Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science

Name: Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science
Price: <p>Tuition: per semester AU$19,100</p> AUD

VU course code: SBEC | CRICOS: 117806A | Level of study: Undergraduate

Duration

3 years

Delivery mode

In person

Fees

Tuition: per semester AU$19,100

Location

Footscray Park Campus

Next start date

16 February 2026

View all start dates

A young man using exercise equipment in well-equipped exercise room

Overview

Build a rewarding career in health, fitness, and sport performance with the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Victoria University (VU).

This hands-on, science-based degree equips you with the knowledge and practical skills to support health and wellbeing, enhance athletic performance, and prevent or manage injury and chronic conditions.

You’ll gain broad experience working with diverse populations and have the flexibility to tailor your studies to suit your interests – whether that's clinical health or sport performance.

Through a combination of classroom learning, laboratory work, and industry placements, you’ll graduate ready to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Throughout the course, you'll explore key areas in exercise and sport science, including:

movement and performance screening
exercise prescription and delivery
injury prevention and rehabilitation support
coaching for skill development and physical performance.

With accreditation pathways and strong industry connections, you’ll be well prepared to pursue a career in exercise science, fitness, health promotion, or sport.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Integrate foundational and theoretical knowledge in exercise and sport science, with technical and professional skills, to analyse, improve and maintain health and performance outcomes;

Integrate evidence-based practice in exercise and sport science and critically evaluate, compile, and communicate the scientific rationale for decisions informing practice;

Exhibit the ability to design, deliver and manage safe and effective exercise and sport science assessment and programming across a range of contexts in a professional, ethical, inclusive, and collaborative manner;

Exemplify the use of professional skills that are responsive to the diverse needs of people, including First Nations Peoples, gender and sexually diverse persons, persons of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those living with a disability;

Exhibit the capacity to work as an independent and collaborative professional who can communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and coherently to clients, their carers (where relevant), and as part of interprofessional and multidisciplinary teams; and

Critically reflect on practice capabilities and recognise the need for ongoing professional development.
: The degree offers two minors to align with your career goals:
Clinical Practice – Ideal for those aiming to work in health and rehabilitation settings, supporting people to improve fitness and health.
Sport Practice – Designed for those interested in working with athletes and teams in sport performance and coaching environments.
: Practical learning is central to this course. You’ll apply your knowledge through:
Laboratory-based skill development
Work-integrated learning placements with industry partners
Experience in the VU Clinical Exercise Rehabilitation Clinic
These experiences ensure you’re career-ready with real-world confidence.
: Study this course via our award-winning VU Block Model®, where you complete one subject at a time over four weeks, rather than juggling several at once.
Learning in workshop-style classes, you’ll develop strong connections with your peers and practical skills for your future career.
You’ll also get fast feedback on your assignments, helping you to improve quickly as you progress through your course.
Learn more about the VU Block Model®

Entry requirements

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

If you've completed a qualification where English was the primary language of instruction, you may be eligible for an exemption of English-language requirements.

In some cases, there may be additional entry requirements.

Learn more about entry requirements for international students.

Entry criteria

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
PLUS:
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score or 6.0 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
OR:
Completion of a Foundation course or equivalent.

Special entry programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of the course.

You should carefully consider the inherent requirement statement as a:

guide for your learning during the course
way for you to identify challenges you may have in studying this course.

Learn more about inherent requirements

Additional information

Students will require a Working with Children Check and National Police Check to be eligible to undertake and participate in workplace visits, placements or projects. Use the following site links to obtain additional information:
http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274.

SUPERVISED PLACEMENT
The Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) Practicum Standards specify that for accreditation as an Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES), students need to complete a minimum total of 140 hours of practicum that is required to include at least 80 hours of activities to demonstrate competence in exercise assessment, prescription and delivery and up to 60 hours of any other activities within the scope of practice of an Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES). The exercise assessment and prescription hours must be to improve health and fitness, well-being, or performance, and not for the treatment and/or management of a clinical condition or injury. Exercise delivery hours can be with non-clinical clients or with clinical clients when prescription is provided by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) or qualified health professional. No more than 15 hours can be undertaken in a simulated learning environment (SLE).

In terms of Supervision arrangements for Practicum, Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) specifies that all supervisors must be appropriately qualified and experienced for the activity being supervised and supervisors of exercise delivery must be trained in exercise prescription. At least 80 hours of practicum must be supervised by one of more of: a supervisor with a Bachelor degree in exercise and sport science or higher, an Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) level 2 qualification for strength and conditioning placements, or a qualified physical education teacher for placements in a school setting. Up to 60 hours may be supervised by a professional holding a formally recognised qualification for the activity being supervised, with any exercise assessment, prescription and delivery hours supervised by such an individual overseen by a supervision plan with an appropriately qualified and experienced supervisor as specified above.

SCL3004 Sport and Exercise Practice is designed to ensure that students meet these Practicum Standards. SCL3004 provides for practical placement. Prior to commencing practical placement in SCL3004 students must have a valid working with children check, current police check, and first aid and CPR certificate. In SCL3004 students must pass a theory practical readiness test and a practical readiness test to determine competency for placement before commencing placement. Students must also submit a 140 hours practicum placement logbook indicating they have worked with apparently healthy clients, and have these hours signed off in accordance with Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) criteria, which must be graded by the practicum supervisor as “satisfactory”.

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

96 credit points of First Year Core units
144 credit points of Professional Core units
48 credit points of chosen Minor studies

Units

Fees & scholarships

As an international student at Victoria University, you will be required to pay your tuition fees up front each semester.

There may be additional materials fees throughout your studies, depending on your chosen course, as well as an administrative fee as part of your course.

Victoria University is proud to support our international scholarship recipients and sponsored students.

Save up to 30% off your fees!

The VU Block Model® International Scholarship offers eligible international students up to 30% off tuition fees for their entire first year of study. Study well and you’ll have the chance to increase or extend the scholarship for the whole duration of your course.

Find out more

Fees

Scholarships

Careers

This course is designed to meet the accreditation standards set by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) for Exercise Scientists. Graduates are prepared for diverse careers across:

fitness and athletic performance
personal training
strength and conditioning coaching
occupational and corporate health
community health programs
preventative health services
education and research sectors.

Whether your passion lies in helping individuals improve their everyday health or in supporting athletes to reach their peak, this degree opens the door to a dynamic and meaningful career.