Sport & Exercise

This course reflects the growth of strength and conditioning as a profession in the UK and has been developed in consultation with experts and employers to provide an exciting, challenging and current learning experience for recent graduates and established industry professionals.

It provides opportunities to develop knowledge and understanding of the principles and theories of strength and conditioning and their application to vocational and sporting practice. Opportunities are provided to study a wide range of research findings, theories and methodologies across the field of strength and conditioning. You also develop a critical awareness of how to apply theories and methodologies in appropriate ways in the development of strength and conditioning. You develop an awareness of ethical issues as they relate to the field and develop research skills and professional competencies. The aims of the programme are pursued across all elements of the course and synthesised in the production of the final dissertation.

How you learn

You develop the necessary comprehensive and critical understanding of techniques/methodologies appropriate to research and advanced scholarship by learning through practical workshops, laboratories, tutorials, seminars, experiential learning and student-led research projects. These skills enable you to make informed contributions to the workshops, practicals, discussions and problem-based learning activities. Research skills are also further developed during the seminars and workshops. You target your study/research towards specialist fields of enquiry within strength and conditioning. This provides a platform from which you can proceed to complete coursework and your dissertation.

You have the opportunity to develop personal development planning throughout all modules on the programme. The delivery of modules is via blended learning, which uses a combination of face-to-face learning and online delivery. The modules have a site in the University’s virtual learning environment (Blackboard), which adheres as a minimum to the University’s Threshold Quality Standards.

The Strength and Conditioning module includes 50 hours of work-related learning.

As with all study at MSc level you are expected to study the subject in greater depth during personal study between contact sessions.

How you are assessed

Assessments methods include exams, essays, critical review, presentation, scientific report writing, athlete reports, e-portfolio, proposal, report, student-led projects and a dissertation.

These methods allow you to demonstrate a critical and systematic understanding and application of the relevant curriculum. Professional and key transferable skills are also developed through these assessments. You are required to undertake appropriate research, using the skills developed in the core modules and this provides the impetus for the development of your dissertation proposal. The dissertation gives you the opportunity to demonstrate an appropriate standard of research and enquiry into a specialist area, selected by you, displaying an original and/or compelling study or review of that area.

Career opportunities

You will be qualified to be a strength and conditioning coach, conditioning scientist or a fitness consultant.

Entry requirements

A relevant first degree, second class or above, and/or substantial previous practical experience.

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