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MSc Strength and Conditioning

MSc Strength and Conditioning

Award

MSc

Start Date

To be confirmed

Duration

12 months

Mode

Full-time

Location

University of Bolton

Are you looking to raise your game in the field of strength and conditioning, applied sport science or athletic development? Graduates of our well-established MSc Strength and Conditioning degree have a proven track record preparing athletes and sports teams for competition. Our highly experienced practitioner-tutors offer the knowledge and skills you need to develop your career.

Apply Now Download Prospectus Programme Specification

Course Overview

Elite sportspeople need an elite support team, and expert strength and conditioning coaches are in demand worldwide to promote and guide the physical development of athletes and sports teams. Aimed at graduates with relevant academic and vocational experience, this course is designed to build on your existing knowledge in areas such as sports science, training methods and coaching. By studying for your master's degree at the University of Bolton, you can open doors to higher levels of responsibility and professional accreditation in strength and conditioning while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focused, multicultural campus in the heart of the North West of England.

Based in Bolton One, our specially designed sports and health teaching and research facility, this practically-focused postgraduate degree supports you in gaining the academic and theoretical knowledge (for evidence-based practice) and professional, vocational and practical skills needed for success in this competitive industry. Our dedicated team of experienced academic practitioners, who have worked at all levels of elite and professional sport, will guide you in exploring the science and coaching of strength and conditioning.

We'll support you to advance your understanding and make strong links between theory and practice in biomechanics, physiology, nutrition, coaching and leadership. Our commitment is to help you develop as a practitioner, informed by the latest research and ongoing developments in the sciences of sports and human performance so that you can become a leader in the field of strength and conditioning.

Highlights

Key Features

Entry Requirements

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.

Career Opportunities

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
Fees & Funding

Home/EU Fees

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.

International Fees

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.

Bursaries

Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2024-25 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.

How to apply

Home Applicants

You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:

You should have to hand:

  • Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates

  • Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies

  • Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role

  • Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately

  • Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference

Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.

Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.

If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk

International Applicants

The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world. We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.

This course is not currently accepting international online applications.

Please contact Admissions by telephone on 01204 903903 or email enquiries@bolton.ac.uk

Admissions
University of Bolton
Deane Road
Bolton, BL3 5AB
United Kingdom

Tel: 01204 903903
Email: enquiries@bolton.ac.uk

Teaching & Assessment

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 Assessment method
Level 1 Coursework 52%
Practical exams 48%

Learning Activities

Level Activity
Level 1 Guided independent study 78%
Placement/study abroad 5%
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 17%

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.

Programme Contacts

Help Centre

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Part of the University of Bolton Group

Bolton college
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Help Centre

We have the answers to your questions, find all the advice and support in one place.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Bolton college
Alliance learning
Anderton centre2
QQA Scheme Participant