Sports StudiesStaidéar Spóirt

Leaving Certificate Requirements

QQI/FET Requirements

In addition to the QQI minimum entry requirements, QQI quotas and QQI points apply. The max QQI points awarded is 390. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/qqi

Mature Applicants

Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/mature

BTEC Level 3 Qualifications

Eligible to apply.

Applicants and elite athletes who do not have a formal Leaving Certificate or QQI qualification can still apply. See link for alternative entry pathway https://www.tudublin.ie/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/entry-pathways/

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website.

Garda Vetting

Garda Vetting through TU Dublin Required – see www.tudublin.ie/gardavetting  

Course Description

If you’re thinking about a career in sport, a Sports Studies degree from the Technological University of Dublin will help you be the difference. We’ve integrated our academic courses with the University's world-class sports facilities to provide a unique and rewarding studying and sporting environment.

The BSc in Sports Studies is a 3 year full time level 7 degree course, designed to meet the needs of coaches and sports administrators. The course aims to develop, from evidence-based theory and practice, the students’ ability to coach athletes (individually and in teams), manage sports teams and individual athletes, and manage courses of work for sporting bodies. The course integrates Sport Science, Coaching Science and Sports Administration and Governance. Sports Studies is a relatively new academic discipline in Ireland and brings together the key disciplines which can support employments within the sport and health sector.

We enjoy strong partnerships with many national governing bodies of sport, so you’ll benefit from seminars with industry experts and numerous opportunities to gain valuable networking and practical experiences. You’ll graduate with a breadth of knowledge and practical experiences that can be applied to a wide range of sport related careers, from developing national sport to personal coaching.

Work Placement

Students will undertake a work placement module in Year 3 of the course.

Graduates from this BSc in Sports Studies will provide leadership and scientific expertise in exercise planning, guidance, and prescription, sports coaching, low and high performance training, health and nutrition for sporting success and related health areas, relevant sports administration and governance for NGB’s and not for profit organisations. The following are some of the areas where graduates may find employment.

• Personal and Group Fitness Instructors - Personal and Group Fitness instructors exercise instructors can be employed in a variety of settings including commercial fitness centres, employee fitness programs, and hospitals.
• Sports Development Officers - Promoting sports within the community, usually amongst particular target groups, or develops one sport on behalf of a local authority or sporting organisation
• Administrator - Working within National Sports Agencies and National Governing Bodies of Sport in Ireland and abroad. Incorporating a significant emphasis on Sport Science Knowledge, Administrative and Financial aspects.
• Fitness Centre/Leisure Centre Manager - Fitness Centre Managers are employed mainly in commercial public and private sector health clubs and gymnasia to manage the provision of physical fitness and lifestyle courses.
• Health Promotion Officers - Working with the Regional Health Boards to promote the role of Sport and Exercise in Health and Wellbeing.
• Health and Fitness Advisors - Health and Fitness Advisors can find employment in either the public or private sectors. Opportunities include fitness testing, exercise prescription, fitness consulting, and exercise rehabilitation for specific populations providing broad-based health promotion and wellness education programs.
• Teaching - College teaching opportunities in sport studies and health science and other related fields in third level colleges, FETAC Level Colleges and independent schools.
• Lifestyle Consultant - employed mainly in the private sector to provide physical fitness instruction and prescription of exercise/fitness courses for individuals.
• Sports Coach/Instructor - This work can also form part of the work of a sports development officer or a recreation assistant in a sports centre.
• Research Scientist - conducts studies from either a basic or applied science perspective such as ways to increase athletic performance or how to improve health and reduce disease.
• Scientific Support Functions - Scientists are also required for many support functions such as information science, patent work, product registrations and technical writing.

Advanced Entry applications are accepted to this course. For further information on how to make an Advanced Entry application, please visit our CAO Hub. A full list of courses open for Advanced Entry is detailed on the CAO website. 

To qualify for Advanced Entry applicants must be currently studying, completing, or have successfully completed, studies at Level 6, 7 or 8 in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or an equivalent, in a related area. You must demonstrate by providing transcripts of results that you have achieved the learning outcomes for each stage you wish to advance past, for example:

• To enter Year 2 via Advanced Entry, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Year 1.
• For entry to Year 3, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1 and 2.
• For entry to Year 4, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1, 2, and 3.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website.

Based on performance – students may progress to year 4 of the Level 8 course in Sports Studies