Quick answer: Strength and conditioning courses in Ireland range from short CPD certificates costing a few hundred euro to university programmes costing many times more. EPI’s full National Certificate in Strength & Conditioning is €1,200 in person or €995 online, and eligible jobseekers can apply for up to €1,000 through the Training Support Grant.
Price is the easiest thing to compare and the least useful on its own. Two courses at the same price can differ hugely in how many hours of practical coaching you get, what is included, and what the qualification lets you do afterwards. This guide shows you how to compare properly – and how to fund your course.
What strength and conditioning courses cost in Ireland, by course type
| Course type | Relative cost | What you typically get |
|---|---|---|
| Short CPD workshop (1–3 days) | € | A single topic or phase; a certificate of attendance or completion |
| Short-course S&C certificate (around 6 days) | €€ | A full practical syllabus delivered over a few weekends, with an assessment |
| Framework-levelled blended programme | €€–€€€ | An NFQ- or RQF-levelled award, usually spread over several weeks with online study |
| University degree or MSc | €€€€ | Academic depth over one to four years, often a route to professional accreditation |
Prices change frequently and many providers run seasonal discounts, so always check the current price on each provider’s own website before you compare.
How to judge value, not just price
Cost per hour of practical coaching
S&C is a practical skill. The most useful single number you can ask any provider for is how many hours of supervised, hands-on coaching you get.
As a worked example, EPI’s published NCSC timetable runs each course day from 08:30 to around 16:30. After lunch and breaks, that is roughly 19 to 20 hours of teaching per three-day phase, or about 39 hours across the full NCSC. At €1,200, that works out at roughly €31 per teaching hour – and 17 of the 28 timetabled sessions are practical rather than lecture.
Ask every provider for the same figures, and compare like with like.
What is included
Check whether the price covers the exam, any re-sits, course materials and access to online content after the course. With EPI’s in-person NCSC, the €1,200 includes:
- Six days of in-person coaching in Dublin or Belfast
- Free access to the on-demand NCSC course (listed at €995)
- Free access to the on-demand Velocity Based Training course (listed at €300)
- S&C ebooks, journal articles and learning resources on EPI’s online platform
- The online NCSC exam and ongoing mentoring and career support
What the qualification unlocks
A cheaper course that does not let you get insured, or that your target employer does not accept, is not good value. EPI states that NCSC graduates are eligible for professional indemnity and public liability insurance. If a framework level or register matters for your goal, read our guide to how strength and conditioning qualifications are recognised.
EPI course prices for 2027
| Course | Format | Price |
|---|---|---|
| National Certificate in Strength & Conditioning (NCSC) | 6 days in person, Dublin or Belfast | €1,200 (listed at €1,340) |
| Phase 1 Strength & Conditioning Course | 3 days in person | From €595 |
| Phase 2 Strength & Conditioning Course | 3 days in person | From €595 |
| Youth Strength & Conditioning Course (YSCC) | 3 days in person | From €595, plus €100 exam fee |
| On-demand NCSC | Online, self-paced, lifetime access | €995 |
| On-demand Phase 1 or Phase 2 | Online, self-paced, lifetime access | €495 each |
Prices are correct at the time of writing. See the NCSC course page and upcoming course dates for current fees and availability.
Funding your course: the Training Support Grant
The Training Support Grant (TSG) is a Department of Social Protection scheme that funds quick access to short-term training for jobseekers and people on certain social welfare payments. According to Citizens Information, it provides up to €1,000 a year.
The grant is decided by a case officer at your local Intreo Centre. It is intended to address an identified skills gap that could stop you getting work, and the government says it is available where similar courses are not available free of charge from other programmes such as SOLAS or the Education and Training Boards.
EPI states that its courses are approved for the TSG. If the full €1,000 is approved, the in-person NCSC would cost you €200. Approval is not automatic, so treat it as a possibility to discuss rather than a guaranteed discount.
How to apply
- Speak to your case officer at your local Intreo Centre about your training need.
- If they agree, they will give you the TSG application form.
- Send the form to EPI at info@epicertification.com so the provider section can be completed.
- Return it to your case officer and wait for approval.
- Once approved, book your place on the course.
The TSG is a scheme in the Republic of Ireland for people receiving Irish social welfare payments. If you live in Northern Ireland, check what local funding support is available to you.
Deposits and instalment options
For EPI’s in-person courses, you can pay in full or secure your place with a 15% deposit, with the remaining balance paid before the course starts. On-demand courses can be paid in full or split into three interest-free payments. Full conditions are in EPI’s terms and conditions.
Questions to ask any provider before you pay
- How many hours of supervised practical coaching are included?
- Is the exam included in the price? What does a re-sit cost?
- What will the qualification let me do – get insured, join a register, earn continuing-education units?
- Do I keep access to course materials after I finish?
- What is the cancellation and transfer policy?
- Is the course approved for the Training Support Grant?
- What will travel and accommodation add if the venue is not near me?
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to get an S&C qualification in Dublin?
If you are on a qualifying social welfare payment, the Training Support Grant can cover up to €1,000 of an approved course, which would bring EPI’s in-person NCSC down to €200 if the full amount is approved. Otherwise, the lowest entry points are a single phase from €595 or an on-demand phase for €495.
Is the Training Support Grant available for S&C courses?
EPI states that its courses are approved by the Department of Social Protection for the Training Support Grant. Approval for an individual is decided by a case officer at your local Intreo Centre, so speak to them before you book.
Can I pay for the NCSC in instalments?
For in-person courses, EPI offers payment in full or a 15% deposit with the balance paid before the course starts. On-demand courses can be paid in full or in three interest-free payments.
Is an online S&C course better value than in-person?
The on-demand NCSC costs €995 against €1,200 in person, but the in-person course includes free access to the online version as well as six days of supervised practical coaching. If you need hands-on correction of your coaching technique, in-person is usually the better value.
| Check whether you can get your course funded
Talk to your Intreo case officer, then contact EPI and we will help with the provider section of your Training Support Grant form. Or see the full NCSC fees and funding details. |
