Course Overview

About This Course

This double degree combines core curricula from Exercise Science and Business. The Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science focuses on the benefits of exercise and a healthy lifestyle in the contexts of elite sport, recreational physical activity, community health and wellbeing. Exercise scientists play an important role in improving the health, fitness, wellbeing and performance of individuals, groups and the community, through coaching and training in sport and athletic performance, educating about exercise for health and wellbeing, and implementing behaviour modification strategies. ACU is well placed to prepare graduates as exercise scientists, with well-established exercise science programs that are recognised internationally for research and learning. Alongside this you gain a fundamental understanding of accounting, finance, marketing and business law, so combining the two degrees equips graduates to bring business skills and knowledge to their career. The course totals 320 credit points: 180 credit points of Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science study made up of specified exercise and sports science units, professional experience units and a community engagement unit; 120 credit points of specified business units; and 20 credit points of Core Curriculum units. You complete 40 hours of community engagement and 140 hours of professional experience during the third and fourth years of the course, either as a block or distributed over the final two years, meeting the Exercise and Sports Science Australia requirements for exercise science accreditation. ACU is connected to sporting organisations including the Australian Institute of Sport, AFL, NRL and A-League clubs and Tennis Australia. In New South Wales, exercise science units are offered at Strathfield and business units at North Sydney.

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 $13,952

Duration

4 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 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: not yet published - ACU lists the ATAR for this course as 'New' at Melbourne and 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.

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

• Recreation or sporting clubs
• Physical activity planning for young people or the elderly
• Family and community services
• The health and fitness industry
• Government agencies
• State sporting associations
• Rehabilitation clinics
• Personal training

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units42 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

EXSC206

Professional Experience Preparation

EXSC388

Professional Experience 1

EXSC389

Professional Experience 2

EXSC223

Sport, Exercise and Health in Action: Engaging with Community

BAFN200

Principles of Finance

BUSN105

Financial Literacy

BUSN113

Managing People and Organisations

BUSN114

Marketing Essentials

ENTR301

Managing Entrepreneurship and Innovation

HRMG204

Organisational Behaviour

ITEC100

Information Technology in Action

ITEC307

Design Thinking for Business Strategy

LEGL101

Introduction to Business Law: Legal Frameworks for Businesses

MGMT212

Global Comparative Management

MGMT214

Leadership and Organisational Sustainability

MKTG201

Buyer Behaviour

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

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The course has a duration of 208 weeks, as listed in the CRICOS registry for this dual qualification at Australian Catholic University.

What is the total estimated cost of the Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science/Bachelor of Business?

ACU's estimated total tuition for international students is AU$146,496, based on an indicative international first-year fee of $36,624 for this course.

Does this course include a work component?

Yes. Students complete 140 hours of professional experience and 40 hours of community engagement during the third and fourth years of the course. The professional experience can be undertaken either as a block or distributed over the final two years, and meets the Exercise and Sports Science Australia requirements for exercise science accreditation.

At which campuses can I study the Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science/Bachelor of Business?

ACU offers this course at the Melbourne Campus in VIC and the Strathfield Campus in NSW, for both domestic and international students. The handbook also lists Brisbane as an approved location but notes the course is not offered there in 2027. In NSW, exercise science units are taught at Strathfield and business units at North Sydney.

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

This course is not eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights because one of its fields of education (the 2nd qualification) falls under the 08 - Management and Commerce broad field, which is excluded from the extended Post-Study Work Rights criteria.

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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