Learn about exercise science, movement, coaching and rehabilitation – and prepare for a rewarding career as a strength and conditioning coach.
Study on one of the leading Sports Science courses – ranked top 10 in the UK, 2021-24.
Source: Guardian University Guide
This is an exciting course where you'll discover that strength and conditioning is more than just gym work.
Based in our accredited CASES labs in the Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, you’ll learn how to help people develop their speed, agility, endurance and strength.
You can specialise in biomechanics or exercise physiology from Year 2. There’s also the option to gain fitness industry qualifications, and gain experience through work placements.
We welcome talented athletes and offer financial support through our Sport Scholarship.
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Graduate ready to work in the burgeoning rapidly growing sport and fitness industry.
As our course is aligned to UK Strength and Conditioning Association standards, you’ll be able to work as a strength and conditioning coach.
If you complete relevant optional modules, you could work as a gym instructor or personal trainer.
More broadly, employers will see you as ‘job ready’, thanks to endorsement from the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
Throughout this hands-on course, you’ll plan and deliver coaching sessions.
In lectures and practical sessions, you’ll explore how the body performs, and responds to, physical activity. You’ll also look at data collection and interpretation; sports injuries and rehabilitation; and athlete development.
Optional modules allow you to explore different aspects of coaching, from personal training to biomechanics.
In your final year, you can choose between a research project, or working and completing a project in industry.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
At ARU, you’ll learn from expert staff including practising sport therapists, coaches, psychologists, nutritionists and conditioning specialists. There’s the chance to hear from world-leading guest speakers too, through our Excellence in Sports seminars.
Senior Lecturer
Senior Lecturer
Senior Lecturer
Interim Deputy Head of School
Lecturer
At ARU you’ll be based in our Cambridge Centre for Sports and Exercise Sciences, which houses specialist exercise testing and human movement labs.
The labs feature:
UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start
Call our Clearing line