Code

PGC617

Start

September 2026

Fees

£11,850 (UK) £14,500 (INT)

Location

Online

Why study Sport Performance Analysis MSc (Distance Learning) at Middlesex?

This online master’s course will help you develop your career as a performance analyst by developing the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to fulfil the typical responsibilities required. These responsibilities include the collection of sport performance data using performance analysis software packages; preparing specific videos for presentation to players and coaches; analysing datasets for trends and relationships; and visualising data through dashboards.

Our successful UK on-campus programme was one of the first of its kind when it was established in 2010. It has a strong track record of developing employable graduates who have gone on to secure jobs in the UK and abroad to become Sport Performance Analysts at high profile clubs and organisations, complete PhDs and become University lecturers. View the on campus version of this course.

Top-quality teaching: You’ll learn from academics who regularly work and consult with international teams, national governing bodies, elite clubs and athletes.
Preparation for accreditation: Our pioneering programme is designed to prepare you for accreditation with the International Society of Performance Analysis of Sport.
Career connection: We have strong industry links within performance analysis - many of our graduates have gone on to secure jobs at international renowned clubs and organisations.
Supported in your studies: You will have access to leading industry-standards performance analysis software, while small class sizes allow you to receive the personal attention required to thrive in your studies.
Knowledge development: We believe that our graduates should be high achievers both practically and academically. As a result, we actively encourage students to publish their dissertation through peer-reviewed journals and conferences.

Student stories and experiences

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Ex-marine whose Middlesex Master's launched him on a mission against loneliness

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Watch the video on TikTok.

Student life

Find out what student life's like at Middlesex University.

Modules

Our specialist degree covers relevant topics that help you develop skills that are highly sought after in industry. For example, it covers performance indicators, performance profiling and reliability testing. In addition, you will learn how to undertake data analysis and develop relevant visualisation skills using business intelligence software. Finally, you will get to grips with industry standard sport performance analysis software. We regularly invite industry speakers to provide guest lectures on the course to help give you an insight into what is required from performance analysts on the job.The degree covers modules in Performance Analysis, Data Analysis and Visualisation, Research Methods, Placement & Dissertation. The programme has been designed in conjunction with industry to ensure our students can meet the demands and challenges that analysts currently face. These topics allow you to develop your expertise as a performance analyst.

This module aims to allow you to gain a systematic understanding of performance analysis of sport. This is achieved through critically engaging you in appropriate processes and developing a comprehensive understanding of relevant techniques used in the discipline. It also aims to develop your research skills so you are able to disseminate complex information to both coaches and athletes with the aim of providing greater insight to performance. You'll critically evaluate current research in the discipline in order to evaluate methodologies, design, interpret and synthesise sport performance data and literature.

This module aims to develop your data analysis and visualisation skills. The ability to manage data and check for errors in datasets is an important and sought-after skill in performance analysis. You'll learn to visualise data in a variety of software packages such as spreadsheets and business intelligence software. You'll be able to analyse and interpret data using predictive based statistics like regression and determine important variables using techniques like dimension reduction (principal component analysis) and assess relationships (correlations).

This module aims to equip you with the relevant knowledge and skills to undertake appropriate research in their subject areas. You'll learn searching strategies to identify relevant literature, how to critically appraise literature and relevant research methods topics such as research design, selecting and using suitable statistical tests appropriate to the subject area. This module will be delivered predominantly through shared and subject-specific online video tutorials allowing you to access a wide variety of resources which will prepare you for undertaking their dissertations. This innovative approach allows you to develop their research methods skills at your own pace with relevant step-by-step videos produced, allowing you to revisit the content at any time.

This module aims to develop your ability to apply and see the application of knowledge gained from other modules in relation to a real work scenario. You'll be required to adopt a reflective and critical approach to your working practice and to promote a problem-solving approach in a work environment.

This module aims to support you to undertake research, with a focus appropriate to your programme and area of practice and building upon the research proposal formulated in SES4030. To create a peer learning community for you to critically support each other in the research process. To provide guidance, additional to that provided by your supervisors, on matters of ethical application, research methods, data collection, analysis and writing-up.

For more information, please download the MSc Sport Performance Analysis (Distance Education) course specification (PDF).

Teaching

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.

You will gain knowledge and understanding through attending live research led-teaching and practice-led learning, engaging with pre-recorded content and key concept videos, seminars, workshops, problem solving tasks, small group discussions & presentations, student and teacher led learning sessions and finally, via student placements.

Through these methods you will develop your digital literacy. An understanding of the subject is assessed in both summative and formative methods. You will be encouraged to participate in curriculum design and lead student communities via co-leadership opportunities throughout the academic year via group learning, student forums, programme voice groups and an ability to co-design your research methods and dissertation assessments.

