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COURSE OVERVIEW

  • Enjoy high-quality teaching in a friendly learning environment
  • Gain scientific knowledge, practical expertise and coaching experience
  • Excel in your studies and favourite sports at our bespoke sport and exercise facilities
  • Follow a programme syllabus aligned to UK Strength and Conditioning Association competency document
  • Approved and recognised program with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

This dynamic degree prepares you to flex your physical and intellectual muscles in a career in the fast-growing field of sports and fitness. Our course is a front-runner in its field and equips you with the graduate skills necessary to enter and positively contribute to the sports (strength and conditioning) and fitness (health and fitness) industries through evidence-based practice, as well as producing impactful research into these areas.

Centred around our industry-standard sport and exercise facilities, which include our own stadium complete with an eight-lane athletics track and a large sports hall on-campus, this innovative, science-based programme allows you to focus on the disciplines of whole-body system physical training, biomechanics and research methods within the field.

Expert teaching combined with bespoke amenities such as biomechanics and physiology laboratories ensure you have the knowledge base to critically evaluate and engage with contemporary sport and exercise research and practice.

By the end of this degree, you are able to undertake a comprehensive needs analysis for team sports, individual performers and individual exercisers. Using this information, you can plan and implement training programmes designed to elicit specific physiological adaptations and develop programmes to enhance broader health and wellbeing.

This course comprises three key strands:

Strength, Conditioning and Fitness
This strand develops your understanding of applied practice and your ability to teach a range of specific activities designed to enhance strength, speed, power, mobility, and aerobic fitness. This strand specifically addresses whole-body system integration, and looks at factors such as metabolism, nutrition, trainability and adaptation, as well as hormonal and cardiorespiratory responses.

Sports and Exercise Biomechanics
This strand centres on the mechanical analysis of human movement with a focus on reducing injuries and improving performance within both competitive sporting and recreational exercise settings. You study mechanical principles of motion, kinematic and kinetic concepts, develop anatomical knowledge as well as explore a range of quantitative measurement techniques.

Research Methods
This strand seeks to develop a familiarity with both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and apply these to various sporting and exercise contexts. The supervised dissertation then provides an opportunity to carry out an independent piece of research in an area you are particularly interested in.

Strength and Conditioning is a booming industry, providing work opportunities not just with elite athletes, but also with sports teams, the army, police force and specialist groups. Graduates work as strength and conditioning practitioners, personal trainers, fitness instructors or sport and exercise scientists. Others enter careers in teaching, leisure, tourism, education, research and health.

Room filled with gym equipment including weights and mats

Students lifting weights

student performing task whilst another student reviews data

Careers

Graduates work as strength and conditioning practitioners, personal trainers, fitness instructors or sport and exercise scientists. Others enter careers in teaching, leisure, tourism, education, research and health.

Students develop a wide range of transferable employability skills including the ability to communicate effectively and work both independently and collaboratively. These skills are valued in a range of graduate careers, including those not directly related to sport and fitness. Many students also continue on to study for postgraduate qualifications to further enhance their employability. New innovative masters level programmes are constantly reviewed to ensure that they are at the forefront of contemporary study.

The University of Winchester ranks in the top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment or further study according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021, HESA.

Accreditation

The Strength and Conditioning programme at Winchester has been designed to align with the UKSCA competency document. Winchester Strength and Conditioning graduates will leave with a strong range of knowledge and skills that will support them should they choose to pursue the UKSCA Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach (ASCC) assessment after graduation.

This programme has become an approved and recognised program with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in the United States.

 NSCA Education Recognition Program logo

The “ERP” logo is a trademark of the National Strength and Conditioning Association in the United States and/or other countries.

Pre-approved for a Masters

If you study a Bachelor Honours degree with us, you will be pre-approved to start a Masters degree at Winchester. To be eligible, you will need to apply by the end of March in the final year of your degree and meet the entry requirements of your chosen Masters degree.

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Suitable for applicants from:

UK, EU, World

Study abroad 

Our Strength and Conditioning course provides an opportunity for you to study abroad in the USA. 

For more information see Study Abroad

Learning and teaching

Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market. 

You are taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.

In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lectures and seminars, you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.

Independent learning

Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity.

While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.

