Which sport and fitness course is right for you?
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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 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 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
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 - 15 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 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 ovder 500 hours of clinical placements 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.
Mandatory work component = 532 hours.
This translates to 38 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.
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.
For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.
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.
All students are required to observe ESSA's English Language Requirement, and meet the relevant obligations at the point of application for ESSA accreditation.
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."
