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MSc Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation

Why choose Herts?

  • Facilities: Learn in our Institute of Sport building, utilising state of the art equipment and laboratories.
  • Industry connections: Performance Herts offers placement opportunities, working with elite athletes such as England Women’s Rugby, Saracens Mavericks, UK Sports Institute, England Squash, Netball and Golf.
  • Accreditation and industry qualifications: This course will enable you to pursue accreditation from relevant strength and conditioning awarding bodies the UKSCA and NSCA. Furthermore, we are a licensed delivery partner for the Level 3 UKSCA Strength and Conditioning Trainer award.
  • Entry requirements and key information

    The entry requirements for the programme are:    

    Either: 

    A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in a relevant subject area such as sports science, sports therapy, strength and conditioning, sport coaching, physiotherapy or sports and exercise nutrition;  

    Or: 

    An honours degree in another discipline that includes physiology, anatomy or biomechanics.  

    Students who do not hold the required qualifications can still apply via the nonstandard route, which the Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation programme team will be happy to consider. To do this, applicants will need to produce a portfolio of evidence that enables the team to see how their professional experience and/or qualifications demonstrates the following: 

    • an ability to cope with the demands of the programme and study at level 7 (MSc level) 
    • a minimum of one year’s work experience in the strength, conditioning and rehabilitation industry or a related sector and/or relevant professional body accreditation 
    • an ability to write and present work coherently and to present a sound argument, supported by relevant literature and academic research
    • the personal drive and commitment to undertake the programme
    • The above can be evidenced through a CV and employment references highlighting relevant past and current employment which includes areas such as report writing and presentations. If there are any queries regarding the submitted portfolio of evidence, the programme team may invite the applicant to a meeting (in person or online) to discuss their application.

    Please check our country-specific international qualification requirements. 

    An IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent is required if English is not the first language. If you do not have the required level of English for entry, our academic English courses can help you to achieve this level. 

    Applicants may require a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if work experience requires it. Non-disclosure of any criminal activity prior to or during studies may lead to a student being withdrawn from the programme, as outlined in the School's Disclosure and Barring Service Procedure. 

    Institution code

    		 H36

    School of study

    		 School of Life and Medical Sciences

    Course length
  • Full Time, 1 Years
  • Part Time, 2 Years

    • Location
  • University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
  • Employability

    Careers

    This qualification will enhance your employability, opening exciting career opportunities in coaching and sports performance, as well as a range of roles in the health and fitness industry and in performance diagnostics-oriented organisations. Graduates would also be well equipped to create a consultancy business. 

    What job can I get?

    Graduates of the MSc Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation are well positioned for the following roles: 

    • Strength and Conditioning Coach 
    • Rehabilitation Coach/Scientist  
    • Exercise Specialist (NHS) 
    • Sports Scientist  
    • Personal Trainer
    • Performance Coach

    Work placement

    The course offers a work placement module of 30 credits. This is run in collaboration with Performance Herts, who provide world-class strength and conditioning services for elite athletes including England Squash, England Golf, England Netball, England Women’s Rugby, Women’s FA, Saracens Mavericks, Arsenal Women’s FC, Saracen’s Ladies, English Insitute of Sport, Wasps Netball, LTA as well the University of Hertfordshire and regional and county clubs. You will be allocated performance teams to work with and gain invaluable experience and expertise as a result. Placements can also be completed at other industry destinations.   

    We will support you to secure your perfect placement so that you graduate with work experience, valuable contacts and sought-after professional skills.  

Professional Accreditations

This course is aligned to the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) and will prepare you for the full accreditation.  

The University of Hertfordshire is also a UKSCA Strength and Conditioning Trainer licensed delivery partner, and this MSc will provide you with the opportunity to take the UKSCA Strength and Conditioning Trainer award. Therefore, this accreditation is also offered, subject to assessment. 

Most strength and conditioning jobs in the UK require UKSCA and/or NSCA accreditation or the ability to achieve this within six months: this MSc will provide that ability.   

