Coaching Science & Sports Pedagogy - Cork
The BSc (Hons) in Coaching Science & Sports Pedagogy is a 4-year programme designed to introduce students to the applications of coaching science and physical education pedagogy, in addition to the scientific aspects of sports performance and health.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Munster Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Munster Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Score the necessary CAO points and meet the Leaving Certificate Minimum entry requirements
6 Subjects
Subjects O6/H7 4
Subjects H5 2
Maths Grade 06/H7
English or Irish Grade O6/H7
Garda Vetting Required
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Minimum entry requirements may be satisfied by the results of more than one Leaving Certificate. The minimum entry requirements may be varied for non-standard applicants and holders of QQI-FET awards.
2nd Chance Maths Exam
Some students who apply for MTU courses may not achieve the required entry standard in Maths through the Leaving Certificate examination. For such applicants, the University offers a second chance to reach the required entry standard through a MTU Maths Exam.
This second chance facility allows applicants (depending on their results in the MTU Maths Exam) to gain entry to courses with an Ordinary Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard and (with a higher level of performance) courses with a Higher Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard.
Common Bonus Points Scale for Higher Level Maths
A bonus of 25 points is awarded to applicants who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level (HL) Maths.
Formula:
All students presenting H6 or above in HL Maths will have 25 points added to their score for Maths.
The six highest subject points scores will then be counted to achieve a cumulative points score, as is normal practice. The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the subject HL mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.
Foundation Maths
A minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths fulfils the minimum entry requirements in Maths for the following programmes
MT 571 BA in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 574 BA in Social Care
MT 654 HC in Arts in Hospitality Studies
MT 655 HC in Arts in Culinary Studies
MT 971 BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 974 BA (Honours) in Social Care
Maths is not required for entry to:
MT 575 BA in Community Development
MT 572 BA in Early Childhood Education & Care
MT 820 BA (Honours) in Contemporary Applied Art (Ceramics, Glass, Textiles)
MT 821 BA (Honours) in Fine Art
MT 822 BA (Honours) in Photography with New Media
MT 823 BA (Honours) in Visual Communications
MT 931 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Guitar
MT 932 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Bass Guitar
MT 933 BA (Honours) on Popular Music - Keyboards
MT 934 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Drums
MT 935 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Voice
MT 936 BA (Honours) in Music
MT 938 BA (Honours) in Musical Theatre
MT 939 BA (Honours in Theatre and Drama Studies
Although not a requirement, if an applicant achieves a minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths, this grade is recognised for entry and CAO points are awarded as follows: F1 = 20 points, F2 = 12 points.
Full details of the minimum entry requirements for courses are outlined on the relevant course webpage. Applicants are advised to check the relevant subjects, tests, portfolios, and dates very carefully. In particular, there are early assessment procedures for some courses.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Holders of the LCVP apply in the normal way through the CAO. Points are awarded on the same basis as for the Leaving Certificate. The link modules ‘subject’ may not be used to meet the minimum entry requirements.
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The LCA subjects do not meet the minimum requirements for entry to MTU full-time courses. Holders of Leaving Certificate Applied qualifications may wish to proceed to a FET-QQI course and in turn apply to third level on the basis of their FET-QQI award.
Careers / Further progression
Further Studies
PE Pedagogy Modules: introduction to aspects of sports pedagogy such as technical development, tactical awareness, safe and inclusive participation, and personal and social development.
The Science and Art of Coaching: learn about models of best principles and practice in coaching as well as how to develop a coaching philosophy
Motor Development in Youth: development of a child’s bones and muscles, and their ability to move around and manipulate their environment. It is delivered through the lens of fundamental movement skills (FMS), and how these can be developed among children
Gym Instruction: preparation to be a gym instructor/circuit training instructor. The emphasis is on the student’s ability to perform and demonstrate exercises correctly and on developing their skills to instruct
Sports Psychology: introduction to the basic theories of sports psychology and identifies ways in which it can be used in a sports performance setting
Nutrition for Health: nutrition and its relationship with health-related matters such as diet, weight management and obesity
Career Opportunities
The BSc (Hons) in Coaching Science & Sports Pedagogy programme combines key theories with applied research and practical skills to afford graduates appropriate knowledge, skills and competences to work as professionals in a wide range of settings in the (i) sports coaching, and (ii) high performance sport, or (iii) health and wellbeing industries, in addition to (iv) meeting the Teaching Council Guidelines to apply for a PME (or equivalent) in Physical Education.
Further information
September 2026
40
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
Overview
The BSc (Hons) in Coaching Science & Sports Pedagogy is a 4-year programme designed to introduce students to the applications of coaching science and physical education pedagogy, in addition to the scientific aspects of sports performance and health.
The programme focuses on key theories with applied research and practical skills in these core domains to provide graduates with the relevant knowledge, skills and competences to work as professionals in a wide range of sports coaching, athletic development, and health and wellbeing settings. The option of a comprehensive sports internship programme that provides not just breadth, but also significant depth, in the operational machinations of the ‘coaching science and sports performance’ industry in Ireland and/ or abroad, is an integral component of this programme.
This programme also serves to prepare graduates for postgraduate opportunities in the much sought after domain of physical education (PE) teacher education. To achieve this, a dedicated suite of PE-specific modules, that meet the pre-requisites for application to the Level 9 Professional Master of Education (PME) in Physical Education (PE) in Ireland, and a range of Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programmes in Physical Education in the UK and further abroad, are embedded across the 4 years of study.
The option of a comprehensive placement opportunity in a support role in a post-primary school PE Department is also a key strength of this programme, as it introduces and exposes prospective graduates to the day-to-day operation of a post-primary school setting across a 12-week period, while integrating them into that school’s physical education curriculum and culture.
What will I study?
First Year at a Glance:
• PE Pedagogy Modules: introduction to aspects of sports pedagogy such as technical development, tactical awareness, safe and inclusive participation, and personal and social development.
• The Science & Art of Coaching: learn about models of best principles and practice in coaching as well as how to develop a coaching philosophy
• Motor Development in Youth: development of a child’s bones and muscles, and their ability to move around and manipulate their environment. It is delivered through the lens of fundamental movement skills (FMS), and how these can be developed among children
• Gym Instruction: preparation to be a gym instructor/circuit training instructor. The emphasis is on the student’s ability to perform and demonstrate exercises correctly and on developing their skills to instruct
• Sports Psychology: introduction to the basic theories of sports psychology and identifies ways in which it can be used in a sports performance setting
• Nutrition for Health: nutrition and its relationship with health-related matters such as diet, weight management and obesity
Dr Cian O’Neill
T: +353 (0)21 433 5823
E: cian.oneill@mtu.ie