- Normally, you should have successfully completed an honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject; for instance, sport and exercise science, sports coaching, sports rehabilitation, physiotherapy or physical therapy.
- You should also have relevant vocational experience.
- We encourage you to apply if you have considerable sector-based experience but don't meet the standard entry requirements. We may ask you to undertake an additional assessment(s) to determine your suitability for the course.
- We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
- You'll be required to attend an interview as part of the application process.
- This course involves working unsupervised with children and/or vulnerable young people and adults and you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- Please note that this course is subject to the University of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
As a graduate of the University of Bolton's MSc Strength and Conditioning degree, you'll possess strong practical skills underpinned by a sound theoretical base.
Studying this course will also enhance your lifelong learning and transferable skills, enabling you to work with self-direction and confidence in the strength and conditioning industry. We'll support you in developing communication and oratory skills, the ability to work independently and in teams, and attention to detail so you can accomplish tasks accurately.
What can I do with this qualification?
Our graduates are attracted to primary roles in the sports performance area. You'll also be well placed to seek a career in exercise and fitness, rehabilitation or the broader sports industry by working as a physical training instructor or personal trainer. Opportunities exist in professional sports teams too. Alternatively, you may choose entrepreneurship and use this MSc Strength and Conditioning qualification to establish your own strength and conditioning consultancy.
Previous graduates have secured positions as strength and conditioners in elite sport, including Premiership football, international cricket, the English Institute of Sport and professional rugby.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers, bearing in mind that postgraduate study and/or work experience may be required. Areas of employment or possible roles include:
- Health
- Armed forces
- Teaching
- Coaching
- Emergency services
Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £8,496 for the academic year 2024/25.
Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £15,950 for the academic year 2024/25.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2020-2021 academic year:
EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status.
If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement.
Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the
normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in
March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
Bursaries
Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.
We use a wide variety of learning, teaching and assessment methods. These support you in developing the skills, knowledge, and competencies you need to achieve this course's learning outcomes and, more importantly, to be successful in your future career.
You can expect timetabled classes (for instance, tutor-led lectures, workshops, tutorials, seminars, and practical sessions), along with other learning activities that place a larger emphasis on independent, self-directed and self-managed learning. All lectures, practical class material and recommended reading will be made available through the University's virtual learning environment, Moodle, so that you can access it online.
In addition, we offer sessions with expert guest speakers from the strength and conditioning community and opportunities for applied work experience. These seek to enhance employability and bridge the gap between theory and professional practice.
We also use a broad range of assessment methods, including written or practical examinations, essays, case studies, practical coaching observations, oral or poster presentations, and laboratory or project reports. Some assessments will contribute to your final module marks and allow you to demonstrate that you've met the learning outcomes. In contrast, others are designed to help you identify areas that need extra attention on your part or where you need additional support from your tutors.
This programme adopts a blended style of learning and teaching, including online delivery and engagement where appropriate.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Biomechanics for Human Motion and Performance
- Physiology of Adaptation for Human Performance
- Training Methods and Applied Interdisciplinary Practice
- Emerging Concepts and Challenges in Applied Practice
- Research Methods Informing Applied Practice
- Technical Training for Strength and Conditioning
- Applied Professional Experience and Development
- Major Research Project
Assessment methods
| Level | Assesment method |
|---|
| Level one | Coursework 52%, Practical exams 48% |
|---|
Learning activities
| Level | Learning activity |
|---|
| Level one | Guided independent study 78%, Placement/study abroad 5%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 17% |
|---|
Disclaimer
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
