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Gain the theoretical and practical expertise to meet the needs of your future clients. Learn how physical activity impacts human ability in occupational, sport, exercise and leisure settings. You'll help clients improve their overall fitness, reduce the risk of injury, or enhance their athletic performance. With practical experience in training and testing facilities such as the JCU Performance Science Hub and the Movement Analysis Laboratory, you'll graduate career-ready and eligible for accreditation.

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#1 in Queensland

for full-time employment Good Universities Guide 2023, UG Health Services

#2 in Australia

for overall educational experience Good Universities Guide 2023, UG Health Services

Five stars

for skills development and student support Good Universities Guide 2023, UG Health Services

Townsville

Townsville: February

$34,960.00⁺

⁺estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible

3 years full-time

English (Units 3/4,C), General Maths, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Maths (Units 3/4); or equivalent

Recommended Knowledge

One of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health, Psychology or Physical Education (Units 3/4,C)

English language requirements

Band 2

If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course.

View the international entry requirements for this course

029013A

What to expect

Be equipped with theoretical and practical skills to help individuals and athletes improve their physical performance, focussing on North Queensland’s tropical climate and cultural heritage.

Learn the scientific principles underlying the benefits of physical activity, focussing on the role of sport and exercise. You’ll gain in-depth knowledge of sport and exercise science as you study in state-of-the-art facilities, including the Movement Analysis Lab and the JCU Performance Science Hub.

Benefit from practical work experience alongside industry professionals. Assess, design, and deliver specialist exercise programs for a variety of people, from community members to elite athletes.

JCU Sport and Exercise Science graduates are highly-competent, motivated, and career-ready professionals.

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

Additional information

About JCU's Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

Make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. Help athletes enhance their performance, improve quality of life for those suffering from chronic conditions, or teach the next generation the importance of nutrition and exercise. Build critical thinking skills with a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (similar to a bachelor of sports science) from JCU.

Learn from the Best

Your world-class education begins here, where you work with skilled lecturers committed to student success and partner with leaders in rehabilitation. You will participate in research that matters, learning about the processes of human physical activity and contributing to important international research initiatives. Gain practical experience and clinical skills in JCU's world-class training facilities throughout your exercise science degree. These include JCU’s Exercise Testing and Rehabilitation Clinic and the Movement Analysis Lab.
Build foundational knowledge in areas like sports psychology, anatomy, physiology, nutrition and biomechanics. Working alongside specialists and experienced professionals, you will learn how to implement theory in a practical setting.

Study Sports Psychology Subjects

Within your degree, you will study sports psychology as a subject and gain valuable insight into the ‘how and why’ behind mental processes and behaviour. You will explore these issues in key sub-discipline areas of psychological science such as the nervous system, memory, cognition, lifespan development, cross-culture, psychological disorders and health. A sports psychology Queensland based curriculum is vital to understanding tropical sport and exercise science issues, which is why JCU is the ideal place to study. Your studies will also include mastering the ethical and legal requirements of your profession and the more subtle cross-cultural skills need to work with people from diverse backgrounds.

Move Beyond the Classroom

Experience has no substitute, and at JCU you gain valuable first-hand experience from the start when you study sports science. Along with opportunities to work in research, you will take part in clinical placements and work with people from different cultures and socioeconomic conditions. Learn how to design exercise programs for athletes or explore the intricacies of occupational wellness issues in corporations. Understand how to empower others to incorporate exercise as part of an overall wellness plan, and see first-hand how sports can make a difference in marginalised communities.

Be Ready For Employment

A degree and a job are important, and as you study exercise science you will fast track your career goals and build your network of professional relationships. Be career-ready with the extensive practical experience that employers are looking for when you graduate with your exercise science bachelor degree. Your degree from JCU (which is similar to a bachelor of exercise and sport science) is accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia, and you are eligible to join ESSA professionally upon graduation. Your sports science university degree opens many potential career paths. You could work in research or teaching or make a difference in the community by promoting community health. You could work in a hospital, partnering with doctors to help patients rehabilitate.

