Join the forefront of two growing disciplines with an education that reflects real-world practice. This program explores the impact of exercise on the body. You’ll learn how to use exercise to manage chronic disease, enhance health and improve physical performance. As a future exercise professional, you’ll play a vital role in building healthier communities. 

 

Faculty
Faculty of Medicine and Health
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended)
Award
Bachelor of Applied Exercise Science, Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology
Commencing Terms
Term 1
Duration (Full Time)
4.4 Year(s)

Overview

Accelerate your career with a comprehensive education in exercise science and exercise physiology. In just four years and one term, you'll gain both a Bachelor of Applied Exercise Science and a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology. This combined degree explores the science of human performance and how exercise is used as a rehabilitative and preventative therapy, equipping you to care for both healthy patients and those with chronic disease across two areas of practice.

Exercise scientists specialise in the prescription and delivery of exercise to enhance general health and improve athletic performance. Exercise scientists draw on a broad array of knowledge from subdisciplines such as biomechanics, motor control and exercise prescription to develop and deliver exercise initiatives to improve individual and community health. 

Exercise physiologists expand on the exercise science skillset by using exercise as a rehabilitative and preventative therapy to manage a wide range of chronic diseases including cancers, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, neurological and mental health conditions. 

This degree will prepare you to meet the accreditation requirements to work as an exercise scientist and/or exercise physiologist. You'll be qualified to work across a wide range of roles and settings including hospitals, private practices, aged care, mental health clinics and workplace health and rehabilitation.

If you're passionate about helping people improve their physical and mental health, this degree will set you on the path to a fulfilling career.

Key features

  • Your practical training starts in year one, giving you time to build your confidence as a healthcare professional. The structure of the program allows for a broad range of clinical placements. This breadth of practical training across a range of environments will ensure you become a well-rounded, competent practitioner. This broad experience also gives you the opportunity to try out different areas to discover what you're interested in and what career path you'd like to pursue. 

    • We offer 140 hours of exercise science placements and 360 hours of exercise physiology placements throughout your degree.
    • You'll complete 'work and learn' placements. These involve a one-day placement each term at a variety of sites, such as sports high schools.
  • Best practice healthcare requires a high degree of collaboration among professionals from different disciplines. This degree has an embedded professional practice stream, where you’ll learn with students from our dietetics and food innovation, physiotherapy and pharmacy programs.

    The stream provides an opportunity to start building connections with your future health colleagues and mirrors real-world practice, where professionals work in integrated healthcare teams. You’ll gain an understanding of how different teams work together to improve patient outcomes, such as how and when to refer a client to another health professional. 

    Our professional practice stream will teach you critical interprofessional skills in:

    • professionalism and communication
    • teamwork and collaboration
    • evidence-based and value-based healthcare
    • ethics and law
    • leadership and business management skills
    • innovation and entrepreneurship
    • advocacy
    • investigation and creative problem-solving
  • We have connections with some of Australia’s best hospitals, private practices and health organisations. We're affiliated with the Sydney Swans, NSW Waratahs and Sydney FC. You'll have contact with industry professionals throughout your degree, giving you the opportunity to grow your professional networks while you study and gain a head start in your career.

Why study this degree at UNSW?

  • As one of the world's top medical schools*, we're creating the health leaders of tomorrow. Our diverse community of students, educators, clinicians and researchers are working together to tackle the world's most pressing health challenges. Our internationally recognised research centres and institutes are translating ground-breaking research into cures, treatment strategies and therapies.

    This degree offers research opportunities to develop your investigative skills and provide a pathway if you want to pursue a career in research. You’ll gain a strong understanding of research methods and the application of research to practice. The principles of evidence-based practice and value-based care will inform your clinical decisions. We also offer a research internship, where you'll have the opportunity to spend two terms with an academic who will mentor you alongside other research students. 

    *Ranked 52nd globally according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

  • In just four years and one term, you'll gain two qualifications and a head start in your career. The combination of two disciplines also enhances your career prospects as you'll gain the breadth of knowledge, skills and experience that employers are looking for. Our current exercise physiology graduates are highly sought after with an employability rate of 96% in the year following graduation.

    From year one, you'll be learning content that’s directly applicable to your future profession. Rather than offering a science degree with an exercise component, we've integrated the basic sciences with exercise physiology courses and interdisciplinary knowledge (e.g., sports nutrition, sports psychology). This structure offers greater career security as you can draw upon your interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to adapt to changes in the industry. 

    At the end of year two, you'll have the necessary skills required to independently accredit as a sports trainer with Sports Medicine Australia (SMA)* and as a level 1 coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA).* This allows you to work in the sports and fitness industry from your third year.

    When you graduate, you're eligible to become a member of the national accreditation body - Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) - as both an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES).* By the end of year three, you'll have your AES accreditation*, which allows you to work as an exercise scientist while you complete your degree. 

    *This program 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.

  • Significant industry consultation was conducted to ensure this program aligns with industry needs, both in contemporary and future practice.

    Your coursework explores existing and emerging areas of practice, which allows the degree to continually adapt to industry changes. You'll be learning from passionate educators who bring a wealth of real-world experience to their teaching. We have clinicians that teach into the degree while still doing external clinical work, giving you an insight into current industry trends. 

    We're building a community of effective and empathetic healthcare practitioners. This degree will equip you with the knowledge, skills and experience you need to work with diverse populations. Our professional practice stream provides training in mental health, cultural safety and advocacy to ensure you can provide all people with the care they need.

    You'll learn how to manage patients holistically through case studies and clinical placements. Rather than learning about diseases in isolation, you'll learn to examine patients as a whole, with an understanding of everything that's going on for that individual (e.g., the impact of comorbid conditions). 

