BSc (Hons) Strength and Conditioning in Tactical Populations
- Study Mode: Part Time
- Location: High Wycombe / Aldershot
- Duration: Two Years
- Start Date: September 2025
Aimed at serving Royal Army Physical Training Corps Instructors (RAPTCIs), Royal Air Force Physical Training Instructors (PTIs), and Royal Navy/Royal Marine Physical Trainers (PTs), our BSc (Hons) Strength and Conditioning in Tactical Populations course will equip you with the necessary sports science knowledge and practical strength and conditioning skills to optimise the health, wellbeing, and physical preparedness of service personnel.
This part-time, blended learning program is specifically designed for serving RAPTCIs, focusing on the unique physical training needs of military personnel. BNU is already successful at developing and delivering flexible and applied programmes, specific to the needs of military students. We are a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and registered as a Ministry of Defence Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme Administration Service (ELCAS) training provider. Furthermore, we have all the necessary experience and learning material to support the unique requirements of Armed Forces personnel.
This course encompasses a wide range of subjects, including physiology, biomechanics, sports psychology, nutrition, research skills, data analysis, programme design, and sports injury management, providing a holistic education in strength and conditioning. BNU are proud to support the wider armed forces community and offer programmes for UK Armed Forces personnel that maps skills to the characteristics of typical civilian businesses and services. The Armed forces offers a range of different financial support, Bursaries and Scholarships for selected candidates during further and higher education.
The course employs a blended learning model, combining online and face-to-face instruction, allowing serving military personnel to balance their studies with professional commitments.
What will I study?
Fully mapped to the Graduate Strength and Conditioning Coach (GSCC) professional standard and endorsed by the this programme has been specifically designed to address the educational needs of Armed Forces PTIs and will educate you for both in-service and civilian applications.
The discipline of strength and conditioning requires you to be both an effective coach and a knowledgeable sport scientist. Therefore, on this programme, we will develop your understanding of the concepts, theories, and techniques which underpin effective strength and conditioning practice. Furthermore, building upon your current skills, knowledge, and experience you will develop your practical coaching, research, and critical thinking abilities.
At the end of the course you will have gained a well rounded and in depth knowledge and skillset that will greatly aid you in your career. Areas of study will include physiology, biomechanics, sports psychology, nutrition, research skills and data analysis, programme design, sports injury and rehabilitation, topical issues in strength and conditioning and the application of strength and conditioning in tactical populations.
What facilities can I use?
With opportunities to use our Human Performance Laboratory (HPL), containing state of the art equipment such as a 30m Mondo indoor running track, high-performance HP Cosmos treadmills, Vyntus Jaeger breath-by-breath gas analysers, Hawkin Dynamics portable force plates, Cybex Isokinetic dynamometer, Qualisys 3D motion capture system, and best in class Eleiko strength and conditioning training equipment, you will find technical support for any learning or research goal you want to pursue.
Thanks to our investment into facilities, we can provide the equipment that is needed to fully develop your skills as a strength and conditioning expert to the highest level.
In addition, our library is open 24/7 and packed with all the information you need for your assessments – you’ll have access to hundreds of specialist books, scientific research, articles and online journals. Not to mention there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study time.
How will I be taught and assessed?
Most modules within your course have only one summative assessment which will be either a written essay, report, presentation, or viva. (A summative assessment is a one-off test at the end of a module) However, several of the more applied modules have two practical summative assessments which is a one-off practical test at the end of the module.
All assessments are designed to make sure you are making progress towards the learning objectives, and we are adequately providing the learning criteria for each module. Failure to submit an assessment or upon failure of an assessment, a re-submit is required within 4 weeks. In addition, we will let you know of any deadlines at least 3 weeks before submission is required.
What are the course entry requirements?
This course is open to RAPTCIs, Royal Air Force PTIs, and Royal Navy/Royal Marine PT’s who are qualified in trade. All applicants from these service branches will be eligible to commence this programme at Level 5.
If you require further information or wish to enrol upon this programme please email tapc@bnu.ac.uk
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
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Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £5,040 per year *
Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit , on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes.
Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.  
Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.  
Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.  
We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU.
The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.
What are my career prospects?
Upon completion of the programme, you will be encouraged to sit the UKSCA accreditation assessment and the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam. At the end of this course, you will be well prepared to take your knowledge of strength and conditioning to a higher level. You will have gained new skills, new insight, and a greater understanding of strength and conditioning. Should you choose to take this knowledge into civilian fields, or advance further within your current organisation, the skills gained here will be invaluable.
The BSc (Hons) Strength and Conditioning in Tactical Populations programme is a proven and strong course, with an excellent reputation, and it will make a great addition to have on your CV. Taking a programme of higher education will help open doors to many new opportunities for you and increase your potential at all levels, not just within your discipline but within your personal development goals too.
In addition, students who graduate with a 1st or 2nd class BSc (Hons) will also be well prepared to go onto postgraduate study at MSc level, such as our MSc in Human Performance Optimisation (HPO) programme.
