Undergraduate and Postgraduate Strength and Conditioning Courses in the United Kingdom: A Report Study

In the United Kingdom (UK), a degree in strength 
\nand conditioning (S&C) or an associated discipline is 
\na common requirement for obtaining a professional 
\nS&C certification and employment as a S&C coach. 
\nHowever, limited research has comprehensively 
\nreviewed undergraduate and postgraduate S&C 
\ndegrees in the UK, which this study aimed to do. 
\nA search for S&C degrees was conducted via 
\ntwo directories. In total, 20 undergraduate and 29 
\npostgraduate courses were identified. All course 
\ninformation, including module titles, was extracted. 
\nCourse information was assessed using frequency 
\nanalysis and module titles via open coding. Entry 
\nrequirements for undergraduate degrees ranged 
\nfrom 80–120 UCAS points, and a 2:1–2:2 degree 
\nclassification for postgraduate degrees. Almost half 
\nof undergraduate S&C degrees were considered 
\n‘multidisciplinary’ and included other topics 
\n(e.g., BSc S&C and rehabilitation). Over half of 
\nthe undergraduate degrees offered a foundation 
\nyear, and 59% of postgraduate degrees offered 
\na non-academic entry option. Overall, 50% of 
\nundergraduate degrees could be completed as 
\nfull-time or part-time, which increased to 79% 
\nat postgraduate level. Placement modules were 
\ncompulsory across undergraduate degrees (except 
\nfor one) and featured to a lesser extent at the 
\npostgraduate level. The most common modules at 
\nthe undergraduate level focused on anatomy and 
\nphysiology, S&C, biomechanics and movement 
\nanalysis, research, and academic and professional 
\nskills. The least common modules were motor 
\nlearning and control, business, and sociology. 
\nDifferences were observed with postgraduate 
\ndegrees, given an increased focus on modules 
\nassociated with research, S&C, and academic 
\nand professional skills. This information may help 
\nhigher education providers to evaluate, revise, 
\nand develop S&C courses; awarding associations 
\nfurther enhance recognition and accreditation 
\npathways for S&C degrees; potential employers 
\ntailor job descriptions and specifications to align 
\nwith graduate capabilities; and prospective students 
\ngain insight into each course, potentially informing 
\ntheir course choice(s).