Undergraduate Course

Performance Analysis and Coaching Science with Foundation Year

BSc (Hons)

Course details

Study options

Full-time: 4 years

UK fee

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

International fee

£14,900 per year (2024/25)

UCAS points

72 (September 2024 entry)

UCAS code

C6FY

Course level

Undergraduate

Qualification

BSc (Hons)

Start date

September

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Course description

Develop specialist skills in performance analysis and coaching to help inform coaches and athletes, supporting them to success. 

94%of students agreed they were satisfied with the teaching on this course**BSc (Hons) Performance Analysis and Coaching Science - National Student Survey 2023
91%of students agreed they were satisfied with the academic support**BSc (Hons) Performance Analysis and Coaching Science - National Student Survey 2023
91%of students agreed that they were satisfied with the provided learning opportunities**BSc (Hons) Performance Analysis and Coaching Science - National Student Survey 2023

Sport and Exercise Science - your questions answered

In the below video, Head of Discipline for Sport and Exercise Science, Andy Hooton, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Derby. 

Andy Hooton, Head of Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science.

View Sport and Exercise Science - your questions answered! video transcript

Performance Analysis and Coaching Science at Derby

Using the latest technologies, including Hudl Sportscode, WyScout, iCoda, Hudl Replay, VICON 3D and Quintic, this course enables you to develop specialist skills in performance analysis and coaching to help inform athletes, leading them to future successes.

Throughout the course, you’ll study exciting modules examining the theory and science behind performance analysis and coaching, designed to prepare you for work in the industry. We’ll also introduce you to some of the other sport sciences, such as biomechanics, psychology and physical performance, vital for a successful career in performance sport.

We’ll help you by combining your understanding of how to analyse both individuals and teams in a variety of different sports. Unique work placement and internship opportunities with professional clubs allow you to apply your theoretical knowledge to practice - essential preparation for your future career.

Find out more about the course by watching the video below:

Female student working on an iMac over looking the 4G pitch.

View Performance Analysis and Coaching Science at the University of Derby video transcript

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

Expert teaching

Many of our staff work in the industry as practitioners, ensuring that what we teach you is current and relevant to industry practice. Some of our work in the industry includes with national and international athletes and coaches. We’re also actively involved in research with many of our staff undertaking high-level scientific research investigations on themes such as improving athletes' performance through coaching, performance profiling, sports psychology, and the use of latest technologies.

A female student working on a macbook

Preparing the new wave of performance analysts

Learn how our rela­tion­ship with Hudl is pow­er­ing the devel­op­ment of the next gen­er­a­tion of analysts.

Read Hudl's articleRead Hudl's article

Build the practical skills for success

This course features innovative learning and assessment strategies so that you can experience real-world environments throughout your studies. You’ll work with both internal and external sports teams on a range of interdisciplinary and practical projects.

To add an extra dimension to your learning, we offer internship opportunities with organisations such as Derby County FC, Leicester Tigers Rugby Club and the Derbyshire Institute of Sport.

Our approach to assessment has been designed in collaboration with industry partners so that it reflects the type of work undertaken by practitioners in professional sport.

Performance Analysis Suite

Kedleston Road is home to our Sports Centre and specialist sports science facilities including our suite of performance analysis equipment. You'll get to work in our new Performance Analysis Suite, which is fully equipped with 20 dual screen iMac computers. Not only will you use this facility within teaching and practical sessions, but you can use it within applied work and self-guided exploration in your own time. Each iMac has a number of the leading video analysis, data analysis, and visualisations software packages to ensure you are able to fine-tune each of these key skill sets and be fully prepared for a successful career within the applied world. As well as a number of pitch and court schematics to facilitate the application of the analysis work undertaken, the suite incorporates teaching and lecture capabilities to ensure students can combine theory and practical in a parallel environment.

"The type of hands-on practical we get at the University is a variety of different things, so outside we have the 4G pitch where we've done a lot of athlete testing out there and also we have access to the Performance Analysis Centre where we can do a lot of data analysis. We have dual-screen iMacs where we have access to Huddle. This is a type of software where you can analyse data and analyse sporting events." Chloe Dhillon, Bsc (Hons) Performance Analysis and Coaching Science graduate 

Students working in the CPACs Suite

Specialist facilities

You’ll also benefit from our laboratories and our bespoke performance suite. The Sports Centre also includes a range of sports facilities including fitness gym studios, squash and badminton courts, outdoor pitches, an indoor climbing wall, sprint track and sports hall. It also houses our Human Performance Unit, which delivers sport science support services and workshops to assist professional and amateur athletes to improve their performance in a range of sports.

