Strength and Conditioning MSc

Areas of study

The course offers varied content that brings together strength and conditioning, and applied physiology.

The University of Brighton is unique in offering Effective Coaching as a compulsory module. This module is aligned with curriculum guidance from UKSCA, the national governing body.

The professional enquiry module is also compulsory and provides the opportunity to undertake practical experience in a work environment and gain invaluable first-hand knowledge. It is designed to help you engage with the process of planning and delivering expertise in practice, and to reflect upon and take steps to improve your academic, personal and professional skills. Opportunities exist with a range of organisations whom we partner with.

Syllabus 

The course is flexible in that it allows you to exit with a postgraduate certificate at the end of one semester (three 20-credit modules) or a postgraduate diploma at the end of two semesters (six 20-credit modules).

You must complete the 60-credit research project to qualify for the MSc.

You will study seven core modules, including your final project. (This new course is still in development so the modules below are currently indicative and could be subject to change.)

Modules

• Science of Physical Performance and Training
• Practical Applications of Training Theory
• Pedagogy for Strength and Conditioning Coaches
• Skills for Physiological Assessment
• The Science of Practice
• Personal Professional Development
• Final Research Project

Equipment and facilities 

Accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) and the English Institute of Sport (EIS), our laboratories are equipped with the latest modern facilities.

You will have access to a -10 to +50°C hot-cold chamber, an altitude/hypoxic chamber that rises to the equivalent of 5500m, 3D motion analysis, ground reaction force plates, a DXA bone scanner, exercise physiology laboratories, biomechanics laboratories and three biochemistry laboratories.

Our laboratories have appeared in numerous TV productions by the BBC and Sky TV. They have also been used to test out products for exercising and weight loss and to prepare athletes for the Olympics and Paralympics.

The university’s Eastbourne campus has extensive sporting facilities, including a sports hall, climbing wall, swimming pool, three gyms, a dance studio and an artificial training pitch. Currently there is a 36 station fitness suite has a designated cardiovascular area packed with bikes, treadmills, and rowers, cross-trainers and steppers. Free weights range from 2–40kg with 15 resistance stations. 

We also use the outdoor environment in and around Eastbourne, such as the seafront, the South Downs and Friston Forest.

Placements 

The professional enquiry module will involve a 160 hours within a quality assured placement which includes mentoring by the host supervisor and via close guidance from University of Brighton staff. 

Previous hosts have included Sussex County Cricket, Brighton and Hove Albion, University of Brighton – Sport Brighton scholarship programme, Eastbourne College, Brighton College, and several other local sporting clubs. 

Those already in employment within the strength and conditioning sector have the opportunity to complete this module within their own employment setting.

Staff profile

Flo Pietzsch, Course Leader

Flo Pietzsch is a former strength and conditioning coach for the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). His role initially supported the development of all top junior British tennis players across the country; later he went on to work within the women's team and, in particular, the Fed Cup team. He also coached Heather Watson, who went on to achieve a world ranking of 39 WTA and won a WTA event, breaking a 24-year drought of British female success at that level.

Before his role at the LTA, and after graduating with a MSc sports science degree, Flo was a strength and conditioning coach for the English Institute of Sport working within sports such as cricket, hockey, modern pentalon, sprint cycling, triathlon and squash. He was also the lead strength and conditioning coach for the Academy boys at Sussex County Cricket Club.

Flo returned to the University of Brighton from the LTA in 2014 to lecture on the sports coaching, strength and conditioning, performance analysis and physiology modules.

Other key members of the teaching team:

• Rob Harley
• Dr Jeanne Dekerle
• Stuart Mills
• Dr Martin Bailey
• Dr James Wallis
• Dr Peter Watt
• Dr Paul Ford

International equivalencies

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Fees

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Eastbourne campus map