Start Planning for Tomorrow

Whether you want to work in rural or urban areas, in community health or among athletes, your Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science from JCU (similar to a bachelor of exercise and sport science) will get you there. Get yourself ready for the jobs of tomorrow with a degree from JCU.
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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 Sport and Exercise Science.

Honours

The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Honours) degree is available for high-achieving students. It consists of extra study and the development of a personal research project and thesis. An Honours degree is usually essential for entry to research higher degrees. Please refer to the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Honours) Handbook for eligibility information. Complete an application through our Online Application Portal.

Career Opportunities

JCU Sport and Exercise Science graduates are highly-skilled and are employed in a range of health-related industries.

Graduates pursue careers in various areas including health and wellness management, health promotion agencies, sports training and rehabilitation, hospital-based science, and occupational health and safety.

Students who successfully complete the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science can enrol in a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology, which can lead to employment as a clinical exercise physiologist. Alternatively, go on to study the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Honours).

Graduates of this course are eligible for professional membership with Exercise and Sports Science Australia.

Handbook

Handbook year	Information valid for students commencing in 2023
Course code	70610
Course type	Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7)
Professional accreditation status	This course is accredited with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA Accreditation). Graduates of non-English speaking backgrounds applying for ESSA accreditation must show English language competence. This can be demonstrated by completion of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with attainment of a score of at least 7 overall and for each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking). Equivalent testing by TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or C1 Advanced is also accepted. Refer to Exercise and Sport Science Australia English Language Policy.
Owner	Academy
College	Healthcare Sciences

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites	English (Units 3/4,C); General Maths, Mathematical Methods, or Specialist Maths (Units 3/4,C) Recommended: one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health, Psychology or Physical Education (Units 3/4,C)
Minimum English language proficiency requirements	Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.
Additional selection requirements	Information published by JCU or otherwise made available to students when applying, may specify additional criteria to be considered in ranking applicants in order of merit if the number of applications exceeds a quota or other limit on the places made available for the course. Information provided by applicants during the application process and any other information obtained by JCU in the application process may be used by JCU to rank applicants in order of merit by reference to those additional criteria.
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure.
Post admission requirements	This course may have specific admission requirements such as immunisation, a Suitability to Work with Children Card, a federal police check and/or other conditions that students must comply with. Students must complete all professional experience placement requirements by the prescribed deadlines and maintain currency of these requirements in order to stay admitted in the course. You will find your course requirements here: https://www.jcu.edu.au/professional-experience-placement/preparation-checklists

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

72 credit points as per course structure

Course learning outcomes

James Cook University’s Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science meets the Exercise and Sports Science Australia standards for Exercise Science membership.

On successful completion, graduates of the course will be able to:

Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge and skills, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in the discipline of sport and exercise science
Critically review, analyse, synthesise and apply evidence in sport and exercise science practice, across a range of social, personal, economic and environmental contexts
Assess health status and formulate, implement and critically evaluate sustainable management plans to promote and optimise the health and welfare of apparently healthy individuals and/or populations
Communicate clearly and coherently through well-developed English language and numeracy proficiency, appropriate for graduate entry into the sport and exercise science workforce
Demonstrate appropriate professional behaviour, professional reasoning and sound judgement in problem solving and decision making, in the provision of client-centred practice that is contemporary, evidence-based, legal, ethical, safe and culturally sensitive
Reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes, in order to plan and implement ongoing personal and professional development needs

Inherent 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 visit: Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science.
Reasonable adjustments	All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

Level 1

Teaching Period 1:

BM1061:03 Anatomy and Physiology for Sport and Exercise Science 1

SP1003:03 Communication for Sport and Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology (Clinical)

PY1101:03 Exploring Psychology: from Brain to Practice

SP1011:03 Physical Activity for Health

Teaching Period 2:

