Bachelor of Arts Spa and Wellness Management
Course Overview
-
3
Years
-
7
Level
-
200
Points
-
AL760
CAO Course Code
Why take this course?
Are you interested in wellness practices and in complementary therapies? Have you always wanted to combine this interest with business and management skills? If so, this is the degree programme is for you.
This degree is the only one of its kind in Ireland. Its unique perspective is aimed at delivering technical knowledge and practical skills to enable graduates to seek employment in a wide range of areas in the wellness industry. As well as including management modules, specialist complimentary therapy modules are included in every semester of the programme.
Students in the Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure are eligible to take part in annual international fieldtrips. In 2016 we visited Paris, Poznan and Beijing and in
2017 we will be going to Dubai and Italy. In addition, there are regular national and international field trips specifically related to the wellness industry.
Find out more about this course, our facilities and meet our staff & students by attending one of our regular open evenings.
What will I experience?
On this programme, you will experience a wide range of practical demonstrations, class activities, guest speakers and events relating to a wide variety of wellness philosophies such as hydrotherapy, Eastern and Asian therapies and complimentary therapies and many more. Additionally, you will examine management principles in areas such as professional therapy practice, wellness programme development, wellness tourism, accounting, human resources, marketing and entrepreneurship.
You will visit trade shows, wellness centres, retreats and related businesses and learn of industry developments. You will also apply your learning to practical, real-life situations by organising wellness events and voluntary activities through the extensive links we have with the wellness industry and community-based services.
All students on the programme undertake a Work Placement of 120 hours in year two, providing the vital practical experience highly valued by employers in the wellness industry.
In addition, students have the opportunity to undertake a semester or year of your degree at one of AIT’s overseas partner universities. AIT has links with Adam Mickiewicz University (Poznan, Poland).
What opportunities might it lead to?
The wellness industry is one of the fastest growing markets in the world, experiencing a worldwide growth of 12% between 2012 and 2013. It provides nearly two billion dollars in income nationally and is worth 3.4 trillion dollars globally. The employment market in this field is therefore very active and still evolving.
Upon successful completion of this programme, you will be able to critically appraise the role, scope and diversity of wellness in society, display competencies in leadership, innovation, creativity, decision making, communication and problem solving at managerial level. Because of this and the specialist knowledge our graduates have of wellness principles, many have obtained employment as therapists, assistant managers, managers, trainers and advisors in wellness & holistic centres & colleges, spas, professional associations, rehabilitation centres, community-based services, cruise liners and industry suppliers.
Additional Information
Students will also be required to complete 120 hours of work placement.
Assessment Information
We place a lot of emphasis on student support and so we aim to provide a learning environment that is both stimulating and academically challenging, whilst also supporting your learning. You will encounter a range of teaching methods - from lectures, workshops and seminars to hands-on practical therapy sessions and community engagement events.
The course is taught by experienced lecturers with a track record of industry success in many sectors including the wellness, hospitality and tourism sectors.
We appreciate that different students have different learning styles and so we provide a range of assessment approaches to suit everybody. Some of the ways we assess your work are projects, portfolios, event organisation, participation in practical work, demonstrations, and voluntary community initiatives, presentations, group work, client consultation & treatments, written examinations, multiple-choice tests and essays.
Course Details
- Course Duration:
- 3 Years
- CAO Course Code:
- AL760
- Cut Off CAO Points:
- 200
- Median CAO Points:
- 235
- Course Award:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Course NFQ Level:
- Level 7
- Department:
- Dept of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Studies
- Minimum Entry Requirements:
-
Grade O6 at ordinary level in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate examination. Two of these subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish).
QQI (FETAC):
Any QQI level 5 qualification is acceptable.
National Vetting:
Bureau All students on this programme will undertake National Vetting Bureau procedures prior to commencing their work placement. Failure to disclose previous convictions will result in students being dismissed from the programme. Previous convictions, depending on their nature, could result in student dismissal from the programme
Spa and Wellness at AIT video
Athlone Institute of Technology offers the only Spa & Wellness Management degree programme in Ireland and one of just a few in Europe. As well as various management principles, included in this unique programme are practical demonstrations and class activities, community-based initiatives, wellness events, national and international field trips to wellness centres, spas, retreats and trade shows.
Designed in consultation with both leading industry and academic experts, the programme will appeal to both the young student interested in entering the wellness industry as well as existing spa & wellness professionals looking to further develop their skills and knowledge of in this evolving field.
Lecturer Testimonial
Nichola Ryan
There are many opportunities throughout this programme to apply taught theoretical knowledge to authentic real-life situations. This offers a unique opportunity for students to develop a successful management career in this exciting, evolving industry.
Student Testimonial
Siobhan Tobin
I really enjoyed this programme. There was a great mix of subjects, practical aspects & field trips. It has given me so many employment options going forward and I would highly recommend the programme to anyone with an interest in the wellness industry.
Careers & Opportunities
Career Prospects
Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Spa and Wellness Management will be qualified to work as spa managers, assistant spa managers, owners/entrepreneurs and spa receptionists.
Further Study
Graduates of this programme will be eligible to progress to the BB (Hons) in Wellness Tourism.