Course Overview

About This Course

The refreshed Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science delivers a nationally consistent, practice-centred curriculum built around 20 shared core units and two contemporary majors, Sport Performance and Exercise Rehabilitation. First-year foundations have been tightened and sequenced to build capability early - Physiological Foundations, then Applied Exercise Physiology, then Adaptation to Exercise - with biomechanics, motor control and learning, psychology and exercise programming integrated into authentic labs and field tasks. A key outcome of the redesigned first year is eligibility for AusActive Personal Trainer registration, enabling most single-degree students to register and practise after Year 1. Mid-course, a strengthened checkpoint unit in Exercise Assessment and Conditioning introduces secure, skills-based assessments so students can design, justify and deliver safe, evidence-based programs before entering practicum. Professional learning is capped by a two-stage practicum: Professional Experience 1, which is internal and supported, and Professional Experience 2, which is external. Across the pair, students complete placements at a minimum of two sites and 140 hours, including 90 hours of exercise testing, prescription and delivery, and undertake capstone assessments including an Objective Structured Clinical Examination. Students also complete 25 hours of community engagement. The 240-credit-point program is aligned to Exercise and Sports Science Australia standards for graduate Accredited Exercise Scientist registration, and builds ASCA accreditation requirements into the strength and conditioning sequence. International study opportunities include community engagement and professional practice in Timor-Leste and Vanuatu, a high performance study tour in the USA, and intensive or semester-length study at ACU's Rome campus. The course emphasises assessment, programming and delivery, ethical person-centred practice and evidence-informed decision-making across sport, health and community settings.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

AUD $12,934

Duration

3 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Intakes

Semester 1 intake: Beginning March 2027 (Applications open August 2026) | Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning August 2027 (Applications open April 2027)

Study Mode

Full-time or part-time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students

An applicant must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at Year 12 level, or equivalent:
- New South Wales: Assumed knowledge: English (Standard) Band 3; Health and Movement Science 11-12; Mathematics (any) OR one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics
- Queensland: Assumed knowledge: English (Units 3 & 4, C); one of General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health or Physical Education (Units 3 & 4, C)
- Victoria: Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
Indicative ATAR: 62.00 (Blacktown), 61.00 (Brisbane), 64.00 (Melbourne), 63.00 (Strathfield).
Applicants who have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above are assigned a new selection rank reflecting study level, duration and grade point average, and may be eligible for credit or recognition of prior learning, which can shorten the course.
ACU also assesses applicants on prior VET study, and on work and life experience.

International students

International applicants need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate and must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, including the English Language Proficiency requirements. International students completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia), an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 must apply for admission through their local Tertiary Admission Centre and are assessed on their performance in those studies (ATAR or equivalent). Apart from this, international applicants meet the same academic prerequisites as domestic applicants. ACU does not publish a course-specific English test score for this course, so international applicants must meet ACU's English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy. Exercise and Sports Science Australia separately requires all individuals seeking initial accreditation to meet its own English language requirements.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

• The health, fitness and recreation industries, including community health settings, corporate health and wellness and injury prevention, or as small business owners
• Academia

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units53 units

EXSC120

Mechanical Bases of Exercise Science

EXSC123

Introduction to Exercise Science

EXSC126

Physiological Foundations of Exercise Science

EXSC133

Foundations of Exercise Science

EXSC142

Anatomical Foundations of Exercise Science

EXSC187

Growth, Motor Development and Ageing

EXSC216

Resistance Training: Science and Application

EXSC222

Functional Anatomy

EXSC226

Exercise Physiology

EXSC230

Motor Control and Learning

EXSC233

Exercise Assessment and Conditioning for Health and Performance

EXSC249

Health, Exercise, and Sport Psychology

EXSC321

Biomechanics

EXSC322

Exercise Physiology: Adaptation to Exercise and the Environment

NUTR101

Introduction to Nutrition

EXSC120

Mechanical Bases of Exercise Science

EXSC123

Introduction to Exercise Science

EXSC126

Physiological Foundations of Exercise Science

EXSC133

Foundations of Exercise Science

EXSC142

Anatomical Foundations of Exercise Science

EXSC187

Growth, Motor Development and Ageing

EXSC222

Functional Anatomy

EXSC226

Exercise Physiology

EXSC230

Motor Control and Learning

EXSC249

Health, Exercise, and Sport Psychology

NUTR101

Introduction to Nutrition

EXSC206

Professional Experience Preparation

EXSC388

Professional Experience 1

EXSC389

Professional Experience 2

EXSC223

Sport, Exercise and Health in Action: Engaging with Community

PHCC102

Being Human

PHCC104

Ethics and the Good Life

PHCC106

Making Sense: Practical Reasoning for Life and Career

THCC100

Revolutionary Values: Christianity in History

THCC101

People Matter: Catholic Social Thought

TPCC100

Life and Meaning: Imagining Ourselves through Art and Cinema

PHCC201

The Origins of the Sciences and Contemporary Challenges

THCC200

Justice in the World: Catholic Social Ethics in Global Perspective

THCC202

Sacred Land: Australian Indigenous Spiritualities and Catholic Thought

TPCC201

Ecology and Justice

TPCC202

Conflict, Violence and Peace-making

EXSP

Sports Performance

EXRB

Exercise Rehabilitation

EXSC310

Strength and Conditioning: Fundamentals of Athlete Preparation

EXSC316

Nutrition for Sports Performance

EXSC318

International Study in High Performance Sport

EXSC320

Advanced Biomechanics

EXSC330

Advanced Motor Control and Learning

EXSC336

Sports Technology

EXSC346

Sports Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation

EXSC349

Psychology of Sport Performance

EXSC394

Exercise Prescription for Health and Wellbeing

EXSC396

Strength and Conditioning: Prescription for Athletic Performance

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science take to complete?

The Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at Australian Catholic University has a duration of 156 weeks as listed on the CRICOS registry.

Does the course include any work placement or practical component?

Yes. Students must complete 140 hours of professional experience (practicum) as part of course accreditation requirements, across a two-stage practicum at a minimum of two sites and including 90 hours of exercise testing, prescription and delivery. Students also complete 25 hours of community engagement.

What is the estimated total cost of the Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science for international students?

ACU's estimated total tuition for international students is AU$100,080, based on an indicative international first-year fee of $33,360 for this course.

At which campuses is the Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science offered?

The course is offered at four campuses: the Blacktown CBD Campus (NSW), Strathfield Campus (NSW), Brisbane Campus (QLD), and Melbourne Campus (VIC), all owned and operated by Australian Catholic University.

Is this course eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

This course may be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights as it is a bachelor degree (Skills Level 1 qualification) with a duration of 156 weeks (greater than 92 weeks), and its field of education (Human Movement, code 069903) would need to align with the Skills Level 1 priority list. Eligibility is reviewed yearly and requires at least one active enrolment at the time of review.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $55,000 to $72,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $72,000 to $90,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $90,000 to $115,000 per year

Career Paths

Exercise ScientistAccredited Exercise Physiologist (with postgraduate qualifications)Strength and Conditioning CoachSports ScientistPerformance Analyst

Key Skills

Human anatomy and musculoskeletal assessmentExercise physiology and cardiovascular testing (e.g. VO2max, lactate threshold)Biomechanical movement analysis and gait assessmentEvidence-based exercise prescription for diverse populationsSports psychology and behaviour change strategies

Full Course Overview

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