Our Performance Suite

Our Performance Suite allows Sport and Exercise Science students to learn about performance analysis, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, and injury prevention. As well as elite athletes outside of the University, you'll also be working with our Team Derby athletes to help them improve their performance and successfully compete. Take a look at the Performance Suite and Vicon cameras in action:

Radzi in the Performance Suite at our Sports Centre.

View Open Day Live - Performance Suite video transcript

Join Team Derby

If you enjoy a challenge and would like to make the most of your own sporting passion and prowess, you could become involved with Team Derby which is the focal point for the University’s sporting community. It encompasses all aspects of sport, including courses, numerous sports clubs, the Athletics Union and sport development activities. You can also take part in the national BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) competitions.

We have also recently appointed Double Olympic Medallist, Bryan Steel, as the Head Coach for Team Derby Performance Sport Cycling. Bryan is a celebrated figure in the world of cycling, bringing a wealth of experience to his role. The decorated Olympian, who represented Team GB at four Olympic Games from 1992 to 2004, boasts an impressive medal collection. His crowning achievements include a bronze medal in the team pursuit event at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Games in the same discipline. Brian's journey also includes 14 World Championship appearances, where he secured five medals, along with three medals at the Commonwealth Games. With the arrival of Bryan, Performance Sport at the university will work in partnership with HUUB-BCC Race Team to give track and road riders access to an elite pathway during and post higher education. This collaboration opens doors for Team Derby Performance Cycling's athletes, offering a unique opportunity to bridge their academic pursuits with professional cycling aspirations.

students on the performance sport programme at University of Derby

View Performance Sport at Derby video transcript

Mark Faghy conducting research in the background, with a man wearing an oxygen mask.

Managing Excellence

When Mark Faghy first arrived in Derby as a teenage undergraduate, he stated proudly that his goal was to become manager of the England football team. Now he is a respected research academic leading an international collaboration in the fight against Covid. And his students are helping.

Read Mark's storyRead Mark's story

What you will study

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

This applied programme will use the latest technology and performance analysis systems in our new £10.8m state-of-the-art sport centre to develop knowledge and skills in the classroom and applied settings. Opportunities will be available for students to work in an interdisciplinary environment, with internal and external sport teams. You will also have the opportunity to undertake an internship with professional and non-professional sport clubs and organisations, to enhance your employability.

Assessment

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, including coursework, practicals, exams, and presentations. Assessments will be individual and group based, with a strong emphasis on applied work. All assessment methods have been designed to prepare you for industry.

Personal academic tutoring

Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.

Find out more about personal academic tutoring

Who will teach you

James Mitchell
Programme leader

James Mitchell is a Lecturer in Sport Outdoor and Exercise Science at the University of Derby.

View full staff profileView full staff profile

Entry requirements

2024 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points72
A LevelDDD
T LevelPass
BTECMMP
GCSEGCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 24, Pass: 21

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

If you're an international student and want to improve your English language skills before you start your course, the Derby English Language Centre's pre-sessional English course can help you. 

Fees and funding

2024/25

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

N/A

International

£14,900 per year

N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Careers

Our degree offers the perfect route into career areas such as elite sport, performance analysis, talent identification and sport coaching in the UK and abroad.

You can also consider taking your qualifications to the next level. We offer the MSc Clinical Exercise Science and  MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science – which includes a Sport and Exercise Psychology pathway – where you will develop advanced knowledge in your chosen subject.

Through our Professional Development Package, you'll gain valuable transferable skills, including:

Careers and Employment Service

To boost your employment skills, you can access the University's Careers and Employability Service. The team can connect you with employers to help find opportunities for work placements, part-time jobs, and volunteering. Our careers consultants are also on hand to guide you through the career options for your degree, CV writing, or starting your own business - and we commit to helping you for three years after you graduate to find a job. 

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Contact us Contact us

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

Included in your fees
For September 2024
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
Optional costs not included in your fees

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

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