MSc Strength and Conditioning

at University of Bedfordshire

Our Strength and Conditioning Master’s provides the theory, knowledge and skills you need to pursue professional accreditationwith a number of bodies including the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES); the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA); and appropriate higher coaching awards (Level 3 or above).

You explore a range of approaches - including strength and conditioning, testing physical capacities, sport science support and laboratory work – and assess their contribution to helping athletes increase performance. Areas of study may include: advanced strength and conditioning; sport science support; exercise and nutrition prescription; and cardiopulmonary exercise testing and interpretation.

Why choose this course?

• Study with an academic team who have world-leading expertise in their fields and are actively involved in research
• Work in the ideal environment for both scientific exploration and practical skills development. Facilities include six BASES-accredited sport and exercise science laboratories; our Human Performance Centre; a nutrition research kitchen; two molecular and cellular physiology labs; and a dedicated strength and conditioning suite
• Benefit from our successful partnerships with professional sports teams, elite athletes, academies, schools, colleges and other relevant organisations
• Develop your research skills and capabilities including research design and ethics; statistics; and laboratory skills
• Build your employability by taking optional placement units
• As a Higher Education Partner of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), our course is aligned to the professional standards required for you to
• gain the Strength and Conditioning Trainer Award
• Specific career paths include health promotion specialist; clinical exercise physiologist; and clinical technician or researcher. You can also continue to further research-based study on MSc by research, MPhil or PhD programmes

Unit Information - What will I learn?
Units

• Advanced Strength And Conditioning (SPO011-6) Compulsory
• Applied Strength And Conditioning (SPO075-6) Compulsory
• Laboratory Skills (SPE002-6) Compulsory
• Principles Of Strength And Conditioning (SPO057-6) Compulsory
• Research Methods (SPO005-6) Compulsory
• Sport And Physical Activity Masters Dissertation (SPO070-6) Compulsory
• Sport Science Support (SPE001-6) Compulsory
• Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing And Interpretation (SPO015-6) Optional
• Exercise And Nutrition Prescription (SPO010-6) Optional
• Placement (Long) (SPO039-6) Optional
• Placement (Short) (SPO009-6) Optional

How will I be assessed?
A wide range of assessment formats will be used within this course, including laboratory reports, case studies, portfolios, practical exams and presentations. The course will move assessments from a controlled established scientific base through to a more autonomous and practical application of research to inform the practical skills associated with performance sport as a career. This will be reinforced by original research and athlete assessment creating data to be explored and analysed through reports and research dissertations, while high order practical competency (with problem solving) will be examined in line with governing body competencies, preparing students for potential accreditation and work opportunities.

To apply for a postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA/LLM) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate subject from a recognised university or HE institution.

We will also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or appropriate work experience.

English language requirements
The University accepts the following qualification as satisfying the English Language requirements for entry to a Bachelor or Master's degree.

UKVI Academic IELTS overall score of 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each element

Please note: some courses may require higher levels of English

Non-Standard Entry

• (All non-standard entry candidates will be required to attend an interview with the Award Manager)
• a. Graduates with a first degree in a closely allied subject, where the gaps in subject specific knowledge could be closed using a negotiated programme that would include additional units from within the undergraduate modular degree scheme
• b. Sport, Exercise, Coaching and Health professionals with demonstrable experience and expertise within the field who also possess an HNC/HND or GNVQ/NVQ at level 4 in an appropriate subject. These candidates will be required to provide a full portfolio of supporting evidence outlining appropriate academic and educational training and attend an interview, which will aim to assess:
• the applicants motivation, maturity and realistic approach to their studies
• the nature and level of life/work experience and prior study, and the learning that has resulted from such experience
• the clarity of the applicants educational goals and objectives
• the extent to which the applicant can provide evidence of the threshold skills and knowledge required for a given programme.
• As a result of this interview candidates may also be required to bridge gaps in their current knowledge by taking additional units from within the undergraduate modular degree scheme
   

The Scholarship scheme for international students enrolling in the academic year 22/23 at one of our UK campuses is as follows:

• An automatic £1,000 Vice Chancellor's Scholarship for new international applicants (undergraduate and postgraduate).
• A £500 Prompt Payment Discount for applicants who pay their first year fees in full, before or at registration (undergraduate and postgraduate).
• A further £500 for applicants who are also University of Bedfordshire alumni

How will this course improve my career prospects?
On completion of this courses will give you the opportunity to work within sport coaching, teaching, high performance coaching and talent identification and performance conditioning.