Training courses

The one-day Emergency First Aid at Work qualification will teach you how to deal with emergency situations and administer general first aid treatment, and is designed for people who appointed as a designated first aider in the workplace.

The course is ideal for those that are required to hold a first aid qualification but don’t require the more comprehensive First Aid at Work qualification, and covers all the main workplace first aid situations you may need to deal with, including: managing an unresponsive casualty, CPR, choking, shock, bleeding and wounds, along with other minor injuries.

Upcoming course dates

Sunday 11 May 2025

Location

University of Stirling Sport, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Cost

Students and those in full-time education: £85 (non Stirling students, please contact Reception to receive discount)
Non-students: £100

How will the qualification benefit you?

• Created by STA’s first aid experts, providing you with quality training.
• Regulated by Ofqual and Qualifications Wales, and accredited by SQA Accreditation in Scotland.
• Training is in accordance with the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1982.
• Endorsed by CIMSPA, industry leaders in sport and physical activity.
• Will give you the knowledge and confidence to deal with emergency situations, potentially saving someone’s life.
• It’s a perfect starting block to see if first aid responsibilities are for you.

When you get your qualification

• It lasts for three years.
• Your course manual will act as a guide throughout the duration of your qualification, so it’s always there to refer back to should you ever need it.

About the course

The STA Pool Lifeguarding qualification is designed to train learners in pool rescue, CPR techniques, first aid and dealing with poolside emergencies in accordance with National Occupational Standards, Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools, British Standard BS EN 15288 Part 2 Safety Requirements for Operations, and the CIMSPA Employer Led Professional Standards – Pool Lifeguard.

The course is aimed at learners who would like to work as a lifeguard in a swimming pool or leisure centre in a pool supervision capacity. Learners need to be 16 years old at the point of assessment and meet the pre-course requirements listed under the entry requirements.

Upcoming course dates

Monday 9 June - Friday 13 June 2025

Location

University of Stirling Sport, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Cost

Students and those in full-time education: £250 (non Stirling students, please contact Reception to receive discount)
Non-students: £300

Entry requirements

• Be 16 years, or older, at the point of assessment.
• Be able to jump into deep water.
• Be able to swim 50 metres in under 1 minute.
• Be able to swim 100 metres on the front and 100 metres on the back without stopping.
• Be able to tread water for 30 seconds in deep water.
• Be able to surface dive and recover an object from the deepest part of the pool.
• Be able to climb out of the pool unaided without the use of steps or ladders.

Full details of the qualification specification can be found on the STA website.

Please direct any enquiries to our Sport Duty Officers via sportoperations@stir.ac.uk or 01786 466900.

Book your place

Book now via the app, online portal or by contacting reception in person or by phone on 01786 466900.

Booking notes

Students and staff - you must use your University email to sign in and reset your password if signing in for the first time.

Non Stirling students or in full-time education - please contact reception to book your place to have discount applied.

Community - if you do not have an account with University of Stirling Sport, you must create a Pay as You Go account before you can log in to the app.

If you have any queries please contact us via sportreception@stir.ac.uk or 01786 466900 for more information.

About the course

The Pool Plant Operations qualification is the highest level of training available for those who are responsible for the management and maintenance of swimming pools, spas and interactive water features.

The qualification supports the management and maintenance of swimming pools, spas and interactive water features and covers covers all aspects vital to running a wet leisure facility and maintaining healthy and hygienic water.

Upcoming course dates

Tuesday 3 - Thursday 5 June 2025

Location

University of Stirling Sport, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Cost

Students and those in full-time education: £250
Non-students: £275

How Will the Qualification Benefit You?

• Created by STA’s pool plant experts to provide you with quality training
• Regulated by Ofqual
• Training is in accordance with industry best practice and guidance from PWTAG, British and European Standards, HSG 179 and other HSE sources
• Meets CIMSPA’s employer-led pool plant operative professional standard and the essential knowledge and skills that are needed to meet the requirements of the sectors minimum deployment standard
• Will give you comprehensive knowledge on the maintenance and management of swimming pools, spas and interactive water features
• It qualifies you as the responsible person for pool plant management and maintenance at your wet leisure site.

About the course

The three-day First Aid at Work course is perfect for those that are required to hold a first aid qualification in the workplace or any other environment. No previous experience is required, so you can begin your first aid training whenever you need to!

The qualification is the most comprehensive of all our first aid qualifications, and covers a wide range of skills which can be used within a workplace first aid situation, including: assessing the scene, managing an unresponsive casualty, CPR, heart attacks, choking, head and spinal injuries, fractures, anaphylaxis, plus much more.

