Diploma of SPORTS PERFORMANCE & COACHING

DON'T JUST START YOUR DEGREE. kICK-START YOUR CAREER.

Begin your university education in the environment you want to work in: professional sport.

The Diploma of Sports Performance & Coaching is a Higher Education qualification delivered by Federation University, with credits towards bachelor degrees in Education and Exercise & Sport Science. The difference? You'll study while embedded inside Melbourne City FC, an elite, professional football club that’s part of the global City Football Group, combining university-level learning with practical experience in professional sport.

Experience MCISB

UNDERSTAND PERFORMANCE. DEVELOP ATHLETES.

Sport performance is shaped by more than what happens on game day. It draws on an understanding of the human body, training, movement, coaching and the way people learn and develop.

The Diploma of Sports Performance & Coaching gives you a university-level foundation in these fields while studying inside the professional sporting environment of Melbourne City FC.

It may suit students interested in:

Human Performance

Coaching

Movement

Physical Education

Sports Education

Training

Player Devlopment

Exercise Science

A DIFFERENT WAY TO START UNIVERSITY

University study and industry experience don’t need to exist in separate worlds. Students in the Diploma of Sports Performance & Coaching begin their higher education in an environment where professional sport is happening around them.

The classroom remains important, but it sits within a broader experience shaped by the people, challenges and opportunities of the sports industry. Based at Melbourne City FC’s City Football Academy - Melbourne ctrl:cyber campus, MCISB combines higher education with the environment, people and perspective of professional sport. Students gain a Federation University qualification while becoming part of a learning community embedded within the day-to-day environment of a professional football club.

CORE SUBJECTS

Explore how people learn and develop movement skills, and build practical skills in planning and delivering effective sport and physical education lessons.
Explore how psychological and social factors influence physical activity and wellbeing, and learn strategies to help people develop and maintain healthy, active lifestyles.
Learn the fundamental principles of exercise and sport science, including how to plan, prescribe and deliver effective exercise programs using appropriate training and instructional methods.
Explore how anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and motor learning influence human movement, and learn how to apply this knowledge when planning and teaching physical education activities.
Explore how children and young people develop physically, socially, psychologically and intellectually, and learn teaching strategies that support inclusive learning, participation and wellbeing.
Explore key health and physical activity issues in Australia, and learn how to plan, deliver and evaluate programs that encourage healthier, more active communities.

education electives

Explore how physical, psychological and social factors influence movement and performance, and learn how to assess physical abilities and deliver safe, inclusive physical education activities.
Explore different approaches to health, outdoor and physical education, and gain practical industry experience while developing your skills and understanding of potential career pathways.

EXERCISE & SPORT SCIENCE ELECTIVES

Learn how to analyse human movement using biomechanical principles and modern technologies, and apply your findings to improve performance, refine technique and reduce injury risk.
Learn how to assess fitness, interpret results and design and deliver safe, evidence-based exercise programs tailored to individual needs.

Learn by doing

Your opportunities don’t stop when each class ends. As a student of the MCISB, you'll be based inside Melbourne City FC's professional sporting environment, with access to opportunities designed to connect what you're learning with the industry you want to enter.

Work Integrated Learning
Mini internships
Guest speakers
Coaching development
Industry exposure

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

100 hours of Work-Integrated Learning at Melbourne City

INDUSTRY EXPOSURE

Hands-on projects and professional networking

FUTURE PATHWAYS

Continue to Degree or seek entry-level employment

FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT

Optional football and coaching development training

Qualifications & pathways

Students graduate with a Diploma of Sports Performance & Coaching delivered through Federation University. In addition, successful graduates can receive academic credit toward selected Federation University Bachelor degree pathways, allowing them to continue their studies while building on the knowledge and experiences gained at MCISB.

