Train as a strength and conditioning coach in our professionally accredited labs in Cambridge, with the option to specialise in physiology or biomechanics. Prepare for a career working with professional sports teams or athletes.
Working as a strength and conditioning coach is challenging and rewarding. You're responsible for the physical and physiological development of athletes in search of performance gains – though there's also the option to work beyond elite sport.
Strength and conditioning is more than just gym work. You'll help athletes to develop the speed, agility, endurance and strength they need to compete at the highest levels. With athletes progressing from basic rehabilitation exercise up to reconditioning for return to play, the role of the strength and conditioning coach is becoming more and more prominent.
Our new degree course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to work with professional sportspeople, and it's aligned to UK Strength and Conditioning Association Standards. But there are opportunities outside of professional sport, too: our course recognises broader national concerns about low levels of physical activity. There's an emerging need for qualified healthcare professionals to work with a broad range of clients. We'll therefore encourage and support you to gain fitness industry qualifications.
Two of the core strands of strength and conditioning and rehabilitation are biomechanics and exercise physiology. We'll cover both of them in detail throughout the course, but from Year 2 you'll have the chance to specialise. If you're interested in the movements your players make, or the joint loading that could lead to injuries, biomechanics may be the path for you. Or if you're fascinated by a player’s capacity to perform at the end of a game, or finish strongly in a race, you can focus on physiology.
You’ll learn to work safely and ethically as a strength and conditioning coach in our accredited labs in the Cambridge Centre for Sports and Exercise Science. As well as gaining practical knowledge that's in demand from top-level clubs and sporting organisations, you'll also develop your research skills. In Year 3, our final year research project gives you the chance to complete an in-depth investigation into an area of sporting practice.
By studying at ARU, you'll benefit from highly-experienced lecturers, including practising strength and conditioning specialists, sport therapists, coaches, health and exercise professionals and world-leading researchers. Our team currently includes a Paralympian World Record holder, Scottish Women’s Rugby player, and judo champion. We also host visiting guest speakers as part of our Excellence in Sport seminar series.
Course Details - Modules
Year 1: Organisation and Structure of Sport Anatomy and Physiology Pedagogical Principles in Sport Introduction to Human Movement Exercise Physiology and Nutrition Exercise Physiology and Nutrition Applied Sport Pedagogy Research Methods for Sport and Exercise Sport and Exercise Psychology Year 2: Applied Research Skills Physiological Profiling for Endurance Functional Rehabilitation Practical Competencies in Biomechanics Applied Research and Employability Strength and Conditioning Year 3: Applied Teaching and Coaching Long-term Athlete Development Rehabilitation for Performance Developing Performance Athletes Advanced Strength and Conditioning Advanced Strength and Conditioning Research Project (Dissertation) or Advanced Work Placement Optional modules Year 1: Gym Instructor (REPs Levels 2) Year 2: Biomechanics: analysis of Motion Physiological Profiling for Strength and Power Personal Trainer (REPs Levels 3) Year 3: Physiological Basis of Training Theoretical Aspects of Biomechanics Applied Biomechanics Physiological Responses to Training
Course Details – Assessment Method
Throughout the course, we’ll use a range of assessment methods to help you measure your progress. These include presentations, practical skills tests, scientific reports, case study critiques, online assessments and a research project. We’ll also encourage you to reflect on your work, and participate in peer assessment.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
C630
Institution code:
A60
Campus Name:
Cambridge Campus
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
from a minimum of 2 A Levels (or equivalent), including a pass in Psychology, Physical Education, Sports Studies or a Science subject.
2020 entry requirements are under review for the next cycle and have been published using the current cycle information. Please check back when Apply opens for the exact requirements.
If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic Level - with no individual score being lower than 5.5) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
