If you see yourself helping athletes on a sports pitch, testing athletes’ fitness in a lab, or giving physiotherapy to a patient in hospital, then this is the course for you.
Do you want to gain access to a third level degree in Physiotherapy, Sports Rehabilitation and Therapy, or Sports Science? Completing this Diploma in Sports Science can help you gain direct access to these degree courses.
Perhaps you would like to be a gym instructor or a strength and conditioning coach. With qualifications such as the NCEF Certificate in Gym Instruction as an optional extra in the second year of study, you can become even more employable.
We have a highly qualified team of specialists in physiotherapy, rehabilitation, P.E. and gym instruction, field-based testing and health, rehabilitation and sports science.
This is a full-time course with a two week work placement in both years.
Course Director: Karen Parkinson
Subjects Year 1:
Subjects Year 2:
Course content may be revised for educational or organisational reasons.
BTEC Higher National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science
NCEF: Year 2
Additional Certification
NCEF Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness
The Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness accredited by the University of Limerick qualifies you to supervise and instruct on the gym floor including cardio, machine weights and free weight.
You will also be qualified to teach group exercise classes in:
(NCEF Certificate from University of Limerick)
Visit www.ncef.ie/fitnessinstructor for more info.
Minimum Entry Requirements
Leaving Certificate: O6/H7 in 4 subjects plus at least one O2/H6. Subjects must include English.
QQI Level 5 Award with a Merit profile in a related discipline.
Equivalent qualifications will be considered
Mature Applicants
Mature applicants who have relevant industry experience and may not meet the above requirements are welcome to apply.
Applicant Information Meeting
All applicants will be invited to an Applicant Information Meeting.
Progression Opportunities
Our students graduate with opportunities for further education in three main areas: physiotherapy; sports science; and sports injuries and athletic therapy.
Our graduates have progressed on to higher education degrees at:
Students have gained advanced entry onto the second year of Sports Management at I.T. Blanchardstown.
Career Prospects
Our graduates will have an industry ready NCEF qualification in gym instruction and specialist training in the area of strength and conditioning. Past students have set up their own business directly after graduating as a:
“While in Inchicore I became a more confident person and learned to believe in my abilities. The staff were very approachable and didn’t mind taking that extra bit of their own time to help me out and keep me on track. I got to take part in a work placement at a physiotherapy clinic. The skills I learned in the course really showed through and helped me secure a part-time job in the clinic.
Currently I am in my second year of Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy at IT Carlow, this is a very popular course at the Institute. On completion of my Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy in IT Carlow I will be applying to do a postgraduate physiotherapy course in UCD.”
Louise Gibbons
The skills I learned in this sport and exercise course really showed through and helped me secure a part time job.
