Professional Skills for High-Performance Sport - Letterkenny

Course Overview

Our Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Skills for High-Performance Sport is a 12 week online programme, aimed at sports coaches, practitioners, managers and leaders seeking professional development to deliver greater impact in the challenging environment of high-performance sport.



Working in high-performance sport demands a blend of technical and non-technical professional competencies. This programme develops the non-technical skills and competencies that are essential for success, including leadership, communicating with impact, building trust and relationships, critical thinking and reasoning.



This programme develops specialist knowledge and practice in sport performance innovation together with an ability to address the science of sports performance, technology and engineering for effective innovation management.



A strength of the programme is the development of knowledge and skills via content delivered by expert staff and guest speakers, application to professional practice and experiential learning. The programme enables professionals to develop leadership skills, create high-performing teams and deliver solutions to their unique performance challenges.



Who Should Apply?

This programme is aimed at sports coaches, practitioners, managers and leaders seeking professional development to deliver greater impact in the challenging environment of high-performance sport.

Year 1:

Semester 1:

Professional Skills for High-Performance Sport 20 ECTS (M)



(M) = Mandatory

Level 8 in a Sport Performance related area, or an equivalent qualification Applicants may also be eligible to apply on the grounds of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if they have attained appropriate experience and attainment thresholds deemed equivalent to a Level 8 award. This may include professional qualifications and experience of working in sport as a coach, trainer, practitioner, teacher, manager or leader.

Flexible learning courses are popular, and they fill on a first come, first served basis. There are two major intake periods throughout the academic year, September and January.



For January start courses, applications typically open in October, and for September start courses, applications typically open in February. Closing dates for applications are listed on the individual course webpage.

12 weeks, part-time, online delivery.



Recommended Study Hours per week

The course comprises weekly online lectures, directed study and recommended independent study.



On-Campus Attendance Requirement: No attendance required.



Note: Check programme Examination and Assessment requirements, as they may involve examinations to be taken on campus.

Start Date: September 2025.

Careers

Graduate careers typically include roles such as Fitness Instructor, Health and Wellbeing Specialist, Industry Research & Development, Innovation Scientist, Performance Analyst, Personal Trainer, Sports Coach, Sports Development Officer, Sports Scientist, and Strength & Conditioning Coach.