Click here to edit using the old editor

BSc (Hons) - Sport Conditioning and Performance Analysis

You’re inspired by how sporting success effects positive change in individuals and society, enriches lives and improves wellbeing. You have a true passion for sport and the drive to help others achieve their full performance potential and dreams of success in elite sport. That’s why on this sport conditioning and performance analysis course, we will give you the support and opportunities you need to become your best.

Our BSc (Hons) Sport Conditioning and Performance Analysis degree is designed to give you the industry knowledge, skills and employment prospects to work in an elite sport performance environment. What’s more, our sport courses are ranked 1st in the North West for continuation and 2nd in the North West for career prospects (Guardian University Guide 2023 Results).

Apply Register Interest

Book an Open Day

Lancaster All

Sport Conditioning and Performance Analysis cover image

Course Overview

On this course you will examine the science behind sport performance, conduct diagnostics, analyse an athlete’s fitness, technical performance and tactical play, make recommendations for appropriate training for improved performance, and provide feedback to athletes, coaches and support staff.

Teaching is complemented by practical sessions, providing valuable experience working with clubs and athletes during modules and on placement, preparing you to work within a performance environment. You’ll receive insight from industry professionals, gain additional qualifications and have access to facilities including our performance analysis suite, strength and conditioning room, human performance lab and sports facilities.

We support your pursuit of interests through our industry links with professional sports clubs and national governing bodies to fast-track a career in performance sport coaching, performance development, talent identification, sport science support and performance analysis.

On this course you will...

Gain a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of sport conditioning and performance analysis, and its application in enhancing athlete performance at all levels of sport - from grassroots to elite performers.
Develop hands-on techniques and skills to conduct diagnostics and analyse an athlete’s fitness, technical performance and tactical play, and develop exercise training programmes for improving athlete performance.
Positively contribute to sporting performance by applying academic theory and practitioner skills to practice in a real-world environment, through vocational experience on modules and undertaking a 100-hour placement.
Learn the complex reality which is performance analysis and sport-specific conditioning through working with athletes/players from sports including football, rugby, athletics, hockey, cycling, golf, dance and outdoor sports.
Gain the Hudl Certification in Notational Analysis. On graduation, you can apply for the International Society of Performance Analysis of Sport (ISPAS) Level 1 accreditation.
Be taught in small class sizes, which means you get to know your class and tutors well, allowing you to feel supported during your studies.

Apply

Book an Open Day

Lancaster All

Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationLancaster
Institute Institute of Health
UCAS CodeC612
Delivery StyleIn-person
Course DurationFull-time: 3 Years
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardBSc (Hons)
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysLancaster
All

Minimum entry requirements

104-112

UCAS Tariff points

Tuition fees

£9,535

UK | Year

£14,900

International | Year

Tuition Fees Policy

Course Structure

What you will learn

The modules on this course will deliver high-quality, profession-specific training, including in the underpinning disciplines of physiology, biomechanics and psychology. These will be applied to the objective evaluation and analysis of athlete performance, utilising the data and information gathered to inform exercise prescription and the development of sport-specific conditioning training programmes. You will build highly developed communication and interprofessional skills, which you will apply to vocational contexts and in providing feedback to athletes, coaches and support staff. Key strands that run throughout this programme are sport-specific conditioning and performance analysis, with research and investigative techniques underpinning the academic study.

Year one

In your first year you will develop a foundational knowledge and develop practical skills through modules that explore the principles of human movement and function, sport psychology, basic exercise techniques and training principles, coaching practitioner skills and the fundamentals of performance analysis.

Personal and Professional Development
A practical introduction to a range of skills to help you make sense of academic research, including how to find, evaluate and read academic sources.
Principles of Human Movement and Function
Develop an anatomical and physiological understanding of the human body’s systems related to sports performance, and knowledge of the biomechanical principles of kinesiology, kinematics and kinetics which underpin human movement and function.
Exercise Techniques and Training
Learn how to instruct safe and appropriate exercise techniques related to developing basic components of fitness, designed to improve health and sporting performance.
Developing the Practitioner Toolkit
Explore an underpinning knowledge and understanding of fundamental pedagogical processes within sports coaching.
Introduction to Sport Psychology
You will explore some of the processes that underpin the teaching and learning of skilled movement patterns and examine factors affecting motivation. The concepts covered will be applied to coaching and sport performance.
Introduction to Performance Analysis
You will develop a knowledge and understanding of performance analysis and the role of a performance analyst. You will explore the use of systematic observation tools used to collect various performance-related data and draw appropriate conclusions based on the results.

