Strength and Conditioning MSc

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Strength and Conditioning - MSc

Overview

'Providing coaches with a foundation to excel'

Summary

Strength and conditioning coaches, in collaboration with athletic trainers, physiotherapists, nutritionists, sport scientists, and other allied professions, are now commonly part of a team that provides support services to athletes. As a profession, strength and conditioning has seen unheralded growth in the past 40 years, as evidenced by the development of several large non-profit professional bodies.

About this course

About

The knowledge base that is utilized by strength and conditioning coaches is generally accepted to cut across several domains, such as anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, and sport psychology. Through such observations, the knowledge for effective coaching can be identified and coaching shortcomings can be improved through well-rounded education programmes. This course has been developed to reflect the guidelines published by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), regarding graduate level study. In addition, key stakeholders from industry have been consulted to help formulate a needs-led curriculum.

Many members of the teaching staff hold a PGCE, PGCHEP, PGCHET, PGCUT or other teaching qualification and are members of the Higher Education Academy. Several of the staff are engaged with the Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute (SESRI). Teaching staff have considerable research and practical experience that informs their teaching. In addition, many staff are qualified members of professional bodies such as the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA).

Attendance

All students have to successfully complete the following 7 compulsory modules in 1-year for the award of MSc in Strength and Conditioning.

• Principles and Practice of S&C (30 Credits)
• Programme Design (15 Credits)
• Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (15 Credits)
• Optimizing Exercise and Load (30 Credits)
• Applied Statistics (15 Credits)
• Motor Cognition (15 Credits)
• Research Project

Start dates

• September 2026

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Teaching and Learning Methods include: lectures, problem based case studies, tutorials, seminars, online material, workshops, discussion groups, analysis of data, practical exercises, demonstrations, literature searching and observation.

The learning outcomes of the course will be assessed through a combination of essay, examination, case studies, reflective practice, group and individual presentations and extended research project. These assessment methods will measure students’ knowledge and understanding of the subject as well as their intellectual and transferable skills.

Modules

Year one

• Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
• Optimising Exercise and Load: Effective monitoring and management
• Applied Statistics
• Programme Design
• Principles and Practice of Strength and Conditioning
• Research Project in Sports and Performance
• Motor Cognition and Performance

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

Entry Requirements

• a second class honours degree or better in sports science or cognate area from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
• an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification; and
• provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent);

English Language Requirements

• The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Careers & opportunities

Employment opportunities for aspiring strength and conditioning coaches thus exist in government-funded organizations such as schools, colleges, universities, national/state institutes of sport, and privately funded professional organizations and individual athletes.

Fees and funding

10% Alumni Discount

Are you a graduate of Ulster University? Did you know you could be eligible for a 10% fees discount.

Tuition Fee Loans Available

Students domiciled in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and UK students can apply to Student Finance NI for a Tuition Fee loan of up to £6,500 (subject to eligibility).

2026/27 Fees

Postgraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2026/27 fees will be announced in due course.

Additional mandatory costs

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Sustainability at Ulster

Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.

At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.

We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.

Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.