MSc Performance Analysis in Football

The Global Institute of Sport is an embedded college of the University of East London. All GIS graduates will receive a degree from the University of East London.

Click here for the course specification for this degree

• Applied Football Match Analysis
• Football Statistics and Data Analysis
• Talent Identification and Recruitment
• Applied Research Project
• Global Sports Leadership
• Applied Reflective Practice (Option)
• An Interdisciplinary Approach in Football (Option)

Students will select one option at the beginning of their course.

The main educational aims of the course are to:

• Conceptualise the knowledge and skills necessary for a career in the football industry.
• Develop the students’ capacity to critically interrogate theories that inform performance analysis principles and practice in a football context.
• Develop systematic knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of performance analysis to enhance performance in a football context.
• Create an environment in which students are able to relate theory to practice, solve problems creatively, apply new and existing skills, and demonstrate awareness of emerging issues within the domain of performance analysis and related disciplines.
• Equip students with a range of research skills necessary to design and conduct applied research in a football context.
• To develop the students’ critical evaluation of their own practice and that of performers with the intention to engage in innovative activities linked to enhancing performance of self and performer.
• Providing opportunities for students to have access to industry standard hardware and software in order to fully integrate a technological approach to performance enhancement strategies.

Applicants should have a 2:2 classification in a Performance analysis related degree. Applicants who hold a non-relevant degree subject or who have not previously studied to the level of a 2:2 degree will be considered on the basis of additional relevant experience and/or qualifications.

Applicants should review the coaching entry requirements here and contact admissions@ucfb.com if you are unsure about your eligibility for the programme.

Recognition of Prior Learning Students with relevant previous study at postgraduate level or with extensive experience may be considered eligible for recognition of prior learning.

Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements but who have an otherwise strong profile may be asked to provide a coaching or management portfolio and/or complete a brief assignment in a relevant subject area to demonstrate suitable level of academic writing.

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 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each section) or recognised equivalent.

The course would be ideal for students graduating from BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Management, BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Talent Development and BA (Hons) Sports Business & Coaching.

We have revised our coaching entry requirements for 2021 to account for the difficulty in completing FA coaching qualifications due to COVID-19. Please find our 2021 coaching entry requirements here.

International students

Our access to an International License is currently being reviewed. This means we are unable to accept applications for anyone who requires a student visa to study in the UK as we cannot issue Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

Once the review is finalised and we have a definitive outcome, all students who’ve expressed an interest in studying at UCFB and the Global Institute of Sport will be notified.

If you are still unsure whether you would need a visa to study in the UK, or for more information, please contact compliance@ucfb.com.

Priority Application Deadline - 31 August 2023

We strongly encourage you to submit your Masters application well before our 31 August 2023 priority application deadline (8 January 2024 for courses starting in January) to allow sufficient time for assessment of application, ensure availability on the course and enrolment in time for the beginning of your studies. Applications received after this date will only be considered on a case by case basis.

At GIS we bridge the gap between education and business, allowing a unique approach to education. We provide two curricula; the academic curriculum which encompasses exams and coursework and the Employability & Enrichment programme – a three year journey of professional and personal development.

This provides access to best-in-class industry guest speakers, additional qualifications and exceptional opportunities to apply for work experience placements to ensure our students graduate as well-rounded, empowered professionals.

Find out more about your career journey at GIS

The Global Insight Series is a thought leadership series, exclusively collated and made available for all GIS on-campus and online students. The Global Insight Series provides unprecedented access to GIS’ elite sports network; including interviews with LMA managers and other guest speakers, and content from GIS’ Global Sports Summits at Inter Miami CF Stadium, New York’s Red Bull Arena, Atlanta’s brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Toronto FC’s BMO Field and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Find out more

Delivered across all GIS Master’s programmes to provide a foundation of knowledge of leadership and its application in sport, the Global Sports Leadership module provides a global sporting context to underpin each degree specialism.

Covering fundamental leadership principles including culture, performance analysis, diversity and inclusion, leadership styles and innovation within a contemporary sporting context, this module allows students to develop a broad appreciation of the sports industry and become leaders in their field.

A core aspect of the module is to bring in global leaders from the pitch, the boardroom and the industry to enable student to access and reflect on real life and current industry experiences and insight. Many of the sessions will be shared across multiple GIS degree programmes, allowing students to learn from and network with each other throughout the Global Sports Leadership module.

The provision of a facility or service including accommodation may be subject to an additional charge (i.e. separate from tuition fees). Where this is the case, we will make this clear in advance and payment for such service shall be made in accordance with any additional contract made between you and the University.

In some instances, optional Employability & Enrichment activities provided by GIS 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.

Students will be required to purchase GIS branded kit for their studies, which costs £120-150. GIS students may also be asked for an additional contribution fee of £10-20 for trips.

For part-time courses the tuition fee will be split accordingly per year i.e 50% in year 1 and 50% in year 2 (for a two year programme) as per below table.

GIS has a range of scholarship options to help with the cost of studying and to encourage students to embrace their time at GIS and graduate with more than just their university degree. Click here to learn more.