Upcoming course dates

Monday 14 - Wednesday 16 July 2025

Location

University of Stirling Sport, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Cost

Students and those in full-time education: £175 (non Stirling students, please contact Reception to receive discount)
Non-students: £200

How Will the Qualification Benefit You?

• Created by STA’s first aid experts, providing you with quality training
• Regulated by Ofqual and Qualifications Wales, and accredited by SQA Accreditation in Scotland
• Training is in accordance with the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1982
• Endorsed by CIMSPA, industry leaders in sport and physical activity
• Can give you a head start when applying for jobs
• Will give you in-depth knowledge and the confidence to potentially save someone’s life.

About the course

Both the Active IQ Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Training courses are delivered by the Fitness Education Academy, Scotland's longest established provider of fitness qualifications.

Active IQ Level 2 Gym Instructor - This course is the starting point for those looking to start a career as a fitness/gym instructor to work in a gym environment carrying out inductions, developing programmes and training clients in a gym environment. 

Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training - This course is ideal for those continuing their professional development after completing their Level 2 gym instructor qualification, and are looking to qualify as a personal trainer. 

Full course content and information can be found on the Fitness Education Academy website.

Upcoming course dates

Level 2 Gym Instructor Friday 4 - Sunday 20 July 2025, over three weekends

Level 3 Personal Training Friday 1 - Sunday 17 August, over three weekends

Timetable

Level 2 Gym Instructor
Friday 4 - Sunday 6 July
Saturday 12 - Sunday 13 July
Saturday 19 - Sunday 20 July (assessments)

Level 3 Personal Training
Friday 1 - Sunday 3 August
Saturday 9 - Sunday 10 August
Saturday 16 - Sunday 17 August (assessments)

Location

University of Stirling Sport, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Cost

Level 2 Gym Instructor only
£600

Level 3 Personal Training only
£1600

Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Training package
£1720

All remaining spaces can be booked directly through the Fitness Education Academy.

About the course

Both the Active IQ Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Training courses are delivered by the Fitness Education Academy, Scotland's longest established provider of fitness qualifications.

Active IQ Level 2 Gym Instructor - This course is the starting point for those looking to start a career as a fitness/gym instructor to work in a gym environment carrying out inductions, developing programmes and training clients in a gym environment. 

Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training - This course is ideal for those continuing their professional development after completing their Level 2 gym instructor qualification, and are looking to qualify as a personal trainer. 

Full course content and information can be found on the Fitness Education Academy website.

Upcoming course dates

Level 2 Gym Instructor Friday 4 - Sunday 20 July 2025, over three weekends

Level 3 Personal Training Friday 1 - Sunday 17 August, over three weekends

Timetable

Level 2 Gym Instructor
Friday 4 - Sunday 6 July
Saturday 12 - Sunday 13 July
Saturday 19 - Sunday 20 July (assessments)

Level 3 Personal Training
Friday 1 - Sunday 3 August
Saturday 9 - Sunday 10 August
Saturday 16 - Sunday 17 August (assessments)

Location

University of Stirling Sport, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Cost

Level 2 Gym Instructor only
£600

Level 3 Personal Training only
£1600

Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Training package
£1720

All remaining spaces can be booked directly through the Fitness Education Academy.

About the course

The Scottish Swimming Teacher Qualification (SSTQ) is the industry standard for those who wish to teach unsupervised to groups of swimmers with a range of abilities and is essential for seeking employment as a swimming teacher. This qualification is achieved from a practically based course and will allow you to gain the necessary skills and experience prior to progressing to an aquatics working environment. It will support your ongoing learning and development ensuring that you are fully prepared to deliver high quality lessons. This qualification sits on the Scottish Qualifications and Credit Framework (SQCF Level 7).

You must be a Scottish Swimming member before booking. If you are not already, you can join by visiting the Scottish Swimming website. Select online membership, register, then add UKCC Trainee membership.

Upcoming course dates

There is no course currently scheduled but please check here for further updates.

Timetable example

Cost

£575

Funding

sportscotland subsidy is available to candidates who meet the set eligibility criteria.* Applications must be made prior to booking your chosen course via the Scottish Swimming JustGo system. If successful in your application, you will be awarded with a credential on your JustGo membership account which will subsequently grant you a discount at checkout.

*For further information and to check if you are eligible/how to apply, please contact education@scottishswimming.com. 

Book your place

Book your place on the course on the Scottish Swimming website.

For course queries, email our Swim Programme Coordinator at sld3@stir.ac.uk.