BSc (Hons) in Health and Physical Activity

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Dundalk Institute of Technology

Program Overview

Health and Physical Activity at DkIT focuses on how movement, exercise and lifestyle choices improve health, fitness and overall wellbeing across all stages of life. This programme is ideal if you enjoy sport, physical activity and science, and want to build a career helping individuals and communities become more active, healthier and more resilient.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
You begin by developing a strong foundation in the science of health and movement. Modules such as Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Health and Physical Activity, Psychology for Health and Physical Activity and Fitness help you understand how the body responds to exercise and why physical activity is essential for health. Practical sessions are introduced early, linking theory directly to movement and fitness.

Year 2
In second year, learning becomes more applied and population-focused. You study Exercise Physiology, Health Promotion, Motor Skill Development and Physical Activity Across the Lifespan, exploring how activity supports children, adults and older populations. You also begin to understand how physical activity can be used to address public health challenges such as inactivity and lifestyle-related disease.

Year 3
Third year places strong emphasis on professional practice and applied skills. Modules such as Applied Exercise Prescription, Physical Activity for Special Populations and Research Methods prepare you to design safe, effective activity programmes for diverse groups. You also begin to develop analytical and research skills that support evidence-based practice.

Year 4
In your final year, you bring everything together through advanced study and independent research. You complete a Final Year Project focused on a health or physical activity topic of interest, alongside modules in Physical Activity Promotion, Performance and Health and Professional Practice. This year prepares you for employment or progression to postgraduate study.

Focus areas

Exercise and physical activity science, health promotion, exercise prescription, fitness assessment, public health, behaviour change, research methods.

Learning outcomes

A strong understanding of how physical activity supports health, the ability to design and deliver safe exercise programmes, analyse health and fitness data, communicate effectively with individuals and groups, and apply evidence-based practice in real settings.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

This is a Level 8 honours degree on Ireland’s National Framework of Qualifications, providing a recognised academic foundation for careers in physical activity, health promotion, fitness and further postgraduate study.

Reputation (employability & recognition)

Graduates are well regarded for their practical skills, scientific knowledge and ability to work with diverse populations, making them suitable for roles in fitness, health promotion, community sport and physical activity programmes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At DkIT, Health and Physical Activity is built around learning by doing, so you graduate with real confidence in applying theory to practice. From early in the programme, classroom learning is paired with practical labs, activity-based sessions and applied projects, helping you understand how physical activity is used to improve health, fitness and wellbeing in real-world settings.

Your hands-on learning includes:

Practical exercise and fitness laboratories
You take part in lab-based sessions where you carry out fitness testing, movement analysis and health assessments, learning how to measure and interpret physical activity and health data.
Applied exercise prescription
You learn how to design safe, effective physical activity programmes for different populations, including children, adults, older people and individuals with specific health needs.
Health promotion projects
Coursework often involves planning and evaluating physical activity and health initiatives, helping you understand how programmes are delivered in communities, schools and health settings.
Working with diverse populations
Practical modules focus on physical activity across the lifespan, giving you experience adapting exercise and activity for different abilities, ages and health conditions.
Research-informed practice
You gain hands-on experience with research methods, data collection and analysis, preparing you to use evidence to support professional decision-making.
Team-based practical learning
Many activities are delivered in groups, reflecting how health and physical activity professionals collaborate in real working environments.
Final-year applied project
In your final year, you complete an independent project focused on a health or physical activity topic, allowing you to investigate real issues and apply your learning in depth.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Health and Physical Activity from Dundalk Institute of Technology progress into careers that promote active lifestyles, prevention and wellbeing across communities. With a strong blend of exercise science, health promotion and applied practice, you’ll be well suited for roles such as Physical Activity Coordinator, Health Promotion Officer, Exercise Programme Assistant, Community Sport Development Officer or Fitness and Wellbeing Specialist in public, private and voluntary sectors.

This degree opens clear, people-focused pathways:

Strong demand in health and activity roles
Employers value graduates who can design, deliver and evaluate physical activity programmes that improve health across the lifespan.
Versatile employment settings
Graduates work in community health projects, leisure centres, local authorities, schools, NGOs, sports partnerships and workplace wellbeing programmes.
Practice-ready, transferable skills
Exercise prescription, fitness assessment, behaviour change, communication and evaluation skills are applicable across many health and activity roles.
Progression within organisations
With experience, graduates move into senior coordination, programme leadership or service development roles.
International relevance
Skills in physical activity promotion and health are widely recognised, supporting opportunities abroad or with international organisations.

Further Academic Progression

After completing this degree, you can continue your studies through postgraduate programmes in Public Health, Health Promotion, Exercise Science, Sports Rehabilitation, Strength and Conditioning, Physical Education (subject to requirements) or Research Methods. Many graduates progress to Master’s degrees, opening pathways into specialist practice, leadership, research or education roles within health and physical activity.