Course of the Week: MT511 – Health and Leisure at MTU Kerry

MT511 – Health and Leisure at MTU Kerry is a Level 7 Ordinary Bachelors. It is a three year long course that will provide you with the skills to launch a career as a professional in the health, fitness and leisure sectors.

This Level 7 involves vigorous physical activities, so eligible candidates will need medical clearance. First year students are assessed shortly after registration for their swimming ability. Swim ability is a criterion used to determine suitability for the Education in Aquatics stream. Please also note that if you sustain injuries that impact your physical engagement with the programme, this may affect your ability to continue on the programme and / or to progress. Garda vetting is also mandatory. 

Graduates will have a bachelor of science degree and a variety of discipline-specific professional (various health-related, exercise professional-related and aquatics or outdoor education) certifications. Students are expected to become sufficiently competent practitioners to become eligible for professional fitness instructor registration in group exercise, gym instruction and personal training.

Entry Requirements:
The Leaving Cert minimum entry requirements for 2021 was 211 points, an increase of 3 points from 2020. Applicants must also achieve a pass in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent examinations, obtaining a minimum grade O6/H7 in English or Irish, O6/H7 in Maths or a minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths and O6/H7 in three other subjects.
This course will also accept Any QQI Level 5 or 6 Major Award as an entry requirement. However, this course does not appear to accept applicants with Further Education and Training (FET) awards. Please check with the college directly - sometimes this data is not published openly, or special arrangements may be available.

Always check with the college for updates on entry requirements.

What you will study:
This course involves the study of six major subject areas, five of which are common to all students: Exercise Science, Health Studies, Activity Leadership, Physical Education and Professional Practice. For the sixth subject area, students study either ‘Education in Aquatics’ or ‘Outdoor and Experiential Learning’. 
At the end of second year, students enter the Physical Education, Adapted Physical Activity or General Health and Leisure streams which allows students to begin specialise in specific topics in third year or continue to take the general health and leisure programme. There is also a 12-week work placement in third year, which can be completed with a local, national or international service provider.
For a breakdown of the module listing for each year, click here.

Career Opportunities and Progression:
Graduates of the B.Sc. in Health and Leisure who achieve an overall average grade of 50% or greater are eligible to apply for relevant one-year, add-on B.Sc. (hons) programmes. Graduates from other programmes should enquire as to eligibility.

Graduates from this course enjoy a rich variety of employment opportunities. They work in health and leisure centres, in health promotion units, in spa/wellness centres, in coaching and team sport settings, in performance training, exercise programming, hotels, mainstream and special needs schools, community centres, disability service providers, clinical settings, in the private/entrepreneurial area, in local sports partnerships and governing bodies of sport, in swimming pools and in the great outdoors.

 Sample of Careers:

• Sports Scientist
• Leisure Centre Manager
• Personal Trainer
• Exercise and Health Instructor
• Lifeguard
• Fitness/Aerobics Instructor

To view more careers in this area, click here.
Apply today.