MSc Strength and Conditioning

Birmingham City University

Our MSc in Strength and Conditioning course will help you to develop the specialist skillset and competencies you need to begin a career as a strength and conditioning coach or a related role, within or outside of sporting contexts. What's covered in this course? Our MSc in Strength and Conditioning course will help you to develop the specialist skillset and competencies you need to begin a career as a strength and conditioning coach or a related role, within or outside of sporting contexts. Based at the Alexander stadium, you will be immersed in a vibrant, elite sport environment which will provide you with authentic learning experiences that replicate the day-to-day responsibilities of a strength and conditioning coach. Practical sessions will make frequent use of the world-class facilities at the stadium to provide real-world experiences. You may be taught conditioning sessions on the 4G or grass pitch, perform sprint analysis on the 400m athletic track, analyse performance in our laboratories, or coach exercise technique in the fully equipped strength and conditioning gym, to name but a few examples. To build on your skills and experiences, you will complete a Professional Practice placement. This opportunity will allow you to apply your new skills and knowledge with our industry partners. The roles and expectations of a strength and conditioning coach continue to evolve with sport and the demands of industry. Our course is designed to equip you for these changing requirements, supporting you to explore a range of more specialised areas, such as the unique needs of female and youth athletes, training disabled athletes, and the impact of religious practices (e.g. Ramadan) on training. You will also learn how Strength and Conditioning can be used to support with populations outside of sport, such as outpatients, emergency service personnel, and rehabilitation. We want all our graduates to impact the industry by thinking differently. Throughout your course you will critically engage with the literature in Strength and Conditioning and reflect on your practice. In your research module, you will learn how to effectively apply research to your practice, as well as collaborate with staff and peers to design and conduct research that can impact the industry and enhance your own practice. Our programme is aligned with many of the key competencies set from the various accreditation bodies in the industry, positioning you well to pursue their certifications upon graduation. In particular, the course is designed to align with the key competencies required for UKSCA accreditation. Furthermore, you will complete reflective tasks as part of your learning to ensure your development aligns with the UKSCA requirements. Upon graduation, you will be in a strong position to complete the UKSCA assessment and become an accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach.