BSc (hons) in Health and Exercise Sciences with Massage Therapy

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Munster Technological University

Program Overview

This degree is designed for students who are passionate about movement, health and hands-on care. It uniquely combines exercise science with professional massage therapy, helping you understand how the body moves, recovers and performs, while developing practical skills that are directly relevant to careers in wellness, fitness and rehabilitation.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
You start by building a strong foundation in how the human body works and moves. Modules such as Applied Anatomy and Posture, Functional Assessment and Fitness Testing help you understand movement patterns and physical performance, while introductory massage practice allows you to begin developing hands-on skills in a supportive, practical environment.

Year 2
In second year, you deepen your understanding of exercise science and wellbeing. You study behaviour change, health and exercise science and more advanced massage techniques, learning how physical activity and soft-tissue therapy support recovery, performance and long-term health. This year helps you connect scientific theory with real client needs.

Year 3
Third year focuses on applied and rehabilitation-based practice. Modules such as Aquatic Therapy and Aquatic Rehabilitation broaden your skill set, while advanced assessment and massage practice help you work more confidently with individuals who have specific movement or recovery needs.

Year 4
In your final year, you bring everything together through advanced therapeutic practice and professional preparation. You refine your clinical reasoning, communication and independent working skills, preparing you to work confidently with clients in wellness, fitness or rehabilitation settings, or to progress to further study.

Focus areas

Exercise physiology, functional movement, massage therapy, rehabilitation, wellbeing science, behaviour change.

Learning outcomes

Strong hands-on massage skills, the ability to assess movement and posture, apply exercise and therapeutic techniques safely, communicate professionally with clients, and integrate science into practical care.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

This is a Level 8 honours degree on Ireland’s National Framework of Qualifications, providing a recognised academic foundation for professional practice and postgraduate study.

Reputation (employability & recognition)

Graduates are well regarded for their blend of scientific knowledge and practical skills, making them suitable for roles in fitness centres, wellness clinics, rehabilitation settings and community health environments.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This programme at MTU is highly hands-on from the very beginning, ensuring you graduate with real, practical experience rather than just theoretical knowledge. You spend significant time in practical labs, therapy rooms and applied exercise settings, learning how to assess, treat and support individuals using evidence-based exercise and massage techniques. By the time you finish the degree, you’ll feel confident working directly with clients in wellness, fitness and rehabilitation environments.

Your experiential learning includes:

Practical massage therapy training
From first year onwards, you practise professional massage techniques in supervised settings, developing hands-on skills, client communication and safe treatment approaches.
Exercise and movement laboratories
You work in specialist exercise science labs carrying out fitness testing, functional movement assessment and posture analysis using industry-relevant equipment.
Client assessment and case-based learning
Modules focus on assessing real movement issues and designing appropriate exercise or therapeutic responses, helping you think like a practitioner rather than a student.
Aquatic therapy and rehabilitation experience
Through aquatic modules, you gain exposure to water-based rehabilitation and therapy methods, expanding your skill set for diverse client needs.
Small-group practical sessions
Many practical classes are delivered in small groups, allowing for close supervision, feedback and skill refinement.
Professional practice preparation
You develop client management, ethical practice and professional communication skills that reflect real-world massage and exercise therapy settings.
Final-year applied projects
In your final year, you complete applied work that brings together assessment, treatment and scientific reasoning, helping you transition smoothly into professional practice or further study.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Health and Exercise Sciences with Massage Therapy from Munster Technological University move into careers where scientific knowledge and hands-on skills come together to support health, recovery and performance. With your strong grounding in exercise science, functional assessment and therapeutic massage, you’ll be well prepared for roles such as Massage Therapist, Exercise and Fitness Professional, Rehabilitation Support Practitioner, Wellbeing Specialist or Physical Activity Coordinator in wellness, sport and community health settings.

This degree opens up a wide range of practical and flexible career paths:

Strong demand in the wellness and fitness sector
Employers value graduates who can combine movement science with therapeutic skills to support injury prevention, recovery and long-term health.
Client-focused, job-ready skills
You graduate with real experience in assessment, treatment planning, exercise prescription and professional client communication.
Diverse employment settings
Graduates work in fitness centres, sports clubs, wellness clinics, rehabilitation facilities, leisure centres and self-employed practice.
Opportunities for independent practice
The hands-on nature of the programme supports pathways into private or freelance massage and wellbeing services.
Transferable health skills
Knowledge of movement, rehabilitation and behaviour change is valuable across health promotion, community wellbeing and allied health environments.

Further Academic Progression

After completing this degree, you can continue your studies through postgraduate programmes in areas such as Exercise Science, Sports Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy (subject to additional requirements), Health Promotion, Strength and Conditioning or Research Methods. Many graduates progress to Master’s degrees, enabling them to specialise further, move into leadership roles or pursue research and teaching opportunities within health and exercise sciences.