Coaching and Sports Performance

Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Three Coaching and Sports Performance students outside of Kerry sports academy
Three Coaching and Sports Performance students outside of Kerry sports academy
Type of Programme
Full-time
Number of Places
16
Duration
4 Years
Course Code
MT 913
Entry Requirements
310 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 8

Michael Hall

T: +353 (0)66 714 4168

Email: (email)

Overview

The Coaching and Sports Performance programme aims to develop, from evidence- based theory and practice, the students’ ability to lead physical activity, to coach athletes (individually and in teams), and manage sports teams and individual athletes. Graduates will also have the knowledge, skills, competence and first-hand experience to design and lead strength and conditioning programmes and to design and lead performance training programmes.

Graduates will be able to safely, and within context, advise on performance-related nutrition, apply the principles of sports psychology in context, and apply ancillary techniques in recovery from exercise, injury management or others in support of optimal sports performance and recovery.

The strength of the programme delivery model is that students experience a significant amount of applied practical time during their studies. The applied practice elements include independent studies, workshops, group discussions, activity leadership sessions, client (group and individual) engagement, and other activities that provide authenticity to the students’ experience.

Our students are regular players on the University’s teams in a variety of sports and through a variety of University society and volunteering activities. The department in general is known for its valued contribution to the health, fitness and leisure industry nationally, where the department is involved in establishing sectoral standards and educational policy change.

The Department of Health and Leisure Studies is a registered REPs Ireland provider. REPs Ireland (www.repsireland.ie) uses industry standards that have been developed and published by the European Health and Fitness Association to determine eligibility of individual exercise professionals for entry to the REPs Ireland register.

What will I study?

First year at a glance

  • Exercise Science – Anatomy and Physiology: explains the structure of the human body and how physiological systems contribute to overall body function
  • Physical Education and Coaching Studies: enables students to critique human movement in order to facilitate learning and development in others across a range of movement contexts
  • Introduction to Performance Training: provides a detailed understanding of the factors that affect performance, the components of field-testing and training methodologies for performance in the areas of speed, agility and flexibility.
  • Independent Studies: the aim of this module is to enhance students’ ability to coach human movement. Students will also gain a coaching qualification in a sport of their choice
  • Activity Leadership: Weights: this module focuses specifically upon trends in the fitness industry and to bring students to a level of competence in the planning, delivery and evaluation of individual and group exercise sessions.
  • Exercise Science – Sports Psychology and Motor Learning: the goal of this module is to introduce and apply skill acquisition, motor learning and motor control in the context of sport and physical activity

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 six subjects i.e. H5 in two subjects and O6/H7 in four other subjects. The six 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

This degree programme is intended for prospective students interested in pursuing a career in areas such as:

  • High-level fitness instruction and personal training businesses, for teams, professional athletes or private individuals
  • Sports management in elite and professional club contexts
  • Commercial sales and/or sales management in the sports and fitness sector
  • Coaching, coach tutoring
  • Sports development, talent development, athlete and team strength and conditioning

Progression

Further Studies

Suitably qualified Level 8 Honours graduates are eligible to progress to the MSc in Applied Exercise for Health at MTU Kerry North Campus or to research at either master or PhD level.

Question Time

In addition to graduating with an honours Bachelor of Science degree, graduates will be qualified fitness instructors, personal trainers with broad-ranging knowledge in nutrition and exercise programming, and will hold coaching badges in selected sports codes.  Students on this programme gain unique experience in studying modules in adapted physical activity and exercise recovery techniques.

 
Two Coaching and Sports Performance students on exercise bikes

Industry-driven course in state-of-the-art facilities

MT913 / MT513 - Coaching and Sports Performance

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