Course information for - 2027 entry
International
  • Domestic
  • International

Offered at 2 locations
  • Melbourne
  • Strathfield

Duration
4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
CRICOS Code
098381E
Fees (first year)*
$33360
Start dates
February 2027, February 2028, February 2029

Overview

Exercise and sports scientists improve the health, performance and participation of individuals, teams and athletes through exercise programming and delivery, athlete training, and health advice. Psychological science explores how the mind works, and why people behave the way they do. Combined, you will be well prepared to help clients reach peak performance.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Psychological Science /Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science will complete a sequence in psychology that is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). This sequence will ensure graduates acquire an advanced understanding of human behaviour, as well as highly regarded employability skills. This degree also has provisional accreditation by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) at the exercise science level for Strathfield and Melbourne campuses. 

Work placement

As part of the Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science, students are required to complete 140 hours of appropriate professional experience (practicum) with accurate record-keeping, as part of course accreditation requirements. You’ll have the opportunity to get real-world experience din this degree. You will spend time in organisations integrating the theory you’ve learnt with practical skills, giving you a chance to reflect on possible career paths and meet the Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) requirements for exercise scientist accreditation.

We’re connected to a huge range of sporting organisations including the National Institute Network, AFL, NRL and A-League clubs; Tennis Australia; and America’s NBA. With us you’ll get outstanding opportunities for industry placement and future employment in Australia and around the world.

Visit the Faculty of Health Science’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) webpage to view opportunities in exercise and sports science.

Community engagement

With an emphasis on work-integrated learning, there are opportunities in the third year of the program in unit PSYC310 Psychological Services Experience for students to complete 25 hours of community engagement, these experiences help you to develop knowledge and skills related to psychology.   

Visit the Faculty of Health Science’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) webpage to view opportunities in psychology.

Professional recognition

This degree has provisional accreditation by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) at the exercise science level. ESSA requires all individuals seeking initial accreditation to meet ESSA's English Language requirements .

This course is also accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) (APAC Level 1)

Please note that a minimum six-year sequence of education and training in psychology is required for an individual to become eligible for general registration as a psychologist in Australia. When completing this double degree a minimum of seven-years is required to become eligible for general registration as a psychologist.

Careers

Our graduates have pursued careers in:

  • counselling
  • child welfare and development
  • community work
  • education
  • health
  • human resources
  • marketing and market research
  • government and non-government health, sport and recreation departments
  • high performance sport organisations
  • sports institutes and academies
  • corporate fitness
  • health and fitness consultation
  • coaching

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1

EXSC206 is a required unit and prepares students for professional practice opportunities, career planning and employability by addressing the scope of practice of an exercise professional. Students also complete compliance documentation for professional practice experience placements, as appropriate for ACU work integrated learning. This unit consists of online modules. Modules must be done in the student’s own time before the end of the Learning period. 

  • Specified Psychology UnitsPSYC100Foundations of Psychology10 cp
  • Specified Psychology UnitsPSYC108Psychological Practice: Theory and Techniques10 cp
  • Specified Exercise and Sports Science UnitsEXSC123Introduction to Exercise Science10 cp
  • Specified Exercise and Sports Science UnitsNUTR101Introduction to Nutrition10 cp
  • Specified Psychology UnitsPSYC101Applications of Psychology10 cp
  • Specified Psychology UnitsPSYC110Research Design and Data Analysis 110 cp
  • Specified Exercise and Sports Science UnitsEXSC133Foundations of Exercise Science

    (Pre: EXSC123)

    10 cp
  • Specified Exercise and Sports Science UnitsEXSC142Anatomical Foundations of Exercise Science

    (Inc: ANAT100, ANAD100, ANAZ100)

    10 cp

All units are delivered in Attendance mode unless otherwise indicated in the map.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit.

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit. 

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate of the Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science, you develop an integrated understanding of physical and psychological health, grounded in a strong foundation in human behaviour, mental wellbeing, exercise science, and ethical practice. Your studies cultivate critical self-reflection, cultural awareness, and independent learning skills, preparing you to respond to challenges across the interconnected domains of psychology, exercise, and health. You gain competencies in areas such as exercise prescription, biomechanics, and performance and injury prevention, enhanced by complex psychological principles including motivation, emotion, individual differences, and decision making. This insight enables you to apply evidence-based approaches to optimise both psychological and physical functioning, promote fairness and inclusion, and ethically contribute to diverse public and private sectors. Your training equips you to support individuals and communities in achieving overall wellbeing, in line with ACU’s mission to foster flourishing lives and vibrant communities.