This means that graduates with a Diploma of Sports Performance & Coaching through MCISB may be able to continue studying a Bachelor degree at Federation University, with direct pathways and credits towards:

Bachelor of Education (Health / PE double methods)
Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science

LOCATION

City Football Academy

Melbourne - ctrl:cyber Campus (Casey Fields, Cranbourne East)

DURATION

One year (two semesters)

Semester 1 & Semester 2 intake

STUDY MODE

Face-to-face

2 days per week

DEGREE PATHWAYS

B. Education (Health & PE)

B. Exercise & Sport Science

B. Clinical Exercise Science

How to apply

The Diploma of Sports Performance & Coaching is available to Year 12 school-leavers and mature-aged students. For students wishing to begin studying in 2027, application is via direct entry.

No ATAR required
Minimum study score of 20 in English (or Federation University literacy test)
Successful interview with Melbourne City FC

To apply for 2027 entry, click "Start My Application" below and we'll be in touch to support you. If you're not ready to apply yet and still have questions, click "Book a Call" to have an obligation-free chat with us.

START MY APPLICATION

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This one-year program gives you the skills and experience to start a career in the sports industry, including opportunities within Australian football, like the A-Leagues or state and national organisations.

When you finish the program, Melbourne City FC guarantees at least two graduate roles across different departments, offering a unique start to your career. Completing the course also opens doors to further study and various roles in sports clubs, leagues, and other organisations, including:

Sport Scientist

Exercise Scientist

Health & PE Teacher

Outdoor Education Teacher

Sport Teacher

School Sport Coordinator

Outdoor Educator

Strength & Conditioning Coach

Performance Analyst

Exercise Rehabilitation Consultant

Health & Wellbeing Coordinator

Active Health / Physical Activity Program Officer

Football Coach

Coach Development Officer

Technical Director

Football Development Officer

Academy Coach

Football Operations Coordinator
In partnership with Melbourne City FC, Federation University offers a sport-focused curriculum that leads to a Diploma of Sports Performance & Coaching. To earn this qualification, students must complete all 8 required units.
Yes! After completing the Diploma of Sports Performance & Coaching through the Melbourne City Institute of Sport & Business, graduates can apply for various degrees at Federation University, including:

Bachelor of Education (Health / PE double methods)

Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science

Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science
Practical experience is at the heart of this program. You’ll complete up to 100 hours of work-integrated learning with Melbourne City FC, gaining hands-on experience across multiple departments. The program also offers valuable networking opportunities with Melbourne City FC staff to help you build connections in the industry.
As part of the City Football Group, Melbourne City FC offers unique insights into both local and global football. Throughout the Diploma program, you’ll benefit from guest presentations by Manchester City FC staff and case studies that draw on expertise from City Football Group’s global network.
There’s no ATAR requirement for entry into the Diploma program, but applicants must have successfully completed Australian Year 12 or an equivalent qualification. Applicants who received less than 20 in English may be required to take a literacy test.

All applicants undertake an Intake Interview with Melbourne City FC staff prior to any offer being made. We use this interview to get to know you and your goals, to help us understand whether we believe this is the right course to help get you where you want to go.

Note: This program is currently only available to Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Our team is ready to help with any questions you have about how this program can support your study and career goals. Register your interest to learn more about the program or book in for our upcoming information sessions.
This course includes two days of in-person sessions each week at Melbourne City FC’s City Football Academy, Melbourne - ctrl:cyber Campus, during the academic semester. Students will also complete periodic online coursework and participate in work-integrated learning projects, some of which may take place at AAMI Park on match days. Additionally, students should plan to dedicate at least 7 hours per week to class preparation and assessments for each unit.
Please attend an information session, or contact us for more.
Graduates who complete the Diploma of Sports Performance & Coaching will have the opportunity to apply for a minimum of two roles at Melbourne City FC. As students near the end of the course, they’ll go through a formal application and interview process, where they can showcase their skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm gained through up to 100 hours of work-integrated learning.

The roles available will vary based on factors such as:

The student’s interests and career goals, aligned with different departments within Melbourne City FC.

Melbourne City FC’s operational needs at the time of hiring.

Each student’s demonstrated abilities and strengths throughout the course.

The professional relationships built with Melbourne City FC staff during the program.