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The University is ranked first in Australia and fourth in the world for graduate employability in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022.
Find out moreThe University is ranked fourth in the world for sport, physical therapy and rehabilitation in the QS Subject Rankings 2020.
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In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in 2021 and 2022.
Students commencing this course in 2021 and 2022 are required to commence their studies in-person on campus. Remote study is not available for this course. Applicants will be eligible for admission only if they are able to demonstrate they are physically present in Australia on the date specified in the offer made to them by the University.
About this course
Our Master of Exercise Physiology degree gives you the knowledge, competencies and clinical experience required to deliver safe and effective clinical exercise practice that has a real impact on people’s health.
Why study this course?
How will you learn?
This course is delivered on-campus in our world-class facilities, with purpose-built laboratories and on-site health clinics. This course can be undertaken in either a 1.5 year full-time study program or 3 years part time.
In 2021, we will move to the purpose-built Health Precinct at Camperdown campus, which will for the first time bring multiple health disciplines together in a facility that translates research into education and clinical services.
What will you learn?
You will gain a comprehensive understanding of:
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Applying for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
There is no separate application required to apply for a CSP. Once you apply for admission, if you are successful in securing a CSP, you will receive notification via an offer of admission.
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is not guaranteed as there are a limited number of CSPs available for postgraduate courses. The number of available CSPs for a course can change each semester/year. CSPs are also not automatically awarded for course transfers and upgrades.
CSPs are awarded for the duration of a course based on academic merit determined by the University and eligibility criteria specified by the Australian Government. Learn more about CSPs. If you do not qualify for a CSP you may be offered a domestic fee-paying place.
Closing dates
Applications open - 1 July of the preceding year
Applications close - 31 January of the commencing year
Offers released: Offers are made throughout the year based on academic merit and subject to availability in the program.
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February)
Closing dates
Applications open - 15 March of the preceding year
Applications close - 15 January of the commencing year
Offers released: Offers are made throughout the year based on academic merit and subject to availability in the program.
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
You will follow a prescribed course of study with a total of 72 credit points (cp), including clinical experiences in the 2nd and 3rd semester (full time).
Below is an indicative study plan for the Master of Exercise Physiology:
Year 1
Year 2
Explore the Medicine and Health Postgraduate Handbook to learn more about what you will study as part of this degree:
Mandatory work component = 684 hours.
This translates to 38 hours per week.
This mandatory work component must be completed as part of the award requirements for the course.
A number of clinical and professional fieldwork opportunities are scheduled as part of the course. Fieldwork provides hands-on experience with real clients in a supervised environment allowing students to combine academic study with the practical abilities required of the exercise physiology profession.
As part of this course, students also have the opportunity to take part in the FHS Abroad program which involves academic study and a 4-6 week placement with non-government organisations and other development agencies in one of a small number of countries in South and South East Asia. This experience (valued at 6 credit points) enables students to gain a real understanding of global health and make a lasting difference to communities worldwide.
Admission to candidature for the Master of Exercise Physiology requires the applicant to have:
*by providing evidence of accreditation, applicants are also proving extensive pre-existing knowledge in human anatomy, human or exercise physiology and research design and statistics.
Admission process
The academic criteria that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice.
The Handbooks Online and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents.
Inherent requirements are the essential tasks and activities necessary to be able to achieve the core learning outcomes of a course. They are specific to a particular course or discipline. To assist students to make informed choices about their study, we have identified and set out the inherent requirements for this course.
For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.
The Master of Exercise Physiology has Provisional Accreditation status at the level of Exercise Physiology from Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA).
The course will be submitted for consideration of full accreditation at the required stage.
Full (or provisional) accreditation status must be awarded for graduates of the course to be eligible for accreditation credentialing with ESSA.
In Australia, accredited Exercise Physiologists are eligible to provide services under Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs, WorkCover and private health insurance funds.
A condition of eligibility for exercise physiology accreditation is having exercise science accreditation from ESSA.
More information about accreditation can be obtained from Exercise and Sports Science Australia.
Using principles such as biomechanics, musculoskeletal rehabilitation and gait analysis, our graduates work as exercise scientists or exercise physiologists in a variety of settings, including:
