Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences

Bachelor of Science

Three health, sport and exercise sciences students and lecturer
Three health, sport and exercise sciences students and lecturer
Type of Programme
Full-time
Number of Places
55
Duration
3 Years
Course Code
MT 511
Entry Requirements
250 CAO Points in 2023 and meet minimum entry requirements as listed below
Application Deadline
See CAO for details
Location(s)
MTU Kerry North Campus, Kerry
Course NFQ Level
Level 7

Michael Hall

T: +353 (0)66 714 4168

Email: (email)

Overview

This degree provides you with the skills to launch an exciting career as a professional in the health, fitness, sport and leisure sectors. It involves the study of six major subject areas, five of which are common to all students: Exercise Science, Health Studies, Activity Leadership, Physical Education and Professional Practice. For the sixth subject area, students study either ‘Education in Aquatics’ or ‘Outdoor Learning’.

 

 

All course material is delivered through a mix of applied theory and practice. This blend of teaching and learning approach prepares the student to be competent and confident in their practice as a health professional.The first two years of the programme are generic and cover a broad range of areas of study which provide a foundation for a range of careers in the health, exercise and sports industries.

At the end of second year, students enter Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity or Physical Education Studies with Business streams which allows students to begin to specialise in third year. There is also a 12 week work placement in third year, which can be completed with a local, national or international service provider.

Graduates will have a Bachelor of Science degree and a variety of discipline-specific professional certifications. Students are expected to become sufficiently competent practitioners to become eligible for professional fitness instructor registration in group exercise, gym instruction and personal training. They will gain internationally recognised qualifications in aquatics including swim/aquatic teaching, aqua fitness, lifeguarding and inclusive aquatics.

This level 7 programme involves vigorous physical activity, eligible candidates will need medical clearance. Garda vetting is also mandatory.

What will I study?

First year at a glance

  • Exercise Science – Anatomy and Physiology: the aim of this module is to explain, through principles and concepts of physiology and anatomy, the structure of the human body and how physiological systems contribute to overall body function.
  • Physical Education and Coaching Studies: the aim of this module is to enable students to critique human movement in order to facilitate learning and development in others across a range of movement contexts.
  • Activity Leadership: this module aims to bring students to a level of competence in the planning, delivery and evaluation of individual and group exercise sessions in the exercise to music and gym environments with healthy adults using a whole-part-whole approach.
  • Education in Aquatics: this module aims to give real life experience working with groups from the community. Students gain internationally recognised qualifications in aquatics.
  • Outdoor Learning 1: this module introduces the benefits and skills of using the natural environment as part of learning and development programmes.

Modules

What is a Module?

A module is a standalone unit of learning and assessment and is completed within one semester. A full-time student will normally study six modules in each semester; part-time and ACCS (Accumulation of Credits and Certification of Subjects) students will have flexibility as to the number of modules taken.

The button below provides a link to all of the University's approved modules for this programme.

View Modules

Entry Requirements

Entry 2024

For admission to a programme, standard applicants must

  • score the necessary CAO points and
  • meet the minimum entry requirements

Leaving Certificate in five subjects i.e. O6/H7 in five subjects. The five subjects must include Mathematics and either English or Irish grade O6/H7.

NOTE 1: Applicants must provide certification of fitness for a programme of vigorous physical activity.

NOTE 2: Vetting by an Garda Síochána is a mandatory requirement for this programme.

 

For Non-EU International Entry Requirements please visit https://www.mtu.ie/international/non-eu/.

Career options

Employment Opportunities

Graduates enjoy a rich variety of employment opportunities. They work in health and leisure centres, in health promotion units, in spa/wellness centres, in coaching and team sport settings, in sports development, in performance training, exercise programming, hotels, mainstream and special-needs schools, community centres, disability service providers, clinical settings, in the private/ entrepreneurial area, in local sports partnerships and governing bodies of sport, in swimming pools and in the great outdoors.

Progression

Further Studies

Depending on their specialism choice in year three, suitably qualified Level 7 graduates are eligible to progress to year 4 (final year) of

  • BSc (Hons) in Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences OR
  • BSc (Hons) in Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity OR
  • BSc (Hons) in Physical Education Studies with Business

PLEASE NOTE: if you sustain injuries that impact your physical engagement with the programme, this may affect your ability to continue on the programme and/or to progress.

Question Time

Yes, students who successfully complete year two of this programme and who do not wish to progress to third year are eligible to receive a higher certificate award.

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