Higher Certificate in Health and Exercise Science

Course Summary

This Higher Certificate in Health and Exercise Science offers a broad-based exercise science education in human anatomy and physiology, health psychology, physical activity, exercise prescription, biomechanics and health promotion. Emphasis is placed on developing core health and exercise-related skills and competencies.  

The programme has been developed because we know that students are looking for an alternative route into the allied health professions. After completion of this Higher Certificate, students are eligible to transfer to Irish, UK, Dutch and Belgian Universities to pursue undergraduate studies in their preferred allied health profession. These include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, sports science, sports rehabilitation, diagnostic radiography and other health-related disciplines. The most common progression route universities from ATU Sligo are University of Limerick, University of Cork, University of Salford, Ulster University, Robert Gordon University, Northumbria University, Glasgow Caledonian and  University of Derby.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW 

This programme provides an excellent foundation for many careers in the physical activity and health professional sector, and will enable students to make informed decisions about specialist areas for further study. Students are equipped with a unique blend of practical skills and knowledge in a broad range of health-related fields. This affords graduates numerous and varied opportunities to specialise in their favoured area, and offers a diverse range of career paths.

We develop students interpersonal, communication, active listening, and IT Skills. These skills are highly valued by potential employers or for progression to further study.

The modules on this programme have been designed to allow students flexibility. For example, we have seen students who were positive they wanted to study physiotherapy change to occupational therapy or diagnostic imaging after experiencing different module strands in the programme, or vice versa. This situation occurs each year, and it is extremely important to allow this flexibility.

YEAR 1

Students acquire practical skills in core subjects, including biology, chemistry, human anatomy and physiology, mathematics, health and fitness, health communications, facilitation and group work skills, health promotion, information technology, kinesiology and exercise instruction.

YEAR 2

Core subjects from Year 1 are further developed with more emphasis on laboratory and practical elements related to physical activity and exercise. Key modules include Exercise Physiology, Health Psychology, Health Biochemistry, Health Microbiology, Research Methods, Biomechanics of Human Movement and Promoting Healthy Behaviours.

ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS TO ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS 

We have three health science programmes in ATU Sligo. Each of these programmes offer a pathways into the areas such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and diagnostic imaging/radiography. Students generally choose one of two paths – exit from our Level 6 or Level 7 programme and pursue undergraduate studies in their preferred Allied Health Profession OR complete our Level 8 honours degree and pursue Masters studies in their preferred Allied Health Profession.

Our expert staff ensure that students receive appropriate references and advice prior to application and subsequent interview for further studies. This is a process our academics engage with every year, and they are extremely knowledgable of the requirements.

Please note that all three of our health science programmes are interlinked. Therefore, these programmes offer progression and exit awards throughout the various levels of study.

HEALTH SCIENCE FACILITIES 

Our exercise physiology lab boasts state of the art equipment for human testing, which includes:

• a Biodex Isokinetic System 4 which can test aspects of muscular fitness including maximal strength of muscle groups
• a BodPod which is currently regarded as one of the gold standard testing techniques to measure body composition,
• a Cortex Gas Metabolic Analyser for VO_2Max testing, which is an assessment for cardiovasculr fitness and fuel utilisation
• a G-Walk which can analyse aspects of how people walk such as gait analysis and weight distribution.

KEY SKILLS STUDENTS WILL GAIN

• Physical activity prescription and instruction.
• Exercise testing and evaluation.
• Health and exercise promotion.
• Health-initiative design, implementation and evaluation (various population groups in a variety of settings)  .
• Advanced computer and health communication skills.
• Research skills to design, conduct and analyse scientific experiments in health and exercise related fields.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:

• Download Entry requirements for just Level 6 programmes
• Download Entry requirements for all programmes

Successful applicants to this degree will be required to undergo Garda vetting and a medical evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation is to identify students with special exercise requirements. This information is strictly confidential and any offer made will not be withdrawn on the basis of medical information supplied.

Hepatitis B vaccination will be required for work placement.

Career Opportunities

This programme provides graduates with a pathway to degree level studies in allied health professions such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, sports science, sports rehabilitation, diagnostic radiography, clinical measurement and other health-related disciplines. 

Graduates can also gain employment in the health and exercise industry. Career opportunities include sports development, sports science, physical activity promotion, health promotion and physical activity.

