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During this programme, you will:  

• Develop advanced coaching strategies by integrating cutting-edge research and case studies from leading practitioners. 

• Enhance your coaching practice by working with a community of your peers. You will work together to reflect on your session plans, coaching behaviours and athlete development. On this course, your coaching is the curriculum. 

• Develop your leadership, management, data analysis, and critical thinking.  

• Conduct applied research to evaluate and improve your coaching effectiveness and contribute to the wider coaching community. 

Key Information: 

• Complete part-time over two years 

• Blended delivery. Mostly online learning, with three on-campus days per semester 

• Designed for working professionals., to connect with like-minded peers. 

• Second year includes a research project tailored to your coaching practice and career goals 

• Graduate with an MSc Applied Sports Coaching 

You will learn through a blend of: 

• Workshops and case studies 

• Reflective practice and supervised research 

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers through group work and assessments 

Year 1  

Autumn Semester 

• will help you to critically evaluate your coaching practice and effectiveness while refining your own coaching philosophy. 

Spring Semester 

• will support you in developing reflective practice as a tool for continuous coaching development.  

• will develop your skills in data collection, evaluation, and communication, using performance insights to inform decision-making and athlete development. 

Summer Semester 

• will explore talent identification, athlete pathways, and coach education, helping you analyse models and develop strategies for growth. 

Year 2 

Autumn Semester 

• will develop your leadership and management skills, focusing on culture, team dynamics, and performance planning. 

• will equip you with the skills to design, justify, and apply research methods to enhance your coaching practice. 

Exit Route: Graduate Diploma 

Spring Semester 

• conduct a personal research project to investigate and develop a key aspect of your coaching. 

Summer Semester 

• will support you to continue your independent research, allowing you to complete a research project that contributes to your development. 

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.  

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s  

There are two routes that candidates can apply for a place on this programme: 

Entry Route 1 

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree ( Level 8,) with at least a second-class honour, grade 2 (2:2) in a relevant discipline such as Sports Science, Physical Education, Strength and Conditioning, Coaching Science, Exercise Science, or Physiotherapy.  

• You must hold at least a National Governing Body Level 1 Coaching Award. 

• You must show previous experience in sports coaching and be actively coaching for the duration of the programme.  

• Garda clearance  

• The university may shortlist and invite you to an interview.   

Entry Route 2 

At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. 

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the bachelor’s degree entry requirements; indeed, because of our focus on applied practice, over half of applicants to this course come through RPL.  You will need to show that you can meet the remaining requirements in entry route 1 and have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme. 

International students: 

• For details on country-specific qualifications visit postgraduate entry requirements for international students. 

 Checklist of Documents: 

• *Academic transcripts and certificates, translated if needed
  • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport
• English translation of your qualifications and transcripts
• Copy of your CV
• Your completed coaching experience form 

English Language: 

• English Language Competency certificate 

• For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements   

Guidelines on Completing your Application  

• To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
  • Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist.
  • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Coaching Experience Form, "English Language Certificate" etc.
• *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying. 

EU - €4,000 per annum*

Non-EU €9,100 per annum*

* Year 2 fees are subject to change 

Please note that this part-time programme is not available to students who require a study visa for Ireland. 

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).  

 
Funding 

Find further information on funding and scholarships.

The MSc Applied Sports Coaching can lead graduates to the following sectors and careers:   

• High-performance coaching (elite teams, national federations, professional clubs)
• Coach education and mentoring (training and developing future coaches)
• Sports science and applied research (integrating evidence-based coaching strategies)
• Performance analysis and talent identification (using data analytics to enhance performance)
• Sports management and leadership (leading coaching teams and development programmes)

Angie Griffin, Gymnastics Coach, Graduate 2022 

“Being a part of something bigger and working as a team allows you to achieve your goals and create stronger programmes. We helped each other understand our own sport and see things from a different perspective that helped us grow. The more ways you look at something, the more knowledge you will gain.” 

Michael McCrossan, Field Hockey Coach, Graduate 2023 

“This course is a ‘must do’ for any coach open to improving their coaching performance. The course has encouraged me to become more self-reflective in my practice, but more importantly, it has provided me with the tools to do it. The material is presented in a logic and sequential way with readings, podcasts, videos and highly qualified, and interesting guest speakers. One of the highlights of the course is the opportunity to share my thoughts on coaching and my coaching practice with my peers. The individual ‘assists’ and feedback from the group have been invaluable. The diverse range of coaching experience and expertise adds to the mix and the enjoyment. The support and teaching on the course has been first rate from the outset.”  

Luke Barret, Gaelic Football Coach, Graduate 2023 

Go for it. I had every excuse in the world lined up in my head about why I shouldn't do this course. But it was the best decision I've made and the most enjoyable two years in my coaching journey. The research, the conversations and the access to high-level practitioners challenged my thinking and gave me the opportunity to improve. The course flies by and, at times, looks like the workload is huge but it gets done and what you will get from it completely outweighs any potential doubt you have. 

��ɫ��Ƶ Alumni Spotlight: Luke Barrett 

Still Curious?  

The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.     

Online Information Sessions