Why choose the School of Sport Science and Physical Activity
Block course delivery (two four-hour days for full-time students and one four-hour day for part-time students) allows time for work experience and employment.
Embedded work placement opportunities are provided, building your CV and career prospects.
In the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2025, the University of Bedfordshire ranks UK 29th overall; it ranks in the top 10 for skills development and in the top 15 for teaching and learning, assessment and feedback; and sense of community.
About the course
This course is only taking applications for 2026 entry.
For further information or to apply contact admission@beds.ac.uk
This Master’s course prepares you for careers in performance sport and the health and fitness sector as an applied sport scientist in elite, grassroots and schools' sport as well as working with the general population within a health-club setting. In an ideal environment for scientific exploration and practical skills development, the course allows you to explore approaches to supporting athletes including testing physical capacities; looking at performance nutrition; laboratory work; strength and conditioning; and monitoring performance via GPS. You develop the skills to assess athletes’ performance, see what is lacking in their performance profile and positively impact their physical performance.
If you would like more information about this course, please contact Dr Iain Fletcher at iain.fletcher@beds.ac.uk
Course accreditation / industry endorsement
We are endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), allowing you to gain the additional qualification of Strength & Conditioning Trainer at no additional charge.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Sports laboratories accredited by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES)
- Human Performance Centre with heat chamber for high-temperature acclimatisation
- Biochemical analysis laboratory
- New strength and conditioning suite with nine lifting platforms
- On-campus community exercise clinic supporting clients with a range of conditions
- Free sports injury clinic
- Free gym
- Range of external games areas and pitches
Industry links
We are official education partners of Luton Town FC and Bedford Blues RFC as well as other sporting organisations in the region such as Bedford Tigers RLFC, MK Dons, Cricket East and Be Active, giving you opportunities to improve your employability through work placements.
There are also opportunities to develop personal and professional networks through our links with Sport England, governing bodies, active partnerships and health-industry experts.
Your student experience
Study with an academic team who have world-leading expertise in their fields and are actively involved in supporting elite sports performers as well as research on human performance.
Benefit from our successful partnerships with professional sports teams, elite athletes, academies, schools, colleges and other relevant organisations.
Local placement opportunities with Luton Town FC, Bedford Blues RFC, Ampthill Rugby club, Northampton Saints, MK Dons, Saracens, Northampton County Cricket Club, Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) and the USA’s National Football League (NFL).
Gain invaluable work experience in our Human Performance Centre, which offers testing to sports people, teams and the general public across the range of fitness capacities. Or work in our community exercise clinic or help support our University BUCS team athletes.
Regular industry speakers attend our ISPAR seminar series including Jack Wells (PGA), Tom Bromley (S&C coach for MK Dons), Mark Finney (former head of S&C at Northampton Saints), and Phil Pask (former lead physio for England Rugby).
Our graduates have gone on to careers at the Lawn Tennis Association, British Water Skiing, Red Bull Racing, Saracens, Bedford Blues, MKDons and the Geelong Cats in the Australian Football League, to name a few.
What will you study?
- Scientific Support of Elite Athletes
- Laboratory Based Assessment of Physical Capacities
- Postgraduate Specialist PlacementResearch Methods
- Field Based Strength & Conditioning
- Sport and Physical Activity Masters Dissertation
- Applied Physiology & Performance Nutrition
How will you be assessed?
A wide range of assessment formats will be used within this course, including laboratory reports, case studies, portfolios, practical exams and presentations. The course will move assessments from a controlled established scientific base through to a more autonomous and practical application of research to inform the practical skills associated with performance sport as a career. This will be reinforced by original research and athlete assessment creating data to be explored and analysed through reports and research dissertations, while high order practical competency (with problem solving) will be examined in line with governing body competencies, preparing students for potential accreditation and work opportunities.
Careers
Completion of this course will give you the opportunity to work within the sport and health sectors, supporting human performance. Specific career paths include, sport scientist; exercise physiologist, strength and conditioning coach, FE/HE lecturer and laboratory technician.
You can also continue to further research-based study on MSc by Research, MPhil or PhD programmes.
