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BA in Sport, Exercise and Enterprise

Course Points
100 Points
Course Duration
3 Years
Course Level
Level 7
Course Places
40 Places
Course Start Date
September 2024

Three great reasons to consider this course

  • You’ll use a combination of theory, research and practical techniques to understand and improve engagement in Sport and Physical activities throughout the life course.
  • You'll develop tools to help everyone – from those who play sport for fun to elite athletes – get the most out of their exercise.
  • By the end of the course, you'll have in-depth grounding in the fields of professional sport, health and education, helping you secure your ideal career when you graduate.

Course Summary

This 3-year Level 7 degree course presents students with a unique opportunity to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills in an environment that demands academic rigour as well as practical application. The sports and exercise element of the programme focuses on activities the general population engage in throughout the life course. While the Enterprise and Business elements of the programme focus on modules in creativity, innovation and teamwork, entrepreneurship, new venture development, social entrepreneurship and graduate life skills.

Important notice about this course

Some modules within the BA in Sport, Exercise and Enterprise course have a physical activity component and require active engagement from the student in order to fulfil the requirements of the course.

Because of the nature of the placements on this course, applicants will be required to successfully pass police/garda vetting for all jurisdictions where the applicant was/is resident.

This course will equip you with the knowledge, skills and attributes to be a leader in your chosen field. The sports and exercise element of the course focuses on activities the general population engage in throughout the life course. These are specifically aimed at children, youths, adults, older adults and special populations, and reflect the changing nature of participation throughout growth, maturation and ageing. You can attain a wide range of coaching qualifications in GAA, FAI, Athletics, Kayaking, Mountain Biking and Disability Inclusion Training, to name but a few. 

You will also have the opportunity to reinforce academic learning with a number of progressive, professional awards in Exercise and Fitness each year with the potential to gain a QCF Level 4 (NFQ level 6) qualification as a specialist trainer by Year 4. This, combined with modules designed to analyse and improve personal and team performance, makes you immediately employable as a professional practitioner. 

The Enterprise and Business elements of the course focus on modules in creativity, innovation and teamwork, entrepreneurship, new venture development, social entrepreneurship and graduate life skills. You will acquire the skills needed to assess current market conditions and develop your own business ideas. You will have an opportunity to put theory into practice on Work Placement, where we have built effective relationships with a number of innovative, supportive and exciting organisations. 

Should you wish to broaden your horizons further you have the opportunity to ‘Study abroad’ in Umea University, Sweden, as part of our Erasmus programme. 

The course aims to develop analytical leaders with the problem-solving skills to drive innovation within the Community and Commercial sectors. Graduates of the BA Sport, Exercise and Enterprise will be equipped to add real value to the economic, social, cultural progress and quality of life of communities. Therefore, if you have an interest in sport and exercise, are a self-starter, and wish to develop your career prospects within a supportive and challenging academic environment, we look forward to hearing from you. 

Year 1

Semester 1

  • Developing Physical Literacy with Children (year-long)
  • Exercise Professional 1 (year-long)
  • Research and Communication Skills
  • Creativity, Innovation & Teamwork
  • Marketing
  • Business Management

Semester 2

  • Developing Physical Literacy with Children (year-long)
  • Exercise Professional 1 (year-long)
  • Organisation, Structure & Development of Sport in Ireland
  • Workplace Communication Skills
  • Business Computing Applications
  • Financial Accounting

Year 2

Semester 1

  • Physical Activity in the Adolescent years (year-long)
  • Exercise Professional 2 (year-long)
  • Nutrition
  • Life Skills for the Resilient Graduate
  • Sports Law
  • Introduction to e-Business

Semester 2

  • Physical Activity in the Adolescent years (year-long)
  • Exercise Professional 2 (year-long)
  • Intercultural Competence
  • Exercise Psychology and Behavioural Change
  • Development Education
  • Adapted Physical Activities

Year 3

Semester 1

  • Sports Event Planning AND Work Placement
  • OR Studies Abroad in our partner Erasmus Colleges

Semester 2

  • Research Methods
  • Business Law
  • Sports Development
  • Elective modules include:
    • Sport - Leading the Active Adult (Elective Sport: Hillwalking and campcraft) AND Exercise for Special Populations
    • Enterprise - Human Resources in Organisations AND Financial Management

* All module titles are subject to change and are for indicative purposes only. The provision of electives each year is subject to numbers enrolling on each elective and available resources.

