The BSc (Hons) degree course in Health and Leisure Studies is an innovative, multidisciplinary course, which seeks to enhance the skills and expertise of those wishing to further their careers in a range of organisations in the field of Health Promotion or alternatively the Leisure and Fitness industry. It will also appeal to those with an active involvement in working with young people in formal and informal settings and also provides opportunities to proceed to post-graduate courses in Education and Health Promotion.

Teaching & Learning

Opened in 2007, the new Orchard Building provides state of the art facilities for Health and Leisure students.  Facilities include a sports hall, dance studio, exercise laboratory, fitness suite and seminar rooms which provide appropriate facilities to teach the course in comfortable surroundings.

The team of Health and Leisure Studies lecturers is drawn from a range of backgrounds - physical education, sports development, health promotion and leisure management.  The staff are also supported by a Course Consultative Committee which includes representatives from the health and leisure industry and regularly meet to advise on the content of the degree. 

In order to allow students to build on the skills, knowledge and expertise which they have already developed before entering the course, the staff provide a supportive and flexible approach to the modules. Key Skills are also developed throughout the modules, during all three years of the course. The importance of information and communication technologies is acknowledged through workshops which are available to students in addition to the degree modules.

As students gain confidence and expertise, Years 2 and 3 of the course require greater amounts of self-directed study accompanied by project work as well as a research-based project (Dissertation) in Year 3. This approach will facilitate the development of effective practitioners in health and leisure settings.

A recent development in the College is the introduction of the Student Communication Centre which is staffed by students and provides advice in relation to writing skills and examination preparation.

Course Content

The course comprises eighteen modules, six to be taken per year. Students entering the course in Year 1 will develop personal and transferable skills as well as subject-based knowledge. The first year of the course includes three strands - Business Management, Sports Studies and Health Promotion.

The course is designed to facilitate a period of work placment which enables students to carry out projects in the leisure industry, work in health and health promotion or youth work. The placements will provide important opportunities to develop skills and a context for many modules, particularly the research-based dissertation.

In Years 2 and 3, the three strands (Business Management, Sports Studies and Health Promotion) are further developed through modules such as Managing People, Exercise Science, Contemporary Issues in Health and Leisure, Project Managment, Sports Development and Psychology of Physical Activity.  The course culminates in a research-based dissertation which is work-related.

All students will be able to avail themselves of the opportunity to study in Europe under the Erasmus scheme, during the second semester of the second year. This entails spending three months in a host university studying appropriate modules relevant to Health and Leisure. Health and Leisure Studies have links to host universities in Sweden, Malta and Turkey.

Career Opportunities

This course attracts many applicants with a strong interest and involvement in sport and leisure activities in the public and private sectors. It also appeals to those with an interest in the health and wellbeing of a range of groups from children and youth groups to the elderly. There is a wide range of opportunities for employment within both health promotion and leisure.

The degree will provide excellent preparation for those seeking employment in the Leisure and Tourism industry or as Health Promotion professionals in a range of organisations. Some graduates of the course progress to a PGCE in Physical Education.

BSc Hons Health and Leisure Studies Course Leaflet Full-Time Entry 2011