Performance Coaching and Development (Online Learning) MSc, PgCert, PgDip

This unique online MSc in Performance Coaching and Development has been designed for practising coaches, coach developers and associated professionals who want to extend their knowledge and understanding of coaching and coach development in the workplace.

Our innovative programme offers the opportunity for 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

to work in a stimulating environment with a uniquely skilled team that combines real-world coaching expertise with development and sector-leading research.

Online learning

Our MSc in Performance Coaching and Development has been developed to complement the work of and develop active coaches, coach developers and associated professionals to provide evidence-informed support in their workplace.

All students will require reliable broadband access for the duration of the programme.

We will use blended online learning methods; discussions, short, pre-recorded lectures, small group seminars, live tutorials, guided supervision and 1:1’s to create a dynamic, collaborative environment to share experiences, expertise and professional development.

Our expert team will support you through every stage of the programme as you develop in a positive, supportive, and constructive online learning community.

The flexible learning environment means you learn at times and locations that best suit you, making this programme suitable for high-calibre busy professionals who want to update and extend their knowledge.

The program is developed and delivered at the University of Edinburgh, a World Top 20 University ( QS Rankings 2023 ) by coaching specialists from:

• The Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences ( ISPEHS )
• The Olympic Research Centre - the IOC-accredited Olympic Research Centre for the UK (in partnership with Bath University), driving major projects including a longitudinal study of injury, health, and well-being in Olympians.
• The Scottish Centre for Olympic Research (SCORE) - provides education and research in sociocultural aspects of Olympism.
• The Applied Coaching Research Group - this thriving group generates over 20 peer review papers and invited book chapters a year in the applied science of coaching.

The course has an applied focus on the future career needs of students and uses a broad range of assessments that include:

• presentations
• essays
• critical reviews of literature and coaching practice
• independent and supervised research
• reports
• a final research project that enables students to focus on innovation, creativity and flexibility in their coaching domain that can be written as a dissertation or journal article

You will become part of an online community of coaches and tutors from various coaching domains that allow you to enhance your interpersonal, self-management, IT, teamwork, and research skills.

We are globally recognised for our research, development and innovation and we’ve provided our students with world-class teaching for more than 425 years.

An Edinburgh degree works for you

The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50 and placed 22nd in the 2024 QS World University Rankings.

Our graduates are ranked 26th in the world by employers1.

Excellence in research

The University of Edinburgh has an international reputation for innovative research across a wide range of disciplines.

According to the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), the University is ranked fourth in the UK based on the quality and breadth of its research - known as research power - and is Scotland’s top-ranked institution.

The REF2021 results reveal that nearly 90 per cent of the University’s research activity is in the highest categories – 4 star and 3 star – which are classified respectively as ‘ world-leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’, a growth of 10 percentage points since the previous REF in 2014.

Innovation in teaching

The latest report from the Quality Assurance Agency awarded us the highest rating possible for the quality of the student learning experience. We are always working to develop innovative approaches to teaching in order to discover the methods that work best for students, including e-learning techniques and peer-assisted learning.

Experts in online learning

We offer the largest portfolio of postgraduate online degrees in the UK2, welcoming more than 8,000 online students since 2005. Our flexible and supportive programmes are well-established and an increasingly popular choice for students looking to balance further study with professional or family commitments.

Beautiful capital city

Ranked in the world’s top 10 student cities3, Edinburgh is a compact city with excellent transport links, which makes it easy to get around and to travel to other parts of Scotland.

Large enough to offer something for everyone, but small enough to feel like home, Edinburgh is a modern, sophisticated and beautiful European city with a diverse, multicultural community.​

Facilities and support to help you succeed

You will have access to one of the largest and most important academic libraries in the world, housing over 1.8 million printed volumes. You’ll also benefit from 30 open-access computer labs with 24-hour access across key locations, as well as free laptop loans.

We offer a free Student Counselling Service and a University Health Centre, and our Student Disability Service provides a range of support for students with disabilities. We also offer excellent childcare services, making it easier to juggle parenthood and study.

Impressive global community

Our ambitious internationalisation strategy ensures the teaching and research we deliver offers global benefits. We’re ranked in the world's top 20 most international universities4. Students from two-thirds of the world’s countries study here.

We collaborate with a host of world-leading institutions in fields as diverse as e-science, engineering, life and medical sciences, and arts and culture. We’re also a member of the global research network Universitas 21 and the European networks Coimbra Group and LERU.

Leading on social responsibility and sustainability

We are committed to being a world leader in addressing global challenges including poverty, climate change and the growing demand for energy, food and water.

As Scotland’s first Fairtrade University, we have been promoting better conditions for farmers and communities in developing countries since 2004.

We have championed environmental sustainability since the early 1990s and were a founder signatory to the Universities and Colleges Climate Commitment 2009 and to the 10:10 campaign.

The University is host to several Global Academies committed to tackling issues related to health, justice, environment, and agriculture and food security. The Academies cross boundaries in research and teaching, adopting a multi-disciplinary response to challenging global issues.

1QS World University Rankings 2024 2Higher Education Statistics Agency 2017/18 3QS Student Cities 2023 4Times Higher Education, World’s Most International Universities 2022