Year 1 (Level 4): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 288 hours
Independent learning: 912 hours

Year 2 (Level 5): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 288 hours
Independent learning: 912 hours

Year 3 (Level 6): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 228 hours
Independent learning: 900 hours
Placement: 72 hours

*Please note these are indicative hours for the course. 

Location

Taught elements of the course take place on campus in Winchester. 

Assessment

Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.

We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

Year 1 (Level 4)*:

25% coursework
38% written exams
37% practical exams

Year 2 (Level 5)*:

70% coursework
5% written exams
25% practical exams

Year 3 (Level 6)*:

75% coursework
0% written exams
25% practical exams

*Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the programme.

Feedback

We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.

Further information

For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures. 

 

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

2023 Entry: 104-120 UCAS tariff points

Our offers are typically made using UCAS tariff points to allow you to include a range of level 3 qualifications and as a guide, the requirements for this course are equivalent to:

  • A-Levels: BCC-BBB from 3 A Levels or equivalent grade combinations (e.g. BBB is comparable to ABC in terms of tariff points)
  • BTEC/CTEC: DMM from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications
  • International Baccalaureate: To include a minimum of 2 Higher Level certificates at grade H4
  • T Level: Merit in a T Level

In addition to the above, we accept tariff points achieved for many other qualifications, such as the Access to Higher Education Diploma, Scottish Highers, UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma and WJEC Applied Certificate/Diploma, to name a few. We also accept tariff points from smaller level 3 qualifications, up to a maximum of 32, from qualifications like the Extended Project (EP/EPQ), music or dance qualifications. To find out more about UCAS tariff points, including what your qualifications are worth, please visit UCAS.

In addition to level 3 study, the following GCSE’s are required:

  • GCSEs in Mathematics and English Language at grade 4 or C, or higher. Functional Skills at level 2 is accepted as an alternative, however Key Skills qualifications are not. If you hold another qualification, please get in touch and we will advise further.

If English is not your first language, a formal English language test will most likely be required and you will need to achieve the following:

  • IELTS Academic at 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (for year 1 entry)
  • We also accept other English language qualifications, such as IELTS Indicator, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and TOEFL iBT.

If you will be over the age of 21 years of age at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you will be considered as a mature student. This means our offer may be different and any work or life experiences you have will be considered together with any qualifications you hold. UCAS have further information about studying as a mature student on their website which may be of interest.

Course Enquiries and Applications

Telephone: +44 (0) 1962 827234
Send us a message 

International Students

If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by emailing our International Recruitment Team at International@winchester.ac.uk or calling +44 (0)1962 827023.

Visit us

Explore our campus and find out more about studying at Winchester by coming to one of our Open Days.

Year 1 (Level 4)

Modules Credits

Sport Matters 10

This module offers an introduction to the study of sport from a socio-cultural perspective. Specifically, this module will engage students in contemporary discussions about what matters in sport, culture, and life.This module will help students to understand difficult concepts and explore some of the fundamental questions and challenges in sport today. Using examples from across the globe, students will also be encouraged to reflect on their basic assumptions with regards to sport. At the same time, an emphasis will be placed on the development of transferable academic skills and critical thinking in particular.

Developing Graduate Employability Skills: Raising Self-Awareness 5

This module will seek to raise student awareness about the importance of developing graduate employability skills alongside their academic studies. Working with personal tutors, students will consider the various graduate careers they might pursue, the skills needed to undertake such roles, as well as reflecting on the skills they currently possess and how they might ‘bridge’ any gaps. Although there will be a focus on the sport, exercise, and health industries, students will also be encouraged to consider the transferable nature of graduate employability skills to other professions (e.g., teaching).

Human Anatomy 15

This module will introduce anatomy with specific reference to human movement. Students will learn key terminology relating to muscular and skeletal structures and how those structures operate during different types of motion. Students will also be given the opportunity to explore anatomical structures in practical settings and gain a thorough understanding of how the human body moves.

Essential Biomechanics 15

This module aims to introduce the basic concepts of biomechanics and relate these to human movement and sport performance. Students undertaking this module will extend and add to their knowledge of biomechanics and will gain the foundation of knowledge required for sport and exercise biomechanics modules at levels five and six.

