Master's Degree

Sports Training

Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences

​​​​​​​​​

Coordinator

Ana ​ Catarina Miranda de Sousa

Who is this course for?

People who have a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, a similar subject, or a legal equivalent.

DGES Registry

Course registered at the General Directorate of Higher Education with the number R/A-Cr 41/2011/AL03

Accreditation of the Study Program

Official Information A3ES​: Accreditation result  (in portuguese)
Decision: Acreditado 6 anos
Publication Date: 17-07-2025

In line with the highest scientific and professional standards, the Master's Degree in Sports Training aims to respond to the need to base professional practice on technical and scientific knowledge and skills. 

The aim is to provide students with in-depth knowledge and advanced skills in areas such as planning, organising and evaluating training programmes, based on a common core curriculum (1st semester). 

    In the second semester, the study plan consists of three optional areas of specialisation:

  1. Sports Coach Training,
  2. Sports Performance and Achievement,
  3. Observation and Analysis of Sports Performance.

Specialisation area (1) provides a solid foundation for the coaching degree, promoting the development of critical skills for technical and pedagogical leadership in the context of sport, enabling students to intervene in an ethical, responsible and informed manner in the various dimensions of sports training.The innovative approach of areas of specialisation (2) and (3) challenges students to develop innovative skills and tools for research and technology applied to the observation, analysis and optimisation of sports performance, promoting a culture of excellence, innovation and scientific rigour in the emerging professions of sports coaching.

Professional opportunities

This course qualifies graduates to work in highly competitive environments, research centres and multidisciplinary teams, performing the roles of sports coach, physiologist, observer, performance analyst, technical coordinator of sports clubs and coach trainer.​

What makes this course different?

The flexible and specialisation-oriented curriculum allows students to build a training path consisting of areas of specialisation aligned with their professional and scientific interests.

Research

The Master's Degree in Sports Training is recognised by the Centre for Research in Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD). CIDESD, a research and development unit accredited by the Foundation for Science and Technology, recently rated ‘Excellent’, also recognises that this Master's Degree, taught at the University of Maia - UMAIA, is of great interest for the development of the centre's strategic project.

Teaching Staff

With a range of lecturers with nationally and internationally recognised scientific CVs, this Master's degree is based on current and relevant lines of research, allowing students to prepare work that is properly oriented for presentation at scientific meetings and in national and international publications.