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Strength and Conditioning Science is associated with the physical preparation and coaching of sports performers.
  • UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) accreditation.
  • This degree has numerous partnerships with professional clubs and organisations for students to gain necessary coaching experience.
  • Facilities favoured by Olympic athletes.
  • There are opportunities to study abroad for a semester in year two.
Royal Ballet Company logo
National Strength and Conditioning Association logo

Why study Strength and Conditioning Science?

St Mary's is internationally recognised as the front-runner for strength and conditioning education. The course is delivered in a 5,000 square-foot Performance Education Centre, providing you with the opportunity to practice your skills in a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning facility.

Developing coaching experience alongside your studies is crucial. The course has excellent links with clubs and organisations from a variety of sports, including Crystal Palace FC, Fulham FC, London Irish RFC, University London Boat Club and Sutton Tennis Academy. We also have students embedded within the world renowned Royal Ballet Company and Royal Ballet School in central London. These links enable you to obtain the necessary coaching experience needed to secure employment upon graduating.

There are eight specific strength and conditioning modules on the degree, which address the skills and knowledge required to pass the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) accreditation. 

The degree will also prepare you for completion of the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) qualification in the USA.

Why St Mary's?

Strength and Conditioning Science at St Mary’s University was the first course of its kind in the country and has evolved into a highly successful programme with a reputation of producing outstanding Strength and Conditioning coaches, delivered by accredited and highly experienced coaches.

Many elite sports performers choose to study Strength and Conditioning Science at St Mary’s; we have an excellent reputation for providing strength and conditioning support for their training and competitions whilst studying.

You are encouraged to spend a semester studying abroad during your degree. This can provide an invaluable experience on how to approach learning. Many students have also gained coaching experience in College American Football and Lacrosse, an experience which is rare in the UK.

You will also have the opportunity to take part in work placements as part of the course, both locally and in the wider London area. Previous students have worked with professional and amateur sports teams, in schools, colleges and university sports programmes, and in private and commercial gyms.

Foundation year

The undergraduate degree with foundation year programme offers applicants without traditional qualifications or grades an alternative route to studying Strength and Conditioning Science.

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Useful information

Course lead

Shaun Joffe
Lecturer - Strength and Conditioning Science

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Entry requirements

96-112UCAS points required

Check how many points your grades are worth

Calculate your total UCAS points

80 UCAS points should include at least two B grades at A level (or equivalent). One A level or equivalent should be in a Science (including sport). 

We will make you an offer if you are within the tariff band range and you meet subject-specific requirements (where applicable).

For undergraduate programmes we will take into account subjects studied at Level 3, your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile, relevant non-academic achievements outlined in your personal statement, references and your motivation for study.

GCSEs

Grade 4/C or above in GCSE English, Mathematics and Science is also required. We offer GCSE equivalency tests for those who need to improve their GCSE grades.

International requirements

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section (or equivalent).

Strength and Conditioning Science with a foundation year

The undergraduate degree with foundation year programme offers applicants without traditional qualifications or grades an alternative route to studying Strength and Conditioning Science.

UCAS Personal statement support

Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.

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Course content

Year one

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core

Year two

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core

Year three

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Optional
  •  Optional

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

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Career opportunities

  • Strength and conditioning (equipped to undertake UKSCA and NSCA accreditation)
  • Personal training (subject to further qualifications)
  • Exercise and health
  • Applied sport science (equipped to begin further study at MSc level and then BASES supervised experience)
  • Teaching (equipped to undertake PGCE)
  • Coaching
  • Sport development
  • Sport and recreation

The Careers Service has more information on careers and postgraduate study options available to Strength and Conditioning Science students who have started their studies at St Mary’s.

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What our students say...

Ben Christie

After a year I moved into my current role as a lead S&C coach for the Tottenham Academy... I have had to raise my standards, and there’s a lot weighing on my shoulders.

