Bachelor of Exercise Science-Bachelor of Exercise Physiology

The Bachelor of Exercise Science and Bachelor Exercise Physiology program at JCU provides graduates with the essential theoretical and practical skills to elevate health and performance through physical activity and exercise. Combining Exercise Science with Exercise Physiology, this unique program offers a joint degree and dual national accreditation (when approved),  giving students a competitive edge and opening doors to diverse career opportunities. Designed to be completed in under four years, this flexible program prepares graduates to tackle modern health and lifestyle challenges, especially within tropical regions.

What sets the Bachelor of Exercise Science and Bachelor of Exercise Physiology program at JCU apart is its real-world focus. Students benefit from small class sizes, access to contemporary facilities, and mentorship from experienced staff who support active, hands-on learning. Practical experience begins early, with students engaging in work-integrated learning opportunities across the region, state, and nationally. By the time they graduate, JCU students are confident, highly-skilled professionals ready to work across a wide range of inter-professional settings, from regional and rural to remote communities.

View the Handbook (coming soon) for a detailed overview of available subjects, as well as pre-placement requirements.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession.  For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Bachelor of Exercise Science - Bachelor of Exercise Physiology.

Work Integrated Learning

Students will complete extensive, practical work experience alongside industry professionals to assess, design, and deliver physical activity and/or exercise programs to maintain or enhance health and performance. Students will work with all populations including community members to elite athletes, young to older aged, and those with and without chronic/complex diseases/conditions. Each work-integrated experience will increase students’ professional development with network connections potentially leading to future employment or engagement opportunities.

This course requires work-integrated learning (WIL) activities, such as placements, fieldwork, internships or industry-partnered projects. During the course, you will be required to complete a minimum of 470 hours of WIL.

JCU Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology graduates are highly-skilled professionals who are employed within a range of industries. Graduates pursue careers in health and wellness management, health promotion agencies, corporate health, community and elite sport, hospital-based science, occupational health and safety, private and public hospitals, multidisciplinary medical centres, fitness centres, aged-care facilities, workplace health and rehabilitation, and private practice.

This course has received Qualifying Accreditation status with Exercise & Sports Science Australia and we will seek full Exercise Science (ES) and Exercise Physiology (EP) course accreditation from 2027 onwards as per ESSA accreditation guidelines. If fully accredited, graduates of this course may be eligible for professional membership with Exercise and Sports Science Australia.

Courses are charged per year of full-time study. International course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

A Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.

Student Visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa (except Norwegian, Swedish and Belgian citizens). Costs depend on the length of study and the number of dependants accompanying the student. For more information see Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students.

Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.

Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.