Course Overview

About This Course

Exercise and sports scientists improve the health, performance and participation of individuals, teams and athletes through exercise programming and delivery, athlete training, and health advice, while psychological science explores how the mind works and why people behave the way they do. Combined in this four-year double degree, they prepare graduates to help clients reach peak performance: alongside a complex understanding of human behaviour, students focus on how exercise and healthy lifestyles, in elite sport and recreational physical activity, contribute to community health and wellbeing. Graduates complete a sequence in psychology accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) at Level 1, and the degree also holds provisional accreditation from Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) at the exercise science level for the Strathfield and Melbourne campuses.

The course requires 340 credit points: 140 credit points of specified psychology units, 20 credit points of Core Curriculum units and a 10 credit point psychology community engagement unit, plus 150 credit points of specified exercise and sports science units and 20 credit points of professional experience units. Students complete 140 hours of professional experience (practicum), integrating theory with practical skills in host organisations and meeting ESSA's requirements for exercise scientist accreditation, and there are opportunities in third year to complete 25 hours of community engagement in PSYC310. ACU is connected to sporting organisations including the National Institute Network, AFL, NRL and A-League clubs, Tennis Australia and America's NBA. A student who completes 70 credit points of 100-level exercise and sports science specified units plus 10 credit points from any other unit in the program may exit with a Diploma in Exercise Science.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

Open in Maps ↗

Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

AUD $11,916

Duration

4 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Intakes

Semester 1 intake: Beginning March 2027 (Applications open August 2026) | Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not offered this intake

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 2) or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD), Health and Movement Science 11-12; Mathematics OR Biology, Chemistry or Physics
- 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: 64.00 (Melbourne), 63.00 (Strathfield)
Applicants with higher education study must still meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites. Applicants who have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above are assigned a new selection rank reflecting their study level, duration and grade point average, and prior study or relevant work experience may attract credit or recognition of prior learning.
ACU also assesses applicants on recent secondary education, prior VET study, and work and life experience.

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

International students

International applicants need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate and must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, including its English Language Proficiency requirements.
International students completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (either in or outside 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, that is, their ATAR or equivalent.
Separately from admission, ACU notes that Exercise and Sports Science Australia requires all individuals seeking initial accreditation as an exercise scientist to meet ESSA's 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

Our graduates have pursued careers in:
• Counselling
• Child welfare and development
• Community work
• Education
• Health
• Human resources
• Marketing and market research
• Government and non-government health, sport and recreation departments
• High performance sport organisations
• Sports institutes and academies
• Corporate fitness
• Health and fitness consultation
• Coaching

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

Australian Psychological Society (APS)

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units44 units

PSYC100

Foundations of Psychology

PSYC101

Applications of Psychology

PSYC108

Psychological Practice: Theory and Techniques

PSYC110

Research Design and Data Analysis 1

PSYC200

Life Span Development

PSYC212

Abnormal Psychology

PSYC220

Personality and Individual Differences

PSYC226

Research Design and Data Analysis 2

PSYC227

Social Psychology

PSYC307

Cognitive Psychology

PSYC314

Psychological Assessment

PSYC315

Brain and Behaviour

PSYC323

Research Design and Data Analysis 3

PSYC324

Learning and 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

PSYC310

Psychological Services Experience

BIOL125

Human Biology 1

EXSC120

Mechanical Bases of Exercise Science

EXSC123

Introduction to 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

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated total tuition cost for international students is AU$141,780, based on ACU's indicative fee of AU$4,170 per 10 credit point unit across the 340 credit points of the course, with no additional non-tuition fees listed.

How long does this dual qualification take to complete?

The course has a duration of 208 weeks.

Does this course include a work component?

Yes, this course includes a work component of 14 hours per week over 10 weeks, totalling 140 hours.

Where can I study this course?

This course is offered at two locations: the NSW Strathfield Campus and the Australian Catholic University Melbourne Campus in VIC, both owned and operated by the provider.

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

Eligibility for extended Post-Study Work Rights depends on criteria including the course being in 'Registered' status, being a Skills Level 1 qualification, having a duration of 92 weeks or greater, and the narrow Field of Education aligning with the Skills Level 1 priority list. This course covers Behavioural Science (Psychology) and Human Movement fields — students should contact ESOS-PolicyTeam@education.gov.au for confirmed eligibility details.

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 $61,000 to $80,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $80,000 to $100,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $100,000 to $124,000 per year

Career Paths

Clinical PsychologistCounselling PsychologistOrganisational / Industrial PsychologistForensic PsychologistSchool Psychologist / Educational Psychologist

Key Skills

Critical thinking and evidence-based reasoningPsychological assessment and diagnostic interviewingQuantitative and qualitative research design and analysisTherapeutic communication and active listeningReport writing and clinical documentation

Full Course Overview

💬

Need guidance?

Free advisor support

Our advisors help international students choose the right course and navigate visa pathways — at no cost.

Promote your Institution with Find the Courses