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Strength, Conditioning and Sports Nutrition

  • FdSc
  • 2 Years
  • Full-time
  • 15/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
University College Birmingham
More about University College Birmingham

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

OVERVIEW
If you are keen on a career as a strength and conditioning coach or working in the field of sport and exercise science, this foundation degree offers you a unique opportunity to combine the study of strength and conditioning with sports nutrition. Featuring a combination of theoretical and practical work, our course uses the latest up-to-date research on strength, conditioning and nutrition to ensure your practitioner skills are based on the latest evidence from the industry.

Our Strength, Conditioning and Sports Nutrition course is accredited by top industry bodies including the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), preparing you for long-term professional success after graduation. Supported by University College Birmingham’s cutting-edge sports facilities and equipment, along with a range of opportunities for you to gain practical experience, you will learn how to use a broad range of conditioning skills to optimise an athlete’s performance, as well as gaining an understanding of how nutrition can improve results.

Alongside your strength and conditioning course, you will also have the chance to gain a wide variety of further industry-accredited qualifications during your studies. Options range from first aid to gym instruction and coaching weight lifting.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

  • Industry approved – Graduate with an IUSCA and NSCA-accredited strength and conditioning qualification, as well as gaining NSCA student membership and access to additional industry resources and opportunities

  • Work placement – Boost your hands-on experience through industry placement opportunities – past students have worked with a range of top sports clubs

  • Practical application – Apply your training through practical strength and conditioning work in our state-of-the-art facilities, including our Human Performance Centre and gym

  • Enrichment – Study for additional qualifications including first aid training, Level 2 Gym Instructor and UKCC 1st4Sport Level 1 Award in Coaching Weight Lifting (British Weight Lifting)*

  • Award-winning university – Study at the highest-ranking university in the region according to student choice (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023)

*Note: extra qualifications may incur an additional fee

FACILITIES
Our Human Performance Centre features the latest equipment including a 35m sprint track, eight lifting platforms, 7m rig and large screens displaying live analysis data. We also have a purpose-built Human Performance Laboratory which hosts an anti-gravity treadmill, isokinetic dynamometer, Monark LC7 cycle ergometer and SECA body composition analyser.

Our sports clinics on campus are open to the public, enabling students to put training into practice treating and assessing patients. We also share the impressive £3m Avery Fields complex with Bournville RFC, offering an all-weather pitch, two grass pitches and a clubhouse with function room and modern changing facilities.

ACCREDITATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS
This course is accredited by the NSCA and the IUSCA.

PLACEMENTS
We encourage students on our course to gain work experience throughout your studies.

Employers we have worked with include West Bromwich Albion FC, Wasps Rugby Academy, City of Birmingham Basketball and MSC Performance.

CAREERS AND PROGRESSION
Examples of careers you could pursue following this course:

  • Strength and conditioning coach

  • Nutritionist

  • Personal trainer

  • Fitness centre manager

  • Exercise physiologist (in the sports sector)

  • Secondary school teacher (physical education)

Upon completion of the foundation degree, you can also progress onto the final year of our full BSc (Hons) degree.

  • Please refer to our website www.ucb.ac.uk for the latest updates to this course

Modules

YEAR 1

  • Academic Development
  • Anatomy for Strength and Conditioning
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Practical Strength and Conditioning Principles I
  • Practical Strength and Conditioning Principles II
  • Principles of Nutrition

YEAR 2

  • Field-Based Conditioning
  • Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
  • Research for Sport
  • Sports Biomechanics
  • Sport and Exercise Nutrition
  • Psychological Principles of Strength and Conditioning

Assessment method

Note: Indicative information only. Actual timetables and assessment regimes will be issued at your induction. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website: www.ucb.ac.uk

TEACHING

Example of a typical teaching week (up to 12-15 contact hours):

  • Large group teaching – 4 hours
  • Smaller group teaching – 9 hours
  • Tutorials – 2 hours
  • Field trips and sports events
  • Work experience

You will also need to commit around 20 hours per week for individual study time.

ASSESSMENT

Estimated breakdown of assessment for this degree course:

  • Coursework – 50%
  • Practical assessment – 47%
  • Written examinations – 3%

Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • University College Birmingham

Study options

  • FdSc • Full-time • 2 Years

Start dates

  • 15/09/2025

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
C611
Institution code:
B35
Campus name:
University College Birmingham
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University College Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
29 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:
C611
Institution code:
B35
Campus name:
University College Birmingham
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

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Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 48 - 56 points

Level 3 qualifications are accepted at UCB for entrance, a minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points will be required. If you are unsure if your qualification is accepted call us on 0121 604 1040 or email admissions@ucb.ac.uk.

A level - CD - DD

UCB will accept A Level in General Studies for this course and will also take into consideration applicants who are studying an extended project.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - PPP

This can be achieved from either an Extended Diploma or a combination of smaller BTEC qualifications.

Access to HE Diploma

You will need a minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points

Scottish Higher

You will need a minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points

T Level - P

A T-level graded Pass with a core component profile less than C.

Non-tariff: Non-UCAS Tariff based Level 3 qualifications are also considered for entry please contact admissions@ucb.ac.uk to check your eligibility.

Work-based: We also give equal consideration to applicants who are currently in work and wish to apply to UCB. To apply, you must have a minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience, demonstrating management or supervisory duties. Your application must also include a reference from your line manager supporting your entry to higher education. For further details please contact Admissions.

Students who are studying a mixture of qualifications will receive an offer that will be inclusive of all Level 3 qualifications.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
Cambridge English AdvancedLevel B2BA/BSc - Minimum 170 with no less than 160 in any skill FdA/FdSc - Minimum 160 with no less than 150 in any skill
IELTS (Academic)BA/BSc - Overall score of 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in each component FdA/FdSc - Overall score of 5.5 with no less than 5.0 in each component
Institution's Own TestBA/BSc - Overall score of B2 with no less than B2- in in each component FdA/FdSc - Overall score of B2- with no less than B1+ in in each component
To apply for all undergraduate degrees, if your first language is not English, you will need to sit an approved test in English.

UCB English Language Requirements http://www.ucb.ac.uk/our-courses/international/english-language-requirements/english-language-requirements-table.aspx

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Republic of Ireland£9250Year 1
EU£13500Year 1
International£13500Year 1
England£9250Year 1
Northern Ireland£9250Year 1
Scotland£9250Year 1
Wales£9250Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

UK:
If you are a UK student enrolling on a Foundation Degree or a BA/BSc at University College Birmingham in 2021/22, your fee for this academic year will be £9,250. A half year tuition fee is £4625.
This is a yearly fee, and will increase with inflation in subsequent years (in line with the government’s permitted rise).
If you are an English student studying your first higher education qualification, you can apply for a tuition fee loan from the Student Loans Company. You will not start repaying this loan until you leave the course and are earning over £25,000 a year.
If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you should apply to Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland, or SAAS. The loans and grants available to you will differ from those available from Student Finance England.
UCB does not charge for 24 or 48 week placements.
More information about UK Fees please go to our website here -
https://www.ucb.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/undergraduate-fees/

EU and International:
More information about International Fees please go to our website here - https://www.ucb.ac.uk/our-courses/international/tuition-fees-and-scholarships.aspx

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