available graduate outcome surveys. The data shows career outcomes at 15 months after graduation.
Career support
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Applied projects with employers
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
Placements and industry connections
There's no formal work placement component of this course, but our regular visiting speakers are industry experts who'll offer their own advice and insights in professional and career development.
We encourage and support our students to take any volunteer or work-shadowing opportunities that will support your learning and improve your career prospects. Some of our students organise work experience through our local partners and professional contacts at organisations such as Portsmouth Football Club.
Read Charles’s storyThe University of Portsmouth has helped me take up opportunities and been there for me when I need assistance or have questions about something I’m unsure of.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to spend in on-campus or in online lectures and seminars and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change.
This course involves hands on practical components. If you are able, you will be asked to participate in laboratory practicals which include physical exercise. You will also be using information technology, including software packages such as Word, Powerpoint and Excel (or equivalent) throughout your studies.
Course structure
- We recommend that full-time students allocate 37 hours per week to their studies – equivalent to a full-time job
- We recommend that part-time students allocate around 18 hours per week to their studies – equivalent to a part-time job
- Studies include teaching time (lectures, seminars and tutorials), course work, independent learning and assessments
- Teaching is on-campus and in person over two teaching blocks (September to January and January to May)
- Your Research Development and Practice project will typically be developed and realised across both teaching blocks, with an increasing emphasis on this project towards the end of your studies
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree. If you choose campus based study, the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
You'll mainly be taught in interactive workshop sessions.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- practical and written exams
- laboratory reports
- role plays
- presentations
- projects
You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You'll can get feedback on practise and formal assessments, which you can incorporate as you move through the modules to your final project.
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
January start
Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, but they normally run over a longer time period.
January-start courses normally run between 14–18 months, beginning in January and ending in the spring / summer of the following year. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Supporting your learning
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video and phone from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. If you choose to study on-campus, you'll also get face-to-face support. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
The Maths Café offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2023 / January 2024 start)
- Full time: £8,500
- Part time: £2,830 in year 1 and £5,670 in year 2
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time: £8,500
- Part-time: £2,830 in year 1 and £5,670 in year 2
- Full time: £17,200
- Part time: £5,730 in year 1 and £11,470 in year 2
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
If you're a UK student who achieved a first in your undergraduate degree you may be eligible for a £3,000 University of Portsmouth scholarship.
Sport scholarships of up to £3,000 for student athletes
If you're competing at national standard or above in your sport, you may be eligible for funding. Around 20 student-athletes are awarded bursaries between £500 and £3000 per year.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Discover how you can fund your Master's study at Portsmouth – including loans, scholarships and bursaries – and read our guidance on topics like how to budget, and how to get support if you're disabled or have dependents.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: If you choose to study on-campus, accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
September 2023 / January 2024 start
- A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.
- Applicants who hold a non-related degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- For those who do not hold a degree or relevant professional qualification, extensive experience together with evidence of scholarly ability will be required.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2022, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.