About this course

This unique masters, which is largely delivered online, has been designed to develop research-informed sport coaches.

The combination of online and face-to-face learning means you can learn when and where you want and also benefit from personal interaction with LJMU’s world class coaching staff. This format helps you to connect LJMU's innovative coaching research with your own coaching practice. We will support you to provide high-quality coaching in school, community, development or elite sport contexts.

• Enhance your coaching practice by working with staff to explore case studies, analyse your own practice, and research different coaching environments.
• Benefit from an industry-relevant curriculum featuring guest lectures, including professional athletes, coaches, sport scientists and coaching consultants.
• Be part of a vibrant and exclusive community of coaching peers who are also committed to helping athletes flourish in sport.

The flexible online nature of the course means that you can both maintain your existing coaching practice and access cutting-edge materials each week. Online lectures, discussion boards and interactive webinars are key features of this programme, meaning that you can access materials when and where you want. You will also be supported through small group discussions and personal tutorials (online and/or in person).

The curriculum is informed by the internationally recognised research of the teaching staff who will share their expertise on topics such as coach-athlete relationships, reflective practice, games-based coaching, athlete-centred coaching, skill acquisition and physical preparation. Due to this expertise, LJMU hosted the prestigious International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) Global Coach Conference in 2017.

Staff will also help you grow your network by connecting you with researchers and professional practitioners that they work with. For example, staff on the coaching programme are currently leading an EU-wide project on disability sport coaching, as well as working with a number of sport organisations such as St Helen’s Rugby League, The Football Association, UK Coaching, England Netball and International ParaHockey. Studying in this environment will provide you with the opportunity to improve your analytical, critical reflection and problem-solving skills, as well as enabling you to effectively manage the coaching process.

Assessment

How learning is monitored on your programme

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme. Assessment techniques vary from module to module to reflect relevant assessment approaches and the key learning points of each topic.

The programme will be assessed using essays, reports, oral presentations, a viva voce, and a dissertation.