Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

Students select one major from three options: Strength, Conditioning and Coaching (includes advanced strength and conditioning, applied skill acquisition and training for performance); Physical Education (offers graduates a pathway to the Master of Teaching, potentially leading to registration as a PDHPE teacher — education units are only available online); and Business and Management (includes business law, starting a business, and digital marketing strategies — business and law units are not offered at Coffs Harbour but are available online).

Yes. The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science is accredited by Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) at the Exercise Science level. All graduates, regardless of the major completed, will be eligible for full membership as Exercise Scientists with ESSA. Undergraduate students are also eligible for registration as a Fitness Professional with AUSactive and as a Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) after completing the first two years of their degree. Note: To apply for ASCA Level 1 accreditation, an additional 30 externally supervised coaching hours must be completed.

Students complete 140 hours of exercise science Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in the final year of the course. Placements are undertaken under professional supervision in clinical settings, the health and fitness industry, community and professional sport, elite programs of state and national sport organisations, schools, academies of sport, and within the wider sport, recreation and leisure industries. Students should be prepared to travel to their allocated placement, which may be outside their immediate local area, and are responsible for organising and covering any associated costs including travel, accommodation, and related expenses. Before attending placement, students must meet mandatory compliance requirements, which may include immunisations, mask-fit testing, First Aid and CPR certification, and National Police Certificate checks.

The annual tuition fee for international students is $26,000 AUD ($3,250 per unit), based on completing 8 units per year, and is available at Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, and Lismore campuses. Tuition fees are in Australian dollars and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of the course. In addition, students are required to pay Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their visa in advance.

The Southern Cross Model involves shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. Lectures are replaced with active, interactive and discussion-based learning. On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.