Strength and Conditioning MSc
2025-26 Year of entry
This degree is the ideal sports and exercise science route for students who aspire to work with elite athletes
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The aim of this Masters degree in Strength and Conditioning is to provide you with the necessary skills that will allow you to deliver high performance support to both the athletic and non-athletic populations. During this course you will learn the underpinning scientific theories that will allow you to best monitor, programme and coach at the highest level. The course is delivered by our esteemed academics who have a wealth of experience in the applied sector, ensuring you get the most out of this degree.
Why study MSc Strength and Conditioning at Middlesex University?
This programme has been approved by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) through the Education Recognition Program (ERP). The ERP recognizes and distinguishes academic institutions that offer a Master’s degree with standardized, approved strength and conditioning curricula that is designed to prepare students for the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certifications. In addition to this, our program will also provide you with the necessary skills to become an Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach (ASCC) with the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA).
During your time with us at the London Sport Institute, Middlesex, you will have access to our state-of-the-art facilities at Stone X, situated in Saracens Rugby stadium. You will develop your skills using industry relevant technology and have an opportunity to gain experience as a strength and conditioning coach and scientist through our work-placement module.
Course highlights
- Be taught by world leading academics who also consult within high performance sport
- This course will facilitate your accreditation from relevant strength and conditioning awarding bodies and provide opportunities to supervised work experience with high-level athletes
- Based in London, we are surrounded by the greatest density of sports clubs and organisations in the UK
- As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.
About your course
What will you study on the MSc Strength and Conditioning?
The MSc Strength and Conditioning degree is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of fundamental scientific principles aimed at optimizing human performance. Throughout the program, you will gain hands-on experience and develop theoretical knowledge that underpins the field of strength and conditioning. The curriculum is designed to cover a wide range of key topics, including: exercise physiology, biomechanics, and coaching techniques and principles, ensuring you graduate a well-rounded practitioner with diverse opportunity in the job market.
We achieve this through the delivery of two core strength and conditioning modules, which are further complimented by a research methods module and a dissertation module. This ensures your coaching practice is well rationalised using the latest research and scientific principles, which can then be applied in the work placement module.
Modules
Here is an overview of the modules.
The aim of this module is to facilitate students' understanding of the physiological mechanisms and biomechanical principles that govern strength and conditioning training. This will be achieved by developing their ability to critically analyse current practices. Students will also learn to justify their strength and conditioning training programmes while staying up to date with scientific advancements and research. Additionally, the module aims to enhance students' data analysis skills, enabling them to analyse, interpret, and present performance testing information that underpins the interventions being applied.
The aim of the module is to support students to be able to critically assess athlete movement competency, both objectively and subjectively, and use these skills to develop strength and conditioning programming for athlete performance. In addition, this module aims to provide students with the ability to critically demonstrate their knowledge and skills relating to the coach-ability of a range of weightlifting, agility, speed and plyometric exercises.
This module aims to equip students with the relevant knowledge and skills to undertake appropriate individual and group-based research (where applicable) in their subject areas. Students will learn searching strategies to identify relevant literature, how to critically appraise literature and relevant research methods topics such as research design, selecting and using suitable quantitative or qualitative approaches appropriate to the subject area.
This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop their skills as a practitioner, specific to their discipline of study, helping to prepare them for the working environment. It aims to provide students with the opportunity to showcase a journey of practitioner development, through critical reflection, whilst concurrently enabling a broader set of skills to be progressed, such as: communication, problem-solving, time management, and collaboration.
The aim of this module is to guide students through an independent project where they are tasked with selecting and formulating a specific question or challenge that contributes to the generation of original knowledge to their field of study. Students will be required to design and develop a clear hypothesis, justifying their approach through ethical and rigorous methods to collect, analyse, and evaluate relevant data or information. The module also aims to encourage students to critically judge and appraise existing knowledge, identify gaps, and compare and contrast different perspectives to generate new insights.
Please download the course specification for Strength and Conditioning MSc course specification (PDF)
Register your interest
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Teaching
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.
The MSc Strength and Conditioning is an Education Recognised Programme (ERP) by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the leading international accrediting body for the discipline of strength and conditioning. This highlights our commitment to employer engagement and that both the teaching and learning methods utilised are committed to high quality delivery and content, which will assist with employability upon graduation.
The on-campus programme adopts an on-campus teaching approach, supported with additional online materials.
Teaching
- All of the theory-based content is delivered through pre-recorded lectures to allow you more flexibility to study around your schedule
- This means all on campus days are focused on practical application and applying theoretical knowledge from the lectures
- Additional live, online tutorials will be delivered each week to help further facilitate your learning and preparation for assessments
- During the program you will have the privilege of having guest lectures delivered by leaders in their field that work at some of the world leading institutions and governing bodies that boast developing current premier league players and Olympic medallists.
Learning structure - typical hourly breakdown:
| Live in-person on campus learning | Contact hours per week, per level: | 3 hours |
| Live online learning | Average hours per week, per level: | 1.5 hours |
| Tutor set learning activities | Average hours per week, per level: | 1.5 hours |
Definitions of terms
Live in-person on campus learning – This will focus on active and experiential sessions that are both:
- Led by your tutors including seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations We'll schedule all of this for you
- Student-led by you and other students, like small group work and presentations.
