BSc (hons) in Sports and Exercise with Physical Education

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Atlantic Technological University - Donegal Letterkenny Campus

Program Overview

The BSc (hons) in Sports and Exercise with Physical Education equips you with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to support young children’s development, wellbeing and learning from birth through early years. It’s an ideal choice if you’re passionate about nurturing children and families, want to make a positive impact in early years settings, and enjoy learning through both theory and hands-on practice.

📘 Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll build a solid foundation in child development and early childhood practice. You’ll study key introductory topics such as Creativity and Process-Based Play, Child Health & Disability, Equality and Diversity in Early Childhood Education and Care, and begin Work Practice Placement I, where you observe and begin applying what you learn in professional early years settings. These units help you understand how young children grow, explore and communicate, and how inclusive practice supports their wellbeing.

Year 2

Second year deepens your understanding of developmental psychology and research in early childhood. You’ll study Developmental Psychology, Research Processes & Methods for Early Childhood Care and Education, Communication in Early Years, and Positive Partnerships and Family Support, helping you strengthen your skills in observing, planning and supporting meaningful learning experiences. You’ll also have opportunities to continue or expand your Work Placement Practice II, bringing theory and practice closer together.

Year 3

In third year, you’ll explore advanced themes in child health, leadership and pedagogy, growing your confidence in professional practice. Modules introduce evidence-based approaches to support inclusion, wellbeing and family engagement, and help you develop leadership skills to contribute to best-practice early years environments. Continued placement experience allows you to practise reflective skills and develop professional judgement alongside experienced mentors.

Year 4

In your final year, you bring together everything you’ve learned through more complex, integrated work and advanced practice. You’ll complete extended professional placements, apply leadership and management insight in early childhood contexts, and engage in research and project work that shows your readiness to enter the workforce as a skilled, reflective early years professional.

🎯 Focus Areas

Early childhood development, play-based learning, health and wellbeing in early years, equality and diversity, family partnerships, reflective practice, leadership in early years settings.

🎓 Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to assess and support children’s development across diverse environments, design responsive learning and care experiences, collaborate effectively with families and communities, and apply research-informed approaches to promote wellbeing and inclusion.

📜 Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This Level 8 honours degree is designed to meet professional competencies for early childhood care, health and education roles, preparing you to work confidently in contemporary early years services and to support quality practice aligned with national frameworks for early years provision.

🌟 Reputation (Employability)

Graduates from this programme are ready to take on key roles in early childhood settings — including leadership, programme coordination, specialist support and advocacy — thanks to a curriculum that combines academic knowledge with rich practical experience valued by employers across Ireland’s early years sector.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Atlantic Technological University, experiential learning is central to how you develop as an early years professional. Throughout the programme, you gain practical skills through supervised work placements, reflective practice, and hands-on learning activities that connect child development theory with real early childhood settings. Purpose-designed learning spaces, strong placement support, and access to academic resources ensure you graduate confident, capable, and workplace-ready:

Structured Work Practice Placements: You complete multiple supervised work placements across the programme, allowing you to observe, support, and gradually take responsibility in early childhood education and care settings while applying learning directly to practice.
Early Childhood Practice & Observation Spaces: Teaching is supported by early years–focused practice rooms where you develop observation, planning, and reflective skills in environments designed to mirror professional settings.
Health, Wellbeing & Inclusion in Practice: Practical learning is embedded in modules focused on child health, disability, wellbeing, and inclusion, helping you understand how to support children’s physical, emotional, and social development in real contexts.
Collaborative & Reflective Projects: You’ll take part in group-based learning activities, reflective journals, and presentations that mirror professional teamwork in early years services and strengthen communication skills.
Outdoor & Play-Based Learning: The programme emphasises play, creativity, and outdoor learning, giving you opportunities to explore how children learn through movement, exploration, and interaction with their environment.
Digital Learning Tools: You use standard digital platforms and tools for research, documentation, child observation records, and reflective portfolios — essential skills for modern early childhood practice.
Library & Academic Support: You have full access to ATU’s libraries, early childhood education resources, digital journals, and learning support services, supporting both academic work and placement preparation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BSc (hons) in Sports and Exercise with Physical Education from Atlantic Technological University progress into meaningful, people-focused careers where their skills are in strong and growing demand. The programme prepares you for professional roles that combine education, care, and wellbeing, with many graduates moving directly into employment as Early Childhood Educators, Room Leaders or Supervisors, Inclusion or Family Support Workers, and Early Years Programme Coordinators. Because health, care, and education are integrated throughout the degree, graduates are valued for their broad skill set and professional readiness:

Career & Employability Support: ATU provides structured career guidance, placement mentoring, and employability supports to help students transition confidently from study to work in early childhood and family-focused services.
Strong Employment Demand: Early childhood professionals remain in consistent demand across Ireland, particularly those with Level 8 qualifications that combine education, health, and inclusion — supporting strong graduate employment outcomes.
Professional Practice & Sector Links: Through work placements and engagement with early years services, health-informed settings, and community organisations, students build professional networks that often lead to employment opportunities.
Long-Term Professional Value: This honours degree supports career progression into senior practitioner, leadership, mentoring, and specialist roles within early childhood education and care services.
Graduate Destinations: Alumni work in preschools and crèches, community childcare services, family support and early intervention programmes, inclusion-focused settings, and child wellbeing initiatives.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this programme, you can continue your studies through postgraduate qualifications in Early Childhood Education, Inclusive Education, Child and Family Studies, Health and Wellbeing, or Education Leadership. These pathways open opportunities in management, research, policy development, advocacy, and specialist practice, allowing you to influence early childhood care and education at a broader systemic level.