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National Certificate in Strength & Conditioning (NCSC)
EPI National Certificate in Strength & Conditioning (NCSC) is the industry standard qualification for Strength & Conditioning coaches. Delivered over two Phases, the NCSC Course is typically completed in a 12 week period. it is designed to develop your coaching skills to enhance athletic development in team sports and individual athletes. Become a qualified Strength & Conditioning coach with EPI and learn how to develop strength, power, speed, agility, ESD as well as program design.
EXPERT-LED LEARNING · FLEXIBLE START DATES · 6-DAY COURSE
€1,200
OR PAY IN 2 INSTALMENTS
Technology Enhanced
This course has been updated to include the latest sports technology equipment
SAVE €140 and get FREE access to the online NCSC course + online VBT course when you register for our in-person NCSC course in Dublin or Belfast. Download NCSC Handbook for course details and learn more.
“Amazing course with so much information. Karl and Raymie are a wealth of knowledge. I would highly recommend this course.”
Pauline Shields · Google review
x6 DAYS IN-PERSON
Delivered over two phases (x3 days each)
FREE ONLINE ACCESS
Get free access to online NCSC course + online VBT course
Ebooks & Resources
Receive S&C ebooks, journal articles + learning resources on the EPI online platform
NCSC Course Cost, Training Support, Grant Funding & Payment Options
The full National Certificate in Strength & Conditioning (NCSC) is €1,200, or €595 per phase if you take Phase 1 and Phase 2 separately. EPI is an approved provider under the Training Support Grant, which covers up to €1,000 of course fees for eligible applicants through your local Intreo office – reducing the NCSC to around €200. Places are held with a deposit, and instalment options are available.
Course Eligibility: Personal Trainers, Physiotherapists, Former Athletes, Sports Coaches & PE Teachers
The NCSC is built for people looking to work with or already working with clients or athletes in sport. Personal trainers take it to move from general population into athletic development. Physiotherapists use it to build return-to-play (RTP) programming. Sport coaches (GAA, Soccer, etc) take it to programme strength, speed and conditioning for squads at club and county level. No degree is required – the course assumes practical coaching experience rather than an academic background.
National Certificate in Strength & Conditioning (NCSC) | Accredited Qualification in Ireland | EPI
Choose Location & Your Start Date
Browse our in-person and online course options
COURSE DETAILS
Course Code:
EPI01
Course Accreditation:
National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) & American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Locations:
Dublin, Belfast & international locations
Duration:
6 days in-person
Delivery:
In-person + online access
Assessment:
Online practical exam & MCQ exam
Price:
€1,340 €1,200
Save €140
Free Online Access
COURSE DETAILS
Course Code:
EPI01
Course Category:
S&C courses
Delivery:
Delivered fully online
Duration:
Typically completed in 4-6 weeks
Schedule:
100% self pace learning
Access:
Lifetime access
Assessment:
Online practical exam & MCQ exam
Price:
€995
Lifetime Access
Exclusive Offer
- FREE access to online NCSC course worth €995
- FREE access to online VBT course worth €300
- Save €140 when registering for the full NCSC course
- Discount codes available from EPI sports technology partners
Secure your place by paying in full or with a deposit payment. For our deposit registration, remaining fees are paid before the start of the course. T&C’s apply.
National Certificate in Strength & Conditioning (NCSC) Course Modules
Sports teams and individual athletes are only as good as their physical preparation, which is why qualified Strength & Conditioning coaches are in demand. Learn EPI’s systems, methodologies and frameworks that will help you meet this challenging responsibility.
This career-transforming S&C course will help you develop your coaching skills and learn how to practically apply all the content delivered on course. You’ll learn up-to-date coaching skills as well as learn about the integration of performance technology into your coaching (see our extensive list of performance partners).
Browse our full list of in-person NCSC courses and begin your journey with EPI.
Learn about the Movement Compensation Screen (MCS) for injury prevention.
Understand it’s practical application and integration into the coaching setting.
Receive EPI’s corrective exercise strategies for issues with flexibility/mobility, stability and motor control.
Pre-season fitness testing is vital for all athletes and teams.
