Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport

Course information for - 2026 entry

Duration
0.5 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Fees (first year)*

$4768 CSP

Start dates
ACU Term 1 , ACU Term 2 , ACU Term 3, ACU Term 4

Overview

The high performance sport industry is a global, multi-billion dollar entity that provides employment opportunities for a range of professions, including sport scientists, coaches and managers.

The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport aims to help students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to enhance the conditioning of high performance athletes, with the aim of optimising individual and team performance, within the context of a multidisciplinary environment and its culture and leadership structures, and to do so in an ethical manner characterised by a concern for respect, equity and social justice.

Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course. See the Courses costs section below, under Fees.

Professional experience

The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport is designed as a program of structured learning that includes relevant professional practice-related learning.

Careers

Examples of the types of work settings the course prepares graduates for:

  • fitness advisor
  • fitness coach
  • football or other sport manager
  • high performance manager
  • performance analyst
  • professional coach
  • rehabilitation coach
  • sports science manager
  • sports scientist
  • strength and conditioning coach
  • team manager

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Full Time

Students may commence the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport throughout the year.

Students who commence in ACU Term 2 and ACU Term 4 or studying out of sequence, should contact the Course Coordinator to confirm course map.

  • Specified UnitsEXSC510Strength and Conditioning for Performance and Rehabilitation

    Unit offered ACU Term 1 and ACU Term 3

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsEXSC513Data Analysis and Interpretation for High Performance Sport

    Unit offered ACU Term 1 and ACU Term 3

    10 cp
  • Elective UnitsEXSC650 Fatigue, Recovery, Adaptation and Performance ORElective UnitsEXSC651 Sports Injury Prevention ORElective UnitsEXSC668 Performance Nutrition

    Elective unit options may be available in other ACU Online terms.

    Please refer to your Course Enrolment Guide for details.

    10 cp
  • Elective UnitsEXSC650 Fatigue, Recovery, Adaptation and Performance ORElective UnitsEXSC651 Sports Injury Prevention ORElective UnitsEXSC668 Performance Nutrition

    Elective unit options may be available in other ACU Online terms.

    Please refer to your Course Enrolment Guide for details.

    10 cp
  • OREXSC512 Leadership and Culture in High Performance Settings

    Elective unit options may be available in other ACU Online terms.

    Please refer to your Course Enrolment Guide for details.

    10 cp

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Elective unit options may be available in other ACU terms. See Elective list on the Course Enrolment Guide Unit Offering Tab for details as to electives offered and availability.

* Elective units to be selected in consultation with the Course Coordinator


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.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Part Time

Students may commence the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport throughout the year.

Students who commence in ACU Term 2 and ACU Term 4 or studying out of sequence, should contact the Course Coordinator to confirm course map.

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Elective unit options may be available in other ACU terms. See Elective list on the Course Enrolment Guide Unit Offering Tab for details as to electives offered and availability.


* Elective units to be selected in consultation with the Course Coordinator

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.

Commencing ACU Term 3 (Mid-Year) - Full Time

Students may commence the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport throughout the year.

Students who commence in ACU Term 2 and ACU Term 4 or studying out of sequence, should contact the Course Coordinator to confirm course map.

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Elective unit options may be available in other ACU terms. See Elective list on the Course Enrolment Guide Unit Offering Tab for details as to electives offered and availability.


* Elective units to be selected in consultation with the Course Coordinator

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.

Commencing ACU Term 3 (Mid-Year) - Part Time

Students may commence the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport throughout the year.

Students who commence in ACU Term 2 and ACU Term 4 or studying out of sequence, should contact the Course Coordinator to confirm course map.

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Elective unit options may be available in other ACU terms. See Elective list on the Course Enrolment Guide Unit Offering Tab for details as to electives offered and availability.