About the course

The MSc Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation is designed for graduate sports scientists, sports therapists, sports coaches, physiotherapists and other health professionals looking to expand their technical expertise, skills and career opportunities.  

You will advance your knowledge around the science and practice of strength and conditioning, providing practical and theoretical insight to help people achieve their performance goals, whether elite, recreational or just looking to improve their overall health. You will learn about the prevention and acceleration of recovery from injury and develop skills in the testing and monitoring of physical performance via biomechanical and physiological testing. You will build effective, practical coaching skills in foundation movements, resistance training, speed, agility and rehabilitation, as well as enhancing your analytical, critical thinking, communication and teamworking skills. 

This is a practical-based course with expert teaching staff from a variety of backgrounds and with experience working in elite sport and the health industry. You’ll benefit from an experiential learning experience at our Institute of Sport, with access to equipment such as our GRAIL treadmill, gold-standard force plates, 3D motion capture, environmental chamber, forcedecks software, gymAware, optojump, smart speed gates and more. 

Why choose this course?

  • Gain unique specialist knowledge and skills in strength and conditioning rehabilitation. 
  • Learn in our Institute of Sport and benefit from advancing with one of the few providers in the UK to offer the academic as well as partnerships and elite service elements of sport. 
  • Utilise state of the art equipment in the areas of physiology and biomechanics to develop the highest skills in the practical application of sports science. 
  • Gain vocational experience and skills through a work-based module, based at Performance Herts or another professional body. 
  • Boost your employability with industry qualifications through the University of Hertfordshire’s licensed UKSCA Strength and Conditioning Trainer delivery partner status. 
  • Broaden your expertise and skills through research activities with academic staff. 

What will I study?

You will learn from and diversify your expertise from a range of teaching staff backgrounds, including exercise physiologists, strength and conditioning coaches, sports therapists and biomechanists. Our staff have been working in elite sport including international, professional and academy as well as working in the health industry.  

The course is taught face-to-face with some elements of blended learning and is typically full-time, with students attending a three-day block in September, followed by one day each week and another three-day block in January. Part-time learners will attend one day a week on Wednesdays and will not complete the three day blocks. A variety of learning methods are used from practical, theoretical and experiential learning. Assessment is varied, from practical coaching and testing to presentations, research reports and critical reviews. 

Compulsory modules of study include: 

  • Strength and Conditioning Science 
  • Functional Principles of Rehabilitation 
  • Applied Strength and Conditioning 
  • Applied Rehabilitation 
  • Testing and Monitoring for Performance 
  • Research Methods 
  • Research Project 
  • Work Placement 

Where will I study? 

Based on our de Havilland campus, you’ll be inspired through our fantastic facilities, including our Institute of Sport with gold standard equipment, the Hertfordshire Sports Village and Performance Herts gym. You will also have access to our impressive Learning Resources Centre.  

  • Level 7
    Module Credits Compulsory/optional
    Strength and Conditioning Science 15 Credits Compulsory
    Functional Principles of Rehabilitation 15 Credits Compulsory
    Applied Rehabilitation 15 Credits Compulsory
    Testing and Monitoring for Performance 30 Credits Compulsory
    Research Methods 15 Credits Compulsory
    Research Project 45 Credits Compulsory
    Work Placement 30 Credits Compulsory
    Applied Strength and Conditioning 15 Credits Compulsory

    • Key staff

    Senior Lecturer Danny Muniz

    Find out more about Senior Lecturer Danny Muniz

    Head of Physical Performance and Academic Liaison Fiona Scott

    Find out more about Head of Physical Performance and Academic Liaison Fiona Scott

    Programme Leader Jon Brazier

    Find out more about Programme Leader Jon Brazier

    Senior Lecturer Kate Cady

    Find out more about Senior Lecturer Kate Cady

    Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    MSc Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation Download
    Programme specifications
    MSc Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    		 Yes

    Student experience

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

    Find out about how we support our students

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