Strength, Conditioning and Sports Nutrition, BSc (Hons)

Course summary

OVERVIEWIf you are keen on a career as a strength and conditioning coach or working in the field of sport and exercise science, this degree offers you a unique opportunity to combine the study of strength and conditioning with sports nutrition. Featuring a combination of theoretical and practical work, our course uses the latest up-to-date research on strength, conditioning and nutrition to ensure your practitioner skills are based on the latest evidence from the industry.Our Strength, Conditioning and Sports Nutrition degree is accredited by top industry bodies including the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), preparing you for long-term professional success after graduation. Supported by University College Birmingham’s cutting-edge sports facilities and equipment, along with a range of opportunities for you to gain practical experience, you will learn how to use a broad range of conditioning skills to optimise an athlete’s performance, as well as gaining an understanding of how nutrition can improve results.Alongside your strength and conditioning course, you will also have the chance to gain a wide variety of further industry-accredited qualifications during your studies. Options range from first aid to gym instruction and coaching weight lifting, while you will have the opportunity to gain the IUSCA's Accredited International Strength and Conditioning Practitioner (aISCP) certification on graduation.WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

• Industry approved – Graduate with an IUSCA and NSCA-accredited strength and conditioning degree, as well as gaining NSCA student membership and access to additional industry resources and opportunities

• Work placement – Boost your hands-on experience through industry placement opportunities – past students have worked with a range of top sports clubs

• Practical application – Apply your training through practical strength and conditioning work in our state-of-the-art facilities, including our new Human Performance Centre and gym

• Enrichment – Study for additional qualifications including first aid training, Level 2 Gym Instructor and UKCC 1st4Sport Level 1/2 Award in Coaching Weight Lifting (British Weight Lifting)*

• Award-winning university – Study at the highest-ranking university in the region according to student choice (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023)

*Note: extra qualifications may incur an additional feeFACILITIESOur Human Performance Centre features the latest equipment including a 35m sprint track, eight lifting platforms, 7m rig and large screens displaying live analysis data. We also have a purpose-built Human Performance Laboratory which hosts an anti-gravity treadmill, isokinetic dynamometer, Monark LC7 cycle ergometer and SECA body composition analyser.Our sports clinics on campus are open to the public, enabling students to put training into practice treating and assessing patients. We also share the impressive £3m Avery Fields complex with Bournville RFC, offering an all-weather pitch, two grass pitches and a clubhouse.ACCREDITATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPSThis course is accredited by the NSCA and the IUSCA.PLACEMENTSWe encourage students on our course to gain work experience throughout your studies.Employers we have worked with include West Bromwich Albion FC, Wasps Rugby Academy, City of Birmingham Basketball and MSC Performance.CAREERS AND PROGRESSIONExamples of careers you could pursue following this course:

• Strength and conditioning coach

• Nutritionist

• Personal trainer

• Fitness centre manager

• Exercise physiologist (in the sports sector)

• Secondary school teacher (physical education)

You could also progress onto one of our postgraduate courses at University College Birmingham.

• Please refer to our website www.ucb.ac.uk for the latest updates to this course

Modules

YEAR 1

• Academic Development

• Anatomy for Strength and Conditioning

• Exercise Physiology

• Practical Strength and Conditioning Principles I

• Practical Strength and Conditioning Principles II

• Principles of Nutrition

YEAR 2

• Field-Based Conditioning

• Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation

• Research for Sport

• Sports Biomechanics

• Sport and Exercise Nutrition

• Psychological Principles of Strength and Conditioning

YEAR 3

• Applied Strength and Conditioning

• Nutrition for Performance

• Sport and Nutrition Project

- Work Based Learning for Sport

Assessment method

Note: Indicative information only. Actual timetables and assessment regimes will be issued at your induction. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website: www.ucb.ac.ukTEACHINGExample of a typical teaching week (up to 12-15 contact hours):

• Large group teaching – 4 hours

• Smaller group teaching – 9 hours

• Tutorials – 2 hours

• Field trips and sports events

• Work experience

You will also need to commit around 20 hours per week for individual study time. ASSESSMENTEstimated breakdown of assessment for this degree course:

• Coursework – 50%

• Practical assessment – 47%

• Written examinations – 3%

Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.

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YEAR 1

• Academic Development

• Anatomy for Strength and Conditioning

• Exercise Physiology

• Practical Strength and Conditioning Principles I

• Practical Strength and Conditioning Principles II

• Principles of Nutrition

YEAR 2

• Field-Based Conditioning

• Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation

• Research for Sport

• Sports Biomechanics

• Sport and Exercise Nutrition

• Psychological Principles of Strength and Conditioning

YEAR 3

• Applied Strength and Conditioning

• Nutrition for Performance

• Sport and Nutrition Project

- Work Based Learning for Sport