The NCEF Advanced Personal Training specialist module is for qualified Fitness Instructors who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills to work as an Advanced Personal Trainer with clients on a one-to-one basis.

Advanced Personal Trainers can establish their own business or work in a commercial fitness facility providing personal training. You will be trained extensively to work with your clients inside and outside of the gym environment, in their home, or elsewhere and be fully qualified to train clients of any fitness level, with any goal and with the minimal amount of equipment needed.

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

• University of Limerick Accredited

• 30 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits towards the Higher Certificate/Diploma/B.Sc. in Exercise & Health Fitness through a flexible learning pathway and also towards other University qualifications in Europe who follow ECTS credit value system.

• Europe Active Level 5 Exercise Specialist Module

• Successful students will receive an NCEF Certificate of Completion

SS3052 Core Stability, Advanced Resistance Training Techniques, Anatomy & Physiology

• Core Stability

• Advanced Resistance/Strength Training

• Anatomy & Physiology

SS3062 Client Screening, Fitness Assessment & Business Administration

• Client Screening

• Client Care

• Fitness Assessment

• Administrative Duties and Legal Responsibilities

• Communication Skills

• Social Media Marketing

SS3072 Exercise Psychology, Nutrition and Healthy Eating

• Exercise Psychology

• Nutrition

SS3082 Posture, MLA and Flexibility

• Posture

• Muscle Length Analysis

• Flexibility

SS3092 Exercise Programming

• Programme Planning

• Programming for Special Populations

• Periodisation & Overtraining

Master Trainer Sessions

Advanced Personal Training Module – Fees

The fee for Advanced Personal Training, module only, is €1,895.

Payment Options

Option 1: Full Payment

• Pay the full fee of €1,895 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 €900 must be paid minimum 6 weeks before the programme begins.

If you are completing Advanced Personal Training as part of the Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (Year 2), the cost is already included in your full programme fees.

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.

NCEF Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (CEHF) Graduates and Current Recertified NCEF Level 1 Graduates:

• Completed online application form

• PHECC First Aid Response (FAR) is a prerequisite for the Advanced Personal Training specialist module & an industry requirement. All candidates must provide a current FAR certificate on application.

Expired NCEF/PEAI Level 1 holders (1987-2006) or those with equivalent health/fitness/exercise qualifications from other institutions or bodies:

• Please apply through the NCEF/UL Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme

• Click here for RPL application form

• PHECC First Aid Response (FAR) is a prerequisite for the Advanced Personal Training Specialist module and an industry requirement.

Autumn 2026

Commencing in the University of Limerick in September 2026.

Provisional contact days are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 5pm, however as per UL policy, students must be available Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm in the event that the timetable changes and classes are rescheduled.

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