Sport - Elite Sport Performance

Our two-year, distance-learning course gives you the chance to grow your elite sports performance expertise, put theory into practice and collaborate with leading sports professionals.



During the course, you’ll learn more about research methodologies and reflective practice, along with gaining critical analysis skills. You’ll also explore effective decision-making and get a better understanding of the motivation, cognitive and behavioural processes that underpin performance.



Study wherever you are

This flexible part-time course is designed to suit busy professionals all over the world, with all modules and seminars delivered online by DCU course members and industry experts. You’ll also work on an independent research project, applying the methodologies and knowledge you’ve learned along the way.



Once you graduate, you’ll have the skills to interrogate and expand your practice and broader practice within your domain. This will allow graduates to develop within their current role, explore opportunities to progress in your field or pursue new avenues of sport performance.



The MSc in Elite Sport Performance provides appropriately qualified early-career sport professionals across relevant sport performance disciplines (e.g., sport science and coaching) with the opportunity to acquire advanced subject knowledge in their field.



We offer candidates the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary study that allows them to investigate issues in elite sport performance.



The MSc in Elite Sport Performance enables the development of both broad and specific knowledge bases in sport performance. The interdisciplinarity which constitutes best practice in sport performance domains is enshrined in the programme’s content and delivery. Indeed, the depth of expertise within the School of Health and Human Performance (SHHP) spans the range of disciplines of sport performance (i.e., psychology, biomechanics, physiology, coaching, physical education).



Designed with busy professionals in mind the course is available to professionals from all over the world, and fits with the demands of full-time employment. Enabling students to contextualise their learning within their professional context.



The modules comprise taught modules that deepen students’ understanding of theories and practice of sport performance and develop an advanced understanding of research methodologies and reflective practice, along with critical analysis skills. Critically, the modules provide students, as early career professionals, an opportunity to relate this knowledge and understanding to the elite sport performance context.



The MSc thesis (30 credits, Level 9), involves the completion of a research project.



Formal teaching including the use of online lectures, webinars, seminars, and online activities will be a feature of each module. This synchronous and nonsynchronous online content will be delivered using online platforms/resources including Loop and Zoom.

Reflecting the nature of the MSc in Elite Sport Performance, candidates should be working in sport or a related area, or intend to work in the sport domain. Evidence that may be provided by the applicant to support this include one or more of the following:



1. Holding a position or role in the promotion of sport performance or

related area

2. Holding an appointment or professional position in the domain

3. Professional qualifications in the domain, with clear articulation of

intention to progress to work in the domain.



Candidates will be expected to hold a primary Level 8, minimum 2. 2 qualification (NFQ or equivalent) in an area of sport and performance. In line with DCU policy, students who do not have the appropriate level of academic attainment for direct entry may apply for access via the Recognition of Prior Learning process (RPL). All RPL applicants will be invited to interview and required to demonstrate that their learning is comparable in terms of academic training and assessment.



• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL. For more information on RPL see here.



As part of the application process applicants may be called for interview.



Due to the specialist nature of this programme, additional criteria may be used to assess suitability to undertake this programme. For further information, please contact the Programme Chair using the contact details above

2 years, part-time, blended delivery.



Formal teaching including the use of online lectures, webinars, seminars, and online activities will be a feature of each module. This synchronous and nonsynchronous online content will be delivered using online platforms/resources including Loop and Zoom.

Careers

There is an increasing demand for postgraduate study for early and mid-career professionals working in sport performance. The MSc in Elite Sport Performance will provide students with the opportunity to secure a professional qualification that will allow them to stand out against their peers, and will significantly and positively impact their employability and ability to progress to the next stage of their career.



The MSc in Elite Sport Performance will provide a clear progression route for undergraduate students to complete their studies at Masters level.



The MSc in Elite Sport Performance will also provide mid-career professionals an opportunity for professional advancement in their current or future area of work.