Overview
Course Overview
The Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Exercise enables clinicians to prescribe exercise as a disease preventative and treatment modality in a safe, effective, and scientific manner. Material covered on this course includes how to accurately assess activity and fitness, and apply this knowledge for the safe and effective prescription of exercise. Research presented throughout this course will enable an understanding of the role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of disease, while case scenarios and group discussions will help apply this knowledge to patients with various pathologies.
The P.Grad.Cert. in Clinical Exercise will be delivered online and address how physical activity and exercise can become an integral part of patient prescription. In recent years evidence has emerged on the role of exercise as a treatment for those with depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, rheumatic diseases, and other conditions where exercise was not traditionally considered beneficial.
Is This Course For Me?
This course in Clinical Exercise has been specifically designed to provide health professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to become confident at individually prescribing exercise to people with various pathologies.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this course have gone on to work in the health sector, in a public or private hospital setting, community health, occupational rehabilitation, private clinic, sport and further education or research.
Course Structure
This Level-9 Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Exercise is offered as a one-year online course and carries 30 ECTS. The course runs from September to June.
Students will obtain credit for satisfactory engagement with lectures, by carrying out the required coursework, and by successful timely completion of online examinations and designated assignments.
Course Content
Students take four core modules: Exercise Physiology 1; Physical Activity and Exercise; Exercise in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease; and Exercise Prescription for Clinical Populations.
Click here for more information on modules/subjects.
Study Clinical Exercise (Online) at Trinity
In this video Dr. Cuisle Forde speaks about the online postgraduate certificate and diploma in Clinical Exercise. She details the origins of these courses, the differences between them and how you can find out more.
Course Details
Awards
NFQ Level 9Number of Places
20 PlacesNext Intake
September 2025
Course Coordinator
Dr Cuisle Forde
Course Director
Professor John Gormley
Closing Date
31st July 2025
Admission Requirements
The programme 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 who 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. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page here.
Course Fees
Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees.
Apply
To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below
Get in Touch
Telephone Number
+353 (0)1 8962128
Website
www.tcd.ie/medicine/physiotherapy/postgraduate/online-certificate-in-clinical-exercise
Register Your Interest
Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.