The NCEF provides and facilitates comprehensive education and training for exercise and health fitness professional instructors in Ireland.An academic affiliate of the University of Limerick (UL) since June 2006, all NCEF graduates receive statutory awards from UL including Certificate (Fitness Instructor), Higher Certificate (Specialist Instructor), Diploma (Advanced Instructor/Tutor) and Degree (Management) Level. The NCEF administration office is located on UL campus within the Physical Education & Sports Sciences (PESS). NCEF/UL courses/modules are developed, operated and stringently monitored in line with UL's academic regulations and the exercise & health fitness industry demands. New policies are developed and implemented on an ongoing basis responding to Industry needs, and specific procedures are closely followed. In addition course/modules are audited by aligned to Europe Active (formerly the European Health Fitness Association (EHFA). Europe Active is the approved industry quality assurance body for the European health and fitness sector.The UL/NCEF Pathway provides an opportunity for aspiring exercise & health fitness professionals to follow a flexible learning pathway from year 1 certificate, year 2 higher certificate, year 3 diploma and onwards to year 4 degree accumulating European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) on a stage by stage basis. Years 1-4 on the flexible learning pathway are placed at Level 6-8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and Levels 5-7 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

Education & Training Fitness Instructor Personal Training Strength & Conditioning Pilates & Corrective Exercise Active Ageing Fit for Life Children's Fitness Facility Operations Studio Cycling Tutor Education Advanced Practitioner Management Education & Training Strength & Conditioning Pilates & Corrective Exercise Children's Fitness Healthcare Facility/Healthcare Services Health and Allied Services Nec Health Wellness and Fitness