Course Overview

About This Course

Push the boundaries of traditional practice with an extensive education in exercise science, physiotherapy and exercise physiology. This unique degree combination will prepare you to provide more comprehensive care for patients across three areas of practice. Prepare yourself for an exciting career in clinical settings such as hospitals or private practices, as well as non-clinical roles such as working with sporting teams or leading advocacy in healthcare management and policy. Exercise scientists are specialists in the human body both at rest and in response to exercise. Physiotherapists are experts in the structure and movement of the human body, using hands-on physical therapy, tailored exercises, rehabilitation technologies and lifestyle modifications to help people affected by injuries, musculoskeletal conditions, and neurological and cardiovascular disorders. Exercise physiologists use physical activity as a rehabilitative and preventative therapy to manage a wide range of conditions. In just five years, you'll gain both a bachelor's and a master's degree, which will accelerate your career in health. This degree has an embedded professional practice stream, where you'll learn alongside students from dietetics and food innovation, clinical exercise physiology and pharmacy programs, developing key interprofessional skills such as effective communication, cultural safety and competence, leadership, advocacy, entrepreneurship and business management.

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

Requirements

Lowest Selection Rank (2026): 98.0 (ATAR + adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR (2026): 88.1 (before adjustment factors)
A Levels (2026): 18.0 (based on four Advanced Level A2 subjects)
IB Diploma (2026): 42.0
Assumed Knowledge: Chemistry, Mathematics Advanced
International ATAR: 94.0
UNSW Foundation Studies GPA: 8.5
Great Britain GCE A Levels (International): 16.0 (minimum two A2 subjects; A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1)
International Baccalaureate Diploma (International): 38.0
SAT (after 2016): 1330.0 (total of evidence-based reading and writing and mathematical test scores; must be provided with evidence of completion of senior secondary studies)
English language requirements: Evidence of English proficiency required for non-Australian Year 12 qualifications; acceptable via English language tests, prior study in English, or other qualifications
Professional requirements: Students must meet physical, cognitive, sensory, communication and ethical/legal standards inherent to Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology practice
Adjustment factors available: Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL) scheme (up to 5 points); Educational Access Scheme (EAS) (1–10 points); Gateway Admission Pathway; Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS)

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

This degree will prepare you to work as an accredited exercise scientist, exercise physiologist and physiotherapist, and pursue a diverse range of roles such as workplace rehabilitation consultant, wellness coordinator or clinical research assistant. You'll have the skills to work with healthy and chronic disease populations across a range of settings, including: public and private hospitals, private practice, aged care, mental health clinics, community exercise and physical activity programs, workplace health and rehabilitation, and sporting organisations. The exercise physiology and physiotherapy professions are growing, with Medicare, Work Cover, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Department of Veteran Affairs and most private health insurers covering services.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Accreditation Details

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Physiotherapy Council

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

Australian Physiotherapy Council

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units34 units

Molecules, Cells and Genes

Year 1 course covering foundational biology.

Exercise and Nutrition

Year 1 course covering nutrition in the context of exercise.

Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics 1

Year 1 course on anatomy and biomechanics.

Interprofessional Practice and Collaborative Care

Year 1 professional practice course on navigating the Australian healthcare system and working with other health professionals.

Human Systems 1

Year 1 course on human physiology.

Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics 2

Year 1 course continuing anatomy and biomechanics.

Human Systems 2

Year 1 course continuing human physiology.

Exercise Physiology and Metabolism

Year 1 course on exercise physiology and metabolic processes.

Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics 3

Year 2 course continuing anatomy and biomechanics.

Exercise Assessment and Testing

Year 2 course on methods of exercise assessment.

Neuroanatomy Fundamentals for Allied Health

Year 2 course on neuroanatomy relevant to allied health.

Exercise Prescription and Delivery

Year 2 course on prescribing and delivering exercise programs.

Driving Behaviour Change 1

Year 2 professional practice course exploring social determinants of health and evidence-based practice.

Motor Learning and Motor Control

Year 2 course on motor control principles.

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 1

Year 2 introduction to musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

Research for Health Care Practices

Year 2 course on research methods in healthcare.

Exercise and Health Across the Lifespan

Year 3 course on exercise across different life stages.

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 2

Year 3 advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

Driving Behaviour Change 2

Year 3 professional practice course exploring mental health, negotiation and advocacy.

Neurological Clinical Practice

Year 3 course on neurological physiotherapy practice.

Cardiorespiratory Clinical Practice

Year 3 course on cardiorespiratory physiotherapy practice.

Clinical Practice for Chronic Conditions

Year 3 course on rehabilitation for chronic conditions.

Exercise Science Professional Placement

Year 3 integrated learning placement completing the Bachelor of Exercise Science component.

Leading Change in the Health Professions

Year 3 professional practice course on leadership and advocacy.

Advanced Neurological Clinical Practice

Year 4 advanced training in neurological rehabilitation.

Advanced Cardiorespiratory Clinical Practice

Year 4 advanced cardiorespiratory physiotherapy.

Advanced Musculoskeletal Clinical Practice

Year 4 advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

Specialist Physiotherapy Practice 1

Year 4 specialist physiotherapy course.

Specialist Physiotherapy Practice 2

Year 4 specialist physiotherapy course.

Preparing for a Career in Health and Beyond

Year 4 professional practice course on securing roles and managing a private practice.

Placement for Exercise Physiology

Year 4/5 clinical placement in exercise physiology.

Physiotherapy Placement 1

Year 4/5 clinical placement in physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy Placement 2

Year 5 clinical placement in physiotherapy.

Health Research Project

Year 5 advanced research course.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours of professional placement will I complete during this degree?

You will complete at least 1,500 hours of real-world professional placements across the five years of the program. Placements span a broad range of settings including exercise science, exercise physiology and physiotherapy, covering health promotion, community and outpatient settings, hospital-based care (cardiorespiratory, intensive and aged care), rehabilitation (neurological and orthopaedic) and more specialised categories such as paediatrics and women's health. Regional, rural and international placements may also be undertaken in your fourth or fifth year.

What qualifications will I graduate with and how does this compare to studying the degrees separately?

Upon completion, you will graduate with three qualifications: a Bachelor of Exercise Science, and a Master of Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology (which includes qualifications as both a physiotherapist and an exercise physiologist). When studied separately, this set of qualifications would normally take a minimum of six to seven years to complete, but this combined program is completed in just five years of full-time study.

Is this degree accredited by professional bodies?

Yes. This program is accredited for two years with conditions by the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC) and has qualifying accreditation from Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) at the level of Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology. The program will be submitted for consideration of full accreditation at the required stage.

What is the professional practice stream and what will I learn from it?

The degree has an embedded professional practice stream comprising seven courses, where you will learn alongside students from dietetics and food innovation, clinical exercise physiology and pharmacy programs. The stream covers critical interprofessional skills including professionalism and communication, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based and value-based healthcare, ethics and law, leadership and business management, innovation and entrepreneurship, advocacy, and investigation and creative problem-solving. It also includes training in mental health, cultural safety and advocacy.

What are the indicative fees for this program?

For domestic students in a Commonwealth Supported Place, the 2026 indicative first year full fee is $11,500, with an indicative full fee to complete the degree of $62,000. For international students, the 2026 indicative first year full fee is $64,000, with an indicative full fee to complete the degree of $354,500. These fees are for tuition only and are subject to annual review.

Application

How to Apply

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Step 01

Enquire

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Step 02

Submit Documents

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Step 03

Get Enrolled

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Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

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