Strength and Conditioning

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).

View modules

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.

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