Year two

At level 5 the focus is on developing subject- and practitioner-specific knowledge and skills through undertaking modules on strength and conditioning and field-based conditioning. The focus is on the preparation of the athlete for general and sport-specific fitness and sport-specific skills required for optimal performance. Performance analysis is further developed through exploring the effectiveness of technical and tactical performance, normative profiling, and analysis of opponent strengths and weaknesses using movement and notational analysis. You will also explore and analyse the performance of coaches’ behaviours and feedback processes in exploring leadership and relationships in sport.

Investigative Techniques
You will prepare to conduct a personal research project in an area of interest aimed at developing professional knowledge and expertise. You will consider research methodology, ethics, data analysis and formulating a research question.
Strength and Conditioning for Performance
You will understand the physical requirements of athletes and learn how to construct, deliver and evaluate training plans aimed at meeting athlete needs and maximising sporting potential and performance.
Leadership and Relationships in Sport
You will develop a knowledge, understanding and awareness of the nature of coach behaviour and coach-athlete relationships. Models of leadership and the practitioner will be explored using a variety of methods.
Field Based Conditioning for Sport
On this module your focus will be on how to improve the physiological parameters that govern successful sporting performance. You will explore the physiological responses to conditioning strategies within a range of sports.
Applied Movement Analysis
Knowledge and understanding of biomechanical and physiological principles are applied to analyse movement. You will be introduced to field-based methods of motion analysis and evaluate the limitations involved, considering reliability measures and further examining statistical data presentation.
Applied Notational Analysis
You will advance your knowledge and application of notational analysis to produce meaningful and actionable data for stakeholders through recording live sport that will be used to develop skills in the use of specialised notational analysis software.

Year three

Knowledge and skills developed previously will be applied in specific sporting contexts at level 6 through sport performance testing and prescription, applied conditioning and performance analysis modules, a practitioner placement and investigative project. The emphasis at this level of study is to apply theory to practice and enhance practitioner and graduate skills ready to work within an elite sport performance environment.

Independent Investigative Project
Conduct an original research investigation of your own choice, supported by a dissertation supervisor, and communicate your findings.
Sport Performance Testing and Prescription
You will explore laboratory and field-based assessments of performance and interpret data appropriately. During the module you will select and deliver appropriate tests for a range of athletes and provide a client with improvement strategies based on test results.
Applied Conditioning and Performance Analysis
Drawing on previous knowledge and understanding gained throughout the programme, you will identify, collect, analyse and report on performance-related data, not only from singular perspectives but also from their conjunction, to aid fuller understanding of sporting performance.
Practitioner Placement
You will apply theoretical knowledge to professional practice by undertaking a 100-hour vocational placement of your choice. You will critically analyse professional practice with respect to theory and reflect upon your own professional practice.

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

A variety of teaching and learning methods are used throughout the programme and are designed to:

Be student-centred, flexible and modern whilst being challenging and stimulating.
Support your needs at different stages of development.
Be fully supported by, and integrated with, technological approaches such as the Blackboard virtual learning environment (VLE).
Provide technology-enhanced learning to support practical learning with a range of software systems and online resources.
Actively ensure theoretical work is linked to practice, and practical and analytical skills are developed and applied to complex problems and situations.
Develop your academic skills, other key lifelong learning skills and yourself as an independent and self-directed learner, communicating the ethos of reflective learning.
Develop your ability to learn effectively and progress academically, including through an in-depth, evidence-based research dissertation.
Provide an interprofessional perspective and appreciation of how topics covered, and knowledge and skills learnt, are applied by other practitioners working in industry.

Key knowledge, understanding, transferable and subject-specific skills are practised and developed through a wide range of teaching and learning methods, including: lectures, seminars, workshops, practical demonstrations/observational learning, laboratory-based practical work, practical teaching/coaching sessions, case studies, discussion, debates, small group work, seminar presentations, reflection, problem-based learning, vocational placement, independent study and research projects.

The proportion of the methods used varies with the focus of each module. Staff on the programme engage in continuing professional development, hold subject-specific qualifications at a higher level, conduct research pertinent to their subject expertise and professional practice, and have significant experience working in coaching and performance sport bringing professional real-world experience to the programme.