Fundamental Movements 15

This module will develop understanding of strength training with an emphasis on practical coaching and suitable gym-based warm-ups. Students will gain first-hand coaching experience with a variety of exercises, while analysing movement patterns to be able to make appropriate progressions and regressions. Students will use academic literature to explore the use and efficacy of a variety of exercises. All exercises and coaching will be based on the UKSCA competency documents, preparing students for the assessment.

Introduction to Scientific Research 15

This module will introduce the importance of research and explore the different philosophies that underpin scientific research in sport and exercise. It will also introduce a variety of specific qualitative and quantitative methods appropriate for the interdisciplinary study of sport and exercise. Consideration will also be given to key concepts such as validity, reliability and ethics.

Human Physiology 15

This module intends to give students a basic yet broad grounding in key physiological systems that underpin sport and exercise performance. Students undertaking this module will extend their basic knowledge of physiology and will gain the foundation of knowledge required for sport and exercise physiology-based modules at levels five and six.

Initial Athlete Assessment 15

This module will develop the examination skills required to understand the requirements of sports in order to make training specific to the sport. Students will learn how to use and interpret literature to better understand sports and break them down into different trainable components. They will start to develop an understanding of how to use testing and monitoring to compare athletes to the physical requirements of the sport. Students will also be able to perform a needs analysis on athletes assessing their strengths and weaknesses in relation to their sport. The other aspect of the module will be with session design. Here, students will learn to use Excel to create training session templates as well as the fundamental aspects of training theory. Students will also be able to create sessions for athletes to help address their areas of improvement directly related to their sport.

Plyometric Agility and Speed 15

This module will develop understanding of speed and agility training with an emphasis on practical coaching. Students will gain first-hand coaching experience with a variety of different speed and agility exercises/drills, while also developing the understanding necessary to create speed or agility sessions with appropriate warm-ups. In addition, students will explore the use and efficacy of a variety of exercises in different settings and within the context of multiple sports. All exercises and coaching will be based on the UKSCA competency documents, preparing students for assessment.

Year 2 (Level 5)

Modules Credits

Data Analysis in Sport 15

This module will examine quantitative approaches to research in sport. An emphasis will be placed on practical research skills (e.g., key methods of data collection, management, analysis) and critical skills (e.g., evaluating research papers and methods), alongside a broad awareness of ethical issues in sport research.

Physiological Responses to Exercise 15

This module aims to extend students’ knowledge of physiology by exploring the acute responses of physiological systems to sport and exercise. Additionally, the long-term adaptations to exercise training are investigated as well as the transitional effects of starting exercise from rest. Students will be given an opportunity to further enhance their laboratory skills and to apply their theoretical knowledge to practical settings.

Control and Co-ordination 15

This module will aim to give students an understanding of a number of theoretical models concerned with the development and control of human movement patterns. Students will explore quantitative approaches to analysing these movements with a particular focus on the student’s ability to accurately analyse the data collected and provide scientifically underpinned reasons for their findings. There will be a range of topics covered from single joint skill performance to whole body co-ordination tasks as well as the role of movement variability in skilled performance.

Training Adaptations 15

This module will use the underpinning physiology of muscle tissue and force production to further understand how the body responds to training and adapts to different stimuli. The module will use this to help gain a deeper understanding of training and therefore design training sessions focused for specific adaptations with neural or metabolic emphasis. With greater understanding of the underpinning mechanisms of force, students will also learn how to monitor the athlete to make sure they are gaining the correct stimuli for adaptation. Within this, students will further develop their coaching within strength and conditioning.

Developing Effective Relationships 15

The aim of this module is to enable the student to develop the skills and theoretical knowledge required of a practitioner within the domain of sport and exercise. Building on a strong theoretical foundation, students will examine a range of factors and the potential impact of each upon the approach adopted by the consultant. A core focus of the module will be to introduce students to core communication skills and how they can use these skills to build more effective professional working relationships. Crucially, students will develop the ability to communicate with clients regardless of age, intellect or social group.

Physiological Assessment for Sport 15

This module aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge required to perform laboratory and field physiological testing on a variety of athletes. It will focus specifically on the broader aspects of fitness by examining components of body composition, cardiovascular responses to exercise, pulmonary responses to exercise and anaerobic fitness.

