Strength and Conditioning MSc
Study level: Postgraduate
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
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Online/Blended
Duration
1 year full-time
Course code
HLST245
Start date
September 2023
Course overview
The course is designed to equip you with a critical, evidence-based approach to problem-solving. You 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.

Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why 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. It also aims to give you the opportunity to use exercise training to enhance human performance across a range of domains – sport, occupational and health.
- 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 Management Institute
The course currently includes the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accredited1 module, Leading Strategic Change through Creativity and Innovation. Upon successful completion of the module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost. Please visit the CMI website for full details on the CMI accreditation. 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.

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.
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.
Through the course of your year’s study, 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.
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.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. 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 2023/24 entry.
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £11,200 | Not available |
EU | £11,200 per year with EU support bursary** £18,600 per year without EU support bursary** |
Not available |
International | £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.
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How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
Facilities
As part of the Faculty of Health and 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 Clinic
The Sports Therapy Clinic is run by final-year Sports Therapy students under the supervision of qualified staff, with second-year students providing a supervised massage clinic twice a week.

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
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
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UK students
To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.
For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
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International students
Full-time international students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimers
Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2023/24 contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
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