Program Overview

Overview of the Clinical Exercise Program

The Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Exercise is designed to equip clinicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to prescribe exercise as a disease preventative and treatment modality in a safe, effective, and scientific manner. This program goes beyond the scope of the Certificate by teaching students how to critically appraise relevant literature, conduct clinical research, and analyze data. The Diploma also includes a practical element, where students learn and are examined on the practical skills needed to measure outcomes associated with clinical exercise prescription.

Is This Course For Me?

The program is open to graduates from medicine, nursing, dietetics and nutrition, medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and physiology.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this course have gone on to work in the health sector, in public or private hospital settings, community health, occupational rehabilitation, private clinics, sports, and further education or research.

Course Structure

This Postgraduate Diploma can be completed in one or two academic years and will be made up of 60 ECTS. With the exception of one blended module, all course material will be online, with some material presented in real-time (synchronous live webinars) and some material recorded for students to complete in their own time. All students will be required to have a computer with good internet access, a microphone, and a webcam.

Course Content

The Diploma in Clinical Exercise consists of seven modules:

• Exercise Physiology 1
• Physical Activity and Exercise
• Exercise in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease and Exercise Prescription for Clinical Populations
• Advancements in Clinical Exercise
• Exercise Physiology 2
• Practical Applications of Clinical Exercise

Students will be assessed through the timely submission of written work, the completion of multiple-choice quizzes, and a practical exam. Marks will also be awarded for substantial relevant contributions to discussion boards and for engagement with online learning resources.

Course Details

Awards

• NFQ Level 9

Number of Places

• 20 Places

Next Intake

• September 2025

Course Coordinator

• Dr. Cuisle Forde

Course Director

• Professor John Gormley

Closing Date

• 31 July 2025

Admission Requirements

The program is open to applicants with an NFQ Level-8 qualification or equivalent professional degree at 2.1 level (or equivalent) in the field of medicine, nursing, dietetics and nutrition, medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or physiology. Graduates from other degree courses will be assessed on an individual basis.

Applicants who do not fit these criteria but have clinical experience will be assessed on an individual basis by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements.

Course Fees

For a full list of postgraduate fees, please refer to the relevant section.

Program Registration

Registration for the program is available through the official channels.