About this course
This unique masters, which is largely delivered online, has been designed to develop research-informed sport coaches.
MSc Sport Coaching provides knowledge from the forefront of coaching research. The course is ideal for aspiring and established coaches looking to develop their practice.
- The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is ranked 6th for Sports Science (QS World University Rankings 2024)
- Study on this MSc Sport Coaching which is informed by the latest research and best practice in sport coaching from LJMUs School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
- Benefit from the flexibility of both online and face-to-face teaching, through a blended timetable of online, pre-prepared lessons, online live sessions (one half day per week) and face-to-face workshops on campus (one day per month)
- Face-to-face workshops take place between September and May. These take place in Liverpool and typically involve one day on campus per month (usually Thursday for first year students and Friday for second year students)
- Continue working as a coach in your own context, alongside studying the course
- Excellent vocational opportunities for work-related learning in your own coaching context or through one of LJMUs sporting partners
- Includes personalised assignments so you can apply knowledge to your own coaching practice on topics including: sport psychology, pedagogy, training programmes, performance analysis and talent development
- Learn with a cohort of high-performing coaches and network of LJMU staff, alumni and contacts across the world of sport
The MSc Sport Coaching is designed to allow you to explore a range of topics, including athlete learning, talent development processes, physical and psychological training programmes, performance analysis and social relationships in coaching. While you study, you will have the opportunity to work on your own career development with support from LJMUs tutors and leading guest lectures from the field of sport coaching. You will also conduct a research project on a topic of your choice, supervised by LJMU staff.
Go on a tour of the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Kevin's story
With a degree in Dentistry from Cork under his belt, Kevin's passion for sport came to the fore and he is now studying for a Masters in Sport Coaching at LJMU.
"Sport has always been a real passion for me, a hobby I love. I have been involved in coaching for some years now but decided I wanted to push on and improve my performance in this area. My friends spoke very highly about LJMU and, when it came to looking where to study Sport Coaching, I discovered that John Moores really was one of the best.
From the outset I was impressed by the place. The lecturers I contacted were really friendly and welcoming. They answered the questions I needed to ask to make sure that John Moores was the right place for me.
The course has been really eye-opening. I have learned so much and now have a scientific background to my coaching practice. I know how to analyse what I do, how to find the best interventions and how to get the most out of the sportspeople I am coaching.
Masters study is tough and challenging but I have really enjoyed working with my fellow students. I think the electronic resources we have access to are fantastic and, as they are so accessible, I can work when I choose. Being able to fit your studies around your life really takes the pressure off you as a student. It also helps being in a city that is so easy to call home. This is a place where people bond really well, there's always lots to do and the great transport links mean you can travel around easily."
Dennis's story
US student Dennis Sanchez is finishing his Masters in Sport Coaching during which he has been shadowing the Under 14s-Under-18s coaches at Everton Football Club's Finch Farm training ground.
"It's not easy for an American coach to get a foot in the door of European football so I thought an overseas Masters would be a good idea. I came to the UK in February 2015 to visit a number of universities. I was attracted to Liverpool and LJMU by the people, the city's great footballing culture and the curriculum which I knew would give me an opportunity to grow.
Postgraduate study was just what I expected, challenging but enjoyable. It has enabled me to back up my areas of interest with research and refine my skills.
I love the practical side of my studies and am already planning for the future through the connections I have made at Everton. I would highly recommend postgraduate study at LJMU. The resources are second to none and the staff are very open and well connected. All in all I couldn't have asked for more."
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. All modules allow you to shape your assessment so that you can improve your practice as a coach (e.g. professional case study). You will also complete a dissertation (independent project) where you can specialise in an area of research tailored to your development as a practitioner.
The design of the programme is based on three principles:
1. Utilise your own coaching or work-related placements provided by LJMU to support the development of your coaching knowledge.
2. Use online lessons to flexibly help coaches learn when and where they want.
3. Provide regular, face-to-face coaching days to offer a safety net of support, illustrate best coaching practices and connect you with a network of LJMU practitioners, alumni and fellow coaches. These could be held monthly
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Coaching as a Social Process
20 credits
20 credits
This module uses theoretical concepts to explore areas such as coach philosophy and relationships between coaches, athletes and fellow staff. Students will apply concepts to their own sport coaching role.
Sport Coaching Pedagogy and Practice
20 credits
20 credits
This module provides a theoretical basis for understanding how learning occurs. It also enables you to use theoretical understandings to analyse and develop learning environments to help you flourish.
Coach Education and Development
20 credits
20 credits
This module critically explores coach education and coach development. Underpinned by learning theory, the module enables you to develop yourself and others as coaches through work-related learning in a sport coaching placement. The placement can be in your own context or at one of LJMU’s sporting partners. You will use research skills to enhance and evaluate learning from your work experience.
Advanced Training Programme
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to deepen understanding of contemporary scientific theories, principles and methods and their application in the physical development of athletes. You will explore physical training methods and schedules that help individuals achieve their sporting aims.
Psychology for Sport Coaching
20 credits
20 credits
This module enables you to critically evaluate and integrate current contemporary sport psychology research and best practice into your coaching. The module examines current sport psychology literature and develops a coherent understanding of issues associated with emotion, motivation, peak performance and motor skill development.
