MSc Performance Analysis in Football

Our Distance Learning degrees are taught by leading industry experts with teaching delivered online via our dedicated GIS Connect which can be accessed anytime making this a flexible study option that fits around your existing commitments.

Each module typically has 6 live teaching sessions for you to attend, enabling you to interact and collaborate with academics and your peers. These sessions are also recorded.

Leadership is a fundamental element of both sport and business operating in a dynamic global arena. On this module you will review and conceptualise different approaches to leadership from both an applied and theoretical perspective to allow you to analyse critical incidents in order to judge organisational leadership performance. You will be able to apply leadership theory to examples from industry professionals who have experience of leading teams in a sporting setting. Cross-cultural leadership underpins many of the behaviours and skills discussed within the leadership framework, alongside diversity and inclusion, strategic leadership, communication and reflection. The module allows you to take responsibility for your own leadership development and effectiveness through the development of an e-portfolio and skills audit, alongside exposure to sports leaders from the global network of partners contributing to the live case studies.

This module will enable you to develop awareness and understanding of the key fundamentals and principles of football match analysis, integrating theory with practice and sharing knowledge and understanding through discussion and debate. The applied element of football match analysis will allow you to gain experience in and an understanding of match analysis, hardware, software and programmes. You will learn what an analyst requires to function effectively and safely in a variety of situations, developing reflective skills and identifying which theories are most applicable when working in a specific applied performance analysis context. You will learn how to operate contemporary analysis programmes, integrate theory with practice and conduct then deliver performance analysis in the football context.

This module will enable you to develop awareness and understanding of the requirements expected within associated roles in relation to Talent Identification and Recruitment. The applied element of Talent Identification and Recruitment will allow you to gain knowledge surrounding the characteristics identified when assessing talent within a football setting and how this then transitions through to recruitment. You will learn what a scout requires to function effectively and safely in a variety of situations, developing reflective skills and identifying which theories are most applicable when working in a specific talent identification and recruitment role. You will learn how to navigate through industry standard recruitment tools to search, identify and select talent within the world of football.

This module will enable you to develop awareness and analysis of the key fundamentals and principles of football statistics and data, integrating theory with practice and sharing knowledge and understanding through discussion and debate. The applied element of football will allow you to gain experience and develop an understanding of data drawn from both competition and training contexts. You will learn which data is needed to function effectively and safely within a variety of situations, developing reflective skills and identifying which theories are most applicable when working in a specific applied football context. You will learn how to analyse data, integrate theory with practice and work with differing departments within a football club in order to improve practice and performance.

This module will enable you to develop awareness and understanding of the requirements and interactions behind the scenes within a football setting. The applied element of The Interdisciplinary Approach in Football will allow you to assess your role as a Performance Analyst and integral part this plays within the wider context of working within a professional football environment. You will learn how an analyst interacts with other disciplines and how these differing roles all work together for the benefit of improvement within a club setting. Theoretical underpinning will establish the importance of all the interdisciplinary cogs working together to achieve a shared goal. You will hear from industry professionals working within these differing sectors to share their experiences of how they interact with Performance Analysts and the mutual benefits this can provide.

This module will explore the process of reflection, its role in the development of knowledge and practical expertise and its subsequent impact on practice. You will examine and critically evaluate the key factors associated with a sound reflective process and what it is to be an effective reflective practitioner. In addition, you will review reflective processes and will develop a model of reflection, informed by a critical evaluation of existing models and current literature in this and other relevant fields.

This module will advance your research methods and critical thinking skills, and support you in applying these to the sports industry and its associated environments. This module will prepare you for research, reflective, and evidence-based development in future employment, as well as for higher study if applicable.

As part of this module, you will have an opportunity for sustained applied research and practice in the form of an applied project. Therefore, this module creates a space for you to apply competencies developed in your modules to date to a real-life football setting, leading to experiential and reflective learning.

You will direct your efforts towards addressing a topical issue in your area of interest. Your applied research project will allow you to showcase your intellectual articulation and knowledge, by undertaking an applied project, emphasising your knowledge of theory and current practice in your area of interest. By completing this project, and presenting your results, you will establish expertise in an area of academic, personal and professional interest, aiming to influence coaching practice.

Together with other modules in the programme portfolio, this module will give you real-world exposure to coaching issues that require investigation from you in the role of an applied researcher. You will gain a thorough practice-based understanding of project design, conduct and action. As result, you will be able to evidence management and leadership of an applied project, and show potential to change and influence coaching operations – something current and future employers will look for in your knowledge, experience and skills portfolio.

• Undergraduate degree - minimum 2:2 (ideally a 2:1) in a relevant degree subject

• Applicants who hold a degree in a non-relevant subject can be admitted provided they achieve the PSFA Level 1 & Level 2 qualifications prior to the start of the course.

• English language qualifications: Applicants from non-majority English speaking countries will be asked for an English qualification which tests Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing and will be asked to achieve an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 in each section) or recognised equivalent.

Offers to applicants currently studying an undergraduate degree will be conditional on them going on to achieve the entry requirements on completion of their degree.

Applications that do not meet the standard entry requirements but demonstrate relevant education and/or work and/or life experience in the course subject area are welcomed.

Eligibility will be assessed on the basis of the information provided in the application – in particular the personal statement.

To apply for this degree, please click here and follow the instructions to complete your application via our Learner Portal.

• Application form
• Evidence of highest academic and/or professional qualifications
• Evidence of coaching qualifications, where required.
• Evidence of relevant experience, where required
• 500 word personal statement

Applications made through the flexible entry route may require a course leader review. The course leader will determine whether a professional reference or task is required.

These discounts are open to any GIS, UCFB, Buckinghamshire New University, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and University of East London graduate who has received and accepted an offer to study at the Global Institute of Sport.

• 15% fee tuition discount on all Master's programmes

If you’d like to extend your time with us, we’re pleased to offer all GIS graduates:

• 15% fee tuition discount on all Master's programmes

We're pleased to offer all UCFB and GIS business partners 15% fee tuition discount on all Undergraduate, Master's programmes.

In some instances, optional activities provided may carry an additional cost for participants (e.g. qualifications with external certification such as FA Coaching Badges). Any additional costs will be provided to students in advance of any such sessions running.