Course summary

From the elite athlete to the growing teenager, physical and mental health are essential to a balanced life. In this course you can immerse yourself in the psychology of what drives our behaviour and how this relates to sport and exercise.

Our accredited Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science provides a scientific understanding of the structure and function of the human body as it relates to movement, the interrelationships between health and disease, and the psychological basis of physical activity.

You will complete core units in exercise science including anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, strength and conditioning, and motor control as well as core units in psychological science that include assessment, methodology and principles of behaviour. 

Career opportunities exist as a psychologist (with additional postgraduate training) and in careers that carry therapeutic connections to sport and exercise, such as professional athlete counselling, rehabilitation, or within the education sector.

From the elite athlete to the growing teenager, physical and mental health are essential to a balanced life. In this course you can immerse yourself in the psychology of what drives our behaviour and how this relates to sport and exercise.

Our accredited Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science provides a scientific understanding of the structure and function of the human body as it relates to movement, the interrelationships between health and disease, and the psychological basis of physical activity.

You will complete core units in exercise science including anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, strength and conditioning, and motor control as well as core units in psychological science that include assessment, methodology and principles of behaviour. 

Career opportunities exist as a psychologist (with additional postgraduate training) and in careers that carry therapeutic connections to sport and exercise, such as professional athlete counselling, rehabilitation, or within the education sector.

Exercise science: anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, sports conditioning and motor control. 

Psychological science: assessment, methodology, principles of behaviour.

Course Learning Outcome

Demonstrate the level of information literacy, critical analysis, problem solving and decision making in exercise science and psychology.

Demonstrate innovative and creative responses and solutions to problems encountered by professionals aligned with psychology and exercise science.

Demonstrate a knowledge and application of professional conduct, ethics, legal principles and client centred care consistent with professional standards of conduct and ethical practice.

Apply and integrate knowledge of evidence-based practice in exercise science and psychology, including the use of technology and digital practices, to deliver a broad range of services.

Demonstrate professional self-development in the field of exercise science and psychology through educational engagement and ongoing learning, self-evaluation of practice, inter- professional working relationships, innovative practice, and support new graduates.

Use a range of modalities to communicate effectively with clients and relevant stakeholders including families, carers and other health, exercise science and psychology professionals, and maintain appropriate documentation and records of services.

Demonstrate leadership, teamwork and advocate for client access to health services.

Practice in a safe, respectful and inclusive way that is responsive to the diverse needs of people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, gender and sexually diverse persons, persons of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and persons living with a disability.

You will complete a 140-hour exercise science professional placement in the third year of the course. Placements might be in health and sporting centres, clubs, schools and academies or sport and recreation centres under professional supervision. As part of your professional placement you might assist personal trainers, health educators, strength and conditioning or sports coaches, sporting event coordinators or recreation officers. 

Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain pre-requisites (e.g. a working with children check, immunisation and National Police Certificate). Before applying for this course, please consider the important information regarding these requirements.

The Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and Exercise & Sport Science Australia (ESSA). All graduates may apply for full membership as Exercise Scientists with ESSA and are eligible for registration as an Exercise Professional with Fitness Australia (FA) and as a Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA).

Graduates may also choose to pursue further training to gain registration as a psychologist or as an accredited exercise physiologist.


Course overview

Course code

3207113

Course abbreviation

BExScPsychSc

Credit points

384

Equivalent units

32

Duration

4 years full-time; 8 years part-time

Duration

4 years full-time

Availability details

Domestic

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Coffs Harbour Term 1 N/A N/A
Gold Coast Term 1 N/A N/A
Lismore Term 1 N/A N/A

Fee information

Commonwealth supported


International

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Coffs Harbour Term 1 $30,800 ($3,850 per unit) 0102160
Gold Coast Term 1 $30,800 ($3,850 per unit) 0102160

Course requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising all core units.

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.


Course progressions

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment

Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.

Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors

Title Note

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

HLTH1008 - Physical Activity for Health
HLTH1004 - The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
HBIO1009 - Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
PSYC1002 - Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
NUTR1001 - Nutrition for Health and Physical Activity
PSYC1001 - Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition
PSYC1009 - Introducing Health Psychology
PSYC1010 - Positive Psychology

Second Year

HBIO1010 - Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
HBIO2002 - Motor Control
STAT2002 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology
HBIO1006 - Growth and Development
PSYC2005 - Psychological Investigation I
PSYC2004 - Lifespan Psychology
PSYC3003 - Learning and Memory
HLTH2002 - Exercise Physiology
HBIO2001 - Musculoskeletal Functional Anatomy

Third Year

SCIN2002 - Introductory Biomechanics
PSYC3004 - Biological Psychology
HLTH2003 - Exercise and Sport Assessment
HLTH2001 - Motor Learning for Coaching
SPRT2001 - Fundamentals of Strength and Conditioning
PSYC2003 - Exercise and Sport Psychology
HLTH2004 - Exercise Prescription and Delivery
PSYC2002 - Understanding Psychological Diagnoses

Fourth Year

SPRT3001 - Professional Preparation
PSYC2001 - Psychological Assessment
PSYC3001 - Social Psychology
STAT3001 - Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology
SCIN3001 - Applied Biomechanics
PSYC3002 - Psychological Investigation II
PSYC3005 - Culture and Psychology