Sport Science & Health
This programme is based on the core scientific disciplines of sport and exercise science - physiology and biomechanics. It considers three core questions. How does the human body respond to the different types of exercise, how can we maximise the effects of training on sport and exercise performance, and how can physical activity reduce and prevent disease?
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years
Erasmus/Study Abroad Option: Subject to Availability
Placement Option: Yes (Subject to availability)
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate: 2H5 & 4O6/H7, Irish, English & O4/H7 Mathematics & O6/H7 Science subject (one of Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics or Physics with Chemistry).
Note: An offer of a place on this course is subject to a satisfactory background check by the National Vetting Bureau.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
In general, students must be 17 years or older by 15th January in the year after entry to the University. If you are younger, you must make a special application to the University’s President.
All Leaving Certificate subjects carry equal points with the exception of *Mathematics (details below). Points are awarded for your six best subjects in any one year. These do not have to include subjects needed to meet general minimum entry requirements. Minimum entry requirements and course requirements may be satisfied by an accumulation of subjects over more than one year. As well as achieving the required points, you must have a minimum of six subjects in your Leaving Certificate, with two Higher Level papers at grade H5 and four Ordinary or Higher Level papers at grade O6/H7.
The requirements for each course are shown above.
* 25 bonus points will be added to the points score for a Leaving Certificate Higher Level Mathematics grade H6 or higher.
The bonus points are included in the overall points calculation only when Mathematics is one of the applicant’s best six subjects following the addition of the bonus.
Foundation level Mathematics is accepted for matriculation (i.e. can be counted as one of the six subjects required - grade F6 or higher), but does not meet the requirement for degrees where Mathematics is a special programme requirement. Points are not awarded for this subject.
Foundation level Irish is not accepted for matriculation. Points are not awarded for this subject.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Points are awarded as follows:
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Applicants can use their points allocation for the Link Modules as one of their best six subjects for the purpose of calculating points, but the Link Modules do not qualify as a subject for minimum entry requirement purposes.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Click on the 'QQI FET Applicants Information link' below for specific course entry requirements.
QQI FET General Information Link
Careers / Further progression
Options after graduation?
- Graduates will be suitably qualified to gain employment in the sports, exercise, health, and well-being sectors, which may include:
>High performance coach
>Health promotion
>Product and service development in sports and exercise
>Sport science data analyst
>Community health and fitness professional
>Sports coach with a club or within the community
- Sport Science and Health graduates may also be interested in further study in the area of healthcare, such as physiotherapy and sports psychology.
- With the strong scientific foundation, students will also be highly employable in other careers in the life sciences and health sector.
- Careers in research are also possible for Sport Science graduates who may pursue research opportunities at Master’s and PhD level.
Further information
Maynooth University greatly values the particular contribution of mature students to the academic and social environment of the University. A mature student is 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time degrees the mature age is 21. There is no upper age limit; we currently have students who range in age from 23 to over 70. Up to 200 mature students begin their studies here each year. Many of our mature entrants undertake preparatory studies in advance of gaining admission.
The Mature Student Office is committed to supporting the learning experience of our mature students. A certain number of places are reserved for mature students on all undergraduate courses. We offer a range of supports for mature students including an advisory service, tailored information sessions during Orientation/Welcome Week, academic advisors, the Student Budgeting Advice Service and a technology skills programme. There is also a Mature Student Society on campus providing a continuation of peer support, both academic and social, to incoming mature students.
See the Mature Student handbook for detailed information about applying as a mature student. Call, email or drop in to meet us in MAP Lodge on the North Campus or to request a mature student information pack. If the opportunity to return to education has presented itself to you, we hope you’ll choose Maynooth University.
Emer Sheerin, Mature Student Officer
+ 353 1 708 3307
emer.sheerin@mu.ie
Places 2024: 35
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 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 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
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 2024 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
-The sports, exercise and well-being sectors are some of the largest service industries in Ireland and globally - ranging from small to large enterprises. In addition, professional and amateur sporting bodies are some of the largest community-based activities in any region. Each of these activities benefit from scientists who understand the science of sport, exercise, and physical activity to improve health and performance, and develop new products and services to support athletes.
- This programme supports students who wish to understand how to achieve maximum performance for the high performing athlete, and those who are looking to support exercise and physical activity for the health of the wider population, of all ages and capabilities.
Why choose this degree?
- Follow your passion: Many people interested in sporting activities are inspired to learn the scientific basis of performance and how the body reacts and adapts to exercise and physical activity. This programme allows that passion to be combined with a strong foundation in the core life sciences, providing students opportunities both in Sport Science and in the broader life science sector.
- This programme focusses on the value of exercise and sport for the enhancement of health, in the case of the general population, but also to help with specific health concerns for the ill, the aging, or recovering from injury. With the future of exercise as a clinical treatment, this programme provides a strong scientific foundation for career development in this area.
- You will develop a strong scientific basis in the area of life sciences, nutrition, and the sport sciences. It provides an excellent foundation for a career in the sport sciences in addition to opportunities in the broader life sciences sector.
- Data is increasingly being used in sport science, enabling personalized exercise interventions to improve health and performance. This programme provides a strong data science component, including data analytic techniques, to equip our students with the skills needed to use data fully for group training and personalized exercise interventions.
- Work placement: The opportunity to undertake a 6-month work placement (subject to availability), in Ireland or abroad, as an integral part of your degree that gives you the opportunity to put your learning into practice in a professional setting and significantly improves your employability upon graduation.
Course Structure:
1st year
Sport Science, Biology, Mathematics, and 1 other Science subject (Computer Science is not available)
2nd year
> Concentrate on Sport Science and Biology
> Optional 10 credit Elective or Critical Skills (see p. 22 for details)
3rd year
> Focus mainly on Sport Science and Health
> Second semester includes work placement (subject to availability) or other opportunities for experiential learning
Final year
> Concentrate on advanced topics in Sport Science and Health
> A capstone project
Possible topics
1st year
> Coaching and Performance Science
> Physiology and Exercise
> Anatomy and Biomechanics
> Biological Function and Diversity
2nd year
> Coaching and Performance Science
> Physiological Measurements
> Movement Analysis
> Sports Injuries
> Biochemistry
3rd year
> Applied Sports Psychology
> Nutrition for Health and Performance
> Exercise for Health
> Muscle Adaptation and Training
Final year
> Technology and Data in Sports
> Sports Nutrition & Pharmacology
> Sports Communication and Management
> Adaptation in Physiological Systems and Elite Performance
Maynooth University Department of Sport Science and Nutrition,
Callan Building
+353 1 708 4591
sport.science.dept@mu.ie
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sport-science-and-nutrition
Find us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn – @MaynoothSSN