Sports Performance - MSc

The aims and objectives of this programme, which includes a professional strength & conditioning (accredited) qualification, reflect our commitment to the development of insightful, competent, critical and reflective sports performance practitioners who have the following dispositions, skills, and content knowledge:

• Display originality and insight in the field of strength and conditioning for team and individual sports.
• Demonstrate the skills of utilising video notational analysis to provide feedback to individuals participating in strength sports and/or in a strength training environment.
• Understand nutritional planning for elite sports performance.
• Understand psychological principles underlying elite sports performance and demonstrate the application of psychological skills training to optimise sports performance
• Construct a variety of integrated training practices combining sport-specific skills and related conditioning challenges to optimise player development and progression.
• Demonstrate an appreciation of current research within the area of speed sports.
• Organise and perform lab and field-based skills related to research on selected human movement activity and defend the results.
• Graduates will develop a sound understanding of the physiology, psychology and biomechanics background behind sports performance for speed, endurance, team and strength sports.

*a graduate diploma exit point is available for those students who do not wish to undertake the MSc Research Dissertation, and students who may wish to progress to a structured PhD within UL.

Scheduling

Classes will be block-scheduled with alternating blocks in years 1 and 2 to aid work release for part-time students. Part-time Mon/Tues year one and Thurs/Fri year two. All classes Mon-Fri between 09.00-18.00See course director for further detail. 

Content of modules can be found by using the search option on the book of modules.

An undergraduate degree, 2.2 honours (Level 8 - National Qualifications Authority of Ireland) or higher, with preference given to applicants with related subjects such as health, sports science, physical education, nutrition, physiotherapy, anatomy or human biology. Relevant work experience in sport will also be advantageous.

Entry to the programme will be based on the result of a written application and appropriate academic references. There will be no interview.

RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) entry will be available for those without a related degree.

Garda clearance will also be required for this programme.

What to include with your application

• Qualification transcripts and certificates
• A CV (Curriculum Vitae)
• Two letters of recommendation (one academic and one employment)
• Personal Statement - 1 page
• Scanned copy of any laboratory, sports/coaching related certification or workshop attendance
• A copy of your birth certificate or passport
• If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice
• If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:
• English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts AND
• English language competency certificate
• Please click here for Further Information on English Language Requirements

For applicants applying under Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) please upload the following

• Supporting Statement
• Appendices evidencing relevant experience

Guidelines on Completing your Application

• To ensure a speedy assessment of your application, please upload the above documents with your application form – your application cannot be assessed until relevant documentation is uploaded
• Please title appropriately any documents you are uploading with the application form, for example "Supporting Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc.

International students can find more information on eligibility requirements here. 

EU - Part-time €4,504 Per annum Full-time €6,704 

Non- EU - Part-time €10,504 Per annum Full -time €12,854

Once registered, students can apply to pay their fees in instalments. A request for a payment plan should be emailed to student.fees.office@ul.ie.

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie.)

The MSc in Sports Performance, the first programme of its kind in Ireland, is now accredited and certifies its students in the following:

• Certified Conditioning Coach (CCC) accreditation
• International Society of Performance Analysis in Sports (ISPAS) Video Analysis
• International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK)
• 'Cardiac First Response’ (AED)

Graduate Testimonial

Cathal Sheridan (Former Munster Rugby Player and trainee Sport Psychologist): Graduated with Distinction: “During the MSc in Sports Performance I gained a wide variety of knowledge including how monitor and measure performance parameters for different athletes in different sports with sport specific demands. This enables me to develop scientific based intervention’s to an individual or team…the work placement opportunity was also an invaluable experience for me as I got to work in a professional rugby organisation in Ireland.”

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Joe DeLeo is a lifelong rower who has been involved with the sport since age 12. Joe was a varsity oarsman at The George Washington University, and was named team MVP in his senior year. He then spent the next three years as the graduate assistant coach for Syracuse Men’s Rowing under Head Coach Dave Reischman:

For me, the whole purpose of my year in Ireland was to immerse myself intensely in an advanced postgraduate programme and set myself apart from my respective peers. As I near graduation I am in a position as a strong candidate to work in strength and conditioning as well as sport science focusing more on data analysis, planning, and programme design. However, interested students are set up to succeed and continue on with the pursuit of a PhD if they so desire. The dissertation that caps off the end of the MSc Sports Performance programme is a thoughtful, well-designed module. Students must synthesize all of the knowledge and skills acquired over the last year in this final assignment.

I encourage you to apply to this programme as the learnings and mentorship offered will no doubt set you apart from the rest of your peers and provide the knowledge and skill set for a successful career