Strength and Conditioning Science
Entry requirements
A level
Pass Access to Higher Education Diploma with 60 credits including 45 credits at Level 3
GCSE/National 4/National 5
at least grade C/4 or above in GCSE English Language, Mathematics and Science
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
UCAS Tariff
To include at least one A Level (or equivalent) in Science/Sport or PE We will generally make you an offer if your predicted grades are at the top of this range and you meet any subject specific requirements (where applicable). If your predicted grades are towards the lower end of this range we can still consider your application but will also take into account subjects studied at Level 3, your GCSE (or equivalent) profile and/or relevant non-academic achievements, references and your motivation for study.
About this course
**Train to coach sports performers with a Strength and Conditioning Science degree at St Mary’s University – the front-runner for strength and conditioning education**
Understand how to physically prepare and coach sports performers with our Strength and Conditioning Science degree. You will learn anatomy, neuromechanics, and how to apply your knowledge to the workplace.
Our strength and conditioning science programme is accredited by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Therefore, you’ll be eligible for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) qualification in the USA.
Our course also meets the requirements of the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA).
**International reputation**
St Mary's is internationally recognised as the front-runner for strength and conditioning education. Our strength and conditioning science course was the first of its kind in the UK, and we have made sure it evolved to be highly successful.
We help students pursue careers in elite sport. Some of our graduates have performed in:
- Olympic and Paralympic games
- shows by The Royal Ballet
- premiership football
- premiership rugby.
**Expert teaching and support**
You will learn from accredited and highly experienced coaches here to aid your personal and professional development. Our student, Ben, tells us how our lecturers supported him during his Strength and Conditioning Science degree.
**Build hands-on, professional experience**
You will gain crucial coaching experience with our partner clubs and organisations, such as:
- Crystal Palace FC
- London Irish RFC
- University London Boat Club
- Sutton Tennis Academy
- Royal Ballet Company.
If you decide to spend a year studying abroad, you will also build coaching experience in college American football and NCAA basketball – a rare experience in the UK.
**Share facilities with Olympians**
You will learn in our 5,000-square-foot Performance Education Centre – part of our world-class facilities used by Olympians.
You’ll also access our state-of-the art:
- Biomechanics Laboratory
- Exercise Physiology Laboratories.
Modules
Year 1 - The first year is a foundation year for all students within the sport sciences. In addition to core sport science study you will cover additional modules in fundamentals of strength & conditioning, field based training techniques, & strength training techniques, which require a significant level of practical involvement. The training techniques covered over the first year include weightlifting, plyometrics, strength training, speed & agility, gymnastics, aerobic & anaerobic conditioning & aquatic training. Year 2 - You will now move more deeply into practical understanding & the application of acquired theoretical knowledge. Core topics will progress to cover all of those required as part of the UKSCA & NSCA accreditation processes. Year 3 – You will complete, alongside other theoretical & practical modules, both a work placement & an extended research project. Students have the option of splitting their final year & gaining credit for a work placement or internship.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
St Mary's University, Twickenham
School of Sport, Exercise and Applied Science
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Sport and exercise sciences
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Sport and exercise sciences
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
One of the fastest growing subjects in the country, the number of sports science graduates went from under 3,000 in 2003 to over 10,000 in 2013. Numbers have fallen slightly since 2015, but we still have over 9,000 graduates in the subject. However, the good news is the country's appetite for good health and fitness - and the adaptability of graduates in the subject - means that sports science grads are less likely than average to be out of work. Sports science graduates, not surprisingly, tend to get jobs in sport, fitness and health - coaching and teaching especially - but they're found all over the economy. Management and business are also popular options for graduates from this subject — and sports science graduates are particularly found where drive, determination and physical fitness are an advantage.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Sport and exercise sciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£25k
£29k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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