Sport Analytics MSc

Program Overview

Sport Analytics MSc

Overview

With elite sports embracing technology and investing in the pursuit of marginal gains, professional clubs are increasingly looking to sport analytics to assist them in their day-to-day activities.

The ability to analyse data, identify patterns, and make data-driven decisions, will provide a competitive advantage for sports clubs, businesses, and athletes.

To meet the growing demands of data in the sports industry, UEL's own and Scotland FA's Football Scientist Dr Alireza Monajati developed this MSc in Sport Analytics.

During the programme you will learn how statistical and visual analytics are informing stakeholders to make data-driven decisions in sport. You will utilise industry-standard visualization software such as Tableau and PowerBI, and have the opportunity to learn fundamental skills with programming languages such as Python, whilst being fully supported all the way.

Course Options

• MSc: Full-time, 1 year; Part-time, 2 years

Entry Requirements

• Academic Requirements: Bachelor's degree with minimum Upper Second Class (2:1) or equivalent in a sport, mathematics or computer science related subject. A Second Class (2:2) Bachelor's degree in a related subject may be considered by course leader.
• International Qualifications: We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications.
• English Language Requirements: Overall IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening (or recognised equivalent).

Fees

• Home Applicant, Full-time: £10,800 per year
• Home Applicant, Part-time: £1,800 per 30 credit module
• International Applicant, Full-time: £16,740 per year

Funding

• Postgraduate Loans Scheme: Up to £10,906
• Postgraduate Scholarship: 50% discount on tuition fees
• Alumni Discount: Up to 15% fee waiver
• Early Payment Discount: 5% fee waiver
• Asylum Seekers Scholarship: 100% fee waiver
• Civic Engagement: £1,000
• Hardship Bursary: Up to £2,000
• Sport Scholarships: Up to £6,000

Additional Costs

• Textbooks: You may prefer to, or be required to, buy your own copy of key textbooks.
• Computer Equipment: You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences.
• Printing: Printing and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees.
• Travel: Travel costs are not included but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses and halls of residence.

Course Modules

• The Theory of Sport Analytics: This module will explain how data and analytics are applied within the industry and how they are used to influence key decisions in various sporting decisions.
• Visual Analytics: The aim of this module is to give you hands-on experience in using data visualisation software such as Tableau and Power BI, and programming languages such as Python and R.
• Tableau; Storytelling for Sport: In today's data-driven world, the ability to effectively communicate insights is paramount. We recognise the importance of data visualisation as a powerful tool for storytelling and decision-making in the world of sports analytics.
• Team-based Project: We strongly believe that collaborative experiences are crucial in shaping well-rounded sports analysts. This module is designed to give you hands-on, practical experience in working with real-world data, in a team setting.
• Applying Research Skills: This module provides you with the tools and techniques required to complete your final research project.
• Sport and Exercise Work-Based Learning (Mental Wealth): The work placement module will enable you to develop your employability and technical skills within the sports industry.
• Sport Research Project (120 credits): The final research project gives you the opportunity to pursue a particular topic that is of interest to you.

What We're Researching

The Applied Sport Sciences Research Group (ASSRG) investigates topics within sport and exercise science serving athletes and coaches, team owners, recruitment and marketing managers and public health. Analytic research is carried on across sports and will help to deepen the understanding of games, individuals and team's performance, recruitment and marketing strategies.

Your Future Career

This course will help you develop a range of transferable skills that are desirable in a wide range of careers in Sport Analytics.

• Industry Links: You will develop your skills and knowledge in a directly applied context, further supported by industry experience through the placement module.
• Graduate Employers: You might be employed directly by a professional sports club to work with their coaching or scouting staff or work for one of the many businesses that elite teams and individual athletes approach for consultancy.
• Job Roles: A career in sport analytics can lead to multiple roles in a wide range of exciting settings with amazing opportunities for career progression. Job titles may include Performance Analyst, Sport Analyst, Sport Scientist or Data Analyst.

How We Support Your Career Ambitions

We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed.

• Career Zone: Our dedicated and award-winning team provide you with careers and employability resources, including online jobs board, mentoring programmes, 1-2-1 career coaching services, careers workshops and employer events.
• Mental Wealth Programme: Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme which issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you’ve mastered.

How You'll Learn

Our MSc Sport Analytics course has been developed to provide coaches and athletes with objective information, providing statistical and visual evidence to make data-driven decisions. In this course, you will be taught how to collect, analyse, and interpret large and complex sports data sets.

• Guided Independent Study: When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study.
• Academic Support: Our academic support team provides help in a range of areas - including learning and disability support.
• Dedicated Personal Tutor: When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.

How You'll Be Assessed

Assessment tasks are mainly spread across the year to make the workload manageable. Assessment methods include essays, presentations, case studies, professional development and practical activities. All grades count towards your module mark.

Campus and Facilities

Our waterfront campus in the historic Royal Docks provides a modern, well-equipped learning environment.

• Docklands Campus, London, E16 2RD: Our campus is well connected to central London and Canary Wharf, with London City Airport just across the water. We also run a free bus service that connects Docklands with Stratford campuses.

Who Teaches This Course

This course is delivered by the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience.

• Course Leader: Dr Alireza Monajati
• Course Leader: Sid Panayi
• Course Leader: Maria Antritsou

What Our Staff and Students Say

• Dr Alireza Monajati: Our Sports Analytics Masters degree has been specifically designed to equip you with all the necessary practical skills and industry experience that are required to enter this developing field.
• Jackson Brooks: I experienced unique opportunities throughout the course, such as presenting to the sports science department at Chelsea FC, and securing an additional qualification from Catapult.