Strength and Conditioning with Placement

Strength and Conditioning (S&C) is an increasingly recognised and in-demand profession within sport, exercise, and health sectors. With the continued growth of elite and sub-elite sport, long-term athlete development programmes, and performance-focused physical preparation, there is a national and international demand for practitioners who can apply evidence-based training methods to improve athletic performance and reduce injury risk.

This innovative and highly practical strength and conditioning degree is designed to prepare you for a successful career by equipping students with a strong foundation in exercise science, alongside applied coaching, athletic assessment, and training programme design. You’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to optimise athletic performance at all levels, from grassroots to elite sport, while developing as an adaptive, evidence-based practitioner ready to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry.

You will develop practical competencies in areas such as resistance training, speed and power development, and return-to-play planning. These are skills aligned to professional standards set by bodies such as UKSCA, IUSCA and CIMSPA. The course also places strong emphasis on employability through practical experience, reflective practice, and the development of communication and decision-making skills essential for careers in elite sport, education, uniformed and emergency services, or even health and rehabilitation settings. Learning is practice-led, with small-group sessions, workshops, and live demonstrations designed to mirror the demands of real-world environments.

Practical experience is at the heart of the course. You’ll have opportunities to work with athletes, teams, and clients across grassroots, academy, and professional settings through placements, internships, and applied projects. These experiences are supported by strong links with clubs, schools, and organisations, enabling you to gain real-world coaching experience and build valuable industry connections. From providing performance support for competitive athletes to assisting local schools and community sport programmes, you’ll graduate with an impressive CV and the confidence to succeed.

You’ll learn in Solent’s cutting-edge facilities, including our strength and conditioning-focused gym, a health-focused gym, CASES accredited physiology and biomechanics labs, performance and multi-use sports halls. You’ll gain experience using industry-standard technologies such as force plates, motion capture, GPS tracking, and velocity-based training systems — tools widely used in elite sport. Alongside your degree, you’ll also have the chance to gain additional professional qualifications and prepare for UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) accreditation, enhancing your employability and helping you stand out in a competitive job market.

Taught by experienced coaches, accredited practitioners, and active researchers, the course team brings real-world expertise into the classroom. You’ll also have opportunities to contribute to applied research projects, such as injury prevention studies and youth performance enhancement initiatives, seeing the tangible impact of your work on athletes and communities. With a curriculum designed alongside industry partners and a focus on developing globally minded, adaptable professionals, this course prepares you for an exciting career in the UK or even coaching athletes on the international stage.

Who is this course for?
This course is perfect for students with a passion for sport, fitness, and performance. If you want a hands-on degree that develops your coaching, training, and applied sport science skills, this course will prepare you for a successful career in strength and conditioning

YEAR ONE
CORE MODULES

Coaching Fundamentals for Human Performance
Coaching Strength and Power
Coaching On- and Off-Field Conditioning
Coaching Plyometrics, Speed and Agility

YEAR TWO
CORE MODULES

Periodisation and Programming for Sport and Tactical Populations
Strength and Conditioning for Women and Girls
Youth Strength and Conditioning
Empirical Evidence and Performance Data Analysis

PLACEMENT YEAR

FINAL YEAR
CORE MODULES

Applied Coaching Lab
Injury Risk Reduction and Return to Play
Preparing for Industry and Accreditation
Independent Research Project

You may be assessed at the end of each block by:
Observed and recorded coaching sessions
Assignments
Individual presentations
Group presentations
Portfolios
Case studies
Project work
Practical activities
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.