* Elective units to be selected in consultation with the Course Coordinator

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 a graduate of the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport at ACU, you have developed personal insight into your role as a sports professional, grounded in a deep understanding of athletic performance, coaching principles, and the ethical considerations of high-performance sport. Through critical self-reflection and autonomous learning, you have enhanced your ability to adapt to the ever-evolving environment of elite sports, embracing innovation and growth in your field. Your expertise will inspire you to pursue excellence in high-performance sport while upholding the principles of justice, equity, and human dignity underpinned by an appreciation of ways of knowing and learning, aligning with ACU's mission to enable flourishing lives and foster thriving communities. This degree has equipped you with the skills to make meaningful contributions to the sports industry, embodying ACU's commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and the common good.

Empathy

As a graduate of the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport at ACU, you have developed a deeper appreciation for human dignity and diversity within the context of high-performance sport, fostering empathy and cultural sensitivity essential for working with diverse athlete populations. The degree equipped you with an understanding of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives, enabling you to engage respectfully and effectively with Australia's First Peoples in sports contexts. Your enhanced ability to connect with people from various cultural backgrounds will be invaluable in creating inclusive high-performance environments that recognise and celebrate the dignity of every individual. This approach aligns seamlessly with ACU's mission to promote human dignity and the common good, preparing you to contribute positively to the sports industry while upholding the university's values of respect, justice, and the pursuit of excellence for all.

Imagination

As a graduate of the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport, you have developed your imagination to address complex challenges in athletic performance and sports science. You have advanced your ability to creatively solve practical problems in high-performance environments, utilising cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to enhance athletic outcomes. This course has provided you with the skills to make informed decisions that advance the field of sports science and promote the holistic well-being of athletes, aligning with ACU's mission to pursue knowledge, foster ethical decision-making, and serve the common good. By encouraging innovative thinking and a commitment to excellence, the program reflects ACU's vision of empowering students to make a positive impact in their profession and wider community.

Impact

As a graduate of the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport you have been equipped with the knowledge and skills to make a significant impact in the high-performance sport environment, recognising your responsibility to promote athlete well-being and ethical practices. Throughout the degree, you have advanced your skills in performance analysis, sports psychology, and cutting-edge training methods. Your knowledge and skills will enable you to lead positive change and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, supported by your understanding how integrating Indigenous Knowledge into the process enhances the experience for all. These capabilities will empower you to positively influence the profession by implementing evidence-based strategies that enhance athletic performance while prioritising athlete health and safety, aligning with ACU's mission to pursue excellence, foster ethical decision-making, and contribute to the common good in both local and global sporting contexts.

AQF framework

Graduate Certificate - AQF Level 8

Additional course information

The course is designed to suit a postgraduate clientele that is already in the workforce, as well as graduating students. The course provides flexible learning pathways that can accommodate:

  1. professional employment commitments;
  2. national and international-based students;
  3. full-time or part-time enrolments; and
  4. a pathway into the Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport and Master of High Performance Sport degrees.

To meet these objectives, the primary design feature is that the majority of the course is delivered online.

A suite of coursework subjects focus on the preparation and performance of high performance athletes, including technological advances for athlete monitoring, advanced principles of strength and conditioning, and analysis of performance measures.

Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary foci built into the curriculum will bring together current and new knowledge from a range of professions within the industry. A foundation of analysis skills for interpreting performance data will be incorporated with direct application to high performance sporting contexts.

Overseas study available

  • Available to international students not seeking to study on a Student Visa.
  • This course is available to offshore international students.

Entry requirements

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

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

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must:

a. hold a Bachelor degree or higher in Exercise Science, Sports Science, Human Movement or a related discipline;

OR

b. hold a Bachelor degree or higher AND have evidence of relevant industry experience.

OR

c. submit a resume alongside their formal application, demonstrating suitability for study and evidence of relevant industry experience and/or prior learning over a sustained period.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2026 Admission.

Applicants with higher education study

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.

You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.

Search our credit database

Learn more about recognition of prior learning

English language requirements

Applicants require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum score of 6.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy (see English Language Proficiency).

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

Further study

The degree is designed as a pathway into the Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport and the Master of High Performance Sport.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$4768 CSP

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  

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