Strength and Conditioning MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
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This exciting master’s focuses on an evidence-based approach to understanding the science of strength training and the application of strength and conditioning in enhancing human performance.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Online/Blended

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

HLST245

Start date

September 2025

At Coventry University, we continuously review the courses we offer to ensure we reflect industry-relevant emerging best practice and technology. As a result, this course is undergoing continuous improvement assessment and will be launched with a renewed curriculum starting in September 2025. Module content and titles will be updated. Course title, learning outcomes and assessments may also change. We expect our new curriculum to be fully updated by January 2025. Please return to this page to see the final course details.


Course overview

Designed to equip you with a critical, evidence-based approach to problem-solving, you'll have the opportunity to systematically and creatively explore complex issues related to enhancing human performance in a ‘real world’ context. Furthermore, the course and module learning outcomes have been aligned to ensure you are prepared for the accreditation process with the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA), as well as certification with the USA-based National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) upon graduation.

Successful completion of the Strength and Conditioning MSc course will equip you with the key underpinning scientific knowledge, skills, and professional competencies commonly required to be a Strength and Conditioning Coach.

  • Designed to enable you to evidence attainment of the professional standards required by a Graduate Strength and Conditioning Coach.
  • Aims to provide you with the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes required to enhance human performance across a range of domains (sport, occupational, health) using exercise training.
  • Aims to develop expert knowledge, understanding and practical ability to develop strength and conditioning programmes and monitor and evaluate their effectiveness on the human body.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

This course is designed to equip you with the advanced knowledge, understanding and skills to become a professional strength and conditioning coach.

  • Upon successful completion, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to apply for accreditation with the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA), as well as certification with the USA-based National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) (additional fees are payable to UKSCA and NCSA for accreditation/certification)1.
  • Expert guest lecturers, which in the past have included sports medicine, health and wellness, sport psychology and sport performance complement staff expertise (subject to availability)2.
  • The current staff team teaching this course include people who provide strength and conditioning support to professional sporting organisations and/or hold positions within UKSCA and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) (staff subject to change).
  • This course has a strong practice-based element; you will have the opportunity to engage in the practical application of strength and conditioning in individual and team sport settings.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity

Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)

This course is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). This endorsement reflects a commitment by Coventry University to equip students with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to effectively transition into roles in the sector by aligning courses with professional standards. CIMSPA-endorsed degree programmes are certified as meeting professional standards set by the most highly regarded employers in the sector. Students may also apply for discounted membership of CIMSPA.


Chartered Management Institute

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

The course currently includes the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accredited1 module, Entrepreneurial Practice. Upon successful completion of the module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost. Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is currently ongoing for the relevant modules and is regularly reviewed and monitored by CMI through their quality systems.



What you'll study

Core subject areas covered in the course include performance physiology, biomechanics, sports injuries, corrective exercises, recovery strategies, and strength and conditioning practice.

You will be provided with the opportunity to develop several key skills needed to be an effective strength and conditioning practitioner, including how to be an effective communicator. In addition, you will be encouraged to take an analytical and flexible approach to problem-solving.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

The aim of this course is to effectively prepare you for professional employment, so it focuses on providing enhanced practical and professional skills through a combination of methods, including:

  • Face-to-face lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Practical lab work
  • Field sessions
  • Case studies.

You will also be supported through a range of online activities such as:

  • Online tutorials
  • Discussion boards
  • Online lectures
  • Online problem-based learning.

Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 16 contact hours per week.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 20 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Coursework assignments
  • Oral presentations
  • Video presentations
  • A practical portfolio
  • Dissertation.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Applicants should hold the equivalent of a 2:2 undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Science from a recognised university. Modules of study must include Exercise Physiology and/or Biomechanics in Level 6 of an undergraduate degree.

Applicants with a degree in an area cognate with Strength and Conditioning such as Human/Exercise Physiology, Coaching, Engineering (with a focus on Biomechanics), Health and Exercise, Sports Therapy or any other sport-related courses will also be considered.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications and relevant experience - speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

Applicants should hold the equivalent of a 2:2 undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Science. Modules of study must include Exercise Physiology and/or Biomechanics in Level 6 of an undergraduate degree.

Applicants with a degree in an area cognate with Strength and Conditioning such as Human/Exercise Physiology, Coaching, Engineering (with a focus on Biomechanics), Health and Exercise, Sports Therapy or any other sport-related courses will also be considered.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with at least 5.5 in each component area

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees -£9,350  
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees -£9,350 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees -£18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees -£18,600  
Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

As part of the School of Life Sciences, this course will take place at our Coventry University main campus and has access to the Alison Gingell Building which features a number of innovative classrooms and facilities4.

The Alison Gingell building features an indoor running track, a custom strength and conditioning facility and extensive exercise science laboratories. 

Sports Therapy Student learning

Sports Therapy Clinic

The Sports Therapy Clinic is run by final-year undergraduate Sports Therapy students under the supervision of qualified staff, with second-year students providing a supervised massage clinic.

Strength and conditioning suite

Strength and conditioning suite

Our multi-purpose suite is equipped with multiple Olympic lifting platforms, a 20m gait analysis track, an anti-gravity treadmill and a 3D motion capture system.

Environmental Chamber

Environmental chamber

Our environmental chamber helps us to test the effects of a wide range of environmental conditions, such as temperature and barometric pressure, on the human body.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of strength and conditioning as a profession, including its theoretical scientific underpinning and limitations
  • Design, deliver, and continuously evaluate strength and conditioning programmes to enable a broad range of individuals to achieve their performance-orientated goals
  • Critically apply evidence-based practice to ‘real world’ questions, different multi-disciplinary situations, and global contexts
  • Understand the current professional context, ethical issues, and impact of diversity, as they affect current practice within the strength and conditioning industry
  • Employ evidence-based reasoning to examine practical, theoretical, and ethical issues associated with strength and conditioning
  • Find, critically analyse and present scientific information to both expert and non-expert recipients.

This course aims to equip you with knowledge and professionalism for a variety of health and fitness-related careers such as strength and conditioning coach, fitness manager for sports teams, performance manager, exercise/physical activity referral officer, health and fitness industry and health promotion.

Where our graduates work

This course aims to equip you with knowledge and professionalism for a variety of health and fitness-related careers. Previous graduates have secured a range of strength and conditioning-related careers within the sport and physical activity sector both in the UK and worldwide, including, but not limited to, professional football, professional rugby, institutes of sport, NHS Strength and Conditioning Coach, professional dance/ ballet, professional cricket and higher education.


How to apply