Overview

You’ll be encouraged to think creatively and challenge current practices on this degree, exploring new concepts as you gain practical experience working with athletes on campus from different sporting areas.

You’ll develop and practise your skills in our near-professional coaching environment, making the most of industry-standard facilities. These include dedicated strength and conditioning gyms, as well as biomechanics and human performance labs. Opportunities to work alongside elite athletes on campus, and youth athletes through our industry partnerships, will enable you to gain experience with athletes of different ages and levels. As you progress through the course, you’ll hone your skills, developing strength and conditioning programmes for youth athletes as well as Olympic weightlifters.

Modules focusing on injury assessment, treatment and prevention, nutrition and coaching will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to be a high-quality strength and conditioning coach. Your first year will introduce you to the essential strength and conditioning practices as you learn about developing strength and power, and the principles of biomechanics. 

You’ll learn how to manage and monitor an athlete’s training load to prevent injury and optimise performance. The Strength and Conditioning (with Foundation Year) (Hons) programme from Hartpury College will also give you insights into the roles of other sports science and medical professionals to prepare you to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team as part of your career.

Industry opportunities

In your second year, you’ll be able to achieve your 1st4Sport Level 2 Award in Olympic Weight Lifting to strengthen your learning and experience. You’ll also benefit from our strong links with professional sports teams, industry governing bodies and our own Sports Academy that gives students the opportunity to work with elite athletes on campus. 

If you choose to undertake a sandwich year in industry, you’ll gain great experience ready for your career. Students have recently worked at Southampton Football Club, Gloucester Rugby, Bristol City FC, Sussex Country Cricket Club, Hartpury Sports Academy and the English Institute of Sport.

Graduate destinations

Recently graduates have progressed into strength and conditioning coach roles at elite and non-elite levels at:

• Wasps Rugby Club

• Marlborough College

• Dean Close School

• Southampton Football Club

• Gloucester Rugby

• Malmo Football Club