The programme is delivered using a combination of lectures, tutorials, practicals and labwork. The course is blended and uses Moodle, the Institutes Virtual Learning Environment. Learners will also use a range of online tools to engage with subject material in class. 

Graduates of this course have a wide variety of career opportunities, including but not limited to: 

  • Sports Development Officers 
  • Exercise and Fitness professionals 
  • Physical Activity Coordinators 
  • Leisure Facility Management 
  • Adapted Physical Activity Officers 
  • Sports Coaching 
  • Sports Business Management 

Students can progress to further studies, including Master and MSc studies in Sports Development, Sports Management, Strength and Conditioning and Sports Sciences.

Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:

Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate

→ INCLUDING At least one H5 Grade, OR Minimum Points Score of 200
→ AND Mathematics Grade F2, O6 or H7
→ AND English Grade O6 or H7 OR Irish Grade O6 or H7


FETAC/Mature Entry:

Students who have completed successfully a FETAC Level 6 award in a Sports related area are eligible to apply directly to the School of Business and Humanities for entry to Year 2 of the programme. We especially welcome applications from mature students.


Northern Ireland/UK Entry Requirements:

Applicants must meet the matriculation requirement of 5 different subjects which must include:

→ Mathematics at GCSE (Grade A* - C or better)
→ English (or Irish) at GCSE (Grade A* - C or better)
→ One subject at:

    • 'A Level’ (Grade A* - E or better)
    • OR Applied A-Level (Grade A* - E)
    • OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
    • OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).

→ The remaining subjects must be different from those listed above and may be drawn from recognised subjects at:

    • GCSE (Grade A* - C)
    • AND/OR 'AS Level’ (Grades A - E)
    • AND/OR ‘A-level’ (Grades A* - E)
    • AND/OR Applied ‘A-level’ (Grade A* - E)
    • AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
    • AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).

Work placement happens in the first Semester year 3.  Students go on placement for 12 weeks. This is coordinated by our placement office.

If you're interested in improving sporting performance or understanding the health benefits associated with physical activity, this endorsed BA in Sport, Exercise and Enterprise degree course helps you turn your interest into a fulfilling career. You will:

  • Be taught by expert staff with industry-relevant accreditations who are actively engaged in research projects that inform the future of Sport, Exercise and Enterprise.
  • Put what you learn into practice using our ties to National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships
  • Be able to get specialist qualifications that match your career aspirations in areas such as sports coaching, circuit training, gym instruction and Personal Training.
  • Boost your transferable skills such as teamwork, decision making, communication and time management

David Cranny (Programme Director)
Phone: +353 42 9370851
Email: david.cranny@dkit.ie

Michael McCorry (Lecturer, Department of Humanities)
Phone: +353 42 9370818
Email: michael.mccorry@dkit.ie

Course ID DK763
CAO Round 1 Entry Points (2023) 100 Points
Course Type Undergraduate
Study Mode Full-Time
Level 7
Duration 3 Years
Starting Date September 2024
School School of Business & Humanities
Department Humanities
Awarding Body Dundalk Institute of Technology
Delivery Method On Campus

How To Apply

Apply on CAO

All standard entry first-year applicants must apply for entry through the CAO. See Important application dates for CAO and information for specific applicant types below:

CAO Code: DK763
Apply on CAO

International Application (non-EU)

International Applicants (not from or living in the EU) can apply through an agent or directly to DkIT to study this course.

Disclaimer: All module titles are subject to change and for indicative purposes only. All courses are delivered subject to demand and timetables are subject to change. Elective Module options will only run subject to student numbers. The relevant Department will determine the viability of each elective module option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose that option. Students will be offered alternative elective modules on their programme should their preferred elective option not be proceeding. Award Options for Common Entry Programmes: The relevant Department will determine the viability of each award option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose either option. If the numbers for one of the Award options exceed available places, students for this option will be selected based on Academic Merit (highest grades).