MSc Human Performance Optimisation
- Study Mode: Part Time
- Location: Blended Learning
- Duration: Two Years
- Start Date: September 2025
Do you work in an environment where performance truly matters, (military, fire service, police, emergency medicine, or non-governmental rescue organisations) where the consequences of not performing can be grave? If so, BNU would like to offer you the opportunity to develop your knowledge, skills, and expertise in the field of Human Performance Optimisation (HPO).
Representing the first programme of its kind in the UK, our MSc in HPO has been developed in conjunction with key stakeholders within Defence and relevant subject matter experts from around the world.
We are drilling down on key areas such as physiological readiness, applied performance psychology, cognitive capabilities, advanced performance nutrition, sleep science, and contemporary issues in preparation and training.
Recognizing the demands on professionals in high-performance fields, the course is delivered online over a span of 24 months, allowing you to balance studies with existing commitments.
With access to our state-of-the-art Human Performance Laboratory (HPL), you'll have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge equipment, including a 30m Mondo indoor running track, high-performance HP Cosmos treadmills, Vyntus Jaeger breath-by-breath gas analysers, Hawkin Dynamics portable force plates, a Cybex Isokinetic dynamometer, a Qualisys 3D motion capture system, and top-tier Eleiko strength and conditioning equipment.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
BNU is already successful at developing and delivering flexible and applied programmes, specific to the needs of military and emergency services students.
Within BNU we have assembled a team of experts in various fields including physiology, strength and conditioning, psychology, nutrition, sleep science, and human augmentation. This mix of specialisms allows us to offer a flexible blended learning approach in order to enable you to pursue your goals as a student.
What facilities can I use?
With opportunities to use our Human Performance Laboratory (HPL), containing state of the art equipment such as a 30m mondo indoor running track, high-performance HP Cosmos treadmills, Vyntus Jaeger breath-by-breath gas analysers, Hawkin Dynamics portable force plates, Cybex Isokinetic dynamometer, Qualisys 3D motion capture system, and best in class Eleiko strength and conditioning training equipment, you will find technical support for any learning or research goal you want to pursue. In addition to this you will be able to use a range of online resources to study from where you are, whenever you need to.
What will I study?
On this course, you will develop an understanding of the concept of HPO and its application within real world settings. Areas of study will include optimising physiological readiness, applied performance psychology, optimising human cognitive capabilities, advanced performance nutrition, sleep science, and contemporary issues in HPO.
With an emphasis on using interdisciplinary expertise and experience from a range of backgrounds, our teaching team will aim to improve your knowledge across the areas of applied physiology, psychology, nutrition, and sleep science. Furthermore, they will aim to develop your abilities to interpret, analyze and critically evaluate contemporary HPO research.
This programme is predominantly delivered online, with weekly lectures and webinars to explore and discuss concepts relating to HPO. All course materials, resources and reading lists are posted on our virtual learning environment meaning you can work at your own pace across the course of each module.
The course also includes a 5-day residential period at the end of the first year to support your learning. This residential period allows you to directly interact with your tutors and peers, solidify your learning, get involved in discussions around topical areas of interest, present your work (and be presented to by other students), and build an invaluable network with other practitioners who work within the field of HPO.
How will I be taught and assessed?
Throughout the course, you'll be assessed in several ways including written assignments, reports, and poster and oral presentations. In your final year, you will also complete a research dissertation in an area of interest relevant to HPO.
The full MSc takes two years; however you can opt to take a three-year track meaning you have an additional year to focus solely on your dissertation project. You can also choose to complete just year one and receive a PGCert or two years without dissertation and receive a PGDip.
What are the course entry requirements?
The University’s general entry requirements apply to admission to this programme with the following additions / exceptions:
- Applicants must be working directly for, or with, the military or emergency services (i.e., fire service, police, emergency medicine, or non-governmental rescue organisations).
- Due to potential content sensitivities this programme is only open to UK nationals or nationals from countries who are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) including Australia and New Zealand.
- Applicants will be expected to have achieved a 2.1 or above classification in a relevant undergraduate degree programme (i.e., sports science, sports psychology, policing, medicine, or allied health profession). However, consideration of a candidate with a 2.2 classification may be permissible if aspects of their profile demonstrate an ability to engage and succeed in postgraduate study.
If you do not meet the entry requirements you may, if you have relevant professional experience, still be invited for an interview, where you will be required to demonstrate the necessary knowledge and understanding for entry onto the course.
Previous study, professional and / or vocational experiences may be recognised as the equivalent learning experience and permit exemption from studying certain modules in accordance with our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process.
If you require further information or wish to enrol upon this programme, please email tapc@bnu.ac.uk
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
Home
-
Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £5,470 per year *
International
-
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £8,100 per year *
Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit , on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes.
Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.  
Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.  
Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.  
We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU.
The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.
What are my career prospects?
With an MSc in HPO you’ll be well placed to pursue a career working with the Armed Forces or Emergency Services in addition to pursing new opportunities in the field of performance sport.
