Bournemouth University

What you'll study

This programme combines theoretical foundations with hands‑on technical training so you can turn measurement into meaningful insight. Core themes include performance analysis methods, sports biomechanics, physiological and movement analysis, data management and visualisation, and applied research methods.

• Performance Analysis and Video Technologies — practical work with video capture, tagging, event coding and industry software platforms used in live and post‑match analysis.
• Biomechanics and Motion Capture — laboratory‑based study of movement using 3D motion capture, force platforms and wearable sensors to quantify technique and injury risk.
• Data Science for Sport — statistics, machine learning fundamentals, database management and scripting (commonly used languages and tools) to clean, model and present performance data.
• Physiology and Monitoring — interpretation of GPS, heart rate, workload and recovery metrics and their integration into performance plans.
• Research Project / Dissertation — a substantial applied research or consultancy project that develops a real sporting question into a deliverable outcome for a team, organisation or laboratory.
• Professional Practice and Placement — opportunities to gain work experience through placement modules, industry projects or collaborative briefs with clubs and governing bodies.

Teaching methods emphasise practical laboratories, video analysis suites, seminars and project supervision. Assessment is a mix of practical portfolios, technical reports, presentations and the final research project.

Entry requirements

Typical applicants hold a UK honours degree (usually a 2:1) or recognised international equivalent in sports science, coaching, physiotherapy, biomechanics, performance analysis or a closely related subject. Applicants with a 2:2 plus relevant professional experience in sport, coaching or performance analysis may also be considered.

Relevant practical experience (for example, voluntary or paid performance analysis roles, internships, or club coaching) strengthens applications. Applicants whose first language is not English will normally need to demonstrate proficiency (for example, an IELTS score around the typical postgraduate requirement with appropriate minimum component scores, or an approved equivalent).

All applicants are asked to provide a personal statement outlining their interests and experience in performance analysis; some applicants may be invited to interview or asked to submit a short technical task or portfolio of previous work.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a broad range of roles in elite and grassroots sport, high performance environments and the sports technology sector. Common career pathways include:

• Performance analyst for professional clubs, national teams and academies
• Data analyst or researcher within sports science departments
• Biomechanics or movement analyst roles in performance labs and rehabilitation settings
• Strength and conditioning support roles with enhanced monitoring responsibilities
• Product development, analytics or customer success roles with sports technology companies
• Further academic research (PhD) or roles in applied research centres

The programme’s practical focus and placement opportunities are designed to make graduates job‑ready for roles requiring both technical skill and the ability to communicate findings to coaches and multidisciplinary teams.

Why study at Bournemouth University

Bournemouth University offers applied, industry‑facing training with access to dedicated sports science and performance analysis facilities. Students benefit from well‑equipped motion capture and biomechanics labs, video analysis suites and wearable sensor technology, alongside staff with active research and industry experience.

The university emphasises experiential learning and employer engagement, providing networking and placement links with local clubs, national governing bodies and sports tech companies. The campus and coastal location also support a wide range of outdoor and performance testing opportunities.

By combining practical laboratory work, industry projects and a substantial research dissertation, the MSc prepares graduates to translate data into actionable decisions within performance environments.