Strength and Conditioning MSc

Strength and Conditioning is a popular area within sport science, predominantly from within the discipline of physiology, often requiring knowledge of inter-disciplinary applied sport science and coaching. Our master's degree in Strength and Conditioning provides you with in-demand skills and a solid foundation for a rewarding career.

The primary focus of this programme is sporting performance. However, the application of strength and conditioning principles to diverse areas including exercise, pre- and rehabilitation, youth and ageing populations, and other specific and clinical populations is becoming more commonplace.

By joining this degree, you will have the opportunity to study the application of these principles in your taught courses, and see how they are reflected in a range of practical contexts through a voluntary internship or placement. We encourage and help to facilitate, where possible, excellent applied experience and professional development opportunities, using established links with local and national sports teams and governing bodies.

We are always evolving and aiming to improve the teaching, learning, experience and employability of our students. If you join us from September 2025, you will join a redeveloped programme that focuses on practical learning. Our experts and accredited practitioners in the field will prepare you to thrive in a competitive job market and a changing world.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a sports science-related subject/major that includes courses on anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, research methods, and a research dissertation.

If you have a degree in another subject then your application must include evidence of the following:

• at least a year of relevant work experience (e.g., internship, placement, paid employment) as a strength and conditioning coach, sports scientist, or fitness/ personal trainer and evidence relevant professional qualifications
• that you are working towards professional accreditation with a relevant body (e.g., UKSCA, NSCA, minimum Level 3 personal trainers award or Level 3/4 fitness trainers qualifications).

In addition to the undergraduate degree, we are interested in applicants with some evidence of non-academic professional development in strength and conditioning/ sports science/ sports therapy/ physiotherapy. However, you can apply without this evidence of non-academic professional development and your application will still be considered on its individual strengths.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Our graduates work around the world as strength and conditioning and physical preparation specialists for professional sports teams and clubs, for the UK and US army and air force.

Graduates are able to apply their knowledge by:

• working with clinical populations in health settings
• developing strategies for improving staff health and wellbeing in large organisations across a variety of industries
• undertaking doctoral study

The qualification and skills you gain in this programme will complement the applied experience and any professional accreditation for those aspiring to be practitioners at the cutting edge of strength and conditioning.

Primary roles exist in the sports performance area, but you may also apply your skills to work in the areas of exercise and fitness, rehabilitation and the wider sports industry.

The Master's degree is also a springboard for further research, either within academia or the private sector. The highly transferable skills you gain in areas such as communication and project management can be applied to roles in any field.

• Hear what our graduates have to say