Online application for the MSc Sports Performance has been extended to Friday 5th October for a January 2019 intake. Shortlisted for the Gradireland Best New Postgraduate Programme in 2015, the MSc in Sports Performance is a full-time one-year or part-time two-year postgraduate programme. The programme prepares successful graduates for a career in sports performance analysis specialising in strength & conditioning, video analysis and nutrition.
The programme is offered by the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences. The theoretical, laboratory and applied aspects of the programme are delivered in an outstanding teaching and learning environment whilst also utilising the most-up-to-date technologies available in the field.
Programme Aims & Accreditation
The MSc Sports Performance programme aims to increase understanding of advanced practices in sport performance by appreciating as well as challenging current practices and designing innovative alternatives. 
The course includes professional Strength and Conditioning Accreditation and students can also attain as part of the course International Society of Performance Analysis in Sport (ISPAS) Video Analysis Accreditation. Students are encouraged and supported to complete the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Award as well as International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) Accreditation through the programme. 
Programme Outline:
Full-Time Programme
Part-Time Programme
Work Placement
As part of the programme, students are provided with an experience of working in a high performance environment before they graduate. The placement programme offers students the opportunity to develop contacts within business, industry, public and professional sectors whilst also helping students to develop the skills they will need to achieve their long-term career goals. Local, national and international placements are available for students with our strategic partners and organisations including Statsports, Redback Biotek, GAA, Coaching Ireland, Oxford United FC, Rugby Canada, Western Province Rugby / Stellenbosch Academy of Sport, Oriam Scotland, Triathlon Ireland and Munster & Connaught Rugby to name just some.
Progression & Career Pathways
Since the course commenced in 2012, an exceptionally high number of students have gone on to work in sport performance related roles. Based on the 2016 First Destinations Report 75% of the graduating class are now in employment in sport performance related roles with 15% in further study or training. 
Notable alumni and current roles include:
Jerry Flannery (Scrum Coach, Munster Rugby)
Mark O’Donovan (Strength and Conditioning Coach, Irish Paralympic Rowing Team)
Cairbre Ó Cairealláin (Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Arsenal Ladies FC)
Darren Murray (Head Coach Centre of Excellence, Football Association of Ireland)
Ian Sherwin (Lecturer in Sports Management & Coaching, Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown)
Michael Fennelly (Lecturer in Sport Science, Limerick Institute of Technology)
Paudie McCarthy (Performance Analyst & Production Team Leader – STATS LLC)
Oisin O Dalaigh (Performance Analyst, Connaught Rugby)
Graduates from the programme are also working in a number of other strength and conditioning, coaching, video / performance analysis and coaching roles across a range of sports. A number of students have become owners/managers of businesses related to Sport Science / Performance Analysis whilst others have progressed to further scholarship and PhD study. 
Fees
EU Full-time fees = €5,964. EU Part-time fees = Euro €3,988 per annum
Non-EU Full-time fees = €11,536. Non-EU Part-time fees = Euro €7,940 per annum
Some scholarships are available directly from the university and applicants can check the following link for updates when applying.
http://www3.ul.ie/courses/scholarships.shtml.
Application & Programme Requirements
We provide two entry options to this programme. The normal route is for applicants with a ratified BSc 2:2 honours (Level 8 – National Qualifications Authority of Ireland) or higher, with preference given to applicants with a degree in a discipline related to sport and exercise sciences (e.g. physical education, strength and conditioning, kinesiology, physiotherapy, physical therapy, nutrition, biomedical sciences).
Alternatively, we accept people without a related degree, if they can show significant experience in either playing sport at a high level or significant coaching / mentoring experience with athletes in a high-performance sporting environment. This route, termed, Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) requires a supporting ≤1000 word statement uploaded with the application. RPL experience needs to be considerable and supplementary evidence of this work provided within the application documentation.
Entry to the programme is based on the online written application with no interview (see link here):
http://www.ul.ie/graduateschool/course/sports-performance-msc
Supplementary evidence (e.g. qualification transcripts, certificates, workshop attendance, CV & birth certificate) needs to be provided with the application. We would also like applicants to have some experience of research/ competing/ working/ coaching/ /managing athletes in sport. Applicants need to mention any experience gained professionally or sports played as well as any other relevant experience gained.
Since 2012, the MSc Sports Performance programme has attracted students from all over the world including the UK, France, India, USA, Australia, Malaysia, Poland and China to name some. The course has worldwide appeal therefore, as the skills, knowledge and competencies developed on the programme are transferable the world over.
If you are interested in the programme or require further information contact:
Dr Mark Lyons PhD
Course Director – MSc Sports Performance
Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences
University of Limerick
Castletroy, Limerick. Ireland
Tel: 00-353-61202819
Email: mark.lyons@ul.ie
Dr Mark Lyons is Course Director for the MSc Sports Performance programme in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at the University of Limerick. Dr Lyons current research interests include strength and conditioning, fatigue effects on sports performance, match demands in Gaelic Games and physical activity and obesity in youth. You can view Marks research profile on Researchgate
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