  • UNSW Medicine & Health offers a diverse range of facilities across our Kensington campus, rural and metropolitan teaching hospitals and our world-class research centres and institutes. You’ll be learning in our exercise physiology laboratories and purpose-built research spaces.

    The UNSW Health Translation Hub (UNSW HTH), which will form part of the wider Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct, reflects our commitment to transforming healthcare. The UNSW HTH will integrate health education, training and research with healthcare services to drive improvements in patient care and health outcomes. Through the UNSW HTH, you’ll have opportunities to work in interprofessional clinics and pursue research interests.

    Our UNSW Lifestyle Clinic brings together some of Australia’s most innovative teams of healthcare professionals and researchers. The Clinic provides a practical learning environment where you can gain hands-on training, complete clinical placements and engage with the community.

Program Code
3897
CRICOS Code
110656M
Campus
Kensington
UAC Code
428600
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
216
Lowest Selection Rank
88

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Entry requirements

2023 Lowest Selection Rank
88
2023 A levels
15
2023 IB Diploma
33
2023 Lowest ATAR
77.05

Assumed knowledge

Chemistry, Mathematics Advanced

Student expectations

As an accredited program, there are certain professional requirements that students are expected to meet. The following document outlines some of the professional expectations to help prospective students make informed choices about future study and professional requirements. UNSW welcomes and encourages applications from students with disabilities and from diverse backgrounds. A range of support measures are available through our Equitable Learning Services so that students are able to undertake their course requirements. 

Adjustment Factors


We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies. 

HSC Plus 
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points. 

Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL) 
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.

Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.

Admission pathways


Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our future student advisors to discuss your path to UNSW. 

Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW. 

Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study.

English language requirements

 

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

International entry

We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.

Please contact us for direct entry requirements.

Admission pathways


If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence. 

English language requirements


You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

Program structure

The Bachelor of Applied Exercise Science/Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology is completed over 4.4 years of full-time study. The program is made up of 37 courses total, including four professional practice courses. Students are encouraged to undertake full-time study and complete the program over 4.4 years. 

Full program structure

  • In year one, your courses will focus on human anatomy, human physiology and nutrition. Your professional practice course will teach you how to navigate the Australian healthcare system and work with other health professionals to deliver high-quality care. 

    • Academic Preparation for Health Studies
    • Molecules, Cells and Genes 
    • Exercise and Nutrition 
    • Interprofessional Practice and Collaborative Care
    • Human Systems 1
    • Physical Activity and Health
    • Human Systems 2
    • Exercise Physiology and Metabolism
    • Elective
  • In your second year, your courses will explore human anatomy, biomechanics, motor control and exercise prescription. Your professional practice course will explore the social determinants of health and develop your communication skills.

    • Functional Anatomy for Health and Exercise Science
    • Exercise Assessment and Testing 
    • Biomechanics
    • Elective
    • Exercise Prescription and Delivery
    • Driving Behaviour Change 1
    • Strength and Conditioning
    • Motor Learning and Motor Control
  • In your third year, you’ll complete your Bachelor of Applied Exercise Science. The professional practice course will focus on your career development, including how to secure roles in health and how to manage a private practice.

    • Sports Performance Nutrition
    • Exercise and Health Across the Lifespan
    • Research Seminars for Exercise Physiology
    • Preparing for a Career in Health and Beyond
    • Paediatrics and Disability
    • Sport and Exercise Psychology
    • Emerging and Niche Areas of Exercise Science
    • Exercise Science Professional Placement
  • In your fourth year, you'll complete a range of clinical courses, work placements and research training. In your final professional practice course, you'll learn how to identify signs of mental illnesses in your patients, and appropriately refer and co-manage these patients.

    • Musculoskeletal and Movement Rehabilitation
    • Exercise Oncology
    • Driving Behaviour Change 2
    • Rehabilitation for Chronic Conditions
    • Cardiorespiratory Rehabilitation
    • Rehabilitation for Neurological and Neurodegenerative Diseases 
    • Professional Placement 1
    • Research Internship A
    • Clinical Governance and Risk Management*

    *Your clinical governance course explores QI so you can implement this in your clinical practice and improve service. This is especially important as QI is needed to get funding from NSW Health for AEP funded positions. 

  • In your final term, you'll complete your Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology with case study work, a professional placement and research training. 

    • Complex and Chronic Conditions
    • Professional Placement 2
    • Research Internship B

Future careers

The Bachelor of Applied Exercise Science/Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology opens up a wide range of career opportunities. 

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
  • sporting organisations
  • aged care 
  • mental health clinics 
  • community exercise and physical activity programs
  • workplace health and rehabilitation

The exercise physiology industry is growing with Medicare, Work Cover, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Department of Veteran Affairs and most private health insurers covering services. 

Accreditation

This program has Qualifying Accreditation from Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). The program will be submitted for consideration of full accreditation at the required stage.

How to apply

Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.

On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.

Ready to start your application?

For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.

Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.

*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. Read more.

Ready to start your application?

Fees & Scholarships

2024 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$12,000*

Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 2

*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the university and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year.

The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only - other fees and charges are not included.

2024 Indicative First Year Fee
$52,500*
2024 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$260,500*

*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).

Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.

Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.

Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.

Scholarships


At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.


  • Top 20
    Worldwide

    QS World University Rankings, 2024.

  • Most
    Employable Graduates

    AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.

  • Leading
    Innovation

    #1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.

The faculty encourages you to be involved in student life and have a healthy study/life balance.
Rashmi Jayathilake

Rashmi Jayathilake

Medicine Student

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