About the course
Increased investment in sport has opened up new careers in strength and conditioning and sport science support. This innovative course opens the way for a future as a high-performance strength and conditioning coach or applied sports scientist, at both elite level and within grassroots sport.
Our Strength and Conditioning Master’s provides the theory, knowledge and skills you need to pursue professional accreditationwith a number of bodies including the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES); the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA); and appropriate higher coaching awards (Level 3 or above).
You explore a range of approaches - including strength and conditioning, testing physical capacities, sport science support and laboratory work – and assess their contribution to helping athletes increase performance. Areas of study may include: advanced strength and conditioning; sport science support; exercise and nutrition prescription; and cardiopulmonary exercise testing and interpretation.
Why choose this course?
- Study with an academic team who have world-leading expertise in their fields and are actively involved in research
- Work in the ideal environment for both scientific exploration and practical skills development. Facilities include six BASES-accredited sport and exercise science laboratories; our Human Performance Centre; a nutrition research kitchen; two molecular and cellular physiology labs; and a dedicated strength and conditioning suite
- Benefit from our successful partnerships with professional sports teams, elite athletes, academies, schools, colleges and other relevant organisations
- Develop your research skills and capabilities including research design and ethics; statistics; and laboratory skills
- Build your employability by taking optional placement units
- As a Higher Education Partner of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), our course is aligned to the professional standards required for you to
gain the Strength and Conditioning Trainer Award - Specific career paths include health promotion specialist; clinical exercise physiologist; and clinical technician or researcher. You can also continue to further research-based study on MSc by research, MPhil or PhD programmes
Accreditations
- CIMSPA Endorsed

Unit Information - What will I learn?
Units
- Advanced Strength And Conditioning (SPO011-6) Compulsory
- Applied Strength And Conditioning (SPO075-6) Compulsory
- Laboratory Skills (SPE002-6) Compulsory
- Principles Of Strength And Conditioning (SPO057-6) Compulsory
- Research Methods (SPO005-6) Compulsory
- Sport And Physical Activity Masters Dissertation (SPO070-6) Compulsory
- Sport Science Support (SPE001-6) Compulsory
- Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing And Interpretation (SPO015-6) Optional
- Exercise And Nutrition Prescription (SPO010-6) Optional
- Placement (Long) (SPO039-6) Optional
- Placement (Short) (SPO009-6) Optional
How will I be assessed?
Our students say our courses, teaching and support are a winning combination, that’s why we are 51st out of 122 for Sport in the Guardian University Guide 2022.
We’re 12th for employability because our courses get you a degree-level job.
We have more one-to-one time for you which is why we are in the top 10 for staff/student ratio.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree at Honours level, or equivalent.
To apply for a place on a postgraduate course (MA/MSc/MBA) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good first degree and the required English language qualification
Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country
To apply for a postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA/LLM) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate subject from a recognised university or HE institution.
We will also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or appropriate work experience.
You also need to have the required English language qualification
Contact your country’s International Admissions Team for more information.
Entry Requirements
UK
Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree at Honours level, or equivalent.
EU
To apply for a place on a postgraduate course (MA/MSc/MBA) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good first degree and the required English language qualification
Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country
International
To apply for a postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA/LLM) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate subject from a recognised university or HE institution.
We will also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or appropriate work experience.
You also need to have the required English language qualification
Contact your country’s International Admissions Team for more information.
Non-Standard Entry
(All non-standard entry candidates will be required to attend an interview with the Award Manager)
a. Graduates with a first degree in a closely allied subject, where the gaps in subject specific knowledge could be closed using a negotiated programme that would include additional units from within the undergraduate modular degree scheme
b. Sport, Exercise, Coaching and Health professionals with demonstrable experience and expertise within the field who also possess an HNC/HND or GNVQ/NVQ at level 4 in an appropriate subject. These candidates will be required to provide a full portfolio of supporting evidence outlining appropriate academic and educational training and attend an interview, which will aim to assess:
- the applicants motivation, maturity and realistic approach to their studies
- the nature and level of life/work experience and prior study, and the learning that has resulted from such experience
- the clarity of the applicants educational goals and objectives
- the extent to which the applicant can provide evidence of the threshold skills and knowledge required for a given programme.
As a result of this interview candidates may also be required to bridge gaps in their current knowledge by taking additional units from within the undergraduate modular degree scheme
AP(E)L /APL
Credit may be given for prior (academic/professional) learning against some of the units. A portfolio of evidence and attainment of equivalent learning outcomes is required. Procedures for considering APL applications are determined by the Academic Board and issued by the Registry.
How will this course improve my career prospects?
On completion of this courses will give you the opportunity to work within sport coaching, teaching, high performance coaching and talent identification and performance conditioning.
Fees and funding
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £8,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £8,250 per year.
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2021/22 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Scholarship Available
The Scholarship scheme for international students enrolling in the academic year 21/22 at one of our UK campuses is as follows:
- An automatic £1,000 Vice Chancellor's Scholarship for new international applicants (undergraduate and postgraduate).
- A £500 Prompt Payment Discount for applicants who pay their first year fees in full, before or at registration (undergraduate and postgraduate).
- A further £500 for applicants who are also University of Bedfordshire alumni
Fees and funding
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £8,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
EU
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £8,250 per year.
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2021/22 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Scholarship Available
The Scholarship scheme for international students enrolling in the academic year 21/22 at one of our UK campuses is as follows:
- An automatic £1,000 Vice Chancellor's Scholarship for new international applicants (undergraduate and postgraduate).
- A £500 Prompt Payment Discount for applicants who pay their first year fees in full, before or at registration (undergraduate and postgraduate).
- A further £500 for applicants who are also University of Bedfordshire alumni
Extra Costs
How to Apply
UK students applying for most postgraduate degrees at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
UK
UK students applying for most postgraduate degrees at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form
EU
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
International
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student