Performance Analysis in Sport
Full-time
Part-time
One year
Three year
September 2025
In a nutshell
The MSc Performance Analysis in Sport degree is a unique programme designed for those wishing to enhance their career in the area of performance analysis and high-performance sports practice. The programme aims to equip students with expert academic knowledge, allied to strong practical skills, to deliver a quality service to athletes, coaches and organisations.
This master's programme will equip you with advanced skills to thrive in the continuously expanding field of performance analysis. Leaning into the traditional performance analysis roles such as video and match analysis, notational analysis, live sport analysis, to more evolved skills across modern technologies, data analysis, reporting, visualisation, scouting and recruitment. By taking a multidisciplinary perspective this degree covers the influence the performance analyst can have within coaching, strength and conditioning, and sports injury rehabilitation, amongst other applied scenarios.
You will:
- Have access to industry-standard performance analysis equipment and be taught by industry professionals.
- Gain hands-on experience using video analysis notation software to analyse and enhance sports performance.
- Utilise advanced monitoring technologies, including GPS wearable devices and wellness questionnaires, to gather and interpret athlete data.
- Have the opportunity to conduct primary research that could lead to publications, potentially informing future performance analysis practices.
options available
This is for you if...
You are a sport professional looking to develop your career.
You have a passion for leveraging technology to improve athletic performance.
You aim to apply data-driven insights to sports performance.
All about the course
The MSc course is offered on both a full-time (one year) and part-time (three-year) basis.
The full-time course runs from September to September, whilst giving you the chance to exit with the following awards:
- Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert): completion of one module
- Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip): completion of two modules
- Master's (MSc): completion of two modules plus a dissertation
To achieve the MSc award for Performance Analysis in Sport you must successfully complete the modules Performance Analysis and Injury Prevention and Performance Measurement, along with completing the Research Project Module.
The part-time course can be studied over two or three years.
Performance Analysis
You will develop the knowledge and expertise to actively practice the discipline of Performance Analysis within an elite setting. You will utilise industry standard equipment to assess, monitor, review and improve performance in athletes/teams. You will use multiple methods to increase performance productivity in your clients as you cover diverse topics such as computerised notation, video and data analysis, athlete monitoring, performance analysis consultancy and scouting and recruitment.
Injury, Prevention and Performance Management
You will develop the ability to critically evaluate the scientific principles and theories of athletic screening and a clear understanding of the science behind performance measurement and appropriate interpretation of those measurements and learn to apply them in a real-world context.
Dissertation
You will undertake an in-depth, evidence-based exploration of a key area relevant to your own practice; this is a substantial, independent, research project.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
The School of Health and Society
The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact.
We live in a rapidly changing world, and we’re keen to leave a productive legacy of helping people at all stages of their lives, improving their physical, psychological and social wellbeing.
Students and alumni
Callum
Callum completed his MSc in Performance Analysis in Sport at the University of Salford in 2024. During his studies, Callum actively engaged in diverse learning opportunities.
Since April 2023, Callum has been employed as an Academy Performance Analyst at Wigan Warriors Rugby League Club. He utilises his academic training to enhance his work in performance analysis, demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing in elite sport.
Scott
Scott graduated from the MSc in Performance Analysis in Sport programme at the University of Salford in 2024.
He has been working as a Performance Analyst with Leigh Leopards RLFC since early 2023, where he applies his academic insights to real-world sports.
Hannah
Hannah completed an MSc in Performance Analysis in Sport after studying Equine and Human Sports Science at the undergraduate level. She currently works with British Dressage, where she applies her studies to develop performance analysis techniques.
Mohanned
Mohanned studied Performance Analysis in Sport and graduated in 2020. He currently works in semi-professional football and serves as an ED&I Community Champion with the Manchester Football Association, where he applies the skills and knowledge gained from his course to enhance his coaching practice.
Facilities
On this course, you will have access to unrivalled Sport Science Laboratories, including our Human Performance Laboratory. Our labs feature a range of performance analysis software and a wide array of physiological and biomechanical equipment, including:
- 10-camera Qualisys Oqus 7, 3D motion capture system
- Five indwelling AMTI 900x600mm force plates
- Delsys and Noraxon EMG devices
- Isokinetic Dynamometers: Biodex System 4 and KinCom AP2
- Alter-G Via anti-gravity treadmill
- Quintic Biomechanics video analysis software
- Nacsport Computerised Notation Software
- Klipdraw Telestration
- Catapult GPS
- Live Video Analysis and Filming Equipment (e.g. Hi-Pod)
- Wyscout for Scouting and Recruitment
- Force Plates (e.g. Hawkin Dynamics)
Staff profiles
Dr Mark Quinn
Programme Leader for the MSc Performance Analysis. Mark has worked in Rugby League as a Performance Analyst and Sports Scientist. He was an integral part of the Wigan Warriors team that had success in winning the Challenge Cup (2011, 2013), League Leaders Shield (2012), Super League Grand Final (2013, 2016) and World Club Challenge (2017). He has previously held an Assistant Coaching role with England Wheelchair Rugby League and has research interests in performance analysis, monitoring athletes and training load.
Dr Paul Comfort, CSCS*D, ASCC
Dr Comfort is a Reader in Strength and Conditioning and the programme leader for the MSc Strength and Conditioning at the University of Salford. Paul is also an adjunct professor at Edith Cowan University (Western Australia), a founder member and accredited member of the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association, and a board member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (July 2020-July 2023). Dr Comfort regularly consults with numerous professional sports teams in the UK and USA and has co-authored >150 peer-reviewed journal articles. Paul is also co-editor of the textbooks, ‘Advanced Strength and Conditioning: an evidence-based approach’ and ‘Performance Assessment for Strength and Conditioning.’
Dr Lee Herrington PhD MSc MCSP
Lee is a physiotherapist, senior lecturer in Sports Rehabilitation and programme leader for the MSc Sports Injury Rehabilitation at the University of Salford. Dr Herrington is also a consultant physiotherapist to Premiership & Championship Football and Rugby Union clubs, along with a number of Olympic sports. He worked as part of Team GB medical team at London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Lee has previously worked with British Swimming, Great Britain Basketball team, Wigan Warriors and Great Britain Rugby League teams along with England Table Tennis and Netball. He is the lead clinical researcher in the Knee Biomechanics and Injury at the University of Salford, with over 200 published research articles. His specific research interests are anterior knee pain and rehabilitation following knee surgery (principally Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction). Lee is also the Editor in Chief of Physical Therapy in Sport and on the editorial board of The Knee Journal and Journal of Sports Rehabilitation. Dr Herrington leads the Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation module on the MSc Sports Injury Rehabilitation.
Dr Paul A. Jones MSc, BSc (Hons), FBASES, BASES Accredited, CSCS*D, CSci
Paul is a Lecturer in Sports Biomechanics / Strength and Conditioning (S&C). Dr Jones earned a BSc (Hons) and MSc in Sports Science from Liverpool John Moores University and a PhD in Sports Biomechanics at the University of Salford. He has over 20 years’ experience in Biomechanics and S&C support to athletes and teams, primarily in athletics, football and rugby and was a former sports science co-ordinator for UK disability athletics. Paul is a BASES Fellow, has been BASES Accredited for >17 years and is currently a member of the BASES accreditation committee. Paul has also been a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) with the NSCA for >18 years. He has authored / co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles mainly in change of direction biomechanics and strength diagnostics and has co-edited a book ‘Performance Assessment in Strength and Conditioning’ published by Routledge. Paul leads the Injury Prevention and Performance Measurement module which is shared by the MSc Strength and Conditioning, MSc Sports Injury Rehabilitation and MSc Performance Analysis in Sports.
Dr Steve Atkins, BASES Accredited, CSci
Steve is a BASES-accredited sport scientist who has a long-standing interest in how best to optimize human performance. With >100 publications in peer-reviewed journals, his primary research areas relate to the determinants of performance, including use of technologies to optimize performance profiling. Dr Atkins has worked with many elite and amateur athletes and supports clients via the School's Physiology testing service. He has lectured for over 25 years and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy; seeking to create optimal learning environments for students.
What about after uni?
With the skills you'll learn in this course, you could take a lead role in performance analysis and make a difference to the performance of your clients. This course could help significantly increase your chances of getting a high-profile role in top-flight sport.
Upon successful completion of the course, it would be possible to progress on to a PhD, or a PhD via publication. We offer a range of research degrees relevant to your area of practice.
Career Links
This programme has strong links with several Premier League and Football League clubs. There are very strong links with elite sports within the local area including rugby league, netball, and lacrosse.
As part of this programme, you would be expected to assess athlete performance and put forward suggestions for improvement. Upon successful completion of this programme, you will be equipped with the required skills to apply for ISPAS (International Society of Performance Analysis of Sport) accreditation.
Sport Partnerships
Find out more about our sport partnerships, including with North West clubs like Sale Sharks, Salford Red Devils, and Manchester Storm, and the benefits for our students.
What you need to know
Applicant profile
Please note: Due to the structure of this programme, it is not available to international applicants who require a Student Visa.
This course is aimed at a wide range of sports professionals including practising performance analysts, sports scientist graduates, sports coaches, strength and conditioning coaches and physical education teachers.
This course has been developed to be accessible to individuals already working within the field of performance analysis, or those that are aiming to work towards full-time employment within the field. It would be advantageous (but not essential) to have access to athletes so that you can effectively evaluate their training and performance, and implement appropriate interventions as this forms part of the assessments for some modules.
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
Undergraduate degree
BSc/BA (Hons) graduates with an appropriate sports or exercise-related subject area (Sports Science, Sports Rehabilitation, Sports Coaching).
Prospective students will normally be required to have achieved a 2:1 Honours degree, but consideration will be given to students with a 2:2 Honours degree with appropriate experience and satisfactory references.
CV
You will need to provide a professional CV that shows skills and experience relevant to the degree programme and academic history – including undergraduate, further education, and secondary school qualifications, or equivalents.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,100.00per year |
Additional costs
You should consider additional costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
All Set? Let's Apply
Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact us:
By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545