Independent Study
60 credits
60 credits
This transdisciplinary module examines talent development systems, processes and models. You will use contemporary research to critically consider how talent and performance can be developed across the participant lifespan.
Talent Development and Performance Analysis
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to develop and extend your knowledge and practical experience of the research process. You will utilise advanced research methods within a sport coaching context and develop a research project in a journal style.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Teaching methods
To support your studies, the course adopts a blended learning structure, including a mixture of online live lessons, pre-prepared online learning materials, applied work-related learning and face-to-face contact sessions one day per month in Liverpool.
In semester 1 and 2 (September to May), live online lessons will be held on one half day per week (usually on Thursday afternoon for first years and Friday afternoon for second years). In addition, you will have weekly online tutorials with your personal tutor and have work – such as reading, tasks and assignments – to complete in your own time. In semester 3, you will work online with your individual supervisor on your research project.
The face-to-face teaching sessions are delivered by LJMU staff. Typically, these are held on one day each month in semester 1 and semester 2 (usually on Thursday for first years and Friday for second years). The sessions will be delivered at LJMU’s City Campus, which includes practical sport facilities. Please note that students are responsible for funding their own visa, travel, accommodation and any other expenses for the sessions in Liverpool.
You can also access our masterclass workshops presented by expert external speakers to further enrich your learning. This flexible approach enables you to develop cutting-edge coaching knowledge, apply it to your own context and develop your network within the coaching industry.
Applied learning
50 hours of work-related learning is embedded in the Coach Education and Development module. During this module you will complete and learn from work-related learning during a placement. This can be provided by you in your own context, or with one of LJMU 's sporting partners in a range of sports, such as football, tennis and cricket.
Applied learning is also embedded throughout the other modules and all assignments are contextualised to your needs. For example, the essay produced for the Coaching as a Social Process module will enable you to analyse your specific social context. This may involve coaching in school, community or high-performance contexts, and will be bespoke to your career. Similar approaches will be used in other modules.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
This programme is based in the City Campus. LJMU has invested 35 million in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for our current and future sport scientists. All of our labs are furnished with the latest equipment which enables us to work with our students and partners to enhance our understanding of the science behind human performance and behaviour.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Dr Colum Cronin
Programme Leader
Dr Colum Cronin teaches on the BA (Hons) Physical Education, BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching, MSc Sport Coaching and MSc International Sport Coaching programmes. Colum shares his research expertise during his teaching, which explores how coaches can develop caring relationships with athletes. Colums other research interests include disability sport coaching and coach education. He is Associate Editor of academic journal Sports Coaching Review and was recently awarded the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) Young Scholar of the Year Award 2019. He has worked with a number of sporting organisations, such as the Football Association and UK Coaching.
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
This programme enables you to work in a variety of environments with a range of athletes. It is ideally suited to anyone keen to develop a career in roles such as: Physical Educator, Assistant Coach, Coach, Head Coach, Director of Coaching, Coach Educator, Coach Developer and Policy Maker. You could also pursue a career as a coaching researcher, in teaching or lecturing. It also provides progression routes to PhD study and other industry research roles.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees:
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
- 2:1 honours degree in a related area (2:2 honours degree considered where applicants can demonstrate extensive experience)
Additional requirements
-
Relevant work experience
- at least three years’ coaching experience
Further information
- Extra Requirements
-
RPL
- RPL is accepted on this programme
International requirements
IELTS
- IELTS 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component)
Other international requirements
The blended learning structure of this course (partially online and partially in person) does not currently meet the criteria for a student visa application. However, the programme is open to those who do not require a student visa. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for the programme, please contact internationaladmissions@ljmu.ac.uk ahead of submitting an application.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
Desirable criteria
You should:
- have a minimum of three years coaching experience, including responsibility for planning, implementing, analysing and revising annual coaching programmes
- be able to demonstrate your responsibility for coaching session preparation, delivery and review
have evidence of sport-specific coaching qualifications (e.g. UKCC Level 2 or equivalent)
Your student experience
There's so much more to university than just studying for a degree.
Postgraduate life at LJMU
See the amazing support you will get from the university, the academic expertise of the staff here, the first-class learning environment, fabulous libraries, excellent career guidance and their ongoing love affair with the city of Liverpool.
Accommodation
As a new student at LJMU, we guarantee accommodation right in the heart of the dynamic city centre, with easy access to the main University campuses.
You can view our approved accommodation to see the halls that we offer to new students.
Your campus
We’re very proud of our campuses. Not only because they provide a modern and inspiring learning space for all our students but also because they’re a place people really want to be.
Living in Liverpool
Liverpool is one of Europe's most dynamic and cultured cities. Come find out why it's a great city to study in.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes.
Sports, societies and lifestyle
Getting involved in sports, clubs and societies at Liverpool John Moores University is a great way to challenge yourself, meet people who share your interests, and feel more connected to the University community.
Talk to our students
Connect with a current LJMU student through Unibuddy for insights and advice on university life, courses, and more.
See what our students are saying
At LJMU we want you to know you’re making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:
News and views
Browse through the latest stories and updates from the University and beyond
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.