BSc (Hons) in Health and Physical Activity

Year 1

Semester 1

• Anatomy and Physiology 1
• Engaging with Scholarship
• The Professional Practitioner 1
• Biochemistry
• Exercise and Health Studies 1

Semester 2

• Anatomy and Physiology 2
• Health, the Individual and Society
• Communication Skills
• Nutrition
• Exercise and Health Studies 2

Year 2

Semester 1

• The Professional Practitioner 2
• Marketing
• Exercise Physiology and Lab-based Fitness Techniques
• The Research Process
• Chronic Illness and Lifestyle Interventions 1

Semester 2

• Understanding Health and Illness
• Appraising Research
• Field Based Fitness Techniques and Programme Design
• Chronic Illness and Lifestyle Interventions 2
• Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing 

Year 3

Semester 1

• Special Populations and Lifestyle Interventions
• Collecting and Analysing Data
• Health Promotion in Practice
• Nutrition through the Lifecycle

Semester 2

• Placement 1

Year 4

Semester 1

• The Professional Practitioner 3
• Health Promotion Challenges and Solutions
• Leadership and Innovative Management in Health and Physical Activity
• Research Project
• Placement 2

Semester 2

• Health Policy and Legislation
• Research Project
• Applied Metabolism and Obesity Management

* All module titles are subject to change and are for indicative purposes only.

The programme is delivered on a full-time bases over a period of 4 years. Students will benefit from a range of teaching and learning methods such as; lectures, practical's, tutorials, blended-learning and self-directed learning. 

This course provides students with the key transferable skills required to pursue employment in the following roles, among others:

• Sports Development Officer
• Physical Activity Coordinator
• Exercise and Fitness Professional
• Personal Trainer
• Leisure Facility Manager
• Health Promotion Officer
• Adapted Physical Activity Coordinator

Students may progress to further education in related areas such as:

• Nutrition
• Health Promotion
• Physiotherapy
• Exercise Physiology
• Strength & Conditioning

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 two H5 Grades
→ AND Mathematics Grade O6 or H7
→ AND Laboratory Science subject Grade O6 or H6
→ AND English Grade O6 or H7 OR Irish Grade O6 or H7

Northern Ireland/UK Entry Requirements:

Applicants must meet the matriculation requirement of 6 different subjects which must include:

→ Mathematics at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ GCSE Pass in a Laboratory Science subject (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) OR GCSE Grade CC in Double Award Science
→ English (or Irish) at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ Two subjects at either:

• ‘A Level’ (Grade A* - C)
• AND/OR Applied A-Level (Grade A* - C)
• AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction).
• AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction)
• OR BTEC National Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
• OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
• OR BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma (Grade min: MMP)

→ The remaining subjects must be different from that presented 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).

Mature Applicants Entry Requirements:

Minimum of 23 years of age on January 1st of year of application. For further information please see our page on applying as a mature student.

Please Note:

Some modules within the Health and Physical Activity Course have a physical activity component and require active engagement from the student in order to fulfil the requirements of the course.

Supervised work placement is part of this programme in Stages 3 and 4.

• The Stage 3 placement involves a full-time, thirteen-week placement in a general setting (Health Promotion Units with the Health Service Executive, Local Sports Partnerships, Sport Ireland, Leisure Centres, etc.). Students also have the option to complete this placement abroad.
• The Stage 4 placement involves part-time work with specific populations (children, older adults and disability groups) in settings such as The Irish Wheelchair Association, Special Olympics Ireland, Schools, Nursing Homes etc. This sessional placement runs for a period of 10 weeks (7 hrs per week at placement site).

Students with an interest in exercise and health and an aptitude for science will enjoy this course. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the scientific principles underpinning the relationship between physical activity and health and ill-health.  

Dr Arjan van Rossum (Head of Department of Life and Health Sciences)
Phone: +353 429370265
Email: arjan.vanrossum@dkit.ie

Sean Kilroy (Programme Director)
Email: Sean.Kilroy@dkit.ie

Students will complete a number of internationally recognised health & fitness qualifications, approved by the European Health and Fitness Association and allowing access to the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs)