Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation BSc (Hons)
Discover how to help athletes boost their performance.This degree prepares you for UK accreditation in strength and conditioning and gives you the skills to support athletes returning from injury.
Prepare for a successful career in a rapidly growing area of sport. We will equip you with highly specialised skills for professional roles in strength and conditioning, rehabilitation and injury risk reduction.
Learn in our new state-of-the-art Sports Centre with its high-tech strength and conditioning suite incorporating VICON 3D motion capture system and integrated Kistler Force Plates
Gain experience in the latest training methods to help athletes maximise their performance and return from injury
Build vital employability skills on work placements with organisations like Derby County FC, Derbyshire Country Cricket Club and Burton Albion FC
Develop the in-depth knowledge and practical skills you need for professional accreditation in strength and conditioning
Designed in collaboration with our industry partners, this exciting new course offers you all the benefits of applied experience, high-quality facilities and expert teaching.
Specialist knowledge, advanced skills
The sport industry is evolving to feature more interdisciplinary work, with greater liaison between sport science experts and medical or injury management teams. This far-sighted new course reflects that trend, meeting the growing demand for strength and conditioning specialists who can also call on detailed knowledge of injury rehabilitation and risk reduction. Incorporating the most up-to-date practices, it will help you become adept in a range of techniques and applications to enhance athlete performance and lessen the threat of injuries.
Gain professional accreditation
The course prepares you for UK accreditation as a strength and conditioning practitioner. Our curriculum is aligned to guidelines set out by the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) so that you can achieve this professional recognition which is important for your career development.
We also offer you the chance to gain additional vocational qualifications, such as various coaching and first aid awards throughout the strength, conditioning and rehabilitation course.
Work placement opportunities
To ensure you’re well prepared for employment, you’ll go on mandatory work placements in your first and second year, followed by an optional placement in your third year.
These opportunities have been made possible thanks to our flourishing links with local sports organisations including Derby County FC, Leicester City FC, Leicester Tigers Rugby Club, Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Derventio Swimming Club and the Derbyshire Institute of Sport.
Your placements may initially involve observing or shadowing professionals working in the strength, conditioning and rehabilitation arena. You’ll then progress to more hands-on roles as your level of experience grows.
Outstanding specialist facilities
Our new £10.8m features a bespoke where you can develop practical and coaching skills in areas such as weightlifting, prehabilitation, metabolic conditioning, and session planning and delivery.
We have invested in other cutting-edge resources for our sports students too. These include a well-equipped sport and exercise and a separate biomechanics laboratory containing the latest equipment for testing and measuring the parameters of health and fitness. In addition, we use a range of computer software packages for statistical and movement analysis.
During your studies, you can also take full advantage of all the facilities at the new Sports Centre, which boasts a main hall, fitness gym, studios, squash and badminton courts, an internal climbing wall, sprint track, changing rooms, treatment rooms and a café.
Learn from the experts
Our staff include accredited professionals who will provide you with high quality teaching and support. They are actively involved in research, high-performance sport and applied sport science consultancy. They are also members of leading professional bodies, including the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association and the Society of Sports Therapists.
We host regular masterclasses where established sports practitioners give you insights into their own career experiences and help develop your employability skills.
Join Team Derby
If you enjoy a challenge and would like to make the most of your own sporting passion and prowess, you could become involved with Team Derby which is the focal point for the University’s sporting community. It encompasses all aspects of sport, including courses, numerous sports clubs, the Athletics Union and sport development activities.
What you will study
You’ll study core modules in strength and conditioning and rehabilitation to provide you with specialist knowledge, combined with optional modules.
Academic and Applied Skills for Sport and Exercise*∆ - The academic skills component provides students with grounding in the key skills needed to be successful at undergraduate study. The research skills component gives students an introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods
Principles of Sport and Exercise Psychology - The role of psychology is an increasingly important and recognised aspect of participation and performance in sport and exercise contexts. This module examines various personality and social-psychological factors that impact upon participation and performance
Principles of Sport Biomechanics and Performance Analysis - The purpose of this module is to introduce students to an area of study that is concerned with the internal and external forces acting on the human body and the effects of these forces on sports performance
Introduction to Anatomy for Sport and Exercise - This module examines the form (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the human body systems that are central to sport and exercise
Principles of Sport and Exercise Physiology - This module examines the basic physiology of the relevant body systems. What these systems consist of, how they function and how they respond to an acute bout of physical activity
Coaching and Skill Acquisition - This module will focus on the application of skill acquisition theories in the coaching practice. Students will develop an understanding of how principles such as feedback, attentional focus and the environment can inform session design and delivery
Research Methods for Sport and Exercise*∆ - The module is designed to prepare students for their dissertation at level 6. Students will conduct a systematic literature review in a topic area related to their degree, in order to develop a coherent research question
Strength and Conditioning - Students will study applied biomechanics and physiology within the context of strength and conditioning and learn to develop periodised, safe and effective evidence based sport specific training programs
Injury Rehabilitation for Sport and Exercise - Students will gain a theoretical underpinning of the process of sports injuries, how this progresses and effects performance and they will learn how to design safe and effective mid to end-stage rehabilitation programmes
Corrective Exercise Techniques - This module will introduce students to exercise based intervention with particular attention to improving performance and function
Field Based Conditioning - This module will provide students with a technical understanding of speed and power development with particular attention to field based sports skills
Athlete Testing and Assessment - The module is designed to allow students to demonstrate the ability to select and deliver appropriate tests for a range of performance measures
This course offers an ‘Industrial Placement Year’ giving you the opportunity to enhance your practical skills by putting theory into practice, network in your industry and stand-out in the graduate job market. The placement year takes place in your third year, once completed, you would return to University to complete your final year of studies.
