Hartpury University's strength and conditioning programmes have been officially certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), an industry body recognised and respected around the world.

Both the BSc (Hons) strength and conditioning and MSc strength and conditioning degrees have received the endorsement, after a thorough review of the curriculum and learning pathway for each programme.

Certification means that the NSCA deems students who complete the degrees to be competent enough to sit their exam, which would qualify them as a certified strength and conditioning (S&C) coach.

It's hoped that students will use this opportunity to sit the NSCA exam alongside their studies at Hartpury, adding to their overall employability in a crowded market around the world.

Dr Chris Szedlak, lecturer (research) in strength and conditioning at Hartpury University, said: "We're excited to have received such prestigious recognition for two courses that we as a team, including Dr Jenni Douglas, Henry Davies, Ben Drury and Greg Henry, worked so hard to create and develop.

"The NSCA is considered a gold standard certification, which can only add to the overall skillset and employability of our graduates looking to develop their careers in this exciting industry."

Chris has been invited to this year's NSCA Conference in New Orleans, where he'll deliver a keynote speech to over 2,000 delegates.

He said: "I'm honoured to have been invited to this year's NSCA Conference. Receiving such an invite reinforces that the work we've been doing to develop the programmes and modules and the associated research is impactful and respected by the wider strength and conditioning community."

Hartpury's facilities have received significant investment during the last few years, with the introduction of a specialist performance gym, part of an £8.8 million Sports Academy development that allows students to develop practical strength and conditioning skills using real-world equipment and technologies to enhance strength, power, speed and injury prevention.