Strength and Conditioning with Rehabilitation [with Foundation Year]

Learn about exercise science, movement, coaching and rehabilitation – and prepare for a rewarding career as a strength and conditioning coach.


• Study on a leading Sports Science course – ranked second in the UK and 17th in the World (Shanghai Rankings 2023) and tenth in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2024).



• Learn from highly skilled lecturers with professional experience as strength and conditioning coaches and sport therapists.



• Become the front-runner for strength and conditioning education in our specialist labs, endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).



• Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; designed and developed with regional employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.



• Learn with experts – 100% of our Sport Science research is recognised as internationally significant (REF 2021).



• Study on an industry approved course – accredited by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and aligned to UK Strength and Conditioning Association standards.



• We’re delighted to be Cambridge United Football Club’s Official Education Partner which supports opportunities such as work experience at the club or volunteering with the Cambridge United Foundation.



If your ambition is to be a strength and conditioning coach and be able to work across the fitness and health industry, this course is for you.


This is an exciting and diverse course where you'll discover that strength and conditioning is more than just gym work. You'll help athletes to develop the speed, agility, endurance and strength they need to compete at the highest levels. You'll consider correcting movement patterns to improve efficiency or avoid injury; and adopt different coaching methods for the different performers you work with. At times, you’ll need to understand how to progress the rehabilitation of an injured client.

But there are options outside of professional sport too, with an emerging and urgent need for qualified fitness professionals to engage the community in physical activity. You’ll consider different populations in the community and how you could support their differing needs. As mentioned, strength and conditioning professionals will work alongside rehabilitation specialists so providing a seamless transition for the client back into sport or being active in the community again.

Our Sport and Exercise Science course is aligned to UK Strength and Conditioning Association standards and endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), so you'll graduate ready to work in the UK’s burgeoning sport and fitness industry or to continue your learning journey to postgraduate study. Find out more about our approved and accredited courses.

Our BSc (Hons) Strength and Conditioning with Rehabilitation degree allows you to focus on the areas that really interest you, gain fitness industry qualifications, and obtain valuable work experience on an optional placement year.

Based in our specialist, accredited labs in the Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Science, you’ll learn how to help people develop their speed, agility, endurance and strength – whether they’re professional athletes training for elite competitions or local clients seeking to improve their physical activity levels. With different equipment at your disposal, you can track, monitor, correct and capture different data on performers to support your learning and development towards your career goal.

Supported by our highly-experienced strength and conditioning specialists, sports therapists, coaches, health and exercise professionals and world-leading researchers, you’ll learn how to rehabilitate, recondition, and maximise the potential of sportspeople safely and ethically. There’s the chance to hear from world-leading guest speakers too, through our Excellence in Sports seminars.

At ARU, you’ll be supported from day one with wellbeing services, money advice and careers guidance to help you through university and beyond.

Their courses are built around the skills and experience employers value. ARU are proud to be in the top 20% of UK universities for teaching quality (TEF 2023), and ranked #1 in the East of England, and #8 in the UK, for UG graduates in senior roles 15 months after gradudation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025). You'll have access to fantastic facilities thanks to £95m of investment - think SuperLabs, TV studios, law courts, mock hospital wards, gaming studios and more.

Wherever you're heading, ARU will help you get there.