Biomechanical Assessment 15

This module will outline the rationale and importance of biomechanical testing. Students will address the advantages and disadvantages of several specific laboratory and field-based tests, as well as learning the skills to carry out these tests themselves. There will be an emphasis on the interpretation of data and results and the ways in which this can be fed back to athletes and clients. Students will also critically examine how specific types of training may influence these parameters from a biomechanical interpretation perspective.

Periodisation 15

This module will evaluate the different periodisation strategies at a micro-, meso- and macro- level. Students will use previous knowledge of training session design and needs analyses to construct appropriate training programmes for longer term training. They will manage fatigue throughout a training week and longer blocks of training. Students will also evaluate the use of different strategies, including block, undulating, etc. In addition, students will further their Excel skills, creating annual cycle templates to easily record training and convey this to athletes, coaches, etc. Students will also need to progress their understanding of training and ability to explain the plan through the justification of their programmes.

Year 3 (Level 6)

Modules Credits

Dissertation 30

This module aims to provide students with the experiences of planning and executing an in-depth and independent research project that investigates a specific area within sport/exercise. Students will negotiate the focus of the project with tutorial guidance and will be expected to show an awareness of research methodology appropriate for an empirical research project. Emphasis will be placed on topics that are analytical, interdisciplinary and/or evaluative in nature. This is the opportunity for students to produce a research project in a particular area of interest that relates to the curriculum being studied.

Nutrition in Sport and Exercise 15

This module aims to critically evaluate the physiological and biochemical principles of sport and exercise within a nutritional context. Detailed consideration will be focused towards macronutrients and their role for individuals within a range of sport and exercise contexts. The module will provide students with skills surrounding the assessment and analysis of nutritional intake. The use of nutritional and supplement strategies will be critically evaluated in terms of performance enhancement and health.

Advanced Training Techniques 15

This module will advance students’ programming and session design by focusing on specific aspects of training such as velocity, contact time, etc. Students will look critically at current trends and equipment within the literature and appraise appropriate times to use them. Students will also use previously learnt training methodologies and adapt them for specific scenarios to drive adaptation in more advanced athletes.

Performance Placement 15

This module will give the students the opportunity to gain work related experience within the field of strength and conditioning. Students will draw on their understanding of coaching and programming from other modules on the course and put this into applied practice. They should look to develop and test their skills while observing the outcomes. They should then be critical of their coaching and sessions and reflect on these. Using this reflection, they should develop their practice using current literature to help guide their relationship with athletes and their programming.

Youth Training 15

This module will develop the comprehensive understanding necessary to train youth athletes. Specifically, students will critically examine current long-term athlete development models for a range of ages and sports. They will learn how to track maturation and critically review the literature using this to help structure training. Students will also develop a comprehensive understanding of the maturation process and how this effects movement competency, injury occurrence and performance with a particular focus on female growth and knee control.

Optional Modules
  • Sport Entrepreneurship and Innovation - 15 Credits
  • Professional Placement - 15 Credits
  • Study Abroad - 15 Credits
  • Advanced Physiological Assessment - 15 Credits
  • Rehabilitation Biomechanics - 15 Credits
  • High Performance Biomechanics - 15 Credits
  • Psychology of Injury - 15 Credits

Optional Credits

Dissertation 30

This module aims to provide students with the experiences of planning and executing an in-depth and independent research project that investigates a specific area within sport/exercise. Students will negotiate the focus of the project with tutorial guidance and will be expected to show an awareness of research methodology appropriate for an empirical research project. Emphasis will be placed on topics that are analytical, interdisciplinary and/or evaluative in nature. This is the opportunity for students to produce a research project in a particular area of interest that relates to the curriculum being studied.

Nutrition in Sport and Exercise 15

This module aims to critically evaluate the physiological and biochemical principles of sport and exercise within a nutritional context. Detailed consideration will be focused towards macronutrients and their role for individuals within a range of sport and exercise contexts. The module will provide students with skills surrounding the assessment and analysis of nutritional intake. The use of nutritional and supplement strategies will be critically evaluated in terms of performance enhancement and health.

Advanced Training Techniques 15

This module will advance students’ programming and session design by focusing on specific aspects of training such as velocity, contact time, etc. Students will look critically at current trends and equipment within the literature and appraise appropriate times to use them. Students will also use previously learnt training methodologies and adapt them for specific scenarios to drive adaptation in more advanced athletes.

Performance Placement 15

This module will give the students the opportunity to gain work related experience within the field of strength and conditioning. Students will draw on their understanding of coaching and programming from other modules on the course and put this into applied practice. They should look to develop and test their skills while observing the outcomes. They should then be critical of their coaching and sessions and reflect on these. Using this reflection, they should develop their practice using current literature to help guide their relationship with athletes and their programming.

Youth Training 15

This module will develop the comprehensive understanding necessary to train youth athletes. Specifically, students will critically examine current long-term athlete development models for a range of ages and sports. They will learn how to track maturation and critically review the literature using this to help structure training. Students will also develop a comprehensive understanding of the maturation process and how this effects movement competency, injury occurrence and performance with a particular focus on female growth and knee control.

Optional Modules
  • Sport Entrepreneurship and Innovation - 15 Credits
  • Professional Placement - 15 Credits
  • Study Abroad - 15 Credits
  • Advanced Physiological Assessment - 15 Credits
  • Rehabilitation Biomechanics - 15 Credits
  • High Performance Biomechanics - 15 Credits
  • Psychology of Injury - 15 Credits

Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing, for full-time students entering the programme in Year 1. Optional modules are listed where applicable. Please note the University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. For further information please refer to the terms and conditions at www.winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions.
The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed above.

Progression from one level of the programme to the next is subject to meeting the University’s academic regulations.

2023 Course Tuition Fees

 UK / Channel Islands /
Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland 

International

Year 1 £9,250 £14,700
Year 2 £9,250 £14,700
Year 3 £9,250 £14,700
Total £27,750 £44,100
Optional Sandwich Year* £1,385 £1,440
Total with Sandwich Year £29,135 £45,540

If you are a UK student starting your degree in September 2023, the first year will cost you £9,250**. Based on this fee level, the indicative fees for a three-year degree would be £27,750 for UK students.

Remember, you don't have to pay any of this upfront if you are able to get a tuition fee loan from the UK Government to cover the full cost of your fees each year. If finance is a worry for you, we are here to help. Take a look at the range of support we have on offer. This is a great investment you are making in your future, so make sure you know what is on offer to support you.

UK Part-Time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £77.08 and a 15 credit module is £1,156. Part-time students can take up to a maximum 90 credits per year, so the maximum fee in a given year will be the government permitted maximum fee of £6,935.

International part-time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £122.50 and a 15 credit module is £1,837.

* Please note that not all courses offer an optional sandwich year. To find out whether this course offers a sandwich year, please contact the programme leader for further information.

**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.

There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:

Mandatory

Disclosure and Barring Service

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance check may be required if you undertake a placement, volunteering, research or other course related activity where you will have contact with children or vulnerable adults. The requirement for a DBS check will be confirmed by staff as part of the process to approve your placement, research or other activity. The indicative cost is £40.

Optional

Kit

Students are expected to wear appropriate attire for practical sessions. Students can buy branded kit from us or wear their own. Students can buy as little or as much they like. Indicative cost is £15-£50 per item.

Core Texts

These are available from the University Library; however, some students prefer to purchase their own copies. Some Core Texts can be bought second hand, or as an eBook which can often reduce this cost. Indicative cost is £50-£200 per academic year.

Professional Courses

We deliver several professional courses (e.g., coaching courses, Combined Level 3 Gym Instructor and Personal Training, etc.) either as part of or alongside the taught curriculum. However, any course that is mandatory is delivered free of charge, with optional courses often heavily subsidised. Indicative cost is £10-£600 per course.

Volunteering or Placement

Students may incur travel costs on volunteering and/or placement modules. However, we will consider each individual students’ circumstances when undertaking these experiences and seek to minimise any such costs as appropriate. Indicative cost is £10-£30 per day for travel.

Printing and Binding

The University is pleased to offer our students a printing allowance of £5 each academic year. This will print around 125 A4 (black and white) pages. If students wish to print more, printer credit can be topped up by the student. The University and Student Union are champions of sustainability and we ask all our students to consider the environmental impact before printing.

SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS

We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards.

Key course details

UCAS code
C630
Duration
3 years full-time; 6 years part-time
Typical offer
104-120 points
Location
On campus, Winchester