Find out more about the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science)
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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 second in Australia and fourth in the world for sport, physical therapy and rehabilitation in the QS Subject Rankings 2019.
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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 can commence their studies remotely whilst the Australian border remains closed due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Remote study is not available for some units of study and/or placements essential to this course and you will be required to attend in-person on campus from Semester 2, Year 1.
International students
For detailed information on remote study options for international students in 2021 please read the section below titled 'Options for international students commencing remotely in 2021.'
About this course
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) develops the skills to integrate exercise and physical activity with disease prevention and the promotion of good health, rehabilitation, nutrition and sports performance.
Students will have the opportunity to include elective units throughout their degree or to take a major or minor sequence from another discipline area within the University to complement their major in exercise science.
As an exercise and sport science student, you will learn how to integrate exercise and physical activity with health, sports performance and disease prevention. Exercise scientists help people recover from injury, maximise the performance of elite athletes, promote healthy ageing and generally improve people's health and wellbeing.
During this three year degree, your studies will cover all aspects of exercise and sport science, including musculoskeletal anatomy, body systems, muscle mechanics and training, neuroscience, nutrition, exercise testing and prescription, and motor control and learning.
This program incorporates significant clinical and professional fieldwork opportunities, providing hands-on experience with real clients in a supervised industry placement.
As part of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) you will complete a major in Exercise Science and a minor in Physical Activity and Health.
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) provides the opportunity to extend your knowledge by completing the optional Physical Activity and Health major, or to expand your expertise in other disciplines by choosing a minor or electives from the Shared Pool.
Depends on your qualification, citizenship status
Prospective domestic students apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for a Commonwealth supported place . Refer to the UAC website for key dates. Separate scholarship deadlines apply, visit the scholarships website for details.
For other useful information, visit our How to apply page.
Current University of Sydney students applying to transfer from one bachelor's degree to another apply directly to the University. The exact process will depend on the course you are currently in and the course to which you wish to transfer. For more information visit the Change your course page.
Current students applying to transfer from a diploma to a bachelor's degree must apply through UAC.
Refer to the UAC website . Separate scholarship deadlines apply visit the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February)
Visit the How to apply page for detailed information on if you need to apply directly to the University or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). If you are a direct applicant, when you are ready to apply select the `Apply’ button on this course page.
Current University of Sydney students applying to transfer from one bachelor's degree to another apply directly to the University. The exact process will depend on the course you are currently in and the course to which you wish to transfer. For more information visit the Change your course page.
Application dates
Applications open - Mid March of the preceding year
Applications close - 15 January* of the commencing year
*Offers are made on a first come first serve basis. As places are limited, please note that we will close the online application early when the course is full.
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - visit the scholarships website for details.
UAC Applicants: Refer to the UAC website
Semester 1 (February)
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) is a three-year full-time degree which consists of 16 core and 8 elective units of study.
You will complete 144 credit points to be awarded the degree. You will be able to complete a second major or minor from the shared pool, or to put together your own selection of units from more than 2500 available across the university.
Mandatory work component = 200 hours.
This translates to 25 hours per week.
This mandatory work component must be completed as part of the award requirements for the course.
Key course details for 2021
In the first year of your candidature, the units of study EXSS1036 and EXSS1037 include both theoretical and practical components. To complete the practical components you need to undertake face to face learning either on campus in Sydney or at placement locations in Australia. Under the course rules, you must complete these units before you can start your second year of candidature.
All other units of study in the first year of your candidature can be completed remotely.
Detailed information about your options for studying in 2021
Option 1 – continue your enrolment
If you wish to commence your course remotely, you can enrol and commence the above units of study in 2021 and undertake the theoretical components remotely. However, you will be unable to complete the above units of study remotely due to the required face to face requirements if you are not physically present in Australia.
If you are unable to enter Australia to complete these units, you will receive a “result incomplete” grade on your transcript until you are able to complete the units.
The Faculty of Medicine and Health intends to offer an opportunity to complete the face to face requirements on campus in Sydney in January 2022. You will need to be ready to start classes on campus on 17 January 2022. If you are not able to complete the face to face requirements by the commencement of Semester 1, 2022, under the course rules you will not be able to progress to your second year of candidature in 2022. In this case, you may need to suspend your 2022 studies and commence your second year in 2023 after you have completed the practical component requirements for year 1.
If you arrive part way through either Semester 1 or 2 in 2021, we will try to help you complete the practical requirements during the relevant semester but this may not be possible in which case you would need to attend the face to face “catch up” session in January 2022.
Option 2 – [suspend/defer] or withdraw
You can choose to [suspend/defer] or withdraw from your studies.
If you wish to [suspend/defer], you can elect to delay commencement of your course until Semester 1, 2022. If you do this, we will reserve your place in the course in 2022. There are limits on the number of times you can [suspend/defer]. For more information, see the Coursework Policy 2014.
You could also choose to withdraw from your studies and re-apply for admission at a later date.
Chemistry and Mathematics
Admission to this course is on the basis of the following criteria:
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) course does not have a guaranteed ATAR. The ATAR information provided is an indication only and the actual required ATAR for entry may be higher or lower depending on student demand and availability of places in the course each year.
Admission pathways are open to domestic applicants on the basis of equity or other adjustment factors, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. For details, visit admission pathways.
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.
Professional fieldwork is an integral part of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science). The purpose of the professional field experience program is to apply theoretical knowledge to practice in a variety of community settings. Practical experience is also a requirement for membership of the professional body for Australian exercise scientists (Exercise and Sport Science Australia).
In addition, eligible candidates have the opportunity to take part in the FHS Abroad program which involves academic study and a four to six 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 6 credit point elective unit of study is available to candidates in their senior years and offers a hands-on understanding of global health challenges in an overseas community through work with two well established Australian volunteer agencies.
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) has Qualifying Accreditation status at the level of Exercise Science.
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 Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA).
Following course completion and successful accreditation with ESSA, graduates are eligible to apply for membership of ESSA and accreditation as an exercise scientist.
All students are required to observe ESSA's English Language Requirement, and meet the relevant obligations at the point of application for ESSA accreditation.
As an exercise scientist accredited in Australia, graduates enjoy the privilege of being qualified within a country that possesses an outstanding reputation in this field. Graduates have the opportunity to utilise principles such as biomechanics, musculoskeletal rehabilitation and gait analysis to evaluate and improve the performance of a diverse range of clients.
More information about accreditation can be obtained from Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA).
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) course meets the prerequisite requirements for admission to postgraduate study at the University of Sydney in medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, public health, safety science, and education.
Honours can broaden your career options and is your pathway to a higher degree by research in the health sciences. Honours study allows you to specialise in an area of personal interest, develop your research skills and make a significant contribution to the development of knowledge within the profession. You will study under the supervision of an academic staff member.
For students commencing study from 2020, Honours will be available as part of the 4-year Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Exercise and Sport Science).
For students who commenced study prior to 2020, Honours is available as an additional year of study after you complete the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science).
Entry into honours is competitive and based on students' past academic performance. For more information about honours, see our honours website.
