Overview
Focus on the scientific principles of the strength and conditioning process
Our MSc Strength and Conditioning course provides you with the knowledge and skills to prepare you for accreditation with the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) enabling you to embark on your strength and conditioning career.
Understand the key aspects of strength and conditioning performance
You will focus on the scientific principles of the strength and conditioning process, their practical application and assessment using both laboratory and field-based measurement systems.
In addition, you will explore the practical application of biomechanical and physiological concepts, contemporary performance analysis and coaching techniques, as well as applied data and research skills.
Gain vital experience ahead of your professional career
Our dedicated Work Placement module allows you to develop your practitioner skills by undertaking a period of work experience with appropriate athletes or clubs.
The employability record has been excellent with many graduates securing full-time employment as strength and conditioning coaches within professional environments, such as local sports clubs/teams, with others progressing to study on to PhD programmes or opening their own business.
The Course
Understand the science, practice and application of strength and conditioning
Throughout the course, you will study both modules that will give you the theoretical foundations upon which you will apply practical skills through placement opportunities.
The degree will culminate in a final assessed project, either in the form of a research dissertation, or a supervised experience portfolio. The supervised experience portfolio option enables you to experience a more vocational rather than research-based assessment.
Advanced Applied Research Skills
You will learn and apply innovative and cutting-edge methods of analysis evident in psychology literature.
Applied Measurement Techniques
You will learn how to develop and implement an effective performance testing battery to athletes from a range of sports.
Applied Research Skills
An introduction to quantitative and qualitative methodology for biomechanics using practical and real-world examples to illustrate how we make sense of data.
Planning, Programming & Application
Successful strength and conditioning relies on a sound comprehension of the principles governing program design, planning and application. Therefore, the emphasis of this module is to develop a robust theoretical understanding, practical skills and competencies that will make you an effective strength and conditioning practitioner.
Strength & Conditioning Theory & Practice
The strength and conditioning process is underpinned by the fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Science. The ability of a system to adapt to training-based stimulus relies on a physiological response to biomechanical demand. The effectiveness of this demand is often dependent on efficient transference of correct and safe movement technique, whether strength or conditioning. Therefore, strength and conditioning practitioners should have sound and applied insight into applied human physiology and biomechanics and the aim of this module is to provide this.
Supervised Experience Portfolio
This module provides you with the opportunity to plan, implement and evaluate discipline-specific sport and/or exercise science support within a real-life setting. You will gain insight into applied sport and exercise science, and prepare for the type of reflective and academically-grounded experience that is a central demand of candidates seeking Support Accreditation via BASES. The module has been designed to provide the opportunity for you to learn and develop in a real-world setting whilst having access to identified support and training mechanisms.
The Research Dissertation
This module is the culmination of previous learning and is the major element of your independent enquiry on your programme.  The module requires that you reflect on, and utilise the knowledge base, context, and application of taught modules, as well as placement experiences. It is designed to encourage you to generate and explore your own ‘problem’ assisted by supervision from a tutor.
Work Placement
This module provides you with the opportunity to put theory into practice whilst developing transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, task-deadline accomplishment, working under pressure and a professional work ethic.
By the end of the module, you should be able to:
- Understand the demands and expectations of a professional sporting working environment.
- Critically evaluate and reflect on your own performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Critically appraise and implement suitable methodologies designed to improve performance.
- Effectively plan, design and execute assessment of human performance.
- Undertake safe and effective laboratory and/or fieldwork.
- Demonstrate vocationally relevant Strength and Conditioning practice.
- Critically reflect on your own coaching performance.
Experience
Discover a wide range of excellent sporting facilities that support your learning
Fitness suite
We offer a variety of cardio, resistance and weight equipment, with a dedicated strength and conditioning room.
Expert staff
Learn from experienced strength and conditioning specialists here to support you throughout your degree.