Discover how to successfully implement a standardised battery of fitness tests for teams and individual athletes.
Understand how to tailor and adjust the fitness tests based around their athletic ability.
Receive EPI’s resources on profiling your teams and athletes once the fitness tests have been conducted.
Master your coaching of acceleration and max velocity speed.
Understand how to implement EPI’s technical and coaching models for improved sprinting technique.
Receive a detailed plan and structure on how to effectively program design for speed development.
Look at and breakdown the qualities needed for multi-directional speed.
Understand how to implement EPI’s technical and coaching models for improved deceleration and change of direction (COD) technique.
Receive a detailed plan and structure on how to effectively program design for agility development.
Learn about explosive power development using Olympic weightlifting.
Understand how to implement EPI’s technical and coaching models for improved technique on the Clean & Jerk and Snatch lifts.
Receive a detailed plan and structure on how to effectively program design for Olympic weightlifting.
Explore strength & power development using more advanced methods of training, such as complex and contrast training.
Understand when to implement this training into the program and how to make appropriate adjustments based on the individual needs of the athlete/team.
Receive a detailed plan and structure on how to effectively program design using complex or contrast training.
Learn about reactive power development using plyometric training.
Understand when to implement this training into the program and how to select appropriate exercises based on the individual needs of the athlete/team.
Receive a detailed plan and structure on how to effectively program design using plyometric training.
Discover how to effectively train and develop the different energy systems.
Understand when to implement ESD sessions into the training program based on the individual needs of the athlete/team.
Receive a detailed plan and structure on how to effectively program design energy system development (ESD)
Discuss how to effectively train and develop hypertrophy, strength and power for your athlete/team.
Understand effective exercise selection choices for the different strength & power qualities.
Receive a detailed plan and structure on how to program design using EPI’s system.
Learn how to implement a periodization model as part of your medium to long term planning.
Understand which periodization model is best suited to different levels of athletes.
Receive a detailed plan and structure on applying each model following a phase by phase approach.
EPI Sports Technology Partners
Both formats cover the same course content. Choose in-person or online:
In-Person
Choose your location and start date
- In-person learning with industry-expert lecturers
- Meet coaching peers in a friendly environment
- Get hands on with state-of-the-art sports technology
On-Demand
Fit your learning into your own schedule, and learn at your own pace
- 100% self paced learning
- Lifetime access to course content and updates
- Average completion: 6 weeks (up to 16 weeks)
Funding
EPI courses are also approved by the Department of Social Protection for the Training Support Grant (TSG) in Ireland, which provides up to €1,000 annually to jobseekers on certain social welfare payments to cover the cost of short-term training.
Course timeline
One exam.
Start with Phase 1 before progressing to Phase 2. After Phase 2 you have 8 weeks to take your NCSC exam online.
3 days
Build your foundations in fitness testing, acceleration speed, Olympic weightlifting, plyometric training and program design.
3 days
Enhance your coaching skills for advanced strength & power development, max velocity speed, MAS, ESD and conjugate periodisation.
Within 8 weeks
A written MCQ and a practical lifting video, each worth 50%. You need 70% to pass.
Certified
Your National Certificate in Strength & Conditioning (NCSC) is issued on the EPI platform.
Exam & certification
you know and do
A 50/50 model that combines theory with practical coaching. Both parts are taken online.
- Online multiple choice (MCQ)
- 80 questions in 60 minutes
- Covers Phase 1 & 2 material
- 70% pass grade
- Olympic weightlifting assessment
- Video of you demonstrating the Clean or Snatch
- Plus your coaching model and technical model videos
- 70% pass grade
Register Now
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“Amazing course with so much information. Karl and Raymie are a wealth of knowledge. I would highly recommend this course.”
Pauline Shields · Google review
Where our graduates work
“I completed EPI’s NCSC Course before commencing my role with Manchester Utd. The course was an excellent mix of theory and practical sessions delivered in a very clear manner for coaches. I would highly recommend this course for any coach looking to further their understanding of athletic development for sports performance”
Michael Clegg
EPI graduate · Manchester United
“As a sprinter, I’ve found the S&C course with EPI incredibly valuable. It’s given me a much deeper understanding of what goes into developing performance, from strength and power to programming, injury prevention and athlete development.
