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Strength and Conditioning

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Abertay Campus

Course summary

The need for trained S&C professionals is growing all the time, and this is the only undergraduate Strength and Conditioning degree in Scotland. You'll excel in this growing industry with your key knowledge of physical performance.

Gain the skills to become a Strength and Conditioning (S&C) practitioner and develop your understanding of performance sport. You'll cover the core disciplines of physiology, biomechanics, coaching and training theory.

Learn the sciences behind training and performance

Your in-depth knowledge of the sciences behind training and performance mean you could work with young people, the elderly and those either suffering from, or at risk of, developing a number of diseases.

Work placements and internships

Built in work placements and multiple accreditations really enhance your employment prospects. You'll get many opportunities to go on placements and join extra-curricular internships. This is where you learn how to apply your theoretical knowledge in practical, real-world situations.

Practitioner roles are expanding outside of the sport world. The industry is moving into other areas such as the military, the police and the fire service. You'll graduate ready to hit the ground running with your key knowledge of physical performance.

Official recognition and accreditations

These accreditations make you highly desirable and help improve your CV.

This is Scotland's only undergraduate degree to be formally recognised by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and by the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA).

Official recognition by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) helps to prepare you for the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS) certification.

Accreditation by the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA), means you can choose to become an Accredited International Strength and Conditioning Practitioner (aISCP) after graduation.

Two-year foundation in Sport and Exercise

This course is flexible, and part of a portfolio of five courses covering different specialisms in sport.

For the first two years, everyone takes Sport and Exercise as a foundation. Then you specialise in years three and four.

Abertay is Scotland's TOP University for overall student satisfaction in Sport and Exercise (NSS 2023).

Modules

https://www.abertay.ac.uk/course-search/undergraduate/strength-and-conditioning/#modules

Assessment method

You’ll learn through a mixture of lectures, practical laboratory classes, seminars/tutorials and independent study. The practical laboratory classes offer the chance to learn relevant scientific techniques firsthand and provide an opportunity to engage in research by designing experiments and collecting and analysing data.

The assessment strategy is aimed at developing a variety of skills that are valued by employers. The majority of assessment is by innovative coursework-related submissions, such as lab reports, essays, oral and poster presentations, portfolios, reflective logs, practical tests.

Exams form only a small percentage (approximately 15%) of the overall assessment.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

How to apply

Apply by
14 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:
C604
Institution code:
A30
Campus name:
Abertay Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Year 2 - Higher National Certificate or equivalent
Year 3 - Higher National Diploma or equivalent

Please see website for accepted courses

Open days

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification requirements

A level - CCC

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths, Sport Science and Active Leisure Industry Entry into Year 2 with ABB to include PE and Biology or Chemistry or Physics

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

Sport Sport and Exercise Sciences Entry into Year 2 with D*DD Sport or Sport & Exercise Sciences

Scottish Higher - BBBC

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths at B

Scottish Advanced Higher - ABB

Entry into Year 2 to include PE and Biology or Chemistry or Physics

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 25 points

With 3 subjects at a minimum at S5 or H4

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths

Scottish HNC - Pass

Entry into Year 2 with an HNC in one of the following:- Coaching & Developing Sport - Graded Unit B Fitness, Health & Exercise - Graded Unit B Next Gen Physical Activity & Health - Graded Unit M Professional Golf - Graded Unit B Entry into Year 1 with an HNC in one of the following:- Applied Science - Graded Unit B Soft Tissue Therapy - Graded Unit B Sport & Hospitality Management - Graded Unit B Sport & Recreation Management - Graded Unit B Sport Therapy - Graded Unit B

Scottish HND - Pass

Entry into Year 3 with an HND in one of the following:- Applied Sport Science - Graded Unit B Coaching & Developing Sport - Graded Units BB Fitness, Health & Exercise - Graded Unit B Football, Coaching & Development - Graded Units BB Entry into Year 2 with an HND in one of the following:- Professional Golf - Graded Unit B Sport & Hospitality Management - Graded Units BB Sport & Recreation Management - Graded Unit B Sport Therapy - Graded Unit B Entry into Year 1 with HND Applied Science - Graded Unit B

HNC (BTEC) - M

Entry into Year 2 with HNC (BTEC) Sport

HND (BTEC) - M

Entry into Year 3 with HND (BTEC) Sport

T Level - Pass (C and above)

in Core Component. Health Healthcare Science Science

English and Maths/Lifeskill Maths/Application of Maths at National 5 or GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent required. Higher Applications of Maths at grade C accepted.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

A level - CDD

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths, Sport Science and Active Leisure Industry

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

Sport Sport & Exercise Science

Scottish Higher - BBC

To include Biology or Chemistry or Physics or PE or Maths at B

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points

With 3 subjects at a minimum at S5 or H4

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths

We may make you an offer at the minimum entry grades if you meet the criteria.

Find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We don't just look at your grades, admission is based on academic merit, considering personal circumstances and potential. We look for applicants to demonstrate relevant and appropriate level of academic achievement as well as personal and professional experiences providing an indication of ability to meet the demands and professional requirements of the course. For a small number of courses, additional means of assessment such as an interview or portfolio may also be required.

Learn more on the Abertay University website

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.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

73 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

91 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9790Year 1
Northern Ireland£9790Year 1
Wales£9790Year 1
Channel Islands£9790Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9790Year 1
Scotland£1820Year 1
EU£16950Year 1
International£16950Year 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

International/EU fees are £17,950 for the following courses:-
BA (Hons) Computer Arts
BSc (Hons) Computer Game Applications Development
BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology
BSc (Hons) Computing
BSc (Hons) Computer Science
BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Cybersecurity
BSc (Hons) Ethical Hacking
BA (Hons) Game Design and Production
BSc (Hons) Visual Effects for Games and Realtime Media

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