Sport, Health & Exercise Science

This course is ideal for you if you are aiming for a career in elite sport and performance, exercise science, health and fitness, research, coaching, or sport development. This course also offers pathways into physiotherapy, dietetics and medicine. Learning from top industry experts in state-of-the-art facilities, you will master the core disciplines of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics, nutrition, exercise physiology, performance analysis, exercise as medicine, biomechanics and strength and conditioning. Practical laboratories throughout the course and a dedicated work placement in third year will ensure you graduate with the competitive skills and hands-on experience required to succeed in a wide range of careers.

You will study a range of both practical and theoretical modules designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and attitude to work in the fields of exercise science, health sciences and/ or sports performance. Practical modules include biomechanics, exercise physiology, sports nutrition, exercise prescription, performance analytics, and strength and conditioning.

Theoretical modules include anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics, nutrition and psychology. Students attend lectures and small group practical classes. Practical classes take place in both the UCD High Performance Gym and in our Human Performance Laboratory.

Modules include:

First Year

Anatomy and Physiology • Chemistry • Physics & Biomechanics • Nutrition • Coaching • Strength and Conditioning • Exercise Physiology • Academic Skills

Second Year

Testing and Optimisation of Human Performance • Advanced Strength and Conditioning • Sport and Exercise Biomechanics • Sports Nutrition • Exercise as Medicine • Psychology • Motor Control & Skill Acquisition • Research Methods

Third Year

Research Thesis • Sports Injury Management • Work Placement • Applied Biomechanics • Advanced Exercise Physiology • Behaviour Change • Performance Analysis • Statistics

Assessment is through a combination of written and online exams, practical assessments, assignments and case studies. You will also undertake a group-based research project in your third year.

Professional Work Experience

All students will undertake work placement in either Ireland or abroad in third year. This provides invaluable practical and networking experience, which will improve your employment prospects upon graduation.

In addition to opportunities to undertake work experience overseas, Sport, Health & Exercise Science students can apply to study abroad for a trimester in the UK, EU, USA, Australia or New Zealand, through one of our Sport & Exercise exchange agreements.

When you graduate, you will be skilled in the prescription and management of exercise interventions in healthcare and sport settings. You will also be an expert in the analysis and evaluation of human sports and exercise performance. Graduates of the course work in a variety of settings, including:

Sports technology • Sport and exercise consultancy • Professional athlete or team support • Health Promotion • Exercise physiology • Strength and conditioning • Education and research

Graduates are also eligible to apply for MSc and PhD programmes in the UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science.

• Level 5/6 QQI-FET


• Mature Entry Route


• DARE Entry Route


• HEAR Entry Route

The UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science is a broad connected community of students and faculty who are committed to creating a more sustainable and equitable future for all. We work together in a culture of collaboration to support each other to thrive and achieve our full potential, in service of broader societal goals. Through our undergraduate and graduate education, research and external engagement, we aim to ensure that our students, faculty and staff thrive and contribute to sustainable well-being on our campus, in Ireland and across the wider world. Our faculty are globally recognized experts in their fields, advancing knowledge through research, engaging with government, business and civil society to enhance our world, and using their knowledge to design and offer cutting-edge education within their disciplines and across the (sub)disciplines of sport management, Indigenous games, sport-for-development, sport psychology, and physical education.

UCD Health and Performance Science contributes positively to many of today’s challenges particularly good health and wellbeing. UCD sport, health and exercise science graduates have the skills to:

• Promote physical activity, a key driver to the prevention of non-communicable diseases.
• Foster good mental health and wellbeing, through the development of programmes and strategies to integrate physical activity into daily routines, improving mental health. 
• Create inclusive fitness programmes that are accessible to people of all ages, genders, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds, promoting equity in health.
• Encourage positive lifelong habits, through engaging in schools and community programmes to develop and implement physical education curricula, promoting healthy habits from a young age.
• Support healthy aging through programmes designed to maintain physical function, independence, and quality of life in older adults.
• Work with athletes to optimise performance while ensuring their health and wellbeing, promoting the importance of safe training practices.
• Design and implement exercise programmes for rehabilitation of patients with chronic diseases.
• Participate in advocacy and the development of policies aimed at increasing physical activity at the population level.
• Contribute to the education sector by teaching future generations about the importance of physical activity and training new sport and exercise professionals.

In addition to this, the programme relates to the relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s): 

• Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3)
• Quality Education (SDG 4)
• Gender equality (SDG 5)
• Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)