Strength and Conditioning MSc Online Distance Learning
This course is ideal if you are currently working with athletes and are looking to develop your professional and academic skills-set
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Viewing course details for 2025 year of entry
- Code
- PGC60S
- Attendance
- Full-time, Part-time
- Start
- September 2025
- Fees
- £10,000 (UK) £12,800 (INT)
- Duration
- 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
- Course Leader
- Shyam Chavda
- Study mode
- Online
- School / Department
- Faculty of Science and Technology
The aim of this Masters degree in Strength and Conditioning is to provide you with the necessary skills that will allow you to deliver high performance support to both the athletic and non-athletic populations. During this course you will learn the underpinning scientific theories that will allow you to best monitor, programme and coach at the highest level. The course is delivered by our esteemed academics who have a wealth of experience in the applied sector, ensuring you get the most out of this degree.
Why study MSc Strength and Conditioning (Online Distance Learning) at Middlesex University?
This programme has been approved by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) through the Education Recognition Program (ERP). The ERP recognizes and distinguishes academic institutions that offer a Master’s degree with standardized, approved strength and conditioning curricula that is designed to prepare students for the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certifications. In addition to this, our program will also provide you with the necessary skills to become an Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach (ASCC) with the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA).
During your time with us at the London Sport Institute, Middlesex, you will have an opportunity to be taught in our state-of-the-art facilities at Stone X, during the residential. You will develop your skills using industry relevant technology and have an opportunity to gain experience as a strength and conditioning coach and scientist.
Course highlights
- Flexible learning to ensure you get the most out of being a distant learner
- Be taught by world leading academics who also consult within high performance sport
- This course will facilitate your accreditation from relevant strength and conditioning awarding bodies and provide opportunities to supervised work experience with high-level athletes
- As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.
It is strongly suggested that students attend the residential where possible, providing government restriction do not hinder attendance. Should you be unable to attend the residential for the above reason it will NOT impact your ability to complete the course and meet the learning outcomes, therefore providing you with the opportunity to graduate.
About your course
What will you study on MSc Strength and Conditioning (Online Distance Learning)?
The MSc Strength and Conditioning degree is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of sports science principles aimed at optimizing human performance. Throughout the program, you will delve into various aspects of sport science, gaining hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge that underpins the field of strength and conditioning. The curriculum is designed to cover a wide range of key topics, including exercise physiology, biomechanics and coaching techniques and principles, ensuring you graduate a well-rounded practitioner with diverse opportunity in the job market.
We achieve this through the delivery of two key modules, facilitated by a research methods module and a dissertation module. This ensures your coaching practice is well rationalised using the latest research and scientific principles, which can then be applied in the work placement module.
What will you gain?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to effectively design an evidenced-based strength and conditioning program, as well as select, administer and analyse performance testing. You'll also develop a mastery of communication and delivery of a programme to varying athletic populations for gym and field-based exercises.
Modules
Here is an overview of the modules
This module will give you with a detailed understanding of the physiological mechanisms and biomechanical principles that govern strength and conditioning training. You'll develop your research skills so you can critically analyse journal articles, in order to design and justify your training programmes and remain abreast of scientific advancements. Finally, you’ll develop your data analysis skills so you’ll be able to investigate trends and differences in testing results and assess the reliability of protocols.
This module will support you as you critically assess athlete movement competency, both objectively and subjectively, using these skills to develop strength and conditioning programming for athlete performance. In addition, you'll gain the ability to demonstrate and coach a range of weightlifting, agility, speed and plyometric exercises.
This module will give you the relevant knowledge and skills to undertake appropriate research in strength and conditioning. You’ll learn search strategies to identify relevant literature and methods on how to critically appraise it. You’ll also cover topics such as research design, as well as selecting and conducting suitable statistical tests appropriate to the subject area.
This module gives you the opportunity to learn from practical experience. You’ll gain further knowledge and comprehension of the programme content through the application of theoretical principles. This experience will also help to develop specific competencies such as using and applying specific software and to help develop interpersonal skills.
(If you’re not already working within a field relevant to your programme of study, programme staff may be able to advise of suitable work placements, but this is not guaranteed.)
This module will utilise the skills developed from the research methods module and require you to undertake a research project, appropriate to the programme and area of practice.
To find out more about this course please download the Strength and Conditioning MSc (Online Distance Learning)Â specification (PDF).
Register your interest
Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.
Teaching
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.
- All of theory-based content is delivered through pre-recorded lectures to allow you more flexibility in your study
- A residential period will be delivered within the year where you can attend and get hands on experience with the latest technologies in our state-of-the art facility
- Additional live, online tutorials will be delivered each week to help further facilitate your learning and preparation for assessments
- During the program you will have the privilege of having guest lectures delivered by leaders in their field that work at some of the world leading institutions and governing bodies that boast developing current premier league players and Olympic medallists.
