2023/24 entry
MSc International Sport Coaching
About this course
MSc International Sport Coaching provides knowledge from the forefront of coaching research. The course is ideal for aspiring and established coaches looking to develop their practice.
- Study on this new MSc International Sport Coaching, designed and run in conjunction with Learning Works, Malta
- Course content informed by the latest research and best practice in sport coaching from LJMU's School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
- Includes personalised assignments so you can apply knowledge to your own coaching practice on topics including coaching methods, social relationships in coaching, sport psychology, training programmes, talent development and performance analysis
- Benefit from the flexibility of both online and face-to-face teaching, through a blended timetable of online learning materials, online live and pre-prepared lessons and two intensive contact weeks in Qormi, Malta (one each semester)
- Continue working as a coach in your own context, alongside studying the course
- Take part in a placement in your own context or with one of LJMU's sporting partners, and receive mentoring from LJMU staff
- Learn with a cohort of high-performing coaches and network of LJMU staff, alumni and contacts across the world of sport, including those who work in professional sports such as football, Olympic sports and international coaching contexts
The MSc International 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 LJMU's 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.
Fees and funding
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.
For fee information, visit the Learning Works website.
Employability
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.
The programme enables you to further develop your 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, lecturing or as a doctoral researcher.
The student experience
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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. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.
Core modules
Coaching as a Social Process
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
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
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
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
The module enables you to critically evaluate and integrate contemporary sport psychology research and best practice into your coaching. The modules includes an examination of current sport psychology literature to develop a coherent understanding of issues associated with emotion, motivation, peak performance and motor skill development.
Independent Study
60 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.
Talent Development and Performance Analysis
20 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.
Teaching
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
To support your studies, the course adopts a blended learning structure, including a mixture of online learning materials, online live lessons one day per week, pre-prepared online lessons and two intensive, face-to-face contact weeks in Qormi, Malta.
In semester 1 and 2 (September to May), live online lessons will be held one day per week on Fridays (10.00am to 5.00pm). In addition, you will have weekly online tutorials with your personal tutor and have work – such as reading, tasks, assignments – to complete in your own time. In semester three, you will work online with your individual supervisor on your research project.
The Malta teaching sessions will be delivered by LJMU staff and held one week each semester in November and February. The sessions will be delivered at Learning Works’ landmark building in Qormi, as well as in practical sport facilities. Please note that students are responsible for funding their own visa, travel, accommodation and any other expenses for the sessions in Malta. This flexible approach will enable you to develop cutting-edge coaching knowledge, apply it to your own context and develop your network within the coaching industry.
Teaching methods
A blended teaching approach will be undertaken including:
- Online lessons delivered using LJMU’s virtual learning environment Canvas
- Online asynchronous material (readings, tasks, lectures and discussion boards)
- Live online synchronous weekly sessions (seminars, workshops and guest lectures)
- Two one week intensive blocks of face-to-face teaching in Malta with LJMU staff
- Online tutorial support
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 LJMUs sporting partners. 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, however will be bespoke to your career. Similar approaches will be used in other modules.
Assessment
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.
A range of assessment techniques are used including:
- Coaching as a Social Process module – essay using a narrative style
- Sport Coaching Pedagogy and Practice module – portfolio
- Coach Education and Development module – case study
- Advanced Training Programmes module – report using a scientific style
- Psychology for Sport Coaching module – presentation and report
- Talent Development and Performance Analysis module – presentation
- Independent Study module – dissertation in a journal format
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Dr Colum Cronin
Programme Leader
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. Colum's 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.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
The programme is delivered by the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, which is based in the City Campus. Lessons are mainly delivered online using LJMU’s virtual learning environment Canvas. While in Malta, students will study in Learning Works' landmark building in Qormi.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
- A good (2:1 or above) honours degree in a sport related discipline, e.g. Coaching, PE, Sport Science or Sport Development
or
- Equivalent professional qualifications and substantial industry experience
Additional requirements
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Relevant work experience
- Minimum 3 years' relevant experience of coaching
Further information
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Extra Requirements
Please note that MSc International Sport Coaching is not eligible for the LJMU Alumni Award.
Application and selection
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.
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.