Program Overview

Introduction to the MSc Strength and Conditioning Program

The MSc Strength and Conditioning program at Loughborough University is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to develop athletes across the spectrum of athletic achievement, from participation to high performance. The program capitalizes on the University's sporting strengths to offer hands-on coaching experience, giving students the tools to develop athletic performance at the highest level.

Program Details

• Qualification(s) available: MSc
• Fees: Dependent on start date; see below for details.
• Scholarships available: Yes, several scholarships are available to cover part of the course fees.
• Entry requirements: 2:1 honors degree (or equivalent international qualification) in sports science or a relevant biological science that contains an element of exercise physiology, such as applied human physiology or physiotherapy.
• Full-time: 1 year
• Part-time: Typically 2 years
• Location: Loughborough
• Start date: October 2025 or October 2026
• Department: Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

Fees and Funding

• UK fee: £13,250 Full-time degree per annum (academic year), £13,700 Full-time degree per annum (academic year)
• International fee: £30,950 Full-time degree per annum (academic year), £31,900 Full-time degree per annum (academic year)
• Fees for part-time students: Part-time students should divide the published fee by 180 credits and then multiply by the number of credits they are taking to calculate their tuition fees.
• Scholarships and bursaries: Available to help with funding study, including the Creating Better Futures Masters Scholarship for African Students, Loughborough Sports Scholarship, and Loughborough University Alumni Bursary.

Program Structure and Content

The MSc Strength and Conditioning degree is designed to give students a thorough grounding and hands-on experience of the practical application of sports science principles in maximizing human performance. The program culminates in a summer project that allows students to apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired.

Semester 1

• Compulsory modules:
  • Quantitative Research (15 credits)
  • Applied Strength and Conditioning Science (30 credits)
  • Strength and Conditioning Coaching (15 credits)
  • The Science Underlying Performance and Injury (30 credits)
  • Professional Practice for Strength and Conditioning (15 credits)

Semester 2

• Compulsory modules:
  • Neuromuscular Function (15 credits)
  • Professional Practice for Strength and Conditioning (15 credits)
  • Applied Strength and Conditioning Science (30 credits)
  • Strength and Conditioning Coaching (15 credits)
  • The Science Underlying Performance and Injury (30 credits)
  • Research Project in Sport, Health and Rehabilitation (60 credits)

Summer

• Compulsory modules:
  • Research Project in Sport, Health and Rehabilitation (60 credits)
  • Professional Practice for Strength and Conditioning (15 credits)

Assessment and Teaching

• Assessment: Combination of coursework, oral presentations, exams, laboratory reports, and a case study essay.
• Teaching methods: Lectures, seminars, tutorials, independent study, group work, and practical sessions.

Facilities and Resources

• Teaching facilities: State-of-the-art performance and laboratory facilities, including Powerbase, one of the world's largest elite strength and conditioning environments.
• Resources: Access to the country's largest concentration of world-class facilities across a range of sports, including the multi-million-pound Powerbase gym, and free membership to use state-of-the-art fitness facilities.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program will be able to pursue careers in a variety of settings, predominantly working with elite sportspeople and teams, nationally and internationally. Career opportunities may also arise in youth athlete development, health and fitness club management, fitness consultancy, health promotion, personal fitness training, corporate health advice, sports or physical activity development, and the armed forces.

Entry Requirements by Country

A detailed list of entry requirements by country is provided, outlining the equivalent qualifications and grades required for admission to the MSc Strength and Conditioning program.

English Language Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements, with further details available on the International website.

Our Academics

The program is led by a team of experienced academics and researchers, including:

• Emily Hansell: PG Teaching Assistant in Strength and Conditioning (Exercise Physiology)
• Dr. Bill Haug: Strength and Conditioning Lead
• Dr. Jakob Škarabot: Programme Leader / Senior Lecturer in Neuromuscular Physiology
• Dr. Richard Blagrove: Senior Lecturer in Physiology
• Dr. Tom Balshaw: Lecturer in Kinesiology, Strength and Conditioning
• Prof. Jonathan Folland: Professor of Neuromuscular Performance

Related Master's Degrees

• Musculoskeletal Sport Science and Health MSc
• Sport Biomechanics MSc
• Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences PhD
• Applied Sport Performance Analysis MSc