Question 1

What am I qualified to do?

Accepted Answer

The Higher Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness (HCEHF) is a 2-year programme of study in which Year 1 is common to all students and in Year 2, students choose their options from a range of specialist qualifications according to their interest.
 
On completion of Year 1, you will have the necessary skills to supervise and instruct on the gym floor including the cardio, machine weights and free weight areas. You will also have advanced skills to teach group exercise classes in:
 
Circuit Training
Body Conditioning
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Studio Fitness, Exercise to Music
Step Training
Resistance Training
 
​You will be trained to conduct fitness assessments on individuals and groups and design exercise programmes suitable for a variety of fitness levels, different needs and goals.
​
First Aid Response (FAR) from the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is also covered as a module in this first year.
 
Year 2 provides our students with the opportunity to become Advanced Specialists by specialising in areas such as Advanced Personal Training, Strength & Conditioning for Athletes & Teams, Pilates & Corrective Exercise, Active Ageing for Older Adults, Business Facility Operations, Fit for Life Wellness Coaching or Children's Fitness.

Question 2

Who is the accrediting body?

Accepted Answer

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

On successful completion of the 2-year course, students will graduate from UL with a Level 6 Major NFQ Higher Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness.
​
University of Limerick Accredited
Level 6 (Major) on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
Level 5 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
Europe Active/E-Reps Exercise for Health Specialist (SQF Level 5)
120 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) Credits

Question 3

What does the course cover?

Accepted Answer

Year 1 consists of nine modules and final examinations:
 
Human Movement Studies
Lifestyle, Fitness, Wellness & Nutrition
Fitness Assessment and Programme Design
Management & Work Placement
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) First Aid Response
Studio Classes in Exercise to Music & Free Movement (Practical)
Resistance Training with Weights, Machines, Kettlebells (Practical)
Circuit Training, Body Conditioning, HIIT and Bootcamp Training (Practical)
Step Training, Flexibility, Foam Rolling (Practical)
Final Examinations (Theory and Practical)

Year 2 consists of a choice of the following modules:

Advanced Personal Training
Strength & Conditioning for Athletes & Teams
Pilates & Corrective Exercise
Children's Fitness
Fit for Life Wellness Coaching
Active Ageing for Older Adults
Business Facility Operations

Question 4

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Academic Year 2026/27 Fees
 
Year 1 of the Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF) for the 2026/27 academic year is €3,725

Option 1: Payment of Full Fees
Payment of €3,725 (which includes a non-refundable deposit payment of €995) due on acceptance of your place on the course.

Option 2: (Split Payment) Total fees €3,725
Non-refundable deposit payment of €995 due on acceptance of your place on the course.
The balance of fees, €2,730 is due on or before Wednesday, 12th August 2026, at the latest.

Leaving Certificate 2026 Applicants: Course fees, due in full, on acceptance of your place on the course.

Once students are registered, all fees paid are non-refundable/non-transferable.

*Provisional HCEHF Year 2 fees for 2027/28 are €3,725 however, this may be subject to change.

For your security and in compliance with Section 65(4)(a) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, Learner Protection arrangements have been put in place with Arachas Insurance, should the NCEF cease to provide this programme before learners have completed awards.
 
SUSI FUNDING:

This course is eligible for SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) funding however, it is important to note that all NCEF courses must be fully paid before a student commences.

Funding decisions are based on an individual’s personal circumstances. You may apply through www.susi.ie to see if you qualify. The SUSI course code reference is LM905.

If SUSI funding is allocated, this is reimbursed to the student upon receipt of payments from the University of Limerick Fees Office. Please be prepared to wait for a refund for 6+ months and payments are split based on confirmation of attendance in both the Autumn and Spring semesters.

Question 5

Entry Requirements

Accepted Answer

Applicants should hold the Irish Leaving Certificate with minimum Grade O6 in five Ordinary Level subjects (including Maths, Irish or another language, and English) OR an approved equivalent or higher qualification.

Other standards within Leaving Certificate or other levels of education will be considered under the NCEF/UL Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.
 
A full supporting statement should also be submitted with your application.  This should be 500-1000 words in length and should outline your reasons for applying for this programme.
 
Non-EU Nationals must submit a Study Visa, copies of passport documentation and proof of employment for the last 5 years
 
Applicants should have good communication skills and enjoy working with people.
 
NCEF reserves the right to interview if required.

Question 6

When and where can I do this course?

Accepted Answer

2026/27 Academic Year

Venue: University of Limerick
Contact Days: Tutorials are scheduled mid-week, between Monday and Friday. The provisional timetable is Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, however this may be subject to change. A live timetable will be issued in early September when the University of Limerick have completed classroom allocations.
Time: 10am to 5/6pm
Provisional Start Date: Monday 7th September 2026
Year 1 Finish: May 2027

Question 7

Apply Now!

Accepted Answer

Applications are now open for the 2026/27 academic year! Apply here

Leaving Cert 2026 Students
We are accepting applications now. We will hold your application on file and when the Leaving Certificate results are released, send a copy of your results to ncef@ul.ie to progress with your application. We strongly advise you to have your application submitted now due to limited student numbers. Fees are applicable when you accept your place on the course.

National Council for
Exercise & Fitness

Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer

HCEHF Year 1

Full-Time 2 Year Course

Eligible for SUSI Funding

Love it. Learn it. Live it.

Higher Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness

What am I qualified to do?

Who is the accrediting body?

What does the course cover?

How much does it cost?

Entry Requirements

When and where can I do this course?

Apply Now!

Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer

​

HCEHF Year 1

Full-Time 2 Year Course

Eligible for SUSI Funding

Love it. Learn it. Live it.

Higher Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness

What am I qualified to do?

Who is the accrediting body?

What does the course cover?

How much does it cost?

Entry Requirements

When and where can I do this course?

Apply Now!