Tutor set learning activities – This covers activities which will be set for you by your tutor, but which you will undertake in your own time. Examples of this include watching online materials, participating in an online discussion forum, completing a virtual laboratory or reading specific texts. You may be doing this by yourself of with your course mates depending on your course and assignments. Outside of these hours, you’ll also be expected to do further independent study where you’ll be expected to learn, prepare, revise and reflect in your own time.
Whether studying on Middlesex University London programmes either on-campus at the StoneX campus or in Distance education modes, you will have access to relevant programme-specific software relating to statistical analysis and office-suites.
Academic supervisors from the University are assigned to you to guide you through the shared modules for this programme.
Course content can also be accessed via the University MyMDX learning platform, where all learning materials are available. In addition, University wide services will be available on the same platform.
Your knowledge, understanding and skills is assessed via a range of assessment methods, such as: presentations, practical assessments, and coursework.
You'll evaluate your work, skills and knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Sometimes you'll work in groups and assess each other's progress. Each term, you'll get regular feedback on your learning.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
- Students will require an 2:2 honours degree or above in a sport or exercise related subject.
- Alternatively, prospective students who have completed a non-related degree but have extensive experience in the field will be considered.
Academic credit for previous study or experience
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your Middlesex University programme of study.
We welcome students from the UK and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:
- Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
- Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
- Work placements and networking with top London employers
- Award-winning career support to get you where you want to go after university.
Qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the accepted qualifications on your country's support page. If you are unsure of the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest international office.
English language
You will need to meet our English language requirements. And, don’t worry If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, as we offer a Pre-sessional English course.
Visas
To study with us in the UK, you might need a Student visa. Please check to see if this applies to you.
Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university.
Please visit our postgraduate application page for further information and to apply.
Interviews
Interviews are not required for this course.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is just 20 minutes from central London, giving you easy access to everything this vibrant city has to offer. Make the most of incredible professional opportunities, cultural experiences, and more affordable living, all within a supportive and close-knit campus community.
Learn moreFacilities
Our facilities at StoneX Stadium, in collaboration with Saracens, together with partnerships with clubs like Tottenham offer placement opportunities and unique access to academy and elite players, and coaches
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Facilities include - biomechanics, physio, performance analysis, rehab, cognition labs and clinic
Find out moreFacilities
Our facilities boast an environment that is akin to the high-performance world. Accessibility to new technologies and state of the art, purpose-built rooms will become a common place for your learning. We take great pride in ensuring you experience top quality facilities to compliment our teaching. Read the Eleiko case study with world leaders in strength training equipment, on the development of our S&C lab.
Student support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
Careers
How can the MSc Strength and Conditioning support your career?
This Strength and Conditioning master’s degree opens doors to a number of exciting career path, with excellent career progression opportunities.
With the ever-increasing focus in the sporting world on achieving the best results possible, strength and conditioning coaches are in high demand.
We take great pride in our graduates having found success at professional and elite organisations such as:
- Formula 1
- UK Sport Institute (UKSI)
- Premiership Football (Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, to name a few
- Premiership Rugby (Saracens, Harlequins, Ealing to name a few)
- Professional Cricket (Middlesex CCC, Nottinghamshire CCC, to name a few)
- British Military (Army and Special Air Service)
We continue to sustain and develop our links with professional organisations to enhance the potential career opportunities for our graduates. Further to this, you'll also be capable of establishing your own consultancy business or progressing on to additional study in the form of a PhD. Regardless of what those next steps are, Middlesex University is the place to be to take your career in strength and conditioning to the next level!
Fees and funding
The fees below are for the 2025/26 academic year.
UK students1
Full-time students: £10,700
Part-time students: £71 per credit
Part-time students: £35 per dissertation credit
International students2
Full-time students: £17,100
Part-time students: £114 per credit
Part-time students: £57 per dissertation credit
Additional costs
The following course-related costs are included in the fees:
- All printing and copying required for your study
- Self-service laptops available for loan for a maximum of 24 hours
- Audio-visual equipment available for loan, including digital stills cameras, digital video recorders, digital audio recorders
Financial support
We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.
Postgraduate scholarships
You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:
- The Alumni Postgraduate Award – as an undergraduate student continuing postgraduate studies at Middlesex, you can apply for 20% off your fees
- The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
- The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
- The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
- Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees.
For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.
Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.
Help from your employer
Your employer can contribute towards the cost of your postgraduate study as part of their staff development programme.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
Scholarships and bursaries
As an undergraduate alumnus continuing postgraduate studies at Middlesex, you are eligible for an alumni awards worth 20% off your fees.
Dr Chris Bishop
Interim Head of Department -London Sports Institute
Dr Shyam Chavda
Technical Tutor (Sports)
Dr Anthony Turner
Professor in Sports & Exercise Science
Dr Sean Maloney
Hourly Academic
Get answers from our Unibuddy student ambassadors
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We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.