Strength and Conditioning
Full-time
Part-time
One year
Two year
Three year
September 2025
In a nutshell
This course offers a strong practice-based element, enabling you to develop the necessary skills for leadership roles in the field. Theoretical content is available online, allowing flexibility in your studies. You'll have the opportunity to apply your learning to your current job, utilizing case studies from your area of practice. Our staff are experts in strength and conditioning, often collaborating with professional sports teams and individual athletes.
This programme was the first postgraduate programme in Europe to receive international recognition through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Education Recognition Program (ERP).
Due to the structure of this programme, it is not available to applicants who require a Student Visa.
You will:
- Gain a higher degree that will qualify you for a lead role in strength and conditioning.
- Develop the ability to critically evaluate the scientific principles and theories of athletic screening, and a clear understanding of the science behind performance measurement.
- Develop a critical understanding of the current scientific principles, concepts and theories of strength and conditioning and its real-life application.
- Undertake an in-depth, evidence-based exploration of a key area relevant to your own practice.
Course recognition
01
03
This is for you if...
You want to take a lead role in the field of strength and conditioning.
You are a strong communicator with great interpersonal skills.
You want to help improve the lives of others.
All about the course
The MSc course is offered on both a full-time (one year) and part-time (two or three years) basis.
The full-time course runs over three academic semesters (October through to September the following year), while giving you the chance to exit with the following awards:
- Postgraduate Certificate: completion of one module
- Postgraduate Diploma: completion of two modules
- Master's: completion of two modules plus a dissertation
The part-time course can be studied over two or three years, with the final module of the two-year option taught over the summer.
Two-year option
- Year 1 (Semester one and two): Postgraduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning (60 credits)
- Year 2 (Semester one and two): Postgraduate Certificate in Injury Prevention and Performance Measurement (60 credits)
- Year 2 (Semester three - summer): Research Project (Dissertation)
Three-year option
- Year 1 (Semester one and two): Postgraduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning (60 credits)
- Year 2 (Semester one and two): Postgraduate Certificate in Injury Prevention and Performance Measurement (60 credits)
- Year 3 (Semester one and two): Research Project (Dissertation)
In order to achieve an award of MSc Strength and Conditioning, you must successfully complete the modules Strength and Conditioning and Injury Prevention and Performance Measurement, along with producing a thesis for the dissertation module.
Injury Prevention and Performance Measurement
You will develop the ability to critically evaluate the scientific principles and theories of athletic screening and gain a clear understanding of the science behind performance measurement, along with appropriate interpretation of those measurements.
You will learn to apply these in a real-world context. You will experience carrying out a systematic and structured group or individual project. This will further develop your critical evaluation and research skills in relation to your own professional practice and includes dissemination of research and good practice.
Strength and Conditioning
You will develop a critical understanding of the current scientific principles, concepts, and theories of strength and conditioning and its real-life application. Through a series of keynote lectures and online material, you will gain greater insight into all aspects of athletic development, including nutritional and psychological considerations.
This course also considers long-term athlete development and special populations. This will include ‘real-life’ practical application in relation to optimising athletic development.
Research Project
You will undertake an in-depth, evidence-based exploration of a key area relevant to your own practice; this is a substantial, independent research project. Many of our students have gone on to publish their research with the support and guidance of our expert staff.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Hear from Alumna Jessica
I studied BSc Sports Science with Strength and Conditioning from 2016 to 2019 and then completed my MSc Strength and Conditioning from 2019 to 2020, graduating with the highest class in both degrees.
Currently, I am a strength and conditioning coach at Cheadle Hulme School, where I lead the elite sports and high-performance programmes. I am also the lead strength and conditioning coach and sports scientist at Manchester City Women's FC U14 and U16s, where I apply a multitude of skills learned from the University of Salford.
Hear from Alumna Matthew
Find out more about Matthew, who studied BSc Sports Science: Strength and Conditioning, MSc Strength and Conditioning, and PhD Strength and Conditioning with us. He now works as the Women’s Pathway Lead Physical Performance Coach, supporting the Women's U23s on-camp delivery to help bridge the gap between our pathway teams (U19s and below) and the Seniors. In addition, he oversees the consultant physical performance coaches who deliver on camp for our pathway age groups (U15-U19s).
The School of Health and Society
The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact.
