Advanced Practitioners are qualified in many specialist areas of exercise and health fitness and work in supervisory/business/management roles in the industry. They have skills and competencies in a broad range of areas and a strong portfolio of skills making them very employable.

Depending on your choice of elective modules, you may be qualified as a Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, Strength and Conditioning Coach or qualified to work with Children and Older Adults. Others choose Fit for Life Wellness Coaching or Facility/Business Operations.

Year 3 DEHF is excellent preparation for the final Year 4 Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Health Fitness.

All NCEF courses and modules are accredited by the University of Limerick (UL).

On successful completion of the course, students will graduate from UL with a Level 7 (NFQ) Diploma in Exercise and Health Fitness.​

• University of Limerick Accredited

• Level 7 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)

• Level 6 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Europe Active/E-Reps Exercise for Health Specialist (SQF Level 5)

• 60 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) Credits

DEHF Advanced Practitioner has 3 core modules that all students must take in the Autumn semester:

• SS3013 Research Skills, Academic Writing & Library Familiarisation

• SS3043 Multimedia in Exercise & Health Fitness

• SS3063 DEHF Research Project Preparation & Submission

Students must also complete an elective module/s to accumulate an additional 30 ECTS credits from the Year 2 specialist courses not previously completed. This elective module/s are taken in the Spring semester and include:

• Strength & Conditioning for Athletes & Teams (30 ECTS)

• Pilates & Corrective Exercise (30 ECTS)

• Children's Fitness (15 ECTS)

• Fit for Life Wellness Coaching (15 ECTS)

• Facility/Business Operations (15 ECTS)

• Active Aging for Older Adults (15 ECTS)

Academic Year 2026/27

The fee for the Diploma in Exercise & Health Fitness (DEHF) is €3,725.

Payment Options

Option 1: Full Payment

• Pay the full fee of €3,725 on acceptance of your place.

• This includes a non-refundable deposit of €995.

Option 2: Split Payment

• A non-refundable deposit of €995 is due on acceptance of your place.

• The remaining balance of €2,730 must be paid in full on or before Wednesday, 12th August 2026.

Important: Once registered, all fees paid are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Learner Protection

In compliance with Section 65(4)(a) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, Learner Protection arrangements have been secured with Arachas Insurance. This ensures protection in the unlikely event that NCEF ceases to provide the programme before completion.

Funding Options

• The DEHF is eligible for SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) funding.

• Funding is assessed on an individual basis.

• Applications can be made through www.susi.ie

• SUSI course code reference: LMA905.

In the past, students have also received full or partial funding from local government support agencies. This is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Important Notes on Payments

• All fees must be paid in full before the course commences.

• If SUSI funding is approved, payments are made directly to students after processing by the University of Limerick Fees Office.

• Refunds may take 6 months or longer to process.

• SUSI refunds are issued in two instalments, based on confirmation of attendance in the Autumn and Spring semesters.

• NCEF Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF) or NCEF Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness (CEHF) and 60 ECTS Credits from Year 2 modules or an equivalent qualification.

• Knowledge: Broad knowledge base in Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness modules and Year 2 HCEHF specialist modules.

• Attitudes and personal qualities: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and mature disposition.

• Other desirable criteria: Practical experience of working in any of the HCEHF specialist courses.

NCEF/UL Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Scheme

Previously qualified and expired NCEF Level 1 graduates and applicants with equivalent qualifications from other institutions or bodies are eligible to apply for entry onto this programme through the NCEF/UL RPL Scheme. Applicants will be assessed on an individual basis and in accordance with NCEF/UL RPL criteria.

RPL applicants are required to complete an online RPL application form. Please click here to apply.

Please note a Recognition of Prior Learning fee of €250 applies to all applicants required to submit an application. If your application is successful and you are offered a place on the programme, this fee is deducted from the overall programme fee.

The next Diploma in Exercise & Health Fitness Advanced Practitioner course will start in the University of Limerick on Monday 7th September 2026.

Tutorials are provisionally scheduled on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10.00am to 5.00pm however, this may be subject to change and students must be available Monday to Friday in the event of timetable rescheduling.

Applications are now open for the 2026/27 academic year! Click here to apply