Strength & Conditioning Master's Degree - MSc/PgD/PgC/MRes

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)

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.

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.

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 6.0 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.

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.

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

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

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