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Sport and Recreation – Higher Certificate

  • Status: Applications Open 01 July 2024

  • Campus: Athlone

  • years: 2


Course Overview

This two-year, full-time programme aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful careers in a wide range of sports, leisure, and business-related roles.  This programme adopts an applied learning approach in the delivery of this programme.  The Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure is fortunate to be in a position to embed external industry-specific accreditations into this Higher Certificate in Sport and Recreation, for example:

  • Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) Ireland – Fitness Instruction & Group Fitness – This will enable students to be registered as exercise professionals and the registration is required by many employers. Students who are REPS registered can work in any other country that has a register.
  • Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS) Pool Lifeguard Qualification – This course will enable students to be employed as pool lifeguards and is widely accepted abroad. We run this course between January and March each year – pool sessions take place during scheduled timetable classes and the majority of the theory is covered during review week in February.
  • Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council – First Aid Response

It is envisaged that graduates of this programme will be eligible to seek employment in areas such as sport and recreation development/administration, sports coaching, health and fitness promotion, and general business.

Contact Details

Dr. Emma Reardon

Email: Emma.Reardon@tus.ie

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum O6 grades in the Leaving Certificate examination. One of the six subjects presented must include English.

QQI

Any QQI-FET level 5 qualification is acceptable.

Mature Applicants

Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Module Overview

  • Learning and Development for Higher Education

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to support learners in their transition to becoming independent learners in higher education by enabling them to develop a range of skills and strategies essential for success at third level.

  • Sports Studies

    Credits: 10

    To provide students with the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding about the contribution of physical activity and sport to individual, community and societal well-being.

  • Fundamentals of Business and Management

    Credits: 5

    This module introduces the learner to business types, organisations and operations in the context of the sport and wider leisure and tourism industry at both national and international levels. Learners will develop an understanding of the principles and practices of management in a dynamic and sustainable service environment within a wider societal context.

  • Sports Administration

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to examine how sport is organised and administered in Ireland. Students will explore structures, programmes and grants that cater for those who just want to participate in sport and physical activity and for those who are competing at an elite level.

  • Accounting Fundamentals for the Sport Sector

    Credits: 5

    This module will introduce the learner to the fundamentals of business maths, book-keeping and accounting in the context of sport.

  • Wet Facility Management

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to enable students to recognise the elements required for the safe operations and management of a wet facility environment (swimming/spa pools). Students will explore a wide variety of pool types, features and activities and experience pool water testing.

  • Introduction to Sports Coaching

    Credits: 5

    To provide students with a general understanding of coaching theory and its application to a range of sports. Students will develop their skills and knowledge about effective teaching/coaching methods, coaching principles, effective communications and management in coaching scenarios.

  • Sport Psychology

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to introduce various psychological principles associated with sport and to explain how psychological methods can be used to predict and measure behaviour.

  • Financial Accounting for the Sport Sector

    Credits: 5

    The key objective of this module is to build on the competencies gained in Semester 1 and further develop the learner’s understanding and preparation of final accounts for different business formats.

  • Anatomy and Physiology

    Credits: 10

    This module introduces the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body. It is important that the learner has an understanding of the normal physiological changes that occur in the human body during exercise and the mechanisms underpinning them.

  • Strength and Conditioning

    Credits: 5

    The module aims to explore ways of enhancing performance in sport. Students will demonstrate and review strength, speed and power exercises & examine and discuss options/programmes for a range of sports. Active participation in this module will be fundamental to the successful completion of the module. Students will also undertake swimming sessions as part of this module and will have the option to do external lifeguarding qualifications.

  • Lifestyle Development

    Credits: 5

    To provide the student with an understanding of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle and the skills necessary to assist people in either changing or maintaining their lifestyle. Students will develop their practical skills in the development and production of healthy meals and snacks.

  • Financial Statements & Analysis

    Credits: 5

    This module will build on the accounting modules in Year 1 of the programme, it further develops the learner’s skills and competencies in producing, understanding, and interpreting the primary financial statement produced by organisations in the sports sector.

  • Facility Management

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to examine the operational elements required for managing a modern Leisure/Sports facility. Students will explore issues such as safety, customer service, accessibility, sustainability and quality management.

  • Human Resource Management and Training

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to provide learners with comprehensive knowledge through a detailed critical evaluation of best practices of the structure and scope of human resource management and review current trends in the Irish and international labour market with particular reference to the sports and leisure industry.

  • Digital Skills & Citizenship

    Credits: 5

    The module introduces the learner to the concept of digital citizenship. Learners will explore, using practical interactive exercises their own digital identity and create a reputable online presence using contemporary web authoring tools (Wix or Word Press). Guided by the EU digital competence framework learners will address subjects ranging from information and literacy, communication and collaboration, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), digital content creation, digital safety, and problem-solving.

  • Coaching Children in Sport

    Credits: 5

    To enable the students to develop their understanding of coaching theory and practice in the area of children’s sports and physical activity.

  • Marketing for the Sport and Recreation Sector

    Credits: 5

    Marketing is a dynamic and evolving discipline. This module aims to introduce the learner to the fundamental principles of sports marketing. Learners will explore sports marketing trends and practices within a wider societal context.

  • Cost Accounting for the Sport Sector

    Credits: 5

    Building on the learners’ prior experience of accounting, this module introduces and develops an understanding of the nature, function and application of cost accounting for the sport sector.

  • Exercise and Fitness

    Credits: 10

    This module aims to examine, develop and deliver gym programmes and group fitness classes that are suitable for a range of clients. Students will also explore operational and safety considerations for gym settings.

  • Sport Industry Placement

    Credits: 5

    The module is designed to facilitate students in becoming reflective learners with the ability to interpret their learning and skills development through their professional placement. The module prepares students for their industrial placement and facilitates their learning while attending placement. Throughout their placement preparation students develop the skills required to get the maximum benefit from their work placement.

What can you do after this course?

Upon successful completion of the Higher Certificate in Sport and Recreation, students who wish, may progress, if eligible, to the third year of the Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Sport Management (with International Placement).

Our graduates have proven to be highly employable across a wide range of industries, not just within sports, both in Ireland and abroad. Recent Higher Certificate in Sport and Recreation graduates have entered employment in roles such as:

    • Sports Coaching
    • Sports Development
    • Gym Instruction
    • Health and Fitness Promotion