Higher Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness

The NCEF Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF) is a two-year qualification designed to prepare you for a successful career in the fitness, health, and exercise industry.Year 1: Build Your FoundationYear 1 provides the essential knowledge, practical skills, and industry-recognised qualifications required to work as a fitness professional.Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will be able to:Supervise and instruct clients in gym environments, including cardio, resistance machines, and free weights areas Conduct fitness assessments for individuals and groups Design safe and effective exercise programmes for a variety of fitness levels, goals, and needs Deliver a range of group exercise classes, including:Circuit TrainingBody ConditioningHigh-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)Exercise to Music/Studio FitnessStep TrainingResistance Training Students also complete the PHECC First Aid Response (FAR) qualification as part of first year.Year 2: Choose Your Specialist PathwayIn Year 2, students develop advanced expertise by choosing from a range of specialist pathways aligned with their career interests.Specialist options include:Advanced Personal TrainingStrength & Conditioning for Athletes & TeamsPilates & Corrective ExercisePhysical Activity Specialist for Chronic ConditionsActive Ageing for Older AdultsBusiness & Facility OperationsFit for Life Wellness CoachingChildren's Fitness Graduate Career OpportunitiesGraduates are equipped with the practical skills, industry qualifications, and specialist expertise required to pursue careers across the fitness, health, wellbeing, and performance sectors.

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 the University of Limerick 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

Year 1 consists of nine modules and summative assessments:Module CodeModule TitleSS2001Human Movement StudiesSS2011Lifestyle, Fitness, Wellness and NutritionSS2021Fitness Assessment and Programme DesignSS2031Management and Work PlacementSS2041 Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) First Aid ResponseSS2051Studio Classes in Exercise to Music & Free Movement (Practical)SS2061Resistance/Strength Training with Weights, Machines, Kettlebells (Practical)SS2071Circuit Training, Body Conditioning, High Intensity Interval Training (Practical)SS2081Step Training, Flexibility, Stretching and Foam Rolling (Practical)SS2092Exercise & Fitness Skills Application Summative AssessmentsYear 2 consists of a mandatory pathway in Semester 1 (Autumn) which is Advanced Personal TrainingSemester 2 (Spring) offers students the opportunity to specialise in areas aligned with their professional interests. Students can choose from the following specialist pathways:Strength & Conditioning for Athletes & TeamsPilates & Corrective ExercisePhysical Activity Specialist for Chronic ConditionsChildren's FitnessFit for Life Wellness CoachingActive Ageing for Older AdultsBusiness Facility Operations

Academic Year 2027/28 Fees Year 1 of the Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF) for the 2027/28 academic year is €3,725Option 1️⃣: Payment of Full FeesPayment of €3,725 (which includes a non-refundable deposit payment of €995) due on acceptance of your place on the course.Option 2️⃣: (Split Payment) Total fees €3,725Non-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, 11 August 2027, at the latest.Leaving Certificate 2027 Applicants: Course fees are due in full on acceptance of your place on the course. We align our offers with the CAO first-round offers - please be prepared to accept our offer and pay full fees in line with this.Once students are registered, all fees paid are non-refundable/non-transferable.*Provisional HCEHF Year 2 fees for 2028/29 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.

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. Supporting Statement RequirementApplicants must submit a supporting statement outlining their reasons for applying, their understanding of the course, and how it aligns with their personal and professional goals.Statements should be written in the applicant's own words and reflect genuine experiences and motivations. Applications will be reviewed for the use of AI-generated content. 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.

2027/28 Academic YearVenue: University of LimerickTimetable: Tutorials are scheduled mid-week, between Monday and Friday. The provisional timetable is Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 5pm however, this may be subject to change, and students must be available to attend classes Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. A live timetable will be issued in early September when the University of Limerick have completed classroom allocations.Provisional Start Date: Tuesday, 07 September 2027Year 1 Finish: April 2028

Applications are now open for the 2027/28 academic year! Apply hereLeaving Cert 2027 StudentsWe 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 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.