Programme structure

The MSc in Performance Coaching and Development is a part-time and fully online masters programme.

This unique programme has been designed for practicing coaches, coach developers and associated professionals. It has been developed to complement their work, and extend their knowledge and understanding of coaching and coach development by providing evidence informed support in their workplace.

Coaches with academic and non-academic backgrounds and experience in various coaching settings - such as team, individual, action and adventure sports, working with tactical athletes, professional development, fellow associated support professionals and coach development - will have the opportunity to work in a stimulating environment with a uniquely skilled team that combines real-world coaching expertise with development and sector-leading research.

Our University staff have a unique record of achievement in this field, having worked with over 90 world or Olympic medallists, international sports teams, world-class sports performers, senior leaders in business and National Sports Organisations across several continents.

From a research perspective, our Institute includes two research centres accredited by the International Olympic Committee:

• The Olympic Research Centre - The UK's Olympic Research Centre drives major projects including a longitudinal study of injury, health, and wellbeing in Olympians (in partnership with Bath University).

• The Scottish Centre for Olympic Research (SCORE) - provides education and research in sociocultural aspects of Olympism.

Programme structure

The MSc in Performance Coaching and Development is delivered part-time, and can be taken over a 24 to 72-month period. The programme combines academic study with practical application based on your coaching practice. To successfully complete the Masters programme, students will take six taught courses (20 credits each for a total of 120 credits) followed by a supervised dissertation project (60 credits). 

You can complete the full MSc by completing 180 credits or exit earlier with a Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) or a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits). The possible outcomes and, therefore, the level of commitment is extremely flexible.

Postgraduate Certificate

For example, to exit the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate in Performance Coaching and Development, you would complete the following courses:

Postgraduate Diploma

After completion of the courses above, you can exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance Coaching and Development by completing a further three courses:

Masters (MSc)

After successful completion of the above six taught courses (120 credits), to complete the full MSc in Performance Coaching and Development, you will also undertake a final research project, a supervised Coaching Dissertation (60 credits). Your final research project will enable you to focus on innovation, creativity and flexibility in your coaching domain and can be written as a dissertation or journal article.

The dissertation is a major piece of research that demands significant time and commitment from the student. Through the dissertation, the student has the opportunity to identify a research topic, develop and implement a logical fieldwork plan for gathering data and undertake systematic analysis and write-up of the data. Students will be supported through this process through both the Real World Research in Performance course and individual meetings with a designated supervisor.

There is an option of submitting a 'traditional' dissertation or students may choose to submit their dissertation as a peer-reviewed journal article. 

Course descriptions (2024-25)

Course Adaptability and Flexibility

Once you have completed the Managing the Coaching Process course, you take the four core courses concluding with the Real World Research in Performance course in which you will plan your final Coaching Dissertation.

This flexibility enables you to fit your study around your coaching commitments.

For those wishing to delve even further into the design and deployment of innovation in coaching, you have the option to apply for our PhD programme. Achieving a doctorate at a world-class University is a marker of your ability and a tremendous cachet for your future career.

Postgraduate Research degrees (PhD) at Moray House

Learning outcomes

The programme aims to develop:

• Coaches as professional, lifelong learners who are capable of designing career-long learning opportunities for themselves and others.

• Coaches who are critical thinkers, able to assess and evaluate the quality of knowledge, theories, and policy that informs their coaching practice.

• Coaches who are able to identify the challenges that inform coaching research.

• Coaches with specialist research skills; able to analyse, critique and evaluate coaching programmes, practices and processes.

• Coaches who are capable of designing impactful interventions that develop performance.

• Coaches as learners with transferable skills who are able to conceive, construct and implement socially responsible contributions to the coaching field.