Independent Study for Sport and Exercise* - The independent studies module provides students with the opportunity to reflect and build upon their subject knowledge and expertise by conducting an in-depth investigation
Applied Strength and Conditioning -The module provides students with the theoretical knowledge and practical competencies required to work with a variety of populations within the field of strength and conditioning
Applied Rehabilitation and Risk Reduction - This module aims to develop the underpinning knowledge developed in previous modules in order to prepare students for work within a performance environment and/or competitive setting
You'll also choose two from the following optional modules:
Advanced Athlete Testing and Assessment - This module aims to develop the underpinning knowledge developed in previous modules in order to prepare students for work within a performance environment and/or competitive setting
Advanced Field Based Conditioning - This module will build on the theory learnt at level 5 and provide students with an advanced understanding of speed and power development
Applied Sport Science - The module will introduce the concept of mono, multi and interdisciplinary approaches within applied sports science
* Module includes Professional Development Activities
∆ Module includes Work Placement
Find out more at an Open Day
There’s still time to visit us before the UCAS deadline. Come to our Open Day on 9 January to find out if studying Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation at Derby is right for you. Meet our expert teaching team, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.
Teaching and learning will take place in our new £10.8m, state-of-the-art sport centre, equipped with a bespoke strength and conditioning suite and 50m running track with motion analysis. Further sport science facilities will be used to ensure students gain the required knowledge and skills to work in the applied arena of strength, conditioning and rehabilitation.
Assessment
Assessments will employ a combination of theoretical and practical assignments, such as case study presentations, field based assessments, written coursework, and professional discussions. This variety of assessments will enable learning and assess necessary skills required in future employment.
Entry requirements
September 2019 typical entry requirements
UCAS points
120 (up to 16 from AS-levels)
Specific requirements at A-level
At least C in Biology or PE at A level (or equivalent qualification)
Specific requirements at GCSE
GCSE Maths and English Grade C/Grade 4 (or above) or equivalent qualification
Interview / Audition
N/A
Portfolio
N/A
Alternative entry qualifications:
BTEC - DDM
Access to HE Diploma - 60 credits: 45 at level 3 with a minimum of Dist: 15 Merit: 24 Pass: 6
We usually consider an A-level in General Studies as a supplementary qualification. A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions.
Our entry requirements for this course should be read together with the University's general entry requirements, which details subjects we accept, alternative qualifications and what we're looking for at Derby.
How to hit the UCAS deadline
We want to help you with your UCAS application - and we've even invented a personal statement writer.
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS or you can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year.
Part-time students should apply directly to the University.
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS or you can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year.
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS or you can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year.
Part-time students should apply directly to the University.
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS or you can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year.
This course is the ideal platform for employment in areas such as elite and participation sport, strength and conditioning, rehabilitation and sport coaching.
You can also consider taking your qualifications to the next level. We now offer the MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science – which includes Sport and Exercise Psychology or Physiology pathways – where you will develop advanced knowledge in your subject. Another option is our MRes (Sport and Exercise) where you can further your applied sport science and research skills.
Dr Stuart Mourton Programme leader
Programme Leader - BSc Sport and Exercise Science, Lecturer in Motor Control
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, state-of-the-art facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
Included in your fees
To welcome you to our team, you’ll receive a University of Derby, Sport and Exercise Science t-shirt
If a DBS check is needed for the purposes of a module or programme related work placement, this is included in your fee if done via the University
Yearly UKSCA Associate membership is provided for the duration of your studies
We will contribute to or pay the full cost of additional qualifications which are arranged by us. For other additional qualifications you’re interested in, we may contribute to or fund these but this is at the Sport department’s discretion
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
If not already owned, appropriate clothing for practical sessions such as tracksuit bottoms and trainers - approximate cost is £50-£100
Two bound copies of your Independent Study (dissertation) - approximate cost is £12
Travel to placements - cost varies depending on your placement venue of choice
Optional costs not included in your fees
You may wish to undertake additional qualifications as part of your studies - costs will vary depending on your choice
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
