Strength and Conditioning MSc

Course Content

• Course Details

  The Strength and Conditioning MSc course will examine advanced and current aspects of strength and conditioning – exploring the science behind S&C – such as the development of strength, speed and power. The practical training sessions are designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge required to become an applied practitioner. The course will culminate with you conducting a research project, allowing you to demonstrate an advanced understanding of the research process. You will complete the project with the intention of submitting your findings to relevant conferences and journals for publication.

  Find out what it’s like to study on the Strength and Conditioning MSc course at UON:

  Schedule and Methods of Learning

  The first trimester of the masters in strength and conditioning focuses on S&C techniques, the underpinning theory of training and programming, the assessment and management of injuries. The second trimester allows you to develop your understanding of these specific training methods and apply them to a real-life case study as part of the applied training methods module.

  Classes are delivered in a variety of means – lectures, seminars and practical – our aim is to provide opportunities for you to become actively involved in your learning. All sessions are supported by our online learning environment, NILE. You can expect three hours of contact time each week for each module. There are no additional costs for strength and conditioning courses however, you will need sports clothes (trainers, shorts, tops) when participating in the practical sessions.

  Placement Opportunities

  There are multiple opportunities, via the University’s industry links, to develop your applied practice across a range of local and national sports organisations. Sport links include professional cricket, rugby, football, England Dodgeball, GB Carriage Driving and many more.

  For example, successful candidates that secure work placements at Northamptonshire County Cricket Club (NCCC), will be under the supervision of S&C coaches and medical staff. You could potentially assist with the physical preparation of first team players and will have access to a variety of on-going applied learning opportunities to supplement continued education and academic studies.

  Modules

  Please note that modules on the Master’s in Strength and Conditioning run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

  • SPOM015 S&C Specific Athletes – 20 credits – 2nd trimester
  • SPOM016 S&C Techniques – 20 credits – 1st trimester
  • SPOM017 S&C Science – 20 credits – 1st trimester
  • SPOM019 Applied Practice – 40 credits – 2nd and 3rd  trimester
  • SPOM029 Research Methods – 20 credits – 2nd and 3rd  trimester
  • SPOM024 MSc Dissertation – 60 credits – 1st and 2nd trimester

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

  • Stage 1
    • Strength and Conditioning for Specific Athletes (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPOM015

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with an understanding of strength and conditioning provision for specific athletic groups such as children, adolescents, injured, female, and disabled athletes. The module will introduce students to specific athlete issues with reference to the biological mechanisms and issues underpinning the development of key performance qualities, with reference to contemporary training methods and techniques.
    • Strength and Conditioning Techniques (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPOM016

      Status: Compulsory
      This primarily practical module seeks to develop professional competencies of strength and conditioning coaches. It will enable students to effectively demonstrate strength and conditioning strategies that are used to facilitate performance enhancement.
    • Strength and Conditioning Science (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPOM017

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with a detailed understanding of the physiological and mechanical principles that govern effective strength and conditioning training. Students will also learn how to analyse training data to identify performance trends that can be fed back to coaches and athletes. In addition, this module will enable students to develop an evidence-informed approach to strength and conditioning practices to support current training recommendations.
    • Applied Practice (40 Credits)
      Module code: SPOM019

      Status: Compulsory
      Applied Practice provides an opportunity for students to apply complex theoretical knowledge, innovative ideas and strategies to autonomously investigate a novel idea/proposition to a real world setting relevant to their chosen pathway through engagement in a work-based learning environment. The module will provide opportunities to develop and consolidate skills in evidence-based practice and engages the student in critical thinking, enquiry and analysis, including research and critical appraisal skills.
    • Sport Dissertation (MSc) (60 Credits)
      Module code: SPOM024

      Status: Compulsory
      The module provides an opportunity for the student to apply knowledge, concepts, and research techniques to a question or problem in a specific discipline within their studies. The module builds and expands on students' prior knowledge and aims to develop expertise and understanding of the scientific process including research methodology, skills to execute planning, conducting, analysis and writing up of their research. It will develop the student's ability to work independently and to reflect on the subject-specific research process.The assessment undertaken will reflect the specific pathway of the student.
    • Research Methodologies (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPOM047

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will advance the students understanding of the foundations of quantitative and qualitative methodologies and analyses commonly used in research projects. It will also provide the student with an understanding of the approaches and reasoning to study design, data collection and analysis

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• Accreditation

  Our MSc Strength and Conditioning course is aligned to the guidelines set out by the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA).  The module content and a number of assessments have been designed to align with the content and assessments associated with UKSCA accreditation.

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