SETU’s Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Sports Performance Analysis has a longstanding reputation for developing graduates with the knowledge and skills required to achieve success in the varying field of high-performance sport.
The programme is now accepting applications for a new cohort of learners in September 2025. The master’s prepares graduates for a diverse range of opportunities in a career as performance practitioners. Numerous programme graduates work with athletes and teams at provincial, national and Olympic levels.
Our Master's in Sports Performance Analysis is designed to equip aspiring analysts with the practical, real-world skills needed for high performance sport, all built on a strong academic foundation. We focus on ensuring our students become highly effective practitioners.
Johnny Bradley SETU Lecturer and Programme Director
Achieving gold through performance analysis
Programme graduate, Kevin McGuigan, has 15 years of experience working in sports performance analysis.
Having previously worked as the Head of Performance Analysis at Swim Ireland, he has since entered the role of Head of Sport Science and Sport Medicine with the organisation.
“The master’s programme in Sports Performance and Analysis gave me the necessary technical skills and competences needed to accompany my professional experience in the area,” said Kevin.
He continued, “It allowed me to feel confident in working with a multi-disciplinary team and with coaching professionals in an applied environment.”
Kevin’s work with Swim Ireland brought him to the 2024 Paris Olympics where he supported Team Ireland in achieving three medals: bronze for Mona McSharry, and gold for Dan Wiffen.
Real-world opportunities
The M.Sc. in Sports Performance Analysis provides graduates with real-world opportunities, practical skills, and academic learnings to become the effective performance analysis practitioners that are being sought nationally and internationally.
“The programme provides students with access to the latest technologies, academic research, and sports analytics tools. By strongly emphasising the realities of high-performance sport, students develop the ability to critically reflect, evaluate, and effectively apply sports performance analysis principles to real-world challenges,” added Johnny.
Invaluable analysis of sporting performance
Programme graduate, Brian McClelland, is currently working with Sport Ireland Institute as a Performance Analyst.
Brian’s work focuses largely on the Irish Women’s hockey team; however, he has also worked with a wide range of Irish sport, including diving, equestrian, and modern pentathlon.
Speaking about his role, Brian said, “Performance analysis greatly assists the coaching process. My role is to gather evidence to inform the feedback process. This allows athletes, coaches and support staff, to better understand their performance beyond the final result of a game or competition.”
Brian found the practical approach of the master’s programme to be invaluable to his professional career.
He said, “Working closely with sports teams and lecturers gave me the opportunity to apply skills I learned to the real world.”
Referring to the skills taught on the programme, Johnny added, “Graduates learn how to analyse sporting performances in a dynamic and critical way, creating improved clarity for sporting staff, coaches and athletes.”
A career with the Football Association of Ireland
Shane Power completed the master’s programme alongside his role with the Football Association of Ireland as a Lead Analyst.
“The blend of group work with independent study allowed me to deepen my communications skills which are essential to working as a Sports Performance Analyst. This has deeply enriched my professional role,” he said.
“The programme’s blended learning approach meant that I had the flexibility to earn my master’s degree while continuously developing in my work role,” he added.
Applications for the M.Sc. in Sports Performance Analysis are currently open. Apply directly to the programme here.
For programme queries, contact Johnny Bradley at [email protected]
