Steven Forshaw

Before coming to Wrexham University, I maintained a demanding career as a Chartered Accountant, where my responsibilities spanned several industries. My professional focus involved high-level strategic oversight, including risk management and controls, auditing, and financial planning and analysis. Alongside my corporate life, I was also actively competing as a powerlifter, in which I won British, European, and World Championship gold medals. In preparation for transitioning into sports performance, I also recently qualified as both a Personal Trainer and a Strength and Conditioning Coach.

I was initially looking for a broad and diverse curriculum that would facilitate my career transition into sport and exercise sciences, with the long-term goal of pursuing a PhD. As a competitive athlete, I was also immediately drawn to the world-class equipment and technology available in the new biomechanics laboratory, which I plan to utilise extensively for my dissertation project. Crucially, the hybrid learning model was the deciding factor. As a mature student, it provides the essential flexibility required to successfully balance family commitments with the demanding schedule of international competition and training.

The Master’s degree course is precisely aligned with my career ambitions and is comprehensive. The curriculum covers everything from the core physical sciences, such as biomechanics and advanced physiology, to the crucial psychological aspects of elite sport performance. Critically, the programme also includes modules on leadership and entrepreneurship in sport, preparing us for the real-world demands of post-academic careers. The entire delivery is grounded in credibility, as the lecturers are simultaneously practitioners in their respective fields of expertise.

The atmosphere around campus is both vibrant and diverse, offering a balanced environment for focused study and relaxation. There is a fantastic range of facilities, from quiet, dedicated areas and an ample, well-resourced library to extensive computer access across campus. Socially, the environment is excellent, featuring several coffee shops and eating options, as well as plenty of green space. The campus also benefits greatly from its location, boasting close proximity to the town centre and, of course, Wrexham AFC.

What I enjoy most about the course is its performance-focused ethos and the immediate practical application of the knowledge. While the comprehensive breadth of the course and the expertise of the lecturers, who are both highly knowledgeable and approachable, are excellent, my greatest enjoyment, as a competitive powerlifter, comes from the world-class lab facilities. Being able to utilise advanced equipment and technology to gain insight into biomechanics and physiology is an invaluable advantage for improving my own performance, as well as my knowledge to apply to personal training and strength coaching clients.

The overall support structure is exceptionally strong, covering both academic and personal welfare. Academically, the lecturers are quick to respond and highly approachable; they are very willing to dedicate time to deepen understanding and provide constructive feedback on submitted work. For personal welfare, the university offers comprehensive and discreet support. There are numerous notices and QR codes placed around campus for seeking anonymous help through helplines, and upon registration, we were provided with a handy credit card-sized resource card containing all the key contact details and information.

The programme has equipped me with the ability to apply critical scientific principles directly to my own training and recovery protocols, and those of my coaching clients, which is an invaluable asset to my performance as a World Champion and to the successful progression of my clients’ performance. The robust curriculum has seamlessly transitioned my corporate experience into the sports sector, providing me with the confidence and knowledge base to excel in my new qualifications as a Personal Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach. The overall flexibility of the course was crucial in enabling me to pursue this high level of study without compromising my international competition schedule.

Without a doubt, I would recommend a course at Wrexham University. The flexible hybrid model was essential, as it allowed me to successfully pursue a high-calibre Master’s degree without sacrificing my international competition schedule. The teaching staff are active practitioners in their fields, meaning the knowledge gained has immediate, real-world application. For any professional, mature student, or athlete looking to elevate their expertise while managing a demanding life, Wrexham offers the perfect supportive environment.