Strength & Conditioning
The programme is designed to produce coaching professionals capable of working in Strength and Conditioning and Health and Fitness related fields.
| Award Name | Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
Online
All modules of this course are delivered part-time via blended or distance learning.
Weekly lectures will be delivered through our virtual learning environment and are completed entirely online.
The practical face-to-face elements of the course are delivered on campus once every 4 – 5 weeks.
Careers / Further progression
Students will be prepared to work with sport and recreational participants across a wide range of levels from beginners through to elite athletes.
Additionally, students will be provided with the skills to perform effectively in a wide range of fitness related industries, such as rehabilitation, personal training, health and wellness, gym instructing, tutoring etc.
After completing this Higher Certificate, graduates will have the opportunity to complete their degree in Strength and Conditioning part-time over 18 months.
Setanta College offers a range of Professional Development courses up to our industry led Professional Masters in Performance Science.
Further information
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
The Higher Certificate of Science in Strength and Conditioning (QQI Level 6) is a further step along the undergraduate pathway. It consists of 12 modules and provides 120 credits to the graduate. Enrolments are now open.
The programme is designed to produce coaching professionals capable of working in Strength and Conditioning and Health and Fitness related fields.
This programme will provide the learner with a specialised education in a broad range of Strength and Conditioning and Health and Fitness disciplines. It will also equip the learner with the knowledge and skills to independently administer a medium to long-term sport, health and fitness, physical activity and Strength and Conditioning programme of development. Students will study one module at a time, each lasting three months. The course duration is three years and student intakes occur at three stages throughout the year, during the first week in March, June, September and December.
On successful completion of this course the graduate will:
Display a specialised knowledge of strength and conditioning for sports.
Be able to formulate exercise and training programmes based on sound scientific principles.
Have a broad range of practical analytical skills, capable of analysing the physical and movement demands of their chosen
sport.
Identify the needs of the athlete, player and other individuals involved in the pursuit of strength and conditioning development.
Transfer and apply theoretical concepts and technical skills to a range of sporting contexts.
Take responsibility for the design, planning and implementation of a comprehensive programme of fitness development for their athletes, players or teams.
Understand, evaluate and selectively apply current and new research and thinking in strength and conditioning.
Progression is from the six modules of the Certificate in Strength and Conditioning, through to the more advanced modules of the Higher Certificate.
The additional 6 modules completed in this course include:
Modules covered:
Anatomy, Physiology & Biomechanics
Youth Athletic Development
Sport & Exercise Nutrition
Coaching Skills
Coaching Technology & Fitness Testing
Business of Fitness & Sport
Student knowledge is examined using continuous assessment comprising of online questionnaires and essay-style project work.