Intro

The course is aimed at students who have undertaken a sports science, sports coaching or related undergraduate degree and who wish to continue their studies and progress to working within elite athletics.

The course aims to facilitate accreditation with the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) through experiential learning on the professional enquiry placement module and key core modules such as practical applications to performance training, strength and rehabilitation science and effective coaching.

The University of Brighton’s sport and exercise laboratories at the Eastbourne campus, where the course is based, are accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). There are also extensive fitness and sport facilities on site including a new teaching and research gym.

The course leader, Flo Pietzsch, was a strength and conditioning coach with the Lawn Tennis Association and at the English Institute of Sport. He is an accredited member of UKSCA and has advised and worked with UKSCA on curriculum development on their recent coaching science content.

Key facts

Location Eastbourne

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2–6 years

Find out about postgraduate events

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

Course content

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 core 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.

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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.

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. 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 have just opened a new teaching and research gym which you can take a virtual tour of by clicking on the image on the right.

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

Find out more about the facilities available to our sport and exercise students.

Click to view a virtual tour of our new teaching and research gym.

Click to view a virtual tour of our labs.

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.

Sports science student measuring body fat

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 pentathlon, 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.

Find out more about Flo.

Other key members of the teaching team:

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you’ll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition.

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports Scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about Sport Scholarships.

Cricket Academy

New for September 2023, our Cricket Academy offers aspiring players the opportunity to continue their cricket development alongside studying for a degree. The programme offers a world-class training environment with the highest quality coaching.

Find out more about the Cricket Academy.

How this course is delivered

How will my course be taught?
For the academic year that starts in September 2022 we’re planning for all students to be taught face-to-face on campus, enhanced by some online learning.

Students who started their course with us in 2021 are on campus for some face-to-face learning including tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes and studio sessions. They are also taking part in off-campus learning activities such as placements, field trips and study visits. And all of our campus facilities – libraries, learning spaces, restaurants, gyms and more are open.

Like all universities we are following government guidance and we are monitoring the pandemic very closely. Should Public Health advise it we have robust plans in place for additional safety measures to be introduced to enable everyone to continue learning on campus, and, as a last resort, for students to continue their learning remotely.

We will update you regularly on our teaching plans for the next academic year as you progress your application with us.

When does my course start?
The 2022 academic year begins on Monday 26 September 2022. Teaching for most courses starts the following week.

Many education courses, some health science courses including Medicine, and some postgraduate business courses have an earlier start date. Check your offer letter for the start date of your course.

Careers

Employment prospects for graduates are extremely good. The strength and conditioning industry has expanded considerably and many professional sports organisations employ strength and conditioning coaches. This degree is specifically designed to provide the necessary skills and knowledge bases to undertake such a role.

Since the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) was founded in 2004 there has been significant investment and development in elite sport provision. A 2015–16 annual report from UK Sport indicates an industry net expenditure of £41 million.

The University of Brighton has expert, accredited strength and conditioning staff who have an international reputation in its applied provision. A degree from Brighton will help ensure you are fully equipped for a successful career in this expanding industry.

Many of our students have gone onto work in professional sport clubs including Brighton and Hove Albion FC, Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace FC. Several have also worked for the English Institute of Sport or directly with a national governing sports body.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Degree and experience
Relevant science honours degree – minimum 2:2 – in sport and exercise science, or a relevant science-based degree such as medicine, biomedical sciences, physiology, biological science, or health science.

Applicants who do not have the minimum qualifications may also be considered, providing they can demonstrate they have the appropriate background and foundation knowledge.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time)7,866 GBP

International (full-time)13,842 GBP

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.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. 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. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Sport and Health Sciences in the 2021–22 academic year are listed here.

Where health course includes a placement
- UK students – travel costs which are over and above your daily journey to university and dual accommodation costs may be reimbursed by the NHS learning support fund.
- Overseas students are not covered by the NHS scheme, this means that any additional travel or accommodation costs for this course will be your responsibility. Travel to placement may be up to 90 mins each way/ travel on public transport at peak time cost, and you may incur additional accommodation and living costs if staying away from your usual home base for the length of your placement.
An initial set of specialist clothing and uniforms, where required, are included in the course fees.
DBS checks and occupational health checks, where required, are included in the fees.
Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £100 if buying your own copies.
In sport courses, UK-based field trips are available in some option modules in the final year. You do not have to take these option modules to complete the degree programme. Where a field trip is present costs are covered but you are expected to make a contribution towards food. Typically this is £50.
For sports courses which require a placement, you’ll be expected to pay for your living costs and travel. Physical Education (QTS teacher training) students can claim travel costs to their school placement.
The school runs a number of day trips which students do not pay for. There may be some food and drink costs and you should budget around £30 per year.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2022–23.

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 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.

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Eastbourne campus

Our campus is within 15 minutes' walk of the beach, South Downs National Park and the Eastbourne's busy town centre.

Campus learning facilities include the Queenwood library, computer rooms, a media centre and a learning and technology suite. Welkin halls are also on campus.

Eastbourne Student Centre provides services including careers, volunteering, counselling and wellbeing, student advice, disability and dyslexia support and chaplaincy.

Accommodation

Eastbourne

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students who apply by 30 June.

Welkin halls
Located in the Meads area of Eastbourne, right next to the Students' Union and Student Services, Welkin halls are a short walk or bike ride to other areas of the campus.

Ensuite halls with a choice of room and flat sizes.
All rooms are self-catered with access to shared, fully equipped kitchen facilities.
Rent includes all utilities, 24/7 security and support, contents insurance and cleaning of communal areas.

Private renting
Eastbourne offers good choice when it comes to student accommodation.

There’s a good supply of affordable, high quality private rented accommodation and plenty of support and advice from us if you choose this option. Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Student accommodation in Eastbourne

Student bedroom in Welkin halls

Modern kitchen in Welkin Halls

Local area

Easy-going Eastbourne

The South Downs National Park, the bustling town centre and the beach with the pier, prom and bandstand are all within a 15-minute walk of our Eastbourne campus. Officially the sunniest place in the UK, Eastbourne has loads on offer: a year-round calendar of sporting events, the independent shops and cafes of Little Chelsea, music and arts festivals, theatres, galleries, great restaurants and high street shopping.

Every June, leading tennis players descend on Eastbourne for one of the main warm-up tournaments for Wimbledon. One of the UK's biggest free extreme sports festivals, Beach Life, takes place on the seafront in July, bringing hi-octane action on land and sea. The international airshow Airbourne is another summer highlight.

Every autumn our students and staff participate in and support the Beachy Head Marathon, one of the UK's largest off-road marathons with challenging climbs and descents along the Seven Sisters.

The beach and the South Downs provide sports opportunities including horse riding, mountain biking, paragliding, sailing, canoeing, body boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and kite surfing.

The Towner Art Gallery has world-class exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and entry is free. Eastbourne also has four theatres, two cinemas and hosts a varied programme of arts and music events throughout the year.

It's only 90 minutes by train from Eastbourne to central London and less than 40 minutes to Brighton. There are also daily direct trains to Ashford International and Gatwick Airport.