Further Study

Graduates can progress to degree level studies in allied health professions such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, sports science, sports rehabilitation, diagnostic radiography, clinical measurement and other health-related disciplines. The most common progression route universities from ATU Sligo are University of Limerick, University of Cork, University of Salford, Ulster University, Robert Gordon University, Northumbria University, Glasgow Caledonian and  University of Derby. Our expert staff ensure that students receive appropriate references and advice prior to application and subsequent interview for further studies. This is a process our academics engage with every year, and they are extremely knowledgable of the requirements.

Graduates may progress to Year 3 of the Level 7 AU861 BSc in Health Science and Physiology in ATU Sligo.

Level 7 graduates may progress to Year 4 of the Level 8 AU971 BSc (Hons) in Health Science and Physical Activity or the one year add-on BSc (Hons) in Public Health and Health Promotion here in ATU Sligo.

Graduates from one of the Level 8 degree's, may progress to Level 9 and Level 10 postgraduate studies in ATU Sligo or in other third level institutions. The following three programmes are popular masters routes in ATU Sligo:

MSc in Health Promotion

MSc in Public Health Nutrition

MSc in Sports and Exercise Nutrition

Testimonials

"I chose to study a broader course in health science to see if there were alternative options out there for me that I may prefer. Studying Health and Exercise Science in ATU Sligo helped me to realise that physiotherapy was exactly the career I wanted to follow. There were lots of areas of study particularly relevant to physiotherapy which made me realise that it was the career I wanted to pursue.

The lecturers were all very friendly and approachable which made learning easier. As many of the lecturers already have a background as allied health professionals, they are able to give you first hand information about different career paths and have helped many students, such as myself, to find the best route for them.

I really enjoyed the modules during my studies in ATU Sligo, but Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology was certainly my favourite. It was one of the modules most closely related to my current field of study.

After graduating from ATU Sligo, I moved to the UK where I am currently studying a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy at Cardiff University."

Dearbhla Neenan, Higher Certificate in Health and Exercise Science graduate and currently studying a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy at Cardiff University

Did you know?

The programme has been developed because we know that students are looking for an alternative route into the allied health professions

This programme provides graduates with a pathway to degree level studies in allied health professions such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, sports science, sports rehabilitation, diagnostic radiography, clinical measurement and other health-related disciplines. 

The modules on this programme have been designed to allow students flexibility. For example, we have seen students who were positive they wanted to study physiotherapy change to occupational therapy or diagnostic imaging after experiencing different module strands in the programme, or vice versa. This situation occurs each year, and it is extremely important to allow this flexibility.

Our expert staff ensure that students receive appropriate references and advice prior to application and subsequent interview for further studies. This is a process our academics engage with every year, and they are extremely knowledgable of the requirements.

Our exercise physiology lab boasts state of the art equipment for human testing. More information can be found on the course summary tab on this webpage.

We develop students interpersonal, communication, active listening, and IT Skills through various modules. These skills are highly valued by potential employers or for progression to further study.

Alumni

"Health and Exercise Science in ATU Sligo ticked all the boxes for me, and the modules covered were very relatable to the allied health professions. There’s also a great emphasis on the practical element to each module. Whether you’re in a laboratory running tests or dissections, in the gym learning different exercises, palpating and drawing muscles on classmates, presentations – the list goes on! So if you’re a hands on learner like I am, you will love the blended approach between theory and practical classes.

Communication is a huge skill I took with me from ATU Sligo. As a physiotherapist, you need to communicate in an appropriate manner with the patient sitting in front of you, their families or the multidisciplinary team within a hospital or clinical setting. As it is also an autonomous profession, you have to be confident in the way in which you work or communicate with your patients and coworkers. I gained a lot of confidence, and time management skills, from presentations and practical exams whilst studying in Sligo.

This programme is a great asset to anybody thinking of studying physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiography or a related area. Every single module I covered during my time in ATU Sligo has helped me greatly in my current physiotherapy studies.

The lecturers also taught the modules with great enthusiasm and passion. What I loved most was their selflessness and willingness to help out in any way they could.

Since graduating from ATU Sligo, I continued my studies to a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy at University of Salford in Manchester. For my work placement in Manchester, I got placed on a stroke ward in Salford Royal Hospital. Stroke is the type of physiotherapy I want to pursue. I got involved with various patients within the stroke ward and it was a great experience."

Megan Creegan, Higher Certificate in Health and Exercise Science graduate and currently studying a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy at University of Salford

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4