Sports Engineering is the only course in Victoria that emphasises the application of engineering technology to sports. The course covers areas in human movement sciences, mechanical and electronic, and software engineering with a strong focus on sports. 

Studies will be undertaken primarily in the College of Engineering and Science with some learning in the new VU Sports Science and Learning Commons Building which houses world class research facilities worth $68.5M.

Students gain professional skills and training to:

• Design sports equipment and instrumentation
• Design solutions to enhance athlete performance
• Design solutions which minimize the risk of sports injury
• Work in groups to solve real world industry problems

Students can create unique connections with elite sports institutions and build relationships with top level sporting clubs.

Graduates who successfully complete the degree may undertake further studies with a planned Masters Degree and PhD.

If you are interested in doing postgraduate research in the field, please contact Dr Daniel Lai, Course Coordinator, to discuss opportunities.  Phone +61 3 9919 4425 or email daniel.lai@vu.edu.au.

• Location:
  Footscray Park
• College:
  College of Engineering and Science
• Study mode:
  Full Time and Part Time
• Delivery mode:
  On campus
• Course code:
  EBSG
• Duration:
  3 years
• This information is for Australian residents.
  Click here for the international version of this course

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How to apply

A career in sports engineering will combine your passion for design and technology with an interest in sport. With this degree – the only course of its kind in Victoria – you will join a broad multidisciplinary field and be career-ready thanks to VU’s focus on industry learning.

Job titles

• Sports engineer
• Electronics engineer
• Mechanical designer/engineer
• Industrial designer of sporting equipment
• Ergonomics/OHS specialist

Organisations employing sports engineering graduates

You could work for national and state institutes of sport and elite sporting organisations, university sports or engineering-related departments, or manufacturers of sporting goods, sports vehicles and sports safety products.

Salaries

The salary of engineering graduates four months after graduation is A$63,000 (GradStats).

A comparable profession is mechanical engineering, with average earnings of A$83,720 per year (Job Outlook).

Employment rates

Sports engineering can be aligned to mechanical, industrial and electronic engineering –industries that are expected to grow strongly to 2016-2017 (Job Outlook).

88 per cent of mechanical engineering graduates in Australia were in full time employment four months after graduation (GradStats).

Partnerships and placements

VU’s many sporting collaborations include organisations such as the Australian Sports Commission, Western Bulldogs and the Australian Institute of Sport. International partnerships include German Sports University, Brazil Olympic Committee and INSEP French Institute of Sport.

To graduate highly skilled engineering technologists capable of crossing and blending traditional discipline boundaries and who will be able to provide knowledge-based practical engineering services to the sports, sports science, and exercise and rehabilitation industries. To produce graduates who are universally recognised as leading practitioners in their field and who, as Sports Engineers, are capable of making a contribution to society and the community. To raise the University’s profile in the community and industry by becoming the leading provider of Sports Engineering education and research in Australia.

Major field of studies: Physiology, Biomechanics, Dynamics, Fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, Digital and analogue electronics, Mechatronics, sensors and data acquisition, Materials, Engineering design, Computing, Management and professional practice.

• Year 12: Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 24 in English (any) and in one of further mathematics, mathematical methods (either) or specialist mathematics. Selection mode: CY12: ENTER and two-stage process with a middle-band of approximately 20%. NONY12: Academic record (see institutional page). Middle-band: Completing physics and/or specialist mathematics = an aggregate 3 points higher per study.
• International: Achieved an IELTS (Academic Module) result with an overall score of 6 (no band less than 6) or equivalent. Completed a secondary school qualification equivalent to Australia’s year 12 or VCE qualification. Provide evidence of prior study of mathematics equivalent to Australia's year 12 level. Physics is optional but highly recommended.
• Mature: Basic academic degree or work experience background in (any) fields of engineering or sports science. Applications will be treated on an individual basis.