Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science

School of Health Sciences

Do you live and breathe sport? Why not turn it into a career? With The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science degree, you can inspire others to improve their lifestyles or athletic performance, work with elite athletes, or get a job in a corporate environment. The three-year degree has flexible full-time or part-time study options available. Get in touch today to move your career in the right direction.

  • Why study this degree?

    The Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science degree is a comprehensive nationally accredited qualification. With this degree, you can play an important role in the community by examining the implications of physical activity on public health, and sports rehabilitation. If you dream of working with elite athletes, you will be well-placed to do so.

    You will choose three electives from the following: Health Sciences, Behavioural Science, Biomedical Science or Business studies.

    You will gain valuable insights into your chosen career with the inclusion of industry practicum and internship placements during your study. Accredited by the national industry body, Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), graduates can work in Australia with athletes and sporting teams in the areas of exercise and sports science, and strength and conditioning.

    If your special interest is in strength and conditioning, you can obtain further accreditation with a Certificate IV in Health and Fitness, so you are job-ready at the completion of your degree.

    Welcome to our BESS Lab

  • Program summary

    21 required courses

    • Academic Research and Writing in Health Sciences
    • Physical Activity and Health
    • Human Growth and Development
    • Human Structure and Function
    • Applications of Functional Anatomy to Physical Education
    • Exercise Physiology
    • Anatomy and Physiology of Body Systems
    • Health Issues and Preventive Approaches
    • Physiology of Training and Environmental Extremes
    • Principles of Strength and Conditioning
    • Exercise Health and Disease
    • Developmental Psychology
    • Data Analysis and Experimental Design
    • Motor Control Development & Learning
    • Psychosocial Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity
    • Health, Fitness and Performance Assessment
    • Exercise Biomechanics
    • Exercise Physiology for Special Populations
    • Advanced Biomechanics
    • Nutrition for Health and Physical Activity
    • The Australian Sports System

    Three electives

    • Three courses chosen from Health Sciences, Behavioural Science, Biomedical Science or Business studies

    Industry practicum placements

    • Exercise & Sport Science Industry Practicum (150 hours)

    Core Curriculum

    • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
    • CORE II: Elective
      • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
      • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
      • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
      • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
      • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

    More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

    Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  • Entry requirements

    Entry requirements WA

    Academic requirements for this program are outlined below.  In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency.  We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program.  See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

    Applicants with recent Secondary Education

    • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 70

    OR

    • International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 25

    *Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

    Applicants with Higher Education Study

    • Successful completion of 4 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

    OR

    • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

    *Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

    Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

    • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

    Applicants with Work and Life Experience

    Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

    • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required.

    OR

    • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 135 in the Multiple Choice section and 140 in the Written English section.

    OR

    • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

    *STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

    Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.

  • Learning outcomes

    At the completion of this course, graduates should be able to:

    1. Interpret and apply knowledge across the sub disciplines of exercise and sport science
    2. Assess health behaviours and conditions, human movement and skills to evaluate and prescribe exercise programs in healthy populations across a range of exercise settings
    3. Apply research skills for evidence-based practice that enhances professional knowledge, including the ability to compile, critically evaluate and communicate the scientific rationale for professional decision making and service delivery
    4. Exemplify professional and ethical standards in practical, interpersonal and theoretical contexts and conduct that is sensitive to client diversity and equity
    5. Practice within the scope of exercise science training and recognise any need to refer a client to other related health professionals
    6. Demonstrate capacity as an exercise sports scientist through educational engagement, self-evaluation of practice, inter-professional working relationships and advocacy for exercise science; and
    7. Articulate objective and universal truth, appreciate the intrinsic dignity of the human person, and exhibit good intellectual, moral and theological habits.
  • Practical component

    Students are required to complete a minimum of 150 hours of practicum.

    The Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science Industry Internship is taught across the whole academic year, but is structured as multi-term courses in which students enrol into a Part A and Part B course. The courses are charged separately for each semester but are linked academically and must be completed in sequence in a single calendar year.

  • Career opportunities

    Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors; the following careers are open to graduates: Sports or exercise scientist, strength and conditioning Coach, sports development officer, community education officer, rehabilitation consultant, sport and recreation officer, and skill acquisition specialist.

  • Real-world experience

    You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

  • Professional accreditation

    This course has been accredited by the national industry body, Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA). Graduates of this course are eligible for registration with ESSA as exercise and sport scientists upon completion of the degree. Further postgraduate study completing the Graduate Diploma in Exercise Science within the School of Health Sciences enables students to become accredited by ESSA as clinical exercise physiologists.

  • Honours

    An Honours award is available for this program. Further information can be found in the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science (Honours) regulations, or by contacting the School of Health Sciences.

  • Study abroad

    A global perspective adds a valuable dimension to your university education. At Notre Dame University you can study while experiencing the world. We encourage students to become active global citizens through a range of exchange programs, professional placements, study tours, and volunteer opportunities. Visit International Opportunities to find out more.

  • Fees and costs

    This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:


    CSP
    A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at university where the government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, called the ‘student contribution amount’.

    In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

    • The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.
    • The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan.

    Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.


    HECS-HELP
    The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.


    For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees Page.

  • Student profile data

    Tables 1 and 2 below give an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this Program. It provides data on all students who commenced in this Program in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

    Fremantle Student Profile Data

    TABLE 1a – Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science BASIS OF ADMISSION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

    Applicant background

    Semester 1 2022

    Number of students

    Percentage of all students

    (A) Higher education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    1628%
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study916%
    (C) Work and life experience
    (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    <5N/P
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
    <5N/P
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, interview, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    1933%
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, interview, school marks &   recommendation with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    610%
    International students<5N/P
    All students58100.0%

    TABLE 1b – Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science ATAR PROFILE DATA FOR APPLICANTS ENTERING ON THE BASIS OF RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

    RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION - ATAR-based offersATAR
    (Excluding adjustment factors) *
    Selection Rank
    (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) *
    [only if relevant]
    Highest rank to receive an offer89.6595.40
    Median rank to receive an offer80.1084.28

    Lowest rank to receive an offer

    61.8071.80

    TABLE 2a – Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science (Honours) BASIS OF ADMISSION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

    Applicant background

    Semester 1 2022

    Number of students

    Percentage of all students

    (A) Higher education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    <5100%
    All studentsN/P100.0%

    Notes:  

    “<5” – the number of students is less than 5
    N/A – Students not accepted in this category
    N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent the calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

    In 2022, due to COVID, additional adjustment factor points were granted to applicants from NSW, ACT and VIC.

  • More information

    Considering your uni options?

    Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session. Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process. Book my session.


    For more information, please call our Prospective Students Office on +61 8 9433 0533 or email future@nd.edu.au.


    All international enquiries should contact the International Students Office on international@nd.edu.au.


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*2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework categories, **2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey-Longitudinal (medium term outcome), undergraduate category, ***2021 Student Experience Survey, postgraduate category and ****2021 Student Experience Survey, postgraduate category - qilt.edu.au

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