We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we have learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.
Learning structure: typical hourly breakdown:
| Live learning | Contact time per week, per level: 3 hours |
| Self-paced learning time | Average hours per week, per level: 6.5 hours |
| On demand resources | Average hours per week, per level: 3 hours |
Definitions of terms
Live in-person on campus learning – This will focus on active and experiential sessions that are both:
- Led by your tutors including seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations We'll schedule all of this for you
- Student-led by you and other students, like small group work and presentations.
Tutor set learning activities – This covers activities which will be set for you by your tutor, but which you will undertake in your own time. Examples of this include watching online materials, participating in an online discussion forum, completing a virtual laboratory or reading specific texts. You may be doing this by yourself of with your course mates depending on your course and assignments. Outside of these hours, you’ll also be expected to do further independent study where you’ll be expected to learn, prepare, revise and reflect in your own time.
You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on this program.
Our support services are delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or on campus.
You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
You will be assessed by a variety of methods including presentations, written assignments, coaching reports, and practical demonstrations which will all take place online.
You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on this program.
Our support services are delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or on campus.
You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
Student testimonials
My time during the Strength and Conditioning master’s degree has been invaluable. The lecturers were exceptional in delivering theoretical knowledge and how this can be applied in the field. Because of this I've had opportunity to present at conferences and assist in research at international sporting events. Given the up to date content and stellar reputation of the lecturers, I highly recommend this course.
Xiang ‘Tyler’ Yao
PhD student and Strength and Conditioning Coach for Saracens Women's RFC
Facilities
Our facilities boast an environment that is akin to the high-performance world. Accessibility to new technologies and state of the art, purpose-built rooms will become a common place for your learning during the residential. We take great pride in ensuring you experience top quality facilities to complement our teaching. Here is a case study with world leaders in strength training equipment, Eleiko on the development of our S&C lab.
Careers
How can the MSc Strength and Conditioning (Online Distance Learning) support your career?
This Strength and Conditioning master’s degree opens doors to a number of exciting career path, with excellent career progression opportunities.
With the ever-increasing focus in the sporting world on achieving the best results possible, strength and conditioning coaches are in high demand.
We take great pride in our graduates having found success at professional and elite organisations such as:
- Formula 1
- UK Sport Institute (UKSI)
- Premiership Football (Arsenal, Chelsea, to name a few
- Premiership Rugby (Saracens, Harlequins, Ealing to name a few)
- Premiership Cricket (Notts County, Middlesex to name a few)
- British Military (Army and Special Air Service)
We continue to sustain and develop our links with professional organisations to enhance the potential career opportunities for our graduates. Further to this, you'll also be capable of establishing your own consultancy business or progressing on to additional study in the form of a PhD.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
We normally require a second class honours degree 2:2 or above, or equivalent qualification in a sports or exercise related field.
Applicants with an undergraduate degree in non-related areas will be considered subject to relevant industry experience and professional qualifications.
Academic credit
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your Middlesex University programme of study.
We welcome students from the UK and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:
- Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
- Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
- Work placements and networking with top London employers
- Award-winning career support to get you where you want to go after university.
Qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the accepted qualifications on your country's support page. If you are unsure of the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest international office.
English language
You will need to meet our English language requirements. And, don’t worry If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, as we offer a Pre-sessional English course.
Visas
To study with us in the UK, you might need a Student visa. Please check to see if this applies to you.
Interviews may form a part of your application process.
Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university.
Please visit our Postgraduate application page for further information and to apply.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is 23 minutes away by underground train, travelling from London Kings Cross.
Learn moreStudent support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
As a sports therapist, I applied to the Strength and Conditioning master’s degree to help develop my knowledge in training interventions and development of athletes. I knew this was the right place for me due to the boundless knowledge and reputation of the lecturers. From the knowledge gained, I have been able to implement my skills within academy football conducting sessions, physical testing and monitoring of maturation and growth-related injuries. Furthermore, I was privileged enough to have my dissertation accepted for publication in an international journal. I would strongly recommend this course at Middlesex University.
Rebecca Fernandes
Sport Rehabilitation Therapist
Fees and funding
The fees below refer to the 2025/26 academic year unless otherwise stated.
UK students1
Full-time students: £10,000
Part-time students: £67 per credit
Part-time students: £33 per dissertation credit
International students2
Full-time students: £12,800
Part-time students: £86 per credit
Part-time students: £42 per dissertation credit
For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
Dr Shyam Chavda
Technical Tutor (Sports)
Dr Anthony Turner
Professor in Sports & Exercise Science
Dr Chris Bishop
Interim Head of Department -London Sports Institute
Get answers from our Unibuddy student ambassadors
We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.