This innovative course is designed for those who want to train athletes to maximise their physical potential and improve their performance. You learn from leading professionals who teach you the skills you need to be a confident and well-informed strength and conditioning coach, while covering a wide range of sports science disciplines including anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology and nutrition. It is also one of the only courses in the UK to offer around £10,000-worth of additional qualifications at no extra cost.
Course accreditationindustry endorsement
The course is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), allowing you to gain additional qualifications in gym instructor; personal trainer; working with people with long-term conditions; S&C trainer; and graduate S&C coach.
Once you complete your degree, you can apply for professional accreditation with the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA).
Facilities and specialist equipment
Purpose-built strength and conditioning facility
Fully supervised sports therapy and rehabilitation MSK centre with sports injury clinic, open to staff, students and external athletesclients
Six CASES-accredited laboratories including physiology and biomechanics laboratories with cutting-edge equipment such as an environmental chamber, Vald Performance light gates, force plates and a 3D motion-analysis system
Human Performance Centre, allowing students experience of working with athletes
Gym and Olympic weight room
Sports arena; multi-use games areas; and sports pitches
Career-powered links
We are official education partners of Luton Town FC and Bedford Blues RFC as well as other sporting organisations in the region such as Bedford Tigers RLFC, MK Dons, Cricket East and Be Active, giving you opportunities to build your employability through work placements.
We are also a Higher Education Partner of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
Your student experience
Learn from leading professionals in the field who have worked with elite sports people, including GB Olympians, national organisations (such as the RFU and the FA) and professional sports teams.
Benefit from opportunities for work experience at our on-campus Human Performance Centre, which offers testing to sports people and the general public for fitness, flexibility and body composition assessments; our community exercise clinic (once appropriately qualified); Get Active; University BUCS team athletes; and as S&C support with the Talented School Athletes Scheme.
As well as placements with our official partners, Luton Town FC and Bedford Blues RFC, you have opportunities to gain experience with other sporting organisations such as Bedford Tigers RLFC, Northampton Saints, MK Dons, Cricket East, Saracens, Northampton County Cricket Club, North Herts Knights Basketball, Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) and the USA’s National Football League (NFL).
Hear from guest speakers (who also teach on the course) and attend our ISPAR seminar series. Previous speakers have included Jack Wells (PGA); Tom Bromley (MK Dons); Akash Modhwadia (S&C coach at MK Dons); Mark Finney (former head of S&C at Northampton Saints); and Phil Pask (consultant physiotherapist for England Rugby).
Enhance your learning through field trips to destinations such as St George’s Park, the home of England Football; Northampton Saints Rugby Club; and the dissection rooms at King’s College London.
Benefit from the support of your own personal academic tutor who will guide you throughout your student journey.
Our Bedford campus is a small, thriving academic community where academic staff get to know you well.