Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions prior to enrolling. If you can not find the answer to your question here, please feel free to contact Vanessa on our chat line.

How do I enrol?
Do I have to pay for the whole course up front?
When can I start the course?
How do I study the theory?
What do I do about the practical component?
What happens on the practical assessment day?
How long do I have to complete the course?
What type of first aid certificate do I need?
Are the courses recognised in the UK and internationally?
What are the typical rates of pay I can expect?
What computer equipment do I need?

How do I enrol?
Click on ‘course enrolment’ above then follow the prompts. The system will ask you to enter your personal details and ask you to choose your own User Name and Password. This is what you will use to access your student desktop and the online study material. You may pay for the course online using your credit or debit card or contact us to discuss alternative payment arrangements.

Do I have to pay for the whole course up front?
No you don’t. FIE offer three different payment options.

1. You may chose to pay for the course in full
2. You may choose to pay an initial deposit and then select from a 6, 12, 18 or 24 month payment option. NB: not all payment options are available for all course.
3. You may choose to pay a 20% deposit for the course and then apply for a Career Development Loan.

Not all payment options are available on all courses. Please refer to the specific course outline for further details.

When can I start the course?
Because the course is an online home study course you may enrol at any time and start your study immediately. You may access the study material online or download a handbook which you may print off to read when offline.

How do I study the theory?
The theory component of the course is completed online i.e. over the internet using your computer. There are animations and videos giving practical demonstrations of various exercises etc. Your understanding is then tested using online worksheets, after which your results are instantly available. There is also a handbook to download and print off if you wish to study when not connected to the internet.

What do I do about the practical component?
The practical component of the course is completed through a work experience program. You will be placed in a commercial fitness center local to you where you will be supervised by qualified instructors. You may contact a club your self or send us the details of where you would like to complete your practicum and we will organise it for you.

What happens on the practical assessment day?
We hold a practical assessment day at least once per month on a Saturday. We have assessment venue in London, Coventry and Manchester. The day consists of a one hour closed book theory paper and a practical assessment. The requirements of the practical assessment will depend on the course you are studying, the details of which will be made available to you upon commencement of the practical assessment module.

How long do I have to complete the course?
There is not time limit for the completion of the theory component and practical assessment. Once you have completed the practical assessment however, you must apply for you certification within 6 months.

What type of first aid certificate do I need?
A one day basic first aid training course that includes CPR is required. We recommend St Johns or the Red Cross. The certificate is then valid for 3 years.

Are the courses recognised in the UK and internationally?
Yes, because we offer courses accredited through Central YMCA Qualifications, your qualification will be recognised by the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) and the National Register of Personal Trainers (NRPT) in the UK. Central YMCA Qualifications are also recognised in most countries however you may have to re-sit an exam in some countries eg: the USA.

What are the typical rates of pay I can expect?
The rates of pay vary. A great site to have a look at is www.leisurejobs.com to give you a an idea of the positions available and the current rates of pay.

What computer equipment do I need?
The web site functions best on PC's. There have been some issues on some Apple Mac's however not all. To test your system, we recommend trying the sample course. If you have any difficulties, please call us on 0870 606 1317 and we will be able to assist with any difficulties you may have.