Strength and Conditioning MSc
2 Years Part-Time | September Start
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Are you highly motivated, driven and passionate about sport science and strength and conditioning? Would you like to have a real impact on sport and the development of athletes? This Masters course gives you the knowledge and practical competencies to train elite athletes or pursue your own research studies at PhD level.
MSc Strength and Conditioning focuses on the practical aspects of the discipline, covering topics such as: the physiology of strength and conditioning, applied strength and conditioning, contemporary issues and professional practice for the benefit of athletes in the sporting industry.
The course is focused on delivering industry specific knowledge and is supported by a world class BASES-accredited teaching and research environment. Your future employment opportunities across the sports science industry will also be enhanced.
You can expect a professional, hands-on learning experience. Our practical sessions involve laboratory and field-work to develop the range of skills required of a strength and conditioning practitioner, including measurement of key physical capacities, the execution of appropriate training methods, and the coaching of individuals and groups.
Throughout your Masters, you’ll be working in our Sport Central laboratories; a £30 million state-of-the-art facility that offers a strength and conditioning suite and sprint track, nutrition laboratory, nutrition kitchen, body composition laboratory, exercise physiology laboratory, integrated performance laboratory, and biomechanics and gait laboratory.
"It’s inspiring. You are constantly surrounded by individuals with a very high level of knowledge and experience within the industry."
- Sam Bacon, former student, MSc Strength and Conditioning
Graduates of the programme have gone on to work as strength and conditioning coaches, sports scientists and performance managers across numerous high performance environments within sport and private organisations. Other graduates have also progressed to doctoral level study in the field of sports science
Level of Study
Postgraduate
Mode of Study
2 years Part Time
1 other options available
Department
Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2025
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
Get an insight into studying Strength and Conditioning at Northumbria from Masters students James and Nick.
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Combining practical and theoretical knowledge you’ll increase your skills through informed debate with your peers and independent study.
You will learn through small group lectures that will help direct you towards subjects for further study and research and through sessions mainly involving laboratory or practical skills. These sessions will help you develop your hands-on experience alongside analytical, data handling and scientific reporting expertise.
You will be assessed through practical assessments, case studies, viva voce exams, presentations, written coursework, and laboratory reports. In these assessments you will be challenged to demonstrate key skills of a master of science, including the ability to critically think, evaluate, analyse, articulate, and self-reflect, in varying contexts relating to the discipline of strength and conditioning.
You will be able to demonstrate transferable and practical professional skills as well as ensuring you can present information to different audiences, for example scientific research conferences and peer groups.
You will be allocated a personal tutor for the duration of the course and encouraged to seek support from both peers and members of the academic team. The course team has a wealth of experience in terms of supporting students from a variety of backgrounds, both personal and professional.
Watch our Department video to get a feel for the inspiring learning community you could be part of at Northumbria.
You will learn from our expert staff members, many of whom are accredited strength and conditioning coaches as well as being actively involved in research.
Their specialisms include recovery from exercise; strategies to enhance performance; different fatigue mechanisms; sports nutrition products and how they benefit exercise populations.
Northumbria is ranked in the top 30 for excellence in sport and exercise science research power, making it the best-rated university in the North East.
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
You’ll be learning and training in some of the best campus sport facilities in the country
You’ll have access to facilities including Sport Central, a £30 million purpose-built sports building that offers a strength and conditioning suite, sprint track, nutrition laboratory, nutrition kitchen, body composition laboratory, biomechanics and gait laboratory, exercise physiology laboratory and an integrated performance laboratory.
Not only this, but the department also has links with strength and conditioning coaches in Team Northumbria which complement our excellent facilities, staff and resources. With links to local, elite, professional, and semi-professional sporting environments and their coaching staff.
The state-of-the-art sport and exercise science labs have been accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), providing the perfect environment to develop your knowledge and hands-on research skills.
Northumbria has an unrivalled reputation for sport and exercise science research power in the North East.
The department has a high number of renowned research active members of staff researching topics pertinent to the field of study. Many of whom are accredited strength and conditioning coaches (with the UKSCA and NSCA) and accredited sport scientists (with the British Association of Sport Sciences).
You’ll have the opportunity to take part in their research projects and benefit from their expert knowledge as part of the course and through your final dissertation.
You’ll be encouraged to develop a critical approach with a focus on problem solving, while expanding key areas of knowledge and practical experience as you progress on to more complex research projects.
Students will carry out an empirical piece of research (the dissertation) that requires a synthesis of knowledge and critical understanding of topics covered on the programme.
The course is focused on delivering industry specific knowledge, whereby the teaching and assessment strategies have been designed to align with the competencies required by the NSCA, and the UKSCA accreditation pathway, putting you in good standing for future employment.
During your studies you will complete a module titled “Sport Professional Practice” where you will be challenged to implement plans to enhance your employability through a range of professional development activities, which will include volunteer and internship roles, other informal learning opportunities, and non-formal and formal continued professional development (CPD) opportunities.
Modules are to be delivered in a format that will make the programme accessible for part time students who may wish to seek employment to complement their studies.
Graduating from this course, you’ll be well qualified to work as a strength and conditioning coach or go on to study for a PhD.
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