Sports Massage Therapies
This course offers you internationally recognised qualifications that will ensure you are educated to the highest industry standards so that you can take on this new and exciting career. It also offers you the potential to progress your studies to degree level.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | Diploma at UK Level 3 |
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | International Therapy Examination Council |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
| Diploma at UK Level 3 | International Therapy Examination Council |
Duration
1 year full-time. 4 days per week.
Entry Requirements
• You must have achieved 5 passes or 5 O6/ H7s or a combination of 5 O6/H7s or have achieved the LCA with a Merit profile, or have achieved a full relevant QQI Level 4 Award.
• Mature applicants (aged 21 and over) and other applicants without the formal entry requirements will be assessed individually for suitability.
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of this course, you can pursue careers in a range of areas including:
• Sports Injuries Clinics
• Health & Wellbeing Centres
• Hotels
• Leisure Centres
• Remedial Massage Clinics
Progression
If you want to get a degree, then you can apply through the CAO system for entry to courses in the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme such as:
• Bachelor Degree of Science – Sports Science & Health (TU936) Technological University Dublin [Tallaght]
• Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Sports Management and Coaching (TU935) Technological University Dublin [Blanchardstown]
• Bachelor of Business in Recreation and Sports Management (SE933) |South East Technological University [Waterford]
• Bachelor of Science (Hons) Sports and Exercise Science (SE905) South East Technological University [Carlow]
• Bachelor of Arts in Sports, Exercise and Fitness (DK763) Dundalk Institute of Technology
• BEd (Hons) Physical Education, Sports Studies & Arts (CK125) University College Cork
Further information
Start Date: 14/09/2026.
Student Financial Support
The range of schemes and measures available to assist students in Further Education Colleges include the:
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)
Back To Education Allowance (BTEA)
Maintenance Grant Scheme
Fund For Students With Disabilities
Other Funding
PLC Bursary for Displaced Persons (Ukraine) Scheme 2023
www.studentfinance.ie provides comprehensive and user-friendly information on the range of financial support schemes and programmes available to full-time further and higher education students.
You can apply online. Click on the “Application Weblink” above. You will need to have your PPS number and an email address to complete the application.
Are you interested in the treatment of muscular pain and injury? Would you like to develop your massage skills to a new level by learning advanced anatomical, physiological and pathological principles relevant to the application of Sports Massage? Do you see yourself working in leisure centres, with sports clubs, or with competitive athletes and teams? This course offers you internationally recognised qualifications that will ensure you are educated to the highest industry standards so that you can take on this new and exciting career. It also offers you the potential to progress your studies to degree level. What will I study?
What will I study and what qualifications will I get when I finish the course?
You will study for the following qualifications:
ITEC Diploma in Sports Massage
• ITEC Diploma in Sports Massage
• Functional Anatomy and Physiology
• Professional Practice
• Principles of Health and Fitness
• Principles of Soft Tissue Disfunction
• Sports Massage Techniques
Graduates may join many professional associations and obtain the requisite insurance cover for professional practice.
QQI Level 5 Certificate in Sports Recreation and Exercise (5M5146)
• Sport and Recreation Studies
• Exercise and Fitness
• Sports Anatomy and Physiology
• Body Massage and Figure Analysis
• Nutrition
• Sports Exercise and Injury Prevention
• Communications
• Work Experience
Assessment and Certification
• This course is certified by ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council) and QQI (Quality Qualifications Ireland).
• After Year 1, you will be awarded the ITEC (NVQ Level 3) Diploma in Sports Massage and the QQI (Level 5) Certificate in Sports, Recreation & Exercise (5M5146).
• ITEC enforce a strict set of standards governing attendance, learning and examinations.
• Evidence of Treatments (case studies) are required for ITEC qualifications.
• The completion and signing of disclaimers and consultation forms is required for ITEC certification.
• Examinations take place in April and May.
5M5146 - Sports Recreation & Exercise.
Dublin College Blackrock,
Main Street,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin,
A94 X383
t: +353 1 2889717
e: office@bfei.ie