BSc Health and Leisure Studies

Graduates 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.

ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY specialism graduates are health and leisure professionals with a specialist knowledge and experience in working with people with disabilities. They work in health and leisure centres, in sports camps, in health promotion, in mainstream and special needs schools, in community centres, in clinical settings, in residential and day care services and outdoor education centres.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION specialism graduates work within the school environment, and also in youth work, adult education and broader community sport and leisure settings. They take on coaching roles in leisure facilities and run coaching courses for communities, schools, colleges and teams. This programme also provides an alternative pathway into a second level physical education qualification.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING specialism graduates work where physical activity, recreation and sport are used to enhance wellbeing. Their studies are especially relevant to employment settings which demand a focus on health and health promotion through physical activity, recreation and sport. These include: the HSE as health promotion officers, spa/wellness centres as wellness leaders within gyms, spas and studios, positive youth development workers, therapeutic recreation coaches, well-being coaches.

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT specialism graduates focus on advancing sport in society. Their studies enable them to plan, research, implement and evaluate sports development policy, programmes and practices to facilitate physical activity provision throughout the stages of life. This might include addressing particular groups which may not have equity of access to physical activity, sport and recreational opportunities. For example: older adult populations, females, ethnic minorities and those with special needs.

ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE specialism graduates work as strength and conditioning specialists, fitness conditioning consultants, fitness and leisure operational managers, commercial group exercise leaders, personal trainers, group exercise leaders, gym instructors/supervisors and as fitness and programming professionals for teams/athletes.