Exercise & Health Fitness
The Higher Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness (HCEHF) is a 2-year programme of study in which Year 1 is common to all students and in Year 2, students choose their options from a range of specialist qualifications according to their interest.
| Award Name | Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | University of Limerick |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | First Aid Response |
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | PreHospital Emergency Care Council |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | University of Limerick | Level 6 NFQ |
| First Aid Response | PreHospital Emergency Care Council |
Duration
2 years, September to May
Year 1 Finish: May 2024
Contact Days:
Tutorials are scheduled mid-week, between Monday and Friday. The provisional timetable is Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, however this may be subject to change. A final timetable will be issued in mid-September when the University of Limerick have completed classroom allocations.
Time: 10am to 5pm.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
• Applicants should hold the Irish Leaving Certificate with minimum Grade O6 in five Ordinary Level subjects (including Maths, Irish or another language, and English) OR an approved equivalent or higher qualification.
• Other standards within Leaving Certificate or other levels of education will be considered under the NCEF/UL Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.
• A full supporting statement should also be submitted with your application. This should be 500-1000 words in length and should outline your reasons for applying for this programme.
• Non-EU Nationals must submit a Study Visa, copies of passport documentation and proof of employment for the last 5 years
• Applicants should have good communication skills and enjoy working with people.
• NCEF reserves the right to interview if required.
Further information
Provisional Start Date: September 2023
How much does it cost?
Academic Year 2023/24 Fees
Year 1 of the Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF) programme fee for the 2023/24 academic year is €3,725.
Option 1: Payment of Full Fees
Payment of €3,725 (which includes a non-refundable deposit payment of €995) due by the acceptance date on your offer email.
Option 2: (2 Payments) Total fees €3,725
Non-refundable deposit payment of €995 due on acceptance of your place on the course.
The balance of fees, €2,730 is due on or before Friday, 11th August 2023, at the latest.
Leaving Certificate 2023 Applicants: Course fees, due in full, on acceptance of your place on the course.
Once students are registered, all fees paid are non-refundable/non-transferable.
*Provisional HCEHF Year 2 fees for 2024/25 are €3,725 however, this may be subject to change.
In compliance with Section 65(4)(a) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, Learner Protection arrangements have been put in place with Arachas Insurance, should the NCEF cease to provide this programme before learners have completed awards.
SUSI Funding:
This course is eligible for SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) funding however, it is important to note that all NCEF courses must be fully paid before a student commences.
Funding decisions are based on an individual’s personal circumstances. You may apply through www.susi.ie to see if you qualify. The SUSI course code reference is LM905.
If SUSI funding is allocated to students, this is reimbursed to the student upon receipt of payments from the University of Limerick Fees Office. Please be prepared to wait for a refund for 6+ months and payments are split based on confirmation of attendance in both the Autumn and Spring semesters.
Applications are now open for the 2023/24 academic year!
What am I qualified to do?
The Higher Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness (HCEHF) is a 2-year programme of study in which Year 1 is common to all students and in Year 2, students choose their options from a range of specialist qualifications according to their interest.
On completion of Year 1, you will have the necessary skills to supervise and instruct on the gym floor including the cardio, machine weights and free weight areas.
You will also have advanced skills to teach group exercise classes in:
• Circuit Training
• Body Conditioning
• High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
• Studio Fitness, Exercise to Music
• Step Training
• Resistance Training
You will be trained to conduct fitness assessments on individuals and groups and design exercise programmes suitable for a variety of fitness levels, different needs and goals.
First Aid Response (FAR) from the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is also covered as a module in this first year.
Year 2 provides our students with the opportunity to become Advanced Specialists by specialising in areas such as Advanced Personal Training, Strength & Conditioning for Athletes & Teams, Pilates & Corrective Exercise, Active Ageing for Older Adults, Business Facility Operations, Fit for Life Wellness Coaching or Children's Fitness.
What does the course cover?
Year 1 consists of nine modules and final examinations:
• SS2001 Human Movement Studies
• SS2011 Lifestyle, Fitness, Wellness & Nutrition
• SS2021 Fitness Assessment and Programme Design
• SS2031 Management & Work Placement
• SS2041 Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) - First Aid Response
• SS2051 Studio Classes in Exercise to Music & Free Movement (Practical)
• SS2061 Resistance Training with Weights, Machines, Kettlebells (Practical)
• SS2071 Circuit Training, Body Conditioning, HIIT and Bootcamp Training (Practical)
• SS2081 Step Training, Flexibility, Foam Rolling (Practical)
• SS2092 Final Examinations (Theory and Practical)
Year 2 consists of a choice of the following modules:
• SS3001 Advanced Personal Training
• SS3111 & SS3121 Strength & Conditioning for Athletes & Teams
• SS3131, SS3141, SS3151, SS3161, SS3171 - Pilates & Corrective Exercise
• SS3021 Children's Fitness
• SS3031 Fit for Life Wellness Coaching
• SS3051 Active Ageing for Older Adults
• SS3061 Business Facility Operations
Who is the accrediting body?
All NCEF courses and modules are accredited by the University of Limerick (UL).
On successful completion of the 2-year course, students will graduate from UL with a Level 6 Major NFQ Higher Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness.
• University of Limerick Accredited
• Level 6 (Major) on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
• Level 5 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
• Europe Active/E-Reps Exercise for Health Specialist (SQF Level 5)
• 120 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) Credits.
Venue: University of Limerick
Office Phone No: +353 61 202 829
Email: ncef@ul.ie