Physical Education Studies - Kerry

The Higher Diploma in Physical Education (P.E) Studies is a two-year (four semesters), part-time NFQ Level 8 programme with 60 ECTS credits of Physical Education-related content. The course is designed for delivery in a blended mode, delivered partly online and partly on campus. Online content is delivered weekly while on-campus study blocks are scheduled for specific times of the academic year.

Year 1 (Semester 1 and 2)

Pedagogy of Physical Education 1

Pedagogy of Games

Pedagogy of Gymnastics

Pedagogy of HRA and Athletics

Pedagogy of Dance Pedagogy of Adventure



Year 2 (Semester 3 and 4)

Pedagogy of Physical Education 2

Inclusive Physical Education

Facilitating Wellbeing

Pedagogy of Aquatics

Performance Physiology: Testing and Training Sport in Society

There is a two-stage application process.



STAGE 1- Prospective applicants are asked to submit the following



Evidence of verifiable engagement in sport and / or physical activity in the form of a portfolio of experience (60%). The portfolio should include coaching qualification and experience, and a portfolio evidencing engagement in leadership / coaching / teaching role in a sport, a physical activity or physical education. Evidence should include activity type, venue (facility), age profile and number of participants, purpose of the session(s), name and contact details of activity leader/s.

Personal Statement (40%) The personal statement should include academic background, professional background, experience and professional goals / aspirations.

Applicants will be ranked on the basis of these documents.



STAGE 2 - Based on the portfolio and personal statement, applicants will be selected to attend for interview

The programme is specifically designed to cater for two cohorts of applicants.



Qualified secondary school teachers, registered with the Irish Teaching Council, who wish to add Physical Education to their portfolio of qualified subjects.

Graduates of degree programmes in a cognate area to physical education, who do not meet the full teaching council requirements for physical education and who intend to apply for a place on a Professional Master of Education (Physical Education) and ultimately qualify as a PE teacher. Such applications will be processed on a case-by-case basis, and in many instances these modules may be completed within the one academic year.



This course has been designed in line with the Teaching Council’s curricular subject registration requirements for Physical Education and as such, graduates of the programme will meet all of the Irish Teaching Council’s current subject requirements for Physical Education.



Where applicants have completed a degree in a cognate area to ‘physical education’ they may have already completed some areas of Physical Education study required by the Teaching Council.



On this basis, applicants are able to complete individual curricular modules from the Higher Diploma programme to meet their current deficit in Teaching Council requirements.