Performance Coaching and Training (Eindhoven)

Mental aspects play a key role in achieving top-level performances, but they are often underrated. Dive into the world of performance psychology and learn how to help athletes, professionals, musicians, and artists reach their full potential.

About the programme

The Performance Coaching and Training (PCT) program, provided by Fontys University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, focuses on mental coaching in English. It aims to equip participants with performance psychology skills for practical application. During their stay, participants will coach performers and learn valuable mental techniques applicable across various performance domains.

Why this programme?

Learn how to boost athletes, professionals, and artists to their peak potential through mental coaching.
Gain hands-on coaching experience in the Netherlands, applying theory to real-world scenarios.
Explore a comprehensive range of mental techniques tailored to the performance domain for immediate application.

More about Performance Coaching and Training

In our society, top-level performances assume an increasingly prominent role. By now, it has become a well-known fact that mental aspects play a significant role when it comes to top-level performing achievements. However, very often these mental aspects are still underrated, although they are equally important when to deliver an outstanding achievement. If a performer does not live up to his full potential, it is worthwhile to take a closer look at these mental aspects. What about his or her motivation? Which psychological aspects are significant in order to get into a ‘flow’ or to carry out a top-level achievement? What is it that constitutes a person’s concentration or focus? Mental techniques may help to enhance the achievement.

The Performance Coaching and Training (PCT) programme is an exchange programme that is conducted in English, with the emphasis on the field of mental coaching. This programme is offered by Fontys University of Applied sciences, HRM and Psychology (The Netherlands). The aim of this programme is for participants to apply performance psychology knowledge in (daily) practice. Participants will have the opportunity to put the theory that they have learned in the programme into practice by coaching performers during their stay in The Netherlands. In this course programme, you will learn theory and about the most useful mental techniques that can be applied to athletes, professionals, musicians, performing artists or other people who work in a performance domain.

This programme includes two courses (2 x 15 ECTS). In the first course, the focus will be on individual coaching, whilst in the second course, the focus will be on team coaching. Both courses will be taught on the basis of competencies, whereby the modules will provide a balanced mix of knowledge and skills and practice.

Content of the programme

This programme includes two quarterly programmes, as follows:

This programme will be divided into theory, skills and practice lines. During the first practical assignment you will coach an individual with a view to optimizing mental skills in order to achieve better performance. The target audiences include people who are working intensively on improving their performances, such as athletes, performing artists, musicians, professionals in business occupations. This part of the programme will be done in student pairs. Based on an intake interview you will draw up a coaching programme. This coaching programme is aimed at achieving improved performance. You will be asked to support the coaching plan on theories from (sport and) performance psychology and apply mental techniques such as goal setting, imagery, relaxation and self-talk. The process and the effectivity of the coaching plan will eventually be assessed. At the end of the skills programme, also an individual assessment will be conducted. The assessment consists of a 20-minute session in which you work with the coachee on a specific tool/mental coaching technique.

This programme will be divided into theory, skills and practice lines. During the ‘team coaching’ module of the ‘ Performance Coaching and Training’ programme, students (in project groups) will be required to develop a mental training plan for enhancing team performance in the practical environment. The second assignment (practice) is developing and running a team workshop. In this workshop, team performance will be the main focus. To improve team performance mental aspects such as group dynamics, team cohesion, leadership and communication will be taken into account. The report Include techniques and strategies for team building, drawing up a strategy plan, coaching a coach in a multidisciplinary team coaching environment, to enhance performance and developing and implementing an evidence-based team training programme with a view to enhancing team performance. A skills assessment and theory assessment is also a part of the team coaching module.

After successfully completing this programme, participants should have an in-depth understanding of performance psychology, should be capable of applying the theory to daily (performance) practice, developing and training the mental skills of individuals, teams and their coaches and interacting in performance environments.

Admission requirements

This programme has been designed for international students and Dutch students wishing to study in international environments. To be eligible for participation in this advanced programme, you must have:

Successfully acquired 60 ECTSS in (Applied) Psychology / Sport Science (or equivalent) completed the first year of study.
A good command of the English language, equal to IELTS 6.0/TOEFL Internet 80.

How to apply for this exchange programme

Applications should always be submitted via the International Exchange (or Erasmus) Officer at the home university. If several versions of the programme are offered, please indicate for which version you would like to apply to (Programme I, Programme II, Programme III, etc.) This officer will send your application request (nomination) to Fontys. Once Fontys has accepted the application, your Fontys study department will send you a link to a web application called Mobility Online. Added to the link you will receive all necessary information and a manual.

Contact person for exchange students:
Ms. Marjolein Nispeling
Tel.: +31 (0) 8850 82734
E-mail: hrmandpinternational@fontys.nl

Already studying in the Netherlands as a bachelor student?

This international program is also available for students taking part in a bachelor program in the Netherlands, as part of their studies (minor). If you are studying at Fontys School of HRM and Psychology, please sign in at our own portal . All the other students (either from another school of Fontys or another university of applied sciences) can apply by filling out this form. Questions? Please send an email to tpteamc@fontys.nl.

Contact information for bachelor students in the Netherlands:
E-mail: minorhrmenp@fontys.nl

How will your course programme be recognised by your home university?

Fontys will provide you with a so-called ‘Transcript of Records’, which will clarify the results that you have achieved. Depending on your results, you will receive a maximum of 30 ECTS credits. ECTS credits are recognised throughout Europe. The agreement between your home university and Fontys University of Applied Sciences will usually include a condition whereby the credits that you obtain will be recognised and transferred into the records kept by your home university.

Practical information

Start moment(s): September, February
Location: Eindhoven
ECTs: 30
Language: English
Duration: 1 semester (20/21 weeks)
Contact hours: 15 hours per week

For more detailed information about practical matters, such as financial matters, residence permit, health insurance and accommodation, please click on the button below.

More information on practical matters

Course location and contact

Eindhoven

Emmasingel 28

: +310885082734
: hrmandpinternational@fontys.nl