MSc Sport Data Analytics

The MSc Sport Data Analytics programme at the University of Strathclyde is designed to offer graduates a comprehensive skillset and experience required to succeed as an analyst in a variety of sporting sectors.

Key Facts

• Start date: September each year
• Application deadline: August
• Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time, 24 months part-time
• Work placement: Yes
• Regular guest lectures by industry professionals
• Places on the course: 20

Programme Overview

On this programme, students will:

• develop skills in sport data analysis, interpretation, and presentation
• gain hands-on experience in a professional sporting environment through engagement with external partners
• gain a comprehensive overview of sports data analysis, covering key areas such as talent identification, recruitment analytics, video analysis, and performance evaluation for individuals and teams
• attend engaging lectures by industry experts showcasing real-life case studies

Why This Course?

Sporting organisations are showing increasing demand for professionals skilled in the handling, analysis, and presentation of complex data. This programme is unique in:

• placing a high emphasis on analytics, providing students with the technical skills to analyse complex data sets using cutting-edge techniques and software
• offering opportunities to interact with professionals such as sport scientists, performance, data, recruitment, talent or notational analysts through guest lectures and networking opportunities
• providing students with the chance to build a portfolio through high-quality placement opportunities with external partners

Programme Leaders

• Dr Xanne Janssen
• Dr Allan Hewitt

What You'll Study

Students will:

• explore the different ways in which data and data analysis are currently used to support performance, training, and selection within professional sporting settings
• learn about the use of data analysis and reporting to support talent identification and player recruitment
• gain an introduction to the concepts and techniques that underpin the use of video data gathered in sporting contexts
• undertake a supervised research dissertation in sport data analytics, relying on the technical skills and knowledge covered in earlier modules to formulate, design, and implement a piece of empirical research on a topic aligned to sport data analytics

Work Placement

The Professional Placement module is a compulsory module for the MSc Sport Data Analytics. Students will undertake 120 hours of agreed activity within an approved placement agency, which will be in a professional sports setting.

Research Dissertation

The Research Dissertation module provides students with the opportunity to apply previous learning from all other modules within a final research project. The module offers a portfolio of dissertation formats, allowing students to undertake an individual academic research project or complete their dissertation project within a partner organisation.

Learning & Teaching

Taught modules will be delivered across two semesters running from September to December, and from January to March. Students will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, group work, and online learning tasks, benefiting from input from industry experts throughout the programme.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by various methods, including infographics, essays, reflective pieces, data analysis plans, and presentations. The dissertation project is assessed with a final report appropriate to the research question.

Entry Requirements

• Academic requirements: First or upper second-class Honours degree in Sport or Computer Science, or other qualifications deemed equivalent by the Programme Leader
• English language requirements: IELTS not less than 6.5 for students whose first language is not English

Fees & Funding

• Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy
• Tuition fees will be notified in the offer letter
• Annual revision of fees: Students on programmes of study of more than one year should be aware that the majority of fees will increase annually
• Fees for 2025/26:
  • Scotland: £10,400
  • England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £10,400
  • Republic of Ireland: If an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status
  • International: £24,650
• Additional costs: Placements & field trips, international students may have associated visa and immigration costs, university-branded kit for placement and data collection

Careers

Graduates will be ready to enter a range of professional roles within sport, including:

• data analyst
• insights analyst
• performance analyst Experience gained through the taught components of the programme and the applied experience provided from the placement module will prepare students to take on positions involving the application of analytical techniques to athlete and team performance, business performance, recruitment, and coaching.

Course content

Modules will feature regular guest lectures by industry professionals, drawn from a range of sports organisations who will share their invaluable insights and discuss real-life case studies.

Semester 1

Semester 2

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Introduction to Sport Data Analytics

Explore the different ways in which data, and data analysis is currently used to support performance, training and selection within professional sporting settings, team and individual.

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Recruitment Analytics in Sport

Learn about the use of data analysis and reporting to support talent identification and player recruitment within professional sports settings.

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Video Analysis in Sport

Gain an introduction to the concepts and techniques that underpin the use of video data gathered in competitive sporting contexts. You’ll develop your understanding of how video data can be analysed to inform the coaching process, support squad selection and enhance tactical and strategic decision-making.

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Professional Placement

Get hands-on experience of working with data in a professional sporting environment. Build your skills and confidence in this area and gain a deeper understanding of how sports data is used.

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Data Visualisation in Sport

Develop your understanding of the challenges and complexity of sport performance and recruitment data and develop a basic set of technical skills in handling and presenting performance and recruitment data to coaches.

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Research Methods in Sport Data Analytics

A critical understanding of research methods and analysis is fundamental to research and practice in sport data analytics. This module will deepen your knowledge of quantitative and qualitative analysis, and help you deal with the ethical and practical issues of conducting real-world research.

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Dissertation

Undertake a supervised research dissertation in sport data analytics. Use the technical skills and substantive knowledge covered in earlier modules to formulate, design and implement a piece of empirical research on a topic aligned to sport data analytics.

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Learning & teaching

Taught modules will be delivered across two semesters running from September to December, and from January to March.

You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, group work and online learning tasks. You'll benefit from input from industry experts throughout the programme, including real-life case studies and the opportunity to analyse professional scenarios. The dissertation is undertaken during the summer months.

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Assessment

Modules are assessed by various methods including infographics, essays, reflective pieces, data analysis plans, and presentations. The dissertation project is assessed with a final report appropriate to the research question.

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Careers

Graduates will be ready to enter a range of professional roles within sport. Experience gained through the taught components of the programme and the applied experience provided from the placement module will prepare students to take on positions involving the application of analytical techniques to athlete and team performance, business performance, recruitment, and coaching.

Potential roles include:

data analyst

insights analyst

performance analyst

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Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city

Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.

Life in Glasgow

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Overview:

• Founded in 1796 as Anderson's Institution
• Received its Royal Charter in 1964, becoming the University of Strathclyde
• Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the UK for engineering and technology
• Home to the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), a world-leading research center in metal forming
• Notable alumni include Sir James Black (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine), Sir David Murray (former CEO of Rangers Football Club), and Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell (astrophysicist)

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Student Life:

• Over 23,000 students from over 100 countries
• 150+ student clubs and societies, including sports teams, cultural groups, and academic societies
• Student support services include counseling, health, and disability support
• Campus facilities include a sports center, library, and student union

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Academics:

• Offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, science, business, law, and social sciences
• Faculty includes world-renowned experts in their fields
• Teaching methodologies emphasize hands-on learning and industry engagement
• Academic support services include tutoring, writing centers, and language support
• Unique academic programs include the Strathclyde MBA, which is ranked among the top 100 MBAs in the world

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Excellent reputation for teaching and research, particularly in engineering and technology
• Strong industry connections and opportunities for internships and placements
• Specialized facilities such as the AFRC and the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
• Vibrant student life with a diverse and inclusive community
• Located in the heart of Glasgow, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center with a range of medical services
• Accommodation services with a variety of on-campus and off-campus options
• Library resources with over 1 million books and journals
• Technology support including IT services and free Wi-Fi
• Career development services with support for job searching, CV writing, and interview preparation