Code

PGC60S

Start

September 2025

Fees

£10,000 (UK) £12,800 (INT)

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

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 (Online Distance Learning) 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 an opportunity to be taught in our state-of-the-art facilities at Stone X, during the residential. You will develop your skills using industry relevant technology and have an opportunity to gain experience as a strength and conditioning coach and scientist.

Course highlights

Flexible learning to ensure you get the most out of being a distant learner
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
As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.

It is strongly suggested that students attend the residential where possible, providing government restriction do not hinder attendance. Should you be unable to attend the residential for the above reason it will NOT impact your ability to complete the course and meet the learning outcomes, therefore providing you with the opportunity to graduate.

About your course

What will you study on MSc Strength and Conditioning (Online Distance Learning)?

The MSc Strength and Conditioning degree is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of sports science principles aimed at optimizing human performance. Throughout the program, you will delve into various aspects of sport science, gaining hands-on experience and 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 key modules, facilitated 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.

What will you gain?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to effectively design an evidenced-based strength and conditioning program, as well as select, administer and analyse performance testing. You'll also develop a mastery of communication and delivery of a programme to varying athletic populations for gym and field-based exercises.

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.

To find out more about this course please download the Strength and Conditioning MSc (Online Distance Learning) specification (PDF).

Register your interest

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.

Learning for the distance education programme is undertaken via a range of online materials, tutorials and seminars with an optional residential.

We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we have learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.

Learning structure: typical hourly breakdown:

Live learning	Contact time per week, per level: 3 hours
Self-paced learning time	Average hours per week, per level: 6.5 hours
On demand resources	Average hours per week, per level: 3 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.

Student testimonials

My time during the Strength and Conditioning master’s degree has been invaluable. The lecturers were exceptional in delivering theoretical knowledge and how this can be applied in the field. Because of this I've had opportunity to present at conferences and assist in research at international sporting events. Given the up to date content and stellar reputation of the lecturers, I highly recommend this course.

Xiang ‘Tyler’ Yao
PhD student and Strength and Conditioning Coach for Saracens Women's RFC

Facilities

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 during the residential. We take great pride in ensuring you experience top quality facilities to complement our teaching. Here is a case study with world leaders in strength training equipment, Eleiko on the development of our S&C lab.

Middlesex University, UK | Eleiko

Careers

How can the MSc Strength and Conditioning (Online Distance Learning) 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, to name a few
Premiership Rugby (Saracens, Harlequins, Ealing to name a few)
Premiership Cricket (Notts County, Middlesex 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.

Entry requirements

Qualifications

We normally require a second class honours degree 2:2 or above, or equivalent qualification in a sports or exercise related field.

Applicants with an undergraduate degree in non-related areas will be considered subject to relevant industry experience and professional qualifications.

Academic credit

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.

Interviews may form a part of your application process.

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university.

Please visit our Postgraduate application page for further information and to apply.

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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 about campus life

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.

As a sports therapist, I applied to the Strength and Conditioning master’s degree to help develop my knowledge in training interventions and development of athletes. I knew this was the right place for me due to the boundless knowledge and reputation of the lecturers. From the knowledge gained, I have been able to implement my skills within academy football conducting sessions, physical testing and monitoring of maturation and growth-related injuries. Furthermore, I was privileged enough to have my dissertation accepted for publication in an international journal. I would strongly recommend this course at Middlesex University.

Rebecca Fernandes
Sport Rehabilitation Therapist

Fees and funding

The fees below refer to the 2025/26 academic year unless otherwise stated.

UK students¹

Full-time students: £10,000
Part-time students: £67 per credit
Part-time students: £33 per dissertation credit

International students²

Full-time students: £12,800
Part-time students: £86 per credit
Part-time students: £42 per dissertation credit

For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate 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.

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Dr Shyam Chavda

Technical Tutor (Sports)

Dr Anthony Turner

Professor in Sports & Exercise Science

Dr Chris Bishop

Interim Head of Department -London Sports Institute

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Next steps

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.

Why study MSc Strength and Conditioning (Online Distance Learning) at Middlesex University?

About your course