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BSc (Hons) in Health and Physical Activity

Course Points
307 Points
Course Duration
4 Years
Course Level
Level 8
Course Places
40 Places
Course Start Date
September 2023

Four great reasons to consider this course

  • Opportunities to complete a range of progressive professional awards in Exercise & Fitness allowing access to the Register of Exercise Professionals.
  • Work placement modules in Years’ 3 and 4 provide real-world experience and opportunities to apply theory to practice in a variety of settings.
  • Provides a platform for further study in areas such as; Physiotherapy, Nutrition, Strength & Conditioning etc.
  • A mix of theory and practical classes delivered by passionate lecturers with extensive experience in their fields.

Course Summary

The four-year BSc (Honours) in Health and Physical Activity degree course aims to educate a category of professionals in the areas of health, physical activity and wellbeing. Graduates will have the skills necessary to assess, plan, promote and evaluate lifestyle interventions and physical activity courses that will enhance the quality of life of individuals that they work with

The overall aim of the BSc (Honours) in Health and Physical Activity programme is to educate a category of professional in the areas of health, physical activity and wellbeing. Graduates will have the skills necessary to assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual, community-based and population-level lifestyle interventions and physical activity programmes and policies. Graduates will gain, through theory, research and practice, the knowledge, skills and competencies required to shape and respond to public policy using a multidisciplinary approach to addressing sedentary behaviour, physical activity and health.

There are four subject streams within the course:

  • Health science
  • Exercise science
  • Health research
  • Communicating the health message

In addition, students have the opportunity to acquire internationally recognised, professional qualifications in gym instruction, circuit training, personal training, exercise referral and Obesity and Diabetes management.

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)

Course ID DK880
CAO Round 1 Entry Points (2022) 307 Points
Course Type Undergraduate
Study Mode Full-Time
Level 8
Duration 4 Years
Starting Date September 2023
School School of Health & Science
Department Life and Health Sciences
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: DK880
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.

Advanced Entry & Transfer Applications

Advanced Entry is for applicants who have previous educational achievements and/or work experience and want to be considered for direct entry into year  2, 3, or 4 of a course. This includes students looking to transfer to DkIT from another Higher Education provider.

Closing Date: 6th June
Apply Now

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).