Our courses are informed by the latest research, and we work closely with organisations from both the public and private sector to ensure our teaching is at the forefront of practice. The University has received approval for a new health building on the Frederick Road campus which will create brand new teaching spaces, including new Podiatry spaces. Construction will begin in late 2024, with completion expected by Autumn 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a health and wellbeing hub, supporting popular healthcare courses and community services. It will feature sustainable design elements and provide modern clinical facilities to enhance student learning and community engagement. Find out more about our new Health Building.
In time community healthcare clinics will also take place there as partnerships are developed to explore research opportunities and to provide a range of therapeutic sessions.
Teaching staff
Professor Paul Comfort, CSCS*D, ASCC
Professor Comfort is a lecturer in Strength and Conditioning and the programme leader for the MSc Strength and Conditioning at the University of Salford. Paul is also an adjunct professor at Edith Cowan University (Western Australia), a founder member and accredited member of the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association, and a board member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (July 2020-July 2023). Dr Comfort regularly consults with numerous professional sports teams in the UK and USA and has co-authored >150 peer-reviewed journal articles.
Paul is also co-editor of the textbooks, ‘Advanced Strength and Conditioning: An Evidence-based approach’ and ‘Performance Assessment for Strength and Conditioning.’
John McMahon, PhD, CSCS*D, ASCC
Dr. John McMahon is an associate professor and reader in biomechanics and strength and conditioning. He leads the strength and conditioning pathway for final-year BSc (Hons) Sports Science students and the postgraduate certificate in strength and conditioning, which forms part of the MSc Strength and Conditioning programme. John has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles that have been published in top-quartile international sports science and medicine journals. He has also co-edited two strength and conditioning textbooks (published by Routledge).
John holds various external leadership roles, including being one of three grant committee members for the National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation and an advisory board member of the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association. He has been dual accredited in strength and conditioning (National [USA] and United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Associations) since 2010 and has worked as a strength and conditioning coach across several team sports. John currently coaches individual international-level athletes.
Dr Lee Herrington PhD MSc MCSP
Lee is a physiotherapist, senior lecturer in Sports Rehabilitation, and programme leader for the MSc Sports Injury Rehabilitation at the University of Salford. Dr. Herrington is also a consultant physiotherapist to Premiership & Championship Football and Rugby Union clubs, along with a number of Olympic sports. He worked as part of the Team GB medical team at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Lee has previously worked with British Swimming, the Great Britain Basketball team, Wigan Warriors, Great Britain Rugby League teams, and England Table Tennis and Netball.
He is the lead clinical researcher in Knee Biomechanics and Injury at the University of Salford, with over 200 published research articles. His specific research interests are anterior knee pain and rehabilitation following knee surgery (principally Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction). Lee is also the Editor in Chief of Physical Therapy in Sport and on the editorial board of The Knee Journal and Journal of Sports Rehabilitation. Dr. Herrington leads the Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation module on the MSc Sports Injury Rehabilitation.
Dr Paul A. Jones MSc, BSc (Hons), FBASES, BASES Accredited, CSCS*D, CSci
Paul is a lecturer in Sports Biomechanics and Strength and Conditioning (S&C). Dr. Jones earned a BSc (Hons) and MSc in Sports Science from Liverpool John Moores University and a PhD in Sports Biomechanics at the University of Salford. He has over 20 years of experience in Biomechanics and S&C support to athletes and teams, primarily in athletics, football, and rugby, and was a former sports science coordinator for UK disability athletics.
Paul is a BASES Fellow, has been BASES Accredited for over 17 years, and is currently a member of the BASES accreditation committee. He has also been a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) with the NSCA for over 18 years. Paul has authored or co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, mainly in change of direction biomechanics and strength diagnostics, and has co-edited the book Performance Assessment in Strength and Conditioning, published by Routledge.
Paul leads the Injury Prevention and Performance Measurement module, which is shared by the MSc Strength and Conditioning, MSc Sports Injury Rehabilitation, and MSc Performance Analysis in Sports.
Dr Steve Atkins, BASES Accredited, CSci
Steve is a BASES-accredited sport scientist who has a long-standing interest in how best to optimise human performance. With over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals, his primary research areas relate to the determinants of performance, including the use of technologies to optimise performance profiling. Dr. Atkins has worked with many elite and amateur athletes and supports clients via the School's Physiology testing service. He has lectured for over 25 years and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, seeking to create optimal learning environments for students.
Dr Nicholas Ripley, CSCS*D, RSCC
Dr. Ripley is a teaching and learning fellow at the University of Salford, predominantly teaching on strength and conditioning modules in the BSc (Hons) Sports Science programme and the MSc Strength and Conditioning. Nick is also a practitioner, the Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach for Great Britain Lacrosse, and consults with a Premier League football academy. Dr. Ripley has worked in various high-level sport settings, including rugby union, football, softball, netball, swimming, and combat sports. Nick is also a graduate of the University of Salford.
Dr Mark Quinn
Dr. Quinn is the programme leader for the MSc Performance Analysis in Sport. Mark has extensive applied experience in Rugby League as a Performance Analyst and Sports Scientist. He was an integral part of the Wigan Warriors team that had success in winning the Challenge Cup (2011, 2013), League Leaders Shield (2012), Super League Grand Final (2013, 2016), and World Club Challenge (2017). Dr. Quinn also previously held an Assistant Coaching role with the England Wheelchair Rugby League. Mark has research interests in performance analysis and monitoring athletes and training load, having completed his PhD within these multidisciplinary areas.
FACILITIES
You will have access to some of the best facilities in the UK, including our purpose-built Human Performance Lab, which contains almost every type of physiological and biomechanical equipment including:
- FT700 Ballistic Measurement System
- 9 AMTI Force Plates, 5 of which are situated in a 40m running track
- ProReflex 10 Camera real-time motion analysis system
- KinCom and Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometers for muscle strength testing
- Portable Kistler force plate
- EMG (electromyography) system used to measures the electrical activity of muscles and to gather information about the muscular and nervous systems
- Esaote AU5 Ultrasound used to study skeletal muscles, tendons, ligaments and blood flow
- We have a range of cycle and rowing ergometers, two treadmills, and two online gas analysis systems. We can perform blood analysis with our Analox GM7 Multi-Assay Blood Analyser to measure blood lactate, glucose and a range of other blood substrates
- There is also the Reflotron which another multi-use system that can measure blood cholesterol and haemoglobin as well as portable blood glucose and lactate analysers
In addition, we have the usual equipment found in exercise physiology labs.
- Polar heart rate monitors
- Harpenden skinfold callipers
- Wingate tests
- Hand grip dynamometers
- Height, weight monitors
- Jump mats and timing gates
What about after uni?
With the skills you'll learn in this course, you can take a lead role in strength and conditioning and make a difference in the training of your clients. This course will significantly increase your chances of getting a high-profile role in a top-flight sport.
Graduates are now employed in Premier League and Championship football and Paralympic weightlifting. Some graduates have also progressed to lecturing and doctoral-level study.
Jessica studied the MSc Strength and Conditioning after graduating from our BSc Sports Science course. She is now a strength and conditioning coach at Cheadle Hulme School, where she leads the elite sports and high-performance programmes. She is also the lead strength and conditioning coach and sports scientist at Manchester City Women's FC U14 and U16s.
Career Links
This course has been developed to include the key competencies identified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA).
What you need to know
Applicant profile
This course is aimed at a wide range of sports professionals, including sports science graduates, chiropractors, osteopaths, strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists, sports therapists, sports rehabilitators, sports medicine physicians, and physical education teachers.
This course has been developed to be accessible to individuals already working within the field of strength and conditioning, or those working towards full-time employment within the field. It is essential that you have access to athletes so that you can effectively evaluate their training and performance and implement appropriate interventions, as this forms part of the assessments for some modules.
You will need access to an athlete or group of athletes to use as case studies to apply the theory you have learned to practice. You will need to be able to effectively evaluate their treatment and training and implement appropriate interventions, as this forms part of the assessments for some modules.
Due to the structure of this programme, it is not available to applicants who require a Student Visa.
Undergraduate degree
BSc (Hons) graduates with an appropriate sports or exercise related subject area (Physiotherapy, Sports Rehabilitation, Sports Therapy, Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Sports Medicine Physician). Prospective students will normally be required to have achieved a 2.1 Honours degree, but consideration will be given to students with a 2.2 Honours degree with appropriate experience and satisfactory references.
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
To be considered for the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme you must have already achieved or be working towards GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 (or equivalent).
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,100 per year |
| Part-time | 2025/26 | Part-time costs will be calculated on a pro rata basis. |
Additional costs
You should consider additional costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
All set? Let's apply
Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact us: