There is a wide scope for the areas you can work in sport. One of the fastest growing and diverse areas is in sports science and performance analysis.
With the acceleration of modern medicine, sports teams are always looking for the most up-to-date information and analysis to give them as much of a competitive advantage as they can over their opponents.
With this in mind, let’s take a look inside the BSc (Hons) in Sports Science and Performance Analysis and see what exactly becoming a sports scientists and performance analysist entails.
What will I learn?
The course combines the core principles and key information of sports science with the analytical tools needed to be able to help elite sports teams and athletes optimise performance.
In year one, you will not only learn the physical components that lead optimal performance but the role that psychology plays in athletic output. You will also study research methods that will be foundational in your ability to analyse.
In year two, you will build on your learning from year 1. Additionally, you will also be thought both the theoretical and practical elements of analysis in both team and individual sports. You will get an introduction to Strength & Conditioning too.
In year three, you will see an advanced level of the foundational modules you have previously studied which will form the knowledge you need to complete your final assignments including a major end-of-course project.
Class and Learning Structure
Your learning structure will depend on which delivery mode you have opted for, full time or blended. Fear not, we will go through both.
Full time
As the name suggests, this optional is full time. Classes are usually arranged on a Tuesday to Thursday schedule to allow for those studying to maintain things like part-time work and sporting commitments. It will see you on site in Portobello on these days for face-to-face classes with your tutors including practical workshops.
Blended
Blended learning is something developed in the name of making education more accessible. It involves a similar intensity of learning as our full-time option, but the delivery of the course is largely online. There is more one-to-one tutor support to make up for lack of facetime and it also includes weekend seminars to assist those who are working or have other commitments outside of their study.
Some people avail of our blended option in a Spring enrolment to then go on and join the full-time cohort the following Autumn.
Who Will I Learn From?
This course aims to deliver the latest research and information in the area of performance analysis in order to give graduates the best chance of employment upon completion of the course.
To achieve this, the course is taught by some of the most experienced people working in the sector in Ireland today both in academic and professional terms.
The programme manager is Dr Susan Giblin. She is aided by tutors, Alan Whelan, Emma McLoughlin and Fiona Skelly.
You can read about all of them in more detail in our Meet the Team section here.
What Can I Do with the Degree?
Ultimately, the main thing you will want to know is what your prospects are when you complete this degree. With the BSc (Hons) in Sports Science and Performance Analysis, the opportunities are broad and plentiful.
The research skills thought within the course make it a great springboard to move on to an even higher level of education. This degree will allow you to study at MSc and even PhD level both here in Ireland and further afield.
However, if further study isn’t for you, there is a broad range of professions you can seek to enter with this degree.
You can enter the setup of a professional sports team or organisations and begin straight away in assisting them in achieving optimal performance for their athletes through the analytical skills you’ve learned in your three years of study.
Sports media companies require sharp minds to analyse the latest matches and events and produce accurate and cutting-edge statistics to inform their on-screen presenters and analysts.
Self-employment is also an option with graduates able to open their performance analysis clinics that can work as a third-party with the aforementioned organisations.
To learn about where graduates of this course have taken their post-Portobello lives, you can read their testimonials here.
Get in contact
If you want to know more about this course or any other sports course Portobello Institute has to offer, you can book a consultation call with our expert sports advisor Jo Shaw here, email jo.shaw@portobelloinstitute.com or call 01 892 0024.
Get Insider Updates: Join Now!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest insights and exclusive content from your chosen department of interest