Read Ben Christie's story

How the degree is taught

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

Teaching and assessment methods are broad, varied and innovative with a strong support network from staff. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, workshops, practicals, labs, problem-solving sessions, computer based sessions and peer teaching.

Year one of the programme involves over 140 hours of practical teaching, including a module where students are coached by staff for 50 hours.

Class sizes range from 40 to 60 students per year.

Teaching breakdown

Learning on the course is made up through a combination of:

  • Contact time: 18%
  • Work-based learning: 2%
  • Guided learning: 40%
  • Independent study: 40%

Independent study is a key feature of your degree and is crucial to furthering your knowledge.

You will receive your timetable a week before teaching is due to start at the latest.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods reflect the skills that are valued by employers in industry and include DVD production, excel programming, oral presentations, laboratory reports, website design, essays, practical vivas and written exams.

Feedback

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within three weeks.

See how your final degree mark is calculated...

Compensated passes

Please refer to the information on compensated passes throughout your degree as outlined in the academic regulations.

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Facilities

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Fees and funding

2023/24 fees

  • Home: £9,250
  • International: £15,600

*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Governments review of Higher Education Funding

Information about tuition fees, student loans and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage. 

Scholarships

A range of scholarships and bursaries are available to new undergraduate students. This includes:

Living costs

A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.

Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.

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Meet your lecturers

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Further information


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Visit the campus

Upcoming open days

Attending an open day is a fantastic opportunity to get an insight into what life is like as a St Mary's student. During the day you'll have the chance to:

  • Speak to current students to hear about their experiences so far
  • Meet your future academics to put a name and a face to who you'll be learning from
  • Take a tour of the University and the on-campus accommodation options
  • Get involved with activities going on across campus as you explore new surroundings

Book your place now

Campus tours

There are plenty of opportunities for you to explore the campus, even if you can't make it to an Open Day. We run campus tours every Wednesday at 12pm. If you'd like to join us for one of these tours please register your place for your preferred day.

Virtual tour

We know that for it's important to you to see where you'll be living and studying before you make your decision. However, we also know that for many people it's not always easy to make it to the campus.

That's why we've developed a virtual tour of campus, allowing you to explore that facilities and the beautiful views that we have to offer.

Launch the virtual tour

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UCAS Application Timeline

1

UCAS Apply Opens

You will be able to register and begin your application, but won't yet be able to submit it.

May (year before entry)

Find out more about the application process
2

Completed applications can be submitted to UCAS

From September you'll be able to submit your UCAS application. Universities will start making decisions on applications.

September (year before entry)

Find out more about the application process
3

UCAS application deadline

You will need to submit your application by this date.

January 26th

Find out more about the application process
4

UCAS Extra opens

If you've used all five choices, but are not holding any offers, you might be able to add another choice.

Late February

Find out more about UCAS Extra
5

Replying to offers

Your deadline for replying to your offers depends on when you received all your decisions by. If you miss your deadline, UCAS will automatically decline all your offers

Spring/Summer

Find out more about the application process
6

Late applications are entered into Clearing

If your application is received after 30th June, it will be entered into Clearing.

30th June

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7

UCAS Extra application deadline

If you've used all five choices, but are not holding any offers, this will be your last chance to add an Extra choice.

Early July

Find out more about UCAS Extra
8

Clearing Opens

Clearing vacancies will be displayed in the UCAS search tool.

Early July

Find out more about Clearing
9

Clearing hotline opens

On A-Level results day, we open our Clearing hotline. If you're eligible to apply through Clearing, you'll be able to apply to us via phone.

Mid-August

Find out more about Clearing
10

Adjustment opens

If you've exceeded the conditions of your firm choice, you may be able to apply for an alternative course.

Mid-August

Find out more about the application process
11

Final application deadline

This is the final opportunity to apply for a course beginning in that year.

September

Find out more about Clearing
12

Clearing closes

This is your final chance to apply through Clearing. Please note: you will not be able to apply for Primary Education beyond mid-September.

October

Find out more about Clearing