Qualification Specification
NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training (603/3491/5)
Introduction
We want to make your experience of working with NCFE as pleasant and easy as possible. This
qualification specification contains everything you need to know about this qualification and should be
used by everyone involved in the planning, delivery and assessment of the Level 3 Diploma in Personal
Training.
All information contained in this specification is correct at the time of publishing.
To ensure that you’re using the most up-to-date version of this qualification specification, please check
the version date in the page headers against that of the qualification specification on our dedicated
qualifications website www.qualhub.co.uk.
If you advertise this qualification using a different or shortened name, you must ensure that learners are
aware that their final certificate will state the full regulated qualification title
Things you need to know
Total Qualification Time (TQT)
Total Qualification Time is the number of notional hours which represents an estimate of the total amount
of time that could reasonably be expected to be required in order for a learner to achieve and
demonstrate the achievement of the level of attainment necessary for the award of a qualification.
Total Qualification Time comprises:
• the Guided Learning Hours for the qualification
• an estimate of the number of hours a learner will reasonably be likely to spend in preparation, study
or any other form of participation in education or training, including assessment, which takes place as
directed by – but not under the immediate guidance or supervision of – a lecturer, supervisor, Tutor
or other appropriate provider of education or training.
About this qualification
This is a regulated qualification. The regulated number for this qualification is 603/3491/5.
This qualification may be eligible for funding. For further guidance on funding, please contact your local
funding provider.
Qualification purpose
This qualification is designed to provide the knowledge, understanding and practical skills needed to
work as a Personal Trainer in a variety of settings. This qualification supports progression into
employment or self-employment as a Personal Trainer.
The qualification will enable learners to become qualified Personal Trainers, ready to make a positive
contribution to the workplace and to the health and well-being of a broad range of clients with different
needs, in different types of environment.
The qualification is mapped to the CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and
Physical Activity) Personal Trainer Professional Standard.
This qualification has also been aligned to the Personal Trainer apprenticeship standard and could be
used to support delivery of the apprenticeship.
Qualification objectives
The objectives of this qualification are to help learners to:
• demonstrate the knowledge, understanding and practical skills needed to work as a Personal Trainer
• develop skills and knowledge in a range of areas relevant to their role, such as understanding health
and safety in a fitness environment, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, marketing and business
planning, as well as personal training programming and delivering personal training sessions.
Achieving this qualification
To be awarded the Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training, learners are required to successfully complete
6 mandatory units.
Mandatory units
The learning outcomes for each unit are provided in Section 2.
The units above may be available as stand-alone unit programmes. Please visit www.ncfe.org.uk/units
for further information.
To achieve the Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training, learners must successfully demonstrate their
achievement of all learning outcomes of the units as detailed in this qualification specification.
Learners who aren’t successful can resubmit work within the registration period; however, a charge may
apply. A partial certificate can be requested for learners who don’t achieve their full qualification but have
achieved at least one whole unit.
Grades are not awarded.
Essential skills
While completing this qualification, learners may develop the knowledge, understanding and essential
skills employers look for in employees. These range from familiar ‘key skills’, such as team working,
independent learning and problem solving, to more tricky-to-measure skills, such as:
• an appreciation for appropriate behaviour and dress
• appropriate interpersonal skills
• communicating with professional colleagues/peers and/or hierarchical seniors
• supporting other aspiring employees
• personal manners and deportment
• understanding work practices and how different roles and departments function within an
organisation.
Unit number Unit title
Unit 01 Applied anatomy and physiology for activity, health and fitness
Unit 02 Client motivation and lifestyle management
Unit 03 Programming personal training sessions
Unit 04 Delivering personal training sessions
Unit 05 Nutrition to support a physical activity programme
Unit 06 Business acumen for personal trainers
