University of Limerick Ireland

Physical Education & Sport Sciences

The University of Limerick Ireland is situated five miles from Limerick City and sits on the banks of the River Shannon.  It is neighboured by the residential community of Castletroy to the south and the technological businesses of the National Technological Park to the east. From the months of September to June it it the academic home to almost 10,000 students with a considerable amount of external visitors during the summer months.

Founded in 1972 and achieving university status in 1989, the University of Limerick is among the highest standards of universities in Europe.

Within the campus of the UL there are many services to facilitate the 10,000 population plus the summer influx of visitors.

Dept of Physical Education & Sport Sciences

The Department for Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) at the University of Limerick (UL) is the only centre for tertiary education and research in Physical Education, and the main centre for Sport and Exercise Science in the Republic of Ireland.  Our department is part of the College of Science, and is located in its own building on the banks of the river Shannon, on the University campus. The department has 16 full time staff and 20 postgraduate researchers.

Courses

PESS hosts two undergraduate degree programmes, Physical Education, and Sport and Exercise Sciences. Both are four-year full time Bachelor of Science programmes, and we have approximately 400 undergraduate students between the two programmes.  The Physical Education degree, run in co-ordination with the College of Education at UL, provides students with the knowledge and experience necessary to teach PE in Irish second level schools.  The Sport and Exercise Sciences degree programme equips students with the analytical and technical abilities necessary to work in applications of science to sport and exercise. In 2002, CAO entry points requirement for the Physical Education degree was 465, whilst the minimum for Sport and Exercise Sciences was 435.

PESS also hosts a part-time Graduate Diploma in Dance, which can lead to a M.Sc. in Dance.  The length of the Diploma course is 1 year, with further study requirements for a M.Sc.  The course usually take on 10 students each year.

The PESS department has also been the main instigator in the University obtaining a B.Sc. programme in Physiotherapy, which started in September 2002.  Other related programmes offered by the University of Limerick are an MSc in Speech and Language Therapy and an MSc in Occupational Therapy.  

Facilities

The PESS building houses a large games hall, gymnasium, dance studio, diving pool, and computer lab.  Other teaching and research facilities include a fully equipped Physiology Laboratory, Biomechanics Laboratory, Motor Skills Laboratory, Biochemistry Laboratory, and an Environmental Chamber.   The in-house 'Café Sportif'  serve drinks, snacks and meals throughout the day.

The University of Limerick has arguably the best sporting facilities in Ireland, with a new (2002) multi-purpose 'University Arena', which includes the first 50 metre swimming pool to be built in Ireland, an indoor games areas, a 60m track, a 250 metre indoor jogging track, strength conditioning facilities, cardiovascular suites and dance studios.  A competition standard outdoor tartan track, tennis courts, and games pitches are also present on campus.

In addition, the University's Activity Centre is situated 15 minutes away on the banks of Lough Derg in Killaloe, where all types of water sport and climbing activities take place.

Research 

Our department has an expanding research portfolio, with research groups in all aspects of Physical Education and Sport and Exercise Science.  Research projects can be funded by external bodies, and occasionally by the University itself.  For information on any available studentships or any available research posts, please go to the studentships page.

International Education Division
University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
Tel: +353 61 202414 Fax: +353 61 213062

University of Limerick Limerick

Ireland

Tel: + 353 61 202841

Fax: + 353 61 330431