How you will be assessed

Modules use formative and summative assessment so that you can progress through a module in a structured and constructive way and build knowledge for practice in a coherent and logical way. Formative assessments are designed so that feedback on your performance is provided before the submission of the final, summative assessment, and will occur regularly to inform your progress and performance. Formative work does not contribute to the final module mark or the credit awarded. Formative tasks and assessments will feature in all modules and provide you with further learning opportunities, alongside skill development, for example non-graded presentation skills, delivery and reflection.

A varied diet of summative assessment methods will be utilised to prepare you for further academic study and professional practice, reflecting the multi-disciplinary nature of this programme and the increasing demand for employment-ready graduates. Assessment methods are specified in each module guide and will include:

Academic essays and reports
Projects
Exams
Reflective reports
Presentations (individual and group)
Practical skills assessments
Data analysis and interpretation
Portfolios research project

Portfolios may comprise several pieces of work which together provide evidence of learning and demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes in a variety of modes. For example, written pieces as well as video recordings, practical activities or presentations, PowerPoint slides, a series of reflections, and online discussions are just some of the ways you may evidence your learning. Learning and Teaching Assessment (LTA) approaches will be continually evaluated and improved upon using module evaluations, student feedback, peer review of teaching, and module development sessions. These will ensure an enhanced student learning experience and continuing professional development of the academic team to maintain best practice in Learning, Teaching and Assessment.

Overview

104-112 UCAS Tariff Points, You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table. Offers are tailored to the individual applicant and their circumstances and can be across the tariff range. Applicants who meet our contextual information criteria will be offered at the bottom of the range.

GCSE English Language Maths at grade 4/C or above. Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths and Adult Literacy and Numeracy are also accepted. A full list of acceptable level 2 qualifications can be found here: Level 2 Acceptable Entry Requirements .

DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CHECK

If you accept an offer of a place we require you to comply with an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background clearance check. Details on the policy can be found here.

If you think you have a criminal conviction You will need to submit a Criminal Record Self Disclosure Form as part of the process For more information on this and the form itself, please refer to Self-disclosure of criminal record.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

GCSEs: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C or above.

A-levels: BCC-BBC

T-levels: P (C+) – M. All subjects are accepted for entry to this course

Access to HE: 15 Credits at Distinction & 30 at Merit 

CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: C-B

OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: MMM-DMM

Scottish Highers: BBBC - BBBB

Irish LC Highers: B1, B2x3 – B1x3, B2 

Alternative routes: If don't think you'll meet the criteria for direct application to this course, check out our integrated foundation year 

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here), applicants that are estranged from their parents, are care leavers or have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply) 

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information. 

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2025 - 2026

£9,535 - UK
£14,900 - International

2024-2025:

£9,250 - UK
£13,575 - International

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

Books and Journals

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change. Your course welcome information will provide indicative list for the year. You'll need to spend approximately £100-200 a year on textbooks and scripts although this cost can be reduced considerably by sourcing secondhand copies of books.

Stationery

You will need to budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. You should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30-£40 per year for these items.

Clothing and Equipment

Your clothing should provide freedom of movement (i.e.be flexible and comfortable). In addition, you are expected to wear appropriate trainers and a University sports kit during practical sessions and on placement. You will receive information about purchasing this before starting your course. However, please expect to budget approximately £120-£200 for specialist clothing and equipment. University sports kit items include: polo shirt, Dri-FIT t-shirt, long-sleeve top, shorts, and straight or slim-fit tracksuit bottoms.

Other

There may also be some additional costs applicable to cover field trips, membership fees, etc., although such features are usually options within the course. Travel costs for community-based activities and placement will need to be covered; this is likely to cost around £30-£50. You will also need to undertake a DBS check as part of your admission to the programme at a personal cost of between £50-£60.

Experience Sport at Cumbria

Controls for the spotlight carousel

Location
Lancaster Campus
Lancaster is the Red Rose heartland, a student haven full of history and culture. With iconic stone architecture, parkland, and a caring community, this is the place to get involved. The campus houses top-quality facilities tailored to the needs of life-savers, world changers, and future leaders.
Find out more

BSc (Hons) - Sport Conditioning and Performance Analysis