What I’ve enjoyed most is being able to take what I learn and apply it directly to my own training while also building the knowledge and practical skills to work with other athletes.
If you’re serious about sport, coaching or building a career in S&C, I’d highly recommend this course. The knowledge, experience and opportunities it can create make it well worth the investment.”
Christopher Sibanda
EPI graduate · Irish Sprinter
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The National Certificate in Strength & Conditioning (NCSC) is a short, sharp, focused, and impactful course, giving fitness professionals like you a coaching skill set and certification to work with senior athletes. By completing this course, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate practical coaching skills to improve your player’s athletic performance
- Apply your knowledge of Strength & Conditioning with an individual athlete or a team
- Create effective programs and periodisation models to enhance various physical qualities
Whether you are new to Strength & Conditioning or looking to advance in your career, the NCSC course will shape your S&C coaching philosophy and how to develop your athletes following an evidence based approach. By showcasing these capabilities, you will be well-positioned to take on various Strength & Conditioning roles, enhance performance, and unlock new opportunities for professional growth
The main benefits of studying for a course with Elite Performance Institute (EPI) centre around your ability to rapidly upskill and obtain a certification in Strength & Conditioning, taught by industry leading practitioners, via a short and flexible learning schedule.
Short and intensive in nature, EPI courses demonstrate your commitment and drive to either begin or advance your professional career. Obtaining a Elite Performance Institute (EPI) course allows professionals to formalise and affirm the knowledge and coaching skills you might informally practice in the gym, on the pitch or in your private practice. Studying with EPI will allow you to stay ahead in a rapidly progressive coaching landscape.
As well as your Elite Performance Institute (EPI) course certification and new skill set, you will have accessed a network of like-minded professionals as you study alongside each other. Peer to peer learning will bring theory to life through active learning, as you problem solve and explore practical applications of relevant topics. All of this will be facilitated during breakout lecture sessions, facilitated conversations, hands on practical sessions, supplemented by a rich bank of online resources to give you the best possible chances of professional growth and development.
Many of our courses are now available both in-person and on-demand (online). Both formats cover the same course content. You now have more choice in how you learn with us:
In-person
Our in-person courses are delivered in various facilities in Dublin, Belfast and international locations. All locations are well equipped to allow EPI to deliver all course content in a professional learning environment.
On-demand
On-demand courses enable you to complete your course online on your own schedule. Course content is delivered in the form of a “module”. The module is broken up into practical and lecture videos outlining the content in the same way as seen on our in-person course.
Expert-led
Both in-person and on-demand courses are delivered by elite coaches who have more than 20 years of industry experience and 15 years of tutoring experience. When you choose an EPI education course, your learning experience will be unparalleled in terms of clarity and quality.
The National Certificate in Strength & Conditioning (NCSC) exam is taken online and will involve both a written MCQ exam and a practical exam.
Written Exam (50%)
- Multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ)
- 60mins in duration
- 80 questions
- Content assessed exclusively from Phase 1&2 course materials
- 70% pass grade required
Practical Exam (50%)
- Assessed on Olympic weightlifting
- Submit video for a Clean or a Snatch demonstration
- Submit video of coaching model for a Clean or a Snatch
- Submit video of technical model for a Clean or a Snatch
- 70% pass grade required
On successful completion, you will be awarded your National Certificate in Strength & Conditioning (NCSC) certificate. Your certificate will be issued electronically via email and/or it can be downloaded from the EPI online platform.
Payment
Payment for our in-person courses have two options:
- Payment in full
- Deposit payment (€100 for Phase 1, Phase 2 and Youth courses; €200 for the full NCSC course) followed by remaining course fee before start of course
Payment for our on-demand courses have two options:
- Payment in full
- Payment plan involving x3 interest-free payments
Funding
EPI courses are also approved by the Department of Social Protection for the Training Support Grant (TSG) in Ireland, which provides up to €1,000 annually to jobseekers on certain social welfare payments to cover the cost of short-term training. Get in touch with your employment officer to complete the TSG application form to secure your course funding.
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