Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences>Courses>Professional Practice (Sport Performance Analysis) - MSc-PgD

Professional Practice (Sport Performance Analysis) Masters - MSc/PgD

Performance Analy​sis in the Cardiff School of Sport & Health Sciences is world leading in terms of academic and applied perspectives. The School has offered post-graduate study in Performance Analysis since the first ever Masters in Performance Analysis was developed in 2003. The Cardiff School of Sport & Health Sciences has a unique Centre of Performance Analysis boasting high-spec teaching and practical based laboratories with a multitude of world-leading software and resources available.

The MSc Pr​ofessional Practice programme, adopts a distance learning delivery approach, that allows for engagement with learning worldwide. The programme has a focus on the development of expertise and applied learning within the work environment and the application of theoretical context. This will be achieved through a longitudinal professional placement in the field of sport performance analysis, via either the students own work or a studentship advertised.

​Course Content​

The Professional Practice programme, designed around a longitudinal professional placement has the following modules.

  • Professional Practice (Sport Performance Analysis)
  • Practitioner Engagement
  • Examining the Professional Environment
  • Contemporary Research in Performance Analysis
  • Research Methods in Sport
  • Final Project


Placement opportunities will assist towards accreditation from International Society of Performance Analysis of Sport (ISPAS).

Professional Placement Opportunities

All placements that have been verified as suitable for the programme by the Programme Director will be advertised here. Before applying for any of these placement opportunities, candidates must have received an offer to study the MSc Professional Practice (SPA).

Learning & Teaching

The Professional Practice programme is designed to be studied in the professional working environment, so access to relevant analysis resources will be dependent on placement.

All modules, with the exception of Final Project and Practitioner Engagement are 20 credit modules. Learning content will be delivered by live interactive video conversations, recorded video content and online learning materials.

Timetabled delivery for synchronous content for each module equates to approximately​ 3 hours a week, supplemented with up to 6 hours of directed study time and up to 6 hours of independent study time each week. Contact time is normally made up of lectures, seminars, and individual tutorials.

Modules are usually taught through a combination of lectures and interactive seminars where group discussions and tasks are frequently used. Students are expected to attend lectures and engage in directed study tasks relevant to each module. All modules are supported by the University’s online learning platform, where supplementary learning resources and information will be available.

All students are supported with access to a personal tutor, who is normally the Programme Director. Where logistically possible the majority of lectures are scheduled on Mondays, however depending on module selection this may not be possible.

During Practitioner Engagement students will also be supported by a work-based and academic mentor throughout the duration of the module.

Assessment

With the exception of Final Project and Practitioner Engagement all module assessments are based upon 5,000 words or equivalent. Assessment methods are designed to give the student opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of theoretical, applied and professional practice in the most relevant manner, and include coursework based essays, practical presentations, production of resources to highlight analysis, reports and critical reviews.

The Final Project can be presented either as a traditional 12,000-word thesis or in the format of a journal article.

Employability & Careers

Many graduates of performance analysis from Cardiff Met are working within the field of performance analysis.

Due to the demands of National Governing Bodies, satellite and terrestrial TV companies, soccer clubs, rugby clubs, Welsh Institute of Sport, the English Institutes (regional centres) of Sport there has been an increase in the range of career opportunities in the field of sport performance analysis.

This programme prepares students for a range of analysis careers in the sports industry, particularly work which takes place with elite performers.

Entry Requirements​ & How to Apply

Applicants should normally have one of the following:

  • An honours degree (2:1 or above) in a sport or mathematics related area are appropriate to the Programme Director
  • An honours degree (2:1 or above) in an alternative subject area that is acceptable by the Programme Director.
  • Experience of study or provision of performance analysis.
  • Candidates with exceptional and extensive work experience in sport, coaching or performance will also be considered.

For the MSc Professional Practice, applicants must also either have a relevant professional work placement organised or apply for a supported internship.

International Applicants:
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.0 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

Selection Procedure:
Students are normally selected on the basis of their formal application, a CV and an interview. Applicants are usually invited to have an informal (skype or phone) conversation with the Programme Director before any offer is made.

How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made direct to the university via our self-service facility. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.

If you are interested in using credit from another institution, or have obtained qualifications and/or experience to study for a course at Cardiff Met, you can find further information on this as well as information on how to apply on the RPL page.

Additional Information

Tuition Fees and Financial Support:
For up to date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available. Please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees.​

Part-time fees:
Charges are per Single Module unless specified:
Undergraduate = 10 Credits; Postgraduate = 20 Credits

Generally we find most students will complete 60 credits per year for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate study; to obtain a true costing please clarify this by contacting the Programme Director directly.

Contact Us

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email directapplications@cardiffmet.ac.uk

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme leader, Lucy Holmes:
Email: lholmes@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)29 2041 7258​

We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary. Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.

Key Course Information

Place of Study: 
Cyncoed Campus

School:
Cardiff School of Sport & Health Sciences

Course Length:
One to two years full-time.
Two to four years part-time.

Course Disclaimer
We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary.

Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.