You will have access to leading performance analysis software packages. You may be able to access campus restricted software remotely using remote client and virtualisation software. Furthermore, relevant software packages related to study such as statistical analysis and office-suites are available to students to use.

You will be assessed by a variety of methods including presentations, written assignments and practical demonstrations.

Student training on indoor track — The London Sport Institute

Your learning experience will mirror real life practice with advanced tech and computer analysis.

Sports students completing performance analysis using a treadmill

Two sports students looking at tennis on a computer

Sports students using the facilities in the West Stand

Careers

How can the Sport Performance Analysis MSc support your career?

This Sport Performance Analysis programme is for students who would like to develop key skills and competencies, acquire a body of knowledge, and gain exposure to new and innovative areas of the subject. A Sports Performance Analysis degree opens the doors to a number of exciting career paths, with excellent career progression opportunities.

Career opportunities exist for well-qualified sport performance analysts in both professional and amateur sports. Previous graduates in Sport Performance Analysis are currently working in:

Football / soccer: English Premier League, English Championship, the FA
Rugby: Welsh Rugby Union, Professional rugby teams in England and Wales
Multiple Olympic sports: working for the English Institute of Sport is sports such as cycling, canoe slalom, disability swimming, hockey, judo
Squash: England Squash
Badminton: England badminton
Regional bodies: Irish Institute of Sport.

Work placements typically coincide with the sporting season (August to April for soccer or rugby).

Graduates will also be capable of establishing their own consultancy business or progressing to additional study and research, including MPhil/PhD.

Our employability service Careers and Futures will help you make the most of your experience and connections to achieve your career goals. You'll have unlimited access to one-to-one advice and support from specialists in your sector plus 24/7 online support. You can also make the most of events and networking opportunities, on and off campus.

As an alumni, we offer you lifetime career support so we can help you as your progress.

MDXcelerator student start-up support

We can help you bring your business idea to life with our MDXcelerator programme which includes masterclasses with high-profile entrepreneurs, workshops, mentoring opportunities and competitions to secure seed funding.

Students at Middlesex span 122 countries and you will be part of our thriving global network. After you graduate, you'll join our alumni network. You will get access to:

Lifetime careers support from the Careers and Futures employability service;
Raise your personal profile as one of our featured alumni;
Continued limited usage of the Sheppard Library;
Exclusive MDX alumni networks to connect with your peers.

Entry requirements

Qualifications

We normally require a second class honours degree 2:2 or above in a sport or exercise related field

We would also welcome applications from students with undergraduate degrees in all sciences, maths and IT areas. Alternatively prospective students who have completed the ISPAS accreditation and have extensive experience in the area will be considered via interview.

If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your Middlesex University programme of study.

Further requirements

Online distance learning students will be required to secure their Sport Performance Analysis related placement.

Students are required to have a laptop - specific requirements will be clarified at the beginning of the course.

Students are required to attend the compulsory residential which starts in the January following enrolment – please note that transportation to the residential and meals are not included.

Qualifications

We accept the equivalent of the below qualifications from a recognised overseas qualification:

A 2:2 degree or above in a sport or exercise related field, sciences, maths and IT areas
Students who have completed the ISPAS accreditation and have extensive experience in the area will be considered via interview

To find out more about the qualifications we accept, visit your country support page. If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office for support.

Academic credit

If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your Middlesex University programme of study.

Visas

You will not need a visa to study in the UK if you are a citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. If you are a national of any other country you may need a visa to study in the UK.

English language

You must have competence in English language to study with us. The most commonly accepted evidence of English language ability is IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all components). If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university.

Please visit our postgraduate application page for further information and to apply.

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Fees and funding

The fees below are for the 2026/27 academic year.

UK students¹

Full-time students: £11,850

Part-time students: £79 per credit

Part-time students: £39 per dissertation credit

International students²

Full-time students: £14,500

Part-time students: £97 per credit

Part-time students: £48 per dissertation credit

The following study tools are included in your fees:

Free access to the resources, learning materials and software you need to succeed on your course;
Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours;
Free specialist software for your course;
Free printing for academic paperwork.

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:

The Alumni Postgraduate Award: a 20% fee reduction for UK/EU Middlesex alumni who studied eligible undergraduate courses;
The Chevening Scholarship: full course fees;
The European Academic Awards: £1,000 to £7,000 for students showing academic excellence;
Regional or International Merit Award: up to £2,000 towards course fees.

For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.

Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.

Help from your employer

Your employer can contribute towards the cost of your postgraduate study as part of their staff development programme.

Work while you study

If you are not currently working, we can help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

Important information

We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.