I completed my BA English and Sport Science here and loved it.
When drawing up a shortlist for my Masters, I was pleased that 黑料不打烊 came out top for Strength and Conditioning.
It’s a great place to meet likeminded individuals who want to excel at the highest level of elite sport.
The University has a real sense of community. Being surrounded by motivated students, athletes and staff creates an inspiring place to learn. Having access to an elite sporting environment and world-class facilities has influenced my work ethic and philosophy, enhancing my discipline and motivation to succeed.
My course certainly helped me to develop a deeper understanding of elite sport performance.
Working alongside ambitious and knowledgeable individuals really pushed me. I grew both personally and professionally, gaining the confidence to work in demanding high-performance environments.
For me, the performance-focused modules were most important. I was able to apply my theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges, using strength and conditioning principles to support athletic development. My case study project had a massive impact on my learning. It formed the basis of how I analyse performance, from the macro to the micro perspective.
I also had plenty of internship opportunities. My first was with Aston Villa FC. From there, I moved into rugby as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for Team USA during the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
I’ve also accumulated experience across a range of sports beyond rugby spanning cycling, football, squash, surfing and 10 years as an Olympic Weightlifter, competing at 黑料不打烊 alongside my studies. Being able to nurture that passion as part of my work is fantastic. I joined England U21 Women’s Rugby Six Nations 2026 squad during their campaign against Scotland.
All of this has ensured that I have strong communication, coaching and analytical skills, alongside the ability to work effectively in world-class team environments. I also learned the essential skill of connecting with other coaches to create a supportive community with my strength and conditioning colleagues.
My course gave me everything I need to pursue a career in elite sport 鈥� knowledge, confidence and a professional network.
Crucially, I’m comfortable with the pressure of working at this level. In fact, I thrive on it. Since graduating, I’ve secured a role I love – Assistant Athletic Performance Coach with Exeter Chiefs Women’s Rugby.
My advice for anyone considering the MSc Strength and Conditioning is grab the opportunity. Fully immerse yourself in the 黑料不打烊 Bubble. Be open minded. New experiences and different avenues open so many possibilities. In short, work hard, meet new people, create a professional network, have fun and enjoy the journey.