Exercise Sciences - Waterford
Exercise Sciences is a four year degree path for those wishing to pursue a programme of study in the area of exercise science but who also wish to graduate in a specialist field. It is for students interested in Exercise Science as a broad career, but who are unsure about their specific areas of interest or career plan. Successful completion of the first two years of the common entry programme in Exercise Science is required in order to progress onto one of the specialist Level 8 exit award pathways.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | South East Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | South East Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Entry requirements for Honours Bachelor Degrees (Level 8)
This link module can be used in place of a sixth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the six subject eligibility requirements for entry to honours degree courses.
Entry requirements for Ordinary Bachelor Degree (Level 7) and Higher Certificate (Level 6)
The LCVP link module can also be used in place of a fifth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the five subject eligibility requirements for entry to ordinary bachelor degree and higher certificate courses
GRADE POINTS
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The Leaving Certificate Applied Programme was designed primarily to prepare students for the transition from school to working life. It is not intended for direct tansfer into third level. However, students with the LCAP who have completed a QQI FET/FETAC award can be considered for entry.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Students who have completed a full QQI-FET award at Level 5, and achieved at least three distinctions, are eligible to apply through CAO for entry to Year 1 on to Level 6, 7 and 8 courses. Students who have completed a full QQI-FET award at Level 6 may be eligible to enter Year 2.
The maximum possible points awarded through QQI-FET is 390. The scoring system only applies where all of the requirements for the major award are met i.e. where the named component awards specified have been achieved to a minimum of 120 credits.
Progression Scheme
The Progression Scheme is an additional opportunity for students who successfully complete a QQI FET Award in a partner Colleges of Further Education and Training College/Centre to gain entry to SETU programmes. The list of partner Further Education and Training Colleges/Centres, relevant SETU programmes, linked QQI FET Awards and the criteria for the scheme are available at www.setu.ie/progression.
Careers / Further progression
Career opportunities
Career opportunities will be subject to your choice of specialist exit pathways. Exercise Sciences (Common Entry) has three specialist exit pathways - Sport, Nutrition or Health. Towards the end of your second year of the common entry degree programme you will be asked to select one of them to study in order to obtain your final award.
Career opportunities - Sport & Exercise Science Stream
Students will be capable of working with athletes and coaches on an ongoing basis to improve performance, health and well-being. Students may also undertake post graduate study through either taught Masters programmes or research degrees at Masters and Doctoral level, ultimately providing sport science support, entering industry or remaining in research and education
Career opportunities - Nutrition & Exercise Science Stream
Graduates may continue further studies to register as a registered Sport and Exercise Nutritionist (SENr) who provide sports nutrition advice to high class athletes.
Graduates may also continue to pursue work/study in a health related area of nutrition. Careers as nutritionists, nutritionist in food companies, working in the supplements industry, health food industry to name a few
Career opportunities - Health & Exercise Science Stream
Graduates will be accredited Exercise for Health Specialists which allows them to work with new or existing exercisers at risk of or with chronic health conditions.
Graduates are currently employed as adapted physical activity specialists, sports development officers, physical activity promotion officers, health and exercise specialists and personal trainers.
Further information
September 2026
Mature Student Applications
A mature student is someone who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the year of entry to an undergraduate course and who may not meet the normal admission requirements. Applications are made through the CAO before the 1 February or before late application deadline of 1 May 2026. Applicants are assessed based on the information they enter on their CAO application. Note: You must apply for nursing and music courses by 1 February 2026.
Selection Process – Nursing Applications
Mature applicants for nursing courses will receive correspondence under separate cover from the Nursing Careers Centre (Public Appointments Service - PAS). For full details on the application process see www.nursingcareers.ie.
Mature Applicant – Change of Mind
The Change of Mind facility becomes available after 1 May and the closing date is 1 July.
The Change of Mind facility affords mature applicants an opportunity to change the order of preference only of their course choices. If applicants introduce a new programme to their list of choices by way of Change of Mind, they will compete for a place on that programme based on their Leaving Certificate or equivalent results only. They will not compete as a mature applicant.
Non-standard application
A non-standard application is one that does not meet the definition of a standard application.
The special categories are:
• GCE/GCSE
• Other school leaving exams
• NCVA Level 2/3
• FETAC Level 5/6
• Further Education (other than QQI)
• Mature
• Higher/Third Level Education
Applicants wishing to make a non-standard application must select the relevant category when applying to the CAO.
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 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 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
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 2026 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
About the course
Exercise Sciences (Common Entry) is a four year degree path for those wishing to pursue a programme of study in the area of exercise science but who also wish to graduate in a specialist field. It is for students interested in Exercise Sciences as a broad career, but who are initially unsure about their specific areas of interest or career plan.
Exercise Science — COMMON ENTRY Degree Options
Sport & Exercise Science BSc (Hons) – NFQ Level 8
Nutrition & Exercise Science BSc (Hons) – NFQ Level 8
Health & Exercise Science BSc (Hons) – NFQ Level 8
Follow on Study
Postgraduate Study: MSc or PhD
COMMON ENTRY - Bachelor of Science (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science
Entry Route: SE902 Exercise Science (Common Entry)
About the course
The Sport and Exercise Science programme will give graduates the knowledge and skills to evaluate and improve sport and athletic performance.
The programme will emphasise the traditional sports science disciplines of biomechanics, physiology and psychology but also newer applied sports science disciplines including strength and conditioning, sports nutrition and performance analysis.
COMMON ENTRY - Bachelor of Science (Hons) Nutrition & Exercise Science
About the course
The Nutrition & Exercise Science degree gives graduates the knowledge and skills to work with individual athletes and teams to optimise nutrient intake, performance and health.
Graduates possess the capability to provide good nutritional advice to the general population, assisting health and weight, through a degree focused on both nutrition and exercise, including a nutrition placement.
COMMON ENTRY - Bachelor of Science (Hons) Health & Exercise Science
About the course
The Health and Exercise Science programme will give graduates the knowledge and skills needed to assist distinct population groups and those with health problems to engage in physical activity and structured exercise programmes.
The programme includes traditional exercise science disciplines such as physiology, biomechanics and psychology but also newer applied areas such as nutrition, physical activity, strength and conditioning, exercise programming and exercise as medicine.
Common to all Streams:
Year 1 Modules
Semester 1
Fitness & Movement
Functional Anatomy & Kinesiology
Promoting Physical Activity
Research & Learning
Intro to Sport Psychology
Human Physiology
Semester 2
Sport & Exercise Biomechanics 1
Intro to Exercise Psychology
Biomolecules & Cells
Strength & Conditioning
Data & Measurement
Business for the Exercise Professional
Note: Work Placement available.
PROGRAMME DIRECTOR
Bruce Wardrop
E: bruce.wardrop@setu.ie
Sport & Exercise Science Stream Lead:
Bruce Wardrop
E: bruce.wardrop@setu.ie
Nutrition & Exercise Science Stream Lead:
Dr Lorna Doyle PhD
E: lorna.doyle@setu.ie
Health & Exercise Science Stream Lead:
Dr Barry Lambe PhD
E: barry.lambe@setu.ie