At Worcester, you'll explore sport performance through a range of subjects, from coaching to psychology and data analysis. Develop the knowledge and adaptability to work across a range of roles, helping athletes improve performance, achieve their goals and reach their potential at every level of sport.
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Overview
Enhance your skillset by expanding your knowledge from a single area of sports performance, to understanding how each element works together. You'll gain a deeper understanding of areas such as sports coaching, support, development and sports science and develop expertise in each area, providing you with adaptable skills to support and manage an athlete at all levels.
Alongside theory, you'll have chances to develop your practical skills in our physiology laboratories and specialist performance spaces where you'll gain experience in performance testing, monitoring and the evaluation techniques used to support athletes and teams.
You'll also learn the importance and value of data analysis as you learn how to collect, interpret and apply performance information to inform methods to better support athletes.
Placements
Across the length of the course, you will complete 100 hours of placement within a sport, exercise or performance-related setting, as part of the Professional Practice module.
By working alongside current professionals in the industry, you'll be able to apply your learning practically, and develop your confidence in working in a professional development. The skills you'll gain and the professional connections you could gain will help you stand out during job applications, and ease your transition into the workplace.
Course content
Each module will introduce you to a different area of sports performance, allowing you to consider how an understanding of psychology, sports science and leadership can be used together to strengthen your abilities working with sports performance.
We regularly review our courses to reflect the latest research and developments in the subject area, as well as feedback from students, employers and the wider sector. As a result, modules may change to ensure the course remains current and relevant.
Careers
With the breadth of knowledge and skills you'll gain you'll be well placed for a wide range of careers across coaching, sport science, performance support, athlete development and performance management.
The critical thinking and problem solving skills you'll develop through assessments and placement also equips you for progressing into leadership, performance development and management roles within professional sports clubs, national governing bodies, talent academies and other sporting organisations.
You could become a:
- Performance Coach
- Academy Development Coach
- Talent Development Officer
- Performance Pathway Coordinator
- Coach Development Officer
- Performance Support Officer
Further study:
The academic research and writing skills you'll develop alongside an in-depth understanding of aspects across sports performance will give you a strong foundation for continuing on to complete a PhD in sports performance, such as our Sport and Exercise Science MPhil and PHD.
Course highlights
Teaching and assessment
You'll learn through a mix of lectures, case studies and practical skill sessions so you can apply your knowledge and gain real-world experience. Assessments are designed to give you the chance to demonstrate the variety of skills required across different sports and performance environments.
Teaching and assessment contents
Teaching combines intensive workshops, practical activities, seminars, case studies and online learning.
You will explore contemporary performance topics and apply your learning to real-world challenges drawn from sport and performance environments.
Learning is designed to be interactive and engaging, encouraging you to discuss ideas, solve problems, analyse performance data and develop practical solutions.
Weekly online sessions support learning between intensive teaching weeks and provide opportunities for discussion, collaboration and continued engagement with module content.
Meet our Sport and Human Performance lecturers
Matthew Spokes
Matt is a lecturer in Psychology, and one of our Academic Integrity Tutors in the School of Psychology. Alongside teaching he is also currently enrolled on the BPS stage 2 qualification in sport and exercise psychology working in applied settings in a range of sporting environments.
Dr Andy Renfree
Andy is Principal Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science and he teaches on subjects related to exercise physiology and interdisciplinary determinants of sport performance. He gained his PhD by using decision-making theory to explain the way in which intensity is regulated during self-paced exercise. A former middle-distance runner, he has won English Junior and Scottish Senior titles over 3000m and 1500m on the track.
Professor Don Vinson
Don has worked with a large number of National Governing Bodies (NGBs) including the Football Association, Europe Netball, British Cycling, British Gymnastics, British Rowing and the British Equestrian Federation. Don has also consulted for many influential bodies within the sport sector such as UK Sport, UK Coaching and the League Managers’ Association.
He has written in the area of sport coaching, performance analysis, leadership and higher education pedagogy. In particular, his recent research focuses on Coach Developer learning through the perspective of Landscapes of Practice in various contexts.
Matthew Spokes
Matt is a lecturer in Psychology, and one of our Academic Integrity Tutors in the School of Psychology. Alongside teaching he is also currently enrolled on the BPS stage 2 qualification in sport and exercise psychology working in applied settings in a range of sporting environments.
Dr Andy Renfree
Andy is Principal Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science and he teaches on subjects related to exercise physiology and interdisciplinary determinants of sport performance. He gained his PhD by using decision-making theory to explain the way in which intensity is regulated during self-paced exercise. A former middle-distance runner, he has won English Junior and Scottish Senior titles over 3000m and 1500m on the track.
Entry requirements
A 2:1 or above Honours degree in a subject such as Sport and Exercise Science, Physiotherapy, Sports Therapy, Paramedic Science, or other allied health sciences.
OR
A pass on a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree (BMBS, MBBS, or equivalent). Applicants with a 2:2 in relevant degrees and experience may also be considered but on a case-by-case basis.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.
Fees
Fees contents
UK and EU students
The standard tuition fee for full-time home and EU students enrolling on MA/MSc/MBA and MRes degrees in the academic year 2027/28 is £9,990 per year.
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
How to apply
How to apply contents
Apply to study full-time
Please make your application via our online application form, which will be available shortly.
If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions office on 01905 855111 or admissions@worc.ac.uk
Contact
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Admissions Office
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