Tudor Hale Centre for Sport
Our world-class Tudor Hale Centre for Sport acts as the focus for sports science, therapy and physiology.
Sports hall
Our specialist sports hall can be used for a wide range of indoor sports, including basketball, netball, badminton and volleyball.
Specialist outdoor sports pitches
Alongside our grass football and rugby pitches, we also have our International Hockey Federation compliant floodlit astro turf.
Close community
Our commitment to a friendly and close-knit student community contributes to a high degree of success for our graduates.
Sports Dome
The Sports Dome is a large indoor facility which can be used for sports such as cricket, football, hockey and many more.
Sports injury clinic
Sports Therapy students use our specialist injury clinics these spaces for practical sessions and run a practice.
Learning Resource Centre
The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) contains the library, a café, IT/teaching rooms, and the Support and Information Zone (SIZ).
Library
Our campus library holds more than 200,000 books and over 500,000 eBooks.
Subject specific librarians
If you have difficulty finding material for an essay, seminar or project, subject librarians will be happy to provide assistance.
Teaching and Assessment
Innovative teaching methods that focus on practice
Teaching
Our team of principal lecturers ensure innovation, enthusiasm and expertise combine to deliver the excellent standards that give our institution its high reputation.
When you come to Chichester, you will join a community of students and lecturers working in partnership to ensure that your learning experience reflects best practice and embraces the opportunities presented by new, interactive technologies.
Each module is delivered differently depending on its content and focus of study.
In most modules you can expect lead lectures to introduce core content, but the majority of your time will be spent working in small groups with tutor support in seminars, workshops or laboratory sessions.
Many sessions will require you to have completed some preparatory work and you will also be given structured follow-up work after a session to further progress your learning, often reading or an individual/group task. As you progress through your degree you will be expected to take more and more ownership over your learning and development, directing your study into areas of most interest to you.
Assessment
You will be assessed by a variety of methods, including essays, examinations, portfolios, practical assessments, lab reports and oral presentations.
Our course includes a mix of assessments, so that you may develop a wide range of transferable skills. Modules are assessed at every stage of the course, offering cumulative assessment of your progress.
You can monitor your own progress, allowing you the opportunity to discuss and plan your development with your lecturers throughout the course. Where appropriate, special arrangements can be made for students with an identified need.
- To gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning, you need to complete three modules.
- To gain a Postgraduate Diploma in Strength and Conditioning, you need to complete six modules.
- To gain an MSc in Strength and Conditioning, you need to complete six modules, and a dissertation of 12,000 words or a supervised experience portfolio.
Careers
Acquire the skills and knowledge required to gain employment as a sports coach
We understand the importance of ensuring that you have the knowledge, skills and experience to compete successfully in today’s challenging jobs market.
Given its emphasis on combining scientific, vocational and academic expertise within a range of different sporting areas, this programme serves as an excellent platform for a number of professional careers within sport.
Typical careers include:
- Coaching in professional clubs (academies, centres of excellence, community coaching)
- Personal training
- Coaching in amateur clubs
- Sports science support with sports governing bodies
- Teaching
- Sport development
- Sports management
- Coaching within the private school sector.
Course Costs
Course Fees 2025/26
UK fee
International fee
For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fees page.
For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.
To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.
University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.
Entry Requirements
- An honours degree at 2:1 or higher in a related discipline. Applicants with lower degree classifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Evidence of coaching experience, normally with a minimum of UKCC Level 2, or equivalent, qualification.
- You will be required to attend an interview.
If English is not your first language then English language proficiency required is IELTS 6.5 (with no element less than 5.5) – or equivalent qualification.
International students who don't meet the entry requirements
If you are an international student and do not yet meet the entry criteria for this course, you may be eligible for our International Premaster’s Programme. This is a one-semester programme that allows you to progress onto a master’s course at the University of Chichester.
Find out more
For more information about this course, please contact Dr Jason Lake at j.lake@chi.ac.uk
