Follow Your Passion for Sports: Frequently Asked Questions on Sports Courses for Leaving Certs and Parents

When it comes to knowing what to study after the Leaving Certificate, parents can have as many questions as students themselves.

It is completely normal as a parent or guardian to want the best for your child as they embark on a whole new journey outside of school and into the world of further or higher education. And we hope that those students want the best for themselves too.

At Portobello Institute, we support students to fulfil their potential and follow their passion, not the crowd. This means knowing what you are truly passionate about, what motivates you and gets you out of bed on a cold winter morning and choosing the course for your career success based on that passion.

If you are a Leaving Cert student researching your options in sport or a parent trying to support your child to follow their passion for a career in sport, this article is here to help you learn about our entry requirements, why Portobello Institute is different and how to apply or find out more information.

To see our courses and upcoming start dates, visit our sports department here. To read interesting interviews with people who followed their passion for sports, read our Knowledge Zone here.

Is Portobello Institute on the CAO? Why/Why Not?

In short, no you won't find us in the CAO application process. Portobello Institute accepts direct applications to the college. This makes our programmes more accessible to you as our entry requirements are not based on points but rather on your overall academic ability and interest in the course you want to pursue. Our entry requirements are moderate and static meaning they don't change, they are achievable and realistic. You can read more about them below.

You can apply directly to Portobello Institute via our website or by giving us a call. On our website, you will find all the information you need about the courses we carry and new ones coming on stream in the near future, fees, student success stories, career opportunities, assignments, modules and our student support.

Also, because we are not on the CAO, we do not operate under the same deadlines. We do recommend booking a consultation sooner rather than later to ensure your place on the program of your interest. We can give conditional offers if you apply before the Leaving Cert, meaning you can secure your place ahead of time pending your results, taking the stress out of your results and waiting around all summer to decide what you are doing.

What Are The Entry Requirements for Sports Courses?

For our sports degrees, we require a minimum of a grade C or O6 in ordinary level Biology or Physical Education.

Additionally, you will also need a grade C or O6 in ordinary-level English and Maths, with a pass in three other subjects.

There are no minimum points requirements with any of our sports degree programs.

If you do not hold the minimum grade for either Biology or PE or you are not currently studying either of those subjects, you can take the QQI Level 5 Anatomy & Physiology course over the summer to bring you up to speed for starting your degree in autumn.

It will take three months to complete and will allow you to enrol on one of our degree programs. You can find out more about this Anatomy & Physiology bridging course here.

How Can I Start the Application Process?

The best thing you can do is book a consultation with our expert sports advisor Jo Shaw. She can help you with any queries or concerns you may have. You can book a call here.

Once you have decided that Portobello is the place for you to follow your passion, you can make a payment in the form of a deposit or the full fees for the year to confirm a place on your chosen programme for the Autumn start.

Find Out More

At Portobello Institute we have a number of sports undergraduate degrees that can help you or your son or daughter to follow their passion with career success in mind.

• BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy - Study this full time or through blended learning. This course is awarded by the University of Essex and is the ideal foundation for anyone who wants to go on to be a sports therapist or progress to physiotherapy. 
• BA (Hons) Physical Education - Study this exciting new course full time or through blended learning. This course is awarded by our university partner Liverpool John Moore's, a leading university globally in the area of sports science. This course is ideal for those who want to go on to become a PE Teacher or a coach.
• BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science - This excellent course is also delivered full time or through blended learning. Also awarded by Liverpool John Moore’s University, this course gives students the opportunity to take a broader approach to sports science, opening many doors for career and study progression after depending on what area they enjoy more. Sports scientists work in the sports industries with athletes, coaches and governing bodies to help improve elite performance, as scientists within sports technology companies or in communities promoting healthy lifestyles through sport and exercise.

To find out more about these courses and the master's programmes they progress on to, visit our sports department page here.

You can also hear from our graduates and their experience of their time here. Read their stories here.

If you are interested in any of our sports courses or have any questions you can book a consultation call with our expert sports advisor Jo Shaw here, email jo.shaw@portobelloinstitute.com or call 01 892 0024.