Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences>Courses>Strength and Conditioning - MSc

Strength & Conditioning (with Internship Opportunities)* Masters - MSc/PgD/PgC/MRes

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The principle aim of the Master’s degree in Strength and Conditioning (MSc and MRes) is to prepare students for a career within the strength and conditioning industry. The programme offers three routes (theory, applied, research) the decision of which is made during term 1 when students have gained additional knowledge of the discipline. This is achieved through academic staff with both experience in the applied sector and currency of research within the strength and conditioning profession and related areas.

The programme also benefits from many industry based visiting lecturers. This is the first programme of its kind to offer a dedicated internship module through which students can gain academic credits while undertaking work experience in a club structure, professional organisation, or National Governing Body. The programme offers the following course specific compulsory modules:

  • Strength and Conditioning: Theory and Practice
  • Strength and Conditioning: Advanced Training Practice in Strength and Conditioning
  • Research Methods in Sport


*Please contact the Programme Director, Dr Jeremy Moody, to discuss Internship details:

Email: mscsandc@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)29 2020 5863


Course Content

Visiting lecturers, drawn from the UK’s most experienced strength and conditioning practitioners, complement the lectures given by the Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences specialist staff in strength and conditioning and associated discipline areas. All students complete the initial specialist compulsory modules. The specialist modules are accompanied by a range of modules to support their chosen specialist route (theory, applied or research). Students are afforded the opportunity to develop the academic skills of critical appraisal and reflection alongside the practical skills and competencies that are required to work within this rapidly developing field. The programme’s multi-disciplinary content is underpinned by the scientific knowledge that supports the practice of strength and conditioning.

A key aim of the programme is to support students in line with the UKSCA competency framework and in preparation for UKSCA accreditation (ASCC: Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach) and IUSCA accreditation (aIUSC). In order to qualify for the MSc or the MRes, students are required to successfully complete a final project to the value of 60 credits or 120 credits respectively.


Compulsory Modules


  • Strength and Conditioning: Theory and Practice (20 credits)
  • Advanced Training Practice in Strength and Conditioning (20 credits)
  • Research Methods for Sport (mixed methods route) (20 credits)


Option Routes for MSc or MRes in Strength and Conditioning


Theory:

  • Professional Practice in Strength and Conditioning (20 credits)
  • Independent Study (20 credits)
  • Preparation and Practice in Strength and Conditioning (20 credits)
  • Final Project (60 credits)


Applied:

  • Professional Practice in Strength and Conditioning (20 credits)
  • Internship (40 credits)
  • Final Project (60 credits)


Research:

  • Dissertation (120 credits)


Assessment

Modules are assessed through a mix of coursework assignments, practical vivas, case studies, portfolios and oral presentations that are aligned with the diversity of skills required for employment and accreditation within the applied sector.


Employability & Careers

Graduates of the programme can continue their MSc studies and register for a research degree (PhD) in a related subject. Students studying the MRes route can use their MRes research and opt not to graduate, and to expand and continue their research as a doctoral student (PhD). Other graduates will pursue careers as professional strength and conditioning coaches working for the Home Country Sports Institutes, professional sports teams and National Governing Bodies, technical coaches, work within the health and fitness industry, act as consultants and lecture (further and higher education).

Previous graduates and current students of the programme work within the following establishments/organisations:

English Institute of Sport; Sport Wales; Newport Gwent Dragons; Scarlets Rugby; Leicester Tigers Rugby; Cardiff City FC; Glamorgan County Cricket; Bath Rugby; Cardiff Met Sport; Cardiff and Vale College


Entry Requirements & How to Apply

Applicants should normally have one of the following:

  • An honours degree (2.1 or above) in a sport or exercise related area appropriate to the programme
  • An honours degree (2.1 or above) in an alternative discipline area that is acceptable to the Programme Director
  • Candidates with exceptional and extensive work experience in coaching, working within the health and fitness industry, sport science or exercise science will also be considered for entry to the programme


International Applicants:

Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.5 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

Selection Procedure:

Students are normally selected on the basis of their formal application, a CV and an interview.

How to Apply:

Applications for this course should be made direct to the University via our self-service facility. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.

If you are interested in using credit from another institution, or have obtained qualifications and/or experience to study for a course at Cardiff Met, you can find further information on this as well as information on how to apply on the RPL page.


Additional Information

Tuition Fees and Financial Support:

For up to date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available. Please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees.

Part-time fees:

Charges are per Single Module unless specified: Undergraduate = 10 Credits; Postgraduate = 20 Credits

Generally we find most students will complete 60 credits per year for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate study; to obtain a true costing please clarify this by contacting the Programme Director directly.


Contact Us

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email directapplications@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme leader, Dr Jeremy Moody:

Email: mscsandc@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Tel: 029 2020 5863


We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary. Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.

Key Course Information

Place of Study:
Cyncoed Campus

Course Length:
One to two years full-time.
Two to four years part-time.

*Internship:
Please contact the Programme Director, Dr Jeremy Moody, to discuss Internship details:
mscsandc@cardiffmet.ac.uk
+44 (0)29 2020 5863

Course Disclaimer
We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary.

Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.

Graduate Profile
Graduate Profile

"When I enrolled in the MSc Strength and Conditioning programme I knew I wanted to pursue the fitness industry as a career. The programme has a good mixture of classroom and practical based learning allowing me to explore coaching as both, a science and an art. It not only taught me evidence based principles, but how to relay the information in practical terms to get a desired outcome."

Ryan Stevens, MSc Strength and Conditioning