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Strength and Conditioning

Course details
  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 13 September 2027
  • 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

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.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
  • International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA)

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

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

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements

Typical 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

T Level
Pass (C and above)

in Core Component.

Health
Healthcare Science
Science

HNC (BTEC)
M

Entry into Year 2 with HNC (BTEC) Sport

HND (BTEC)
M

Entry into Year 3 with HND (BTEC) Sport

Scottish HNC
Pass

Entry into Year 2 with an HNC in one of the following:-
Coaching & Developing Sport - Graded Unit C
Fitness, Health & Exercise - Graded Unit C
Next Gen Physical Activity & Health - P
Professional Golf - Graded Unit C
Sports Coaching & Development - Graded Unit C

Entry into Year 1 with an HNC in one of the following:-
Applied Science - Graded Unit C
Soft Tissue Therapy - Graded Unit C
Sport & Hospitality Management - Graded Unit C
Sport & Recreation Management - Graded Unit C
Sport Therapy - Graded Unit C

Scottish HND
Pass

Entry into Year 3 with an HND in one of the following:-
Applied Sport Science - Graded Unit C
Coaching & Developing Sport/Sports Coaching & Development - Graded Units CC
Fitness, Health & Exercise - Graded Unit C
Football, Coaching & Development - Graded Units CC
Next Gen Physical Activity & Health - P

Entry into Year 2 with an HND in one of the following:-
Professional Golf - Graded Unit C
Sport & Hospitality Management - Graded Units CC
Sport & Recreation Management - Graded Unit C
Sport Therapy - Graded Unit C

Entry into Year 1 with a HND in one of the following:-
Applied Science - Graded Unit C
Applied Biological Sciences - Graded Unit C
Industrial Biotechnology - Graded Unit C

Scottish Higher
BBBC

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths or Applications of Maths at Grade C

Scottish Advanced Higher
ABB

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

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 25

With 3 subjects at a minimum at S5 or H4

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE, Maths or Analysis & Approaches

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

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3H3H3H3

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths

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.

Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: Year 2 - Higher National Certificate or equivalent
Year 3 - Higher National Diploma or equivalent

Please see website for accepted courses https://www.abertay.ac.uk/course-search/undergraduate/strength-and-conditioning/

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level CDD

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

Scottish Higher BBC

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths or Applications of Maths at Grade C

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Offer: 24

With 3 subjects at a minimum at S5 or H4

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE, Maths or Analysis & Approaches

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

Sport
Sport and Exercise Sciences

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

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) H3H3H3

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths

Additional entry requirements

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) / Disclosure Scotland Check

English language requirements

We look for applicants to have achieved an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual band lower than 5.5 or accepted equivalent. A list of our accepted English language qualifications can be found on our website.https://www.abertay.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/

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

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Scotland£1820*
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£9790*
EU & International£16950*

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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