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The Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise Physiology) provides students with the knowledge, competencies and clinical experience required to deliver exercise and behaviour change strategies for the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
Exercise physiologists specialise in the delivery of exercise and behaviour change for the prevention and management of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, depression, cancer and arthritis.
During this four year degree you will develop competency in the assessment of physical and functional capacity, the identification of risks and the design of targeted, functional and sustainable exercise programs.
You will gain a comprehensive understanding of exercise physiology, including areas such as musculoskeletal anatomy, muscle mechanics and training, the biomechanics of human movement, neuroscience, nutrition, rehabilitation, and exercise testing and prescription.
This flexible degree offers you the chance to study a wide range of electives alongside your core subjects. This allows you to meet the requirements for professional registration as well as experience a broad range of subjects from across the university.
Through clinical experience, you will also learn how to apply your knowledge and gain significant practical experience, working with a range of different clients in numerous settings such as gyms, hospitals and on-site clinics.
Depends on your qualification, citizenship status
My qualification is
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
Direct applicants:
Applications open - 15 March of the preceding year
Applications close - 31 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 webpage for details.
UAC Applicants: Refer to the UAC website
Semester 1 (February)
This course is a 4 year-full time degree which consists of 156 credit points of core units of study and 36 credit points of elective units of study. Electives can be chosen from a range of specialised units of study, from the Open Learning Environment and from across the University.
Through over 500 hours of clinical placement you will learn to apply your knowledge and gain significant practical experience, working with a range of different clients in numerous settings such as gyms, hospitals and on-site clinics.
| Year |
Sem |
Unit of study |
||||
| 1 | 1 | Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology | Introduction to Exercise Science | Functional Musculoskeletal Anatomy A | Elective 1 | |
| 2 | Principles of Biomechanics | Functional Musculoskeletal Anatomy B |
Body Systems: Structure and Function (Available in Semesters 1 and 2) | Elective 2 | ||
| 2 | 1 | Movement Analysis | Exercise Training: Physiology and Biochemistry | Elective 3 | Elective 4 | |
| 2 | Psychology of Exercise and Physical Activity | Exercise Programming and Delivery | Physical Activity and Society | Anatomical Analysis of Exercise | ||
| 3 | 1 | Advanced Exercise Programming and Delivery | Practicum in Exercise Science 1 | Nutrition for Exercise and Health | Fundamental Musculoskeletal | |
| 2 | Practicum in Exercise Science 2 | Exercise Physiology in Clinical Cases 1 | Motor Control and Learning | Elective 5 | ||
| 4 | 1 | Exercise Physiology in Clinical Cases 2 | Exercise Physiology in Clinical Cases 3 | Advanced Musculoskeletal | Clinical Practice Unit A | |
| 2 | Clinical Practice Unit B | Clinical Practice Unit C | Professional Reflections and Graduate Qualities | Elective 6 | ||
Click here to download a full copy of the sample study plan with elective units.
Mathematics and chemistry for both domestic and international applicants.
Admission to this course is on the basis of the following requirements:
This 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.
The University of Sydney welcomes and encourages applications from students with disabilities, and from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. The University will make reasonable adjustments to assist students in meeting the inherent requirements.
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.
If you’ve already completed university-level or equivalent subjects, you may be able to apply for credit for previous study.
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 Physiology) has Qualifying Accreditation status at the level of Exercise Science and 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.
Accredited exercise physiologists are eligible to provide services under Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs, WorkCover and private health insurance funds.
Following course completion and successful accreditation with ESSA as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP), you will have the opportunity to work across all sectors of healthcare, including cardiac rehabilitation, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, mental health, long-term rehabilitation following spinal cord injury, ageing, occupational rehabilitation and programs for people with an intellectual disability.
More information about accreditation can be obtained from Exercise and Sports Science Australia.
Graduates have broad employment opportunities. Popular career paths include:
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.
Honours is available to students as an integrated pathway through the final three semesters of the degree. Students will receive an invitation from an academic coordinator to express their interest during the second semester of their second year.
Entry into honours is competitive and based on students' past academic performance. For more information about honours, see our honours website.
Matthew Craig
"I have a love of sport and exercise, as well as a desire to help people. The wide range of subjects and clinical placements that I have undertaken has allowed me to gain a better idea of what areas I may be interested in working in post graduation.
I am really enjoying the relaxed, friendly nature of the faculty, and the reputation and experience of the majority of the staff."