Empathy

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at ACU, you uphold human dignity and diversity as essential principles in understanding the complex relationship between mental and physical health. Your training enhances your empathetic skills, enabling thoughtful consideration of psychological, physical, and cultural factors that shape wellbeing and behaviour across diverse populations. Through engagement with Indigenous Knowings and Perspectives, you prepare to work respectfully with Australia’s First Peoples and foster culturally safe practices in psychological, health, and sporting contexts. This holistic and inclusive perspective empowers you to contribute ethically, empathetically and compassionately to individuals and communities, supporting their flourishing in alignment with ACU’s mission.

Imagination

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at ACU, you develop an integrative understanding of the connections between psychological wellbeing, human movement, and physical performance. You gain evidence-based knowledge and practical skills in exercise programming, biomechanics, and physiology, enhanced by complex psychological principles including motivation, emotion, individual differences, and decision making. Through knowledge and imagination you enhance your capacity to critically evaluate and integrate strategies that optimise both mental and physical health, improve performance, and support recovery across diverse populations. Your learning equips you to work ethically and collaboratively, promoting the dignity of every individual and contributing to the flourishing of communities, in line with ACU’s mission to inspire positive change grounded in faith, reason, and justice.

Impact

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at ACU, you develop insight into the ethical responsibilities and societal impact of integrating psychological and physical health, recognising your potential to enhance wellbeing through evidence-based practices. You cultivate leadership, communication, and collaborative skills that enable you to engage sensitively and effectively with individuals and groups including clients, athletes, trainers, coaches, health professionals, and community members. Your capability to promote inclusive, ethically grounded, and evidence-based approaches supports mental and physical wellbeing while respecting human dignity. You value diverse perspectives and ways of knowing, and commit to contributing positively to the common good. Your work reflects ACU’s mission to cultivate ethical leadership and social justice, amplifying your impact locally and globally.

AQF framework

Double Bachelor - Bachelor/Bachelor - AQF Level 7

Exit points

A student who has successfully completed 70 credit points of 100-level from the Exercise and Sports Science Specified Units, and an additional 10 credit points from any other unit in the program may exit with a Diploma in Exercise Science.

Entry requirements

An applicant must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent.

StatePrerequisites

New South Wales

Assumed Knowledge: English (Standard) (Band 2) or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD), Health and Movement Science 11-12; Mathematics OR Biology, Chemistry or Physics

Victoria

Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL

International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

View transparency admission information

International applicants

If you’re an international applicant you’ll need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate.

Find the equivalent qualification for your country

You’ll also need to comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy , including the English Language Proficiency requirements.

See the language requirements

 If you’re an international student completing one of the following qualifications, you will need to apply for admission through your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC) and be assessed on your performance in these studies (i.e. your ATAR or equivalent):

 an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia)

an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

Adjustment factors

If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.

Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.

Learn more about adjustment factors

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Pathways into course for international applicants

If you don’t currently meet the direct entry requirements for admission to your chosen program, don’t worry. Our range of pathway programs can help you build the language proficiency, academic skills and confidence you need to succeed. 

Find out more about the ACU Foundation Studies program 

Find out more about Diploma pathways 

Further study

High-achieving graduates from this program may be eligible to apply for fourth year studies in psychology (honours degree in psychological science or Graduate Diploma in Psychology).

Graduates are also eligible for admission to:

  • postgraduate studies in clinical exercise physiology courses, if seeking exercise physiology accreditation
  • postgraduate studies in high performance sport
  • one-year honours courses, for meritorious students preparing for higher degree research
  • higher degree studies in education, if seeking teacher registration (dependent on elective choices and campus/state of study)
  • further study in other allied health professions
  • further study in nutrition/dietetics (dependent on elective choices)

Fees

Course costs

  • Unit fee: $4170
  • Average first year fee: $33360
  • Estimate total cost: $141780

The tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.

Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.

In addition to tuition fees, students may be required to pay other non‑tuition costs. Further information on non‑tuition fees is available on our Fees and Scholarships page.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options 

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.  

Search our scholarships 

How to apply

International applicants

Apply through a Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC)

To apply, search the code listed below on the corresponding TAC website

VTAC code: 1200210363

Apply directly to ACU

Deferment

Yes. See Defer your offer.

Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.

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