Optimisation of Health for Performance in Irish Dancers - Postgraduate Certificate Programme content
Help Irish dancers achieve peak health for performance and longevity with UL’s online Postgraduate Certificate.
Key information
EU fees per year
€2,500
Non-EU fees per year
€2,500
NFQ Level
NFQ Level 9 Minor
Duration
One year
Attendance
Part-time
Programme type
Taught, Professional / Flexible
Delivery
Online
Start date
September
Award
Postgraduate Certificate
Key information
- Complete part-time over two semesters
- Delivered online. Lectures at flexible times and recorded for your convenience
- Modules taught during autumn and spring semesters
- Modules noted with (M) can be taken as micro-credentials
- You will graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Optimisation for Health in Performance of Irish Dancers
- Can be used to complete 30 credits towards Master of Professional Practice (MPP)
You will learn through a blend of
- Recorded lectures, live sessions, and experiential learning
- Reflective practice and practical activities
- Regular feedback from faculty and peers through group work and assessments
Programme content
Core modules
- CT5041 Optimisation of Health for Performance in Irish Dancing 1 (M) will introduce you to the key principles of health, wellness, and injury prevention specific to Irish dancers, with a focus on musculoskeletal considerations, load management, conditioning, and movement efficiency. Gain practical, evidence-based tools to:
- Injury Prevention in Practice
Apply your knowledge of injury risk factors and mitigation strategies to real-world dance settings and student support. - Anatomy in Action
Understand how anatomical structures and individual variation influence injury risk and performance in Irish dance. - Smart Load Management
Create structured training calendars—covering macro, meso, and micro cycles—to support periodisation, peaking and performance peaking. - Strength & Conditioning for Dancers
Design targeted programmes to build strength, flexibility, and balance, using evidence-based approaches tailored to Irish dancers. - Understanding the Whole Dancer
Explore how physical, psychological, and social factors combine to influence injury risk and resilience. - Promoting Health & Wellbeing
Identify and justify health promotion strategies that support dancer wellbeing and optimise performance outcomes.
Books and journal articles needed for the programme will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.
For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s Book of Modules.
Core modules
- CT5042 - Optimisation of Health for Performance in Irish Dancing 2 (M) will build on foundational knowledge, covering advanced topics such as nutrition, psychology, and performance management to enhance Irish dancers’ longevity and peak performance. Gain practical, evidence-based tools to:
- Psychological Wellness
Understand how mental health and psychological factors influence dancer performance and wellbeing. - Ethics & Legal Responsibilities
Learn your professional obligations as a teacher or parent supporting Irish dancers. - Nutrition for Irish Dancers
Explore evidence-based dietary practices that promote energy, recovery, and peak performance. - Sleep & Travel Management
Set practical goals to improve sleep and manage the effects of jet lag for dancers competing internationally. - Conflict Resolution
Discover effective strategies for resolving disagreements with parents, teachers, and other stakeholders. - Supporting Older Dancers
Address the unique needs of older recreational Irish dancers and promote lifelong healthy dance practices. - Wellbeing in Male Dancers
Recognise and respond to the specific challenges male Irish dancers may face in optimising their performance and wellbeing.
Books and journal articles needed for the programme will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.
For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s Book of Modules.