BM1062:03 Anatomy and Physiology for Sport and Exercise Science 2

PH1001:03 Preparatory Physics

SP1002:03 Nutrition for Health and Physical Activity

SP1012:03 Exercise and Sports Testing

Level 2

Teaching Period 1:

SP2003:03 Functional Kinesiology and Biomechanics

SP2007:03 Physiological Basis for Exercise and Sport

SP2009:03 Strength Training and Conditioning

SP2201:03 Exercise Prescription

Teaching Period 2:

HS1401:03 Health and Health Care in Australia

SP2010:03 Principles of Motor Learning and Motor Control

SP2207:03 Dynamics of Sport and Exercise Behaviour

SP2016:03 Exercise Prescription and Delivery

Level 3

Teaching Period 1:

HS2402:03 Health Professional Research 1

SP3106:03 Applied Physiological Basis for Exercise and Sport

SP3008:03 Practicum in Sport and Exercise Science/Clinical Exercise Physiology

SP3015:03 Advanced Motor Learning and Motor Control

Teaching Period 2:

SP3011:03 Sports Training and Rehabilitation

SP3018:03 Advanced Biomechanics

SP3014:03 Independent Project in Sport and Exercise Science and Clinical Exercise Physiology

SP3017:03 Principles of Clinical Exercise Physiology Practice or SP3020:03 Contemporary Practices in Sport Science

Location

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
JCU Townsville	Mid-year entry available (Please note students will complete the course in 3.5 years when starting mid-year)

Candidature

Expected time to complete	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Maximum time to complete	8 years
Maximum leave of absence	2 years

Progression

Course progression requisites	Nil
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure.
Special assessment requirements	Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy.
Professional accreditation requirements	Nil Graduates of non-English speaking backgrounds applying for ESSA accreditation must show English language competence This can be demonstrated by completion of the International English Language Testing System (IELTs) at a level 7 overall and for each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking). Equivalent testing by TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or C1 Advanced is also accepted. Refer to Exercise and Sport Science Australia English Language Policy.
Supplementary exam for final subject	Not applicable

Credit

Eligibility	Students may apply for credit transfer for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure.
Maximum allowed	36 credit points
Currency	Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course.
Expiry	Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 18 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the candidate has not completed this course.
Other restrictions	A maximum of 9 credit points of credit may be granted at level 3. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will not be applied for non-university study or work experience.

Award Details

Award title	BACHELOR OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCE
Approved abbreviation	BSpExSc
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Not applicable - this course does not have majors
Exit with lesser award	Students who have completed 24 credit points of their course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Diploma of Tertiary Studies. Students who have completed 48 credit points of their professional course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Associate Degree of Health Sciences.
Course articulation	Not applicable
Special awards	Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

Honours

Honours availability	Honours available as an additional year of study
Eligibility	Candidates must satisfy the School requirements relating to the standard of academic achievement necessary to proceed to the honours degree.

Fees and scholarships

Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD34,960.00

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.

Pathways to JCU

Consult the admission requirements section in the Handbook for prerequisites and pathways into this course.

How to apply

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.

Student

Josiah McCarthy

Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

What I like about JCU is that it has small class sizes so you get to know your lecturers. The lecturers really help you and give you great opportunities in the field that help further your career, such as internships, volunteering, and participating in research.
Alumni

Adon Alves

Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

During my time at JCU we covered interesting subtopics in sport and exercise science, including biomechanics, motor learning, sport psychology, and strength and conditioning. All lecturers and tutors are passionate about their field which provided motivation and encouragement and helped me expand on my own interests.
Lecturer

Associate Professor Fiona Barnett

Head, Sport and Exercise Science

Our program is a great way to learn about how to make a difference for individuals and communities. You’ll learn about the processes of human physical activity from skilled lecturers who are committed to student success. You'll also gain practical experience in world-class training facilities throughout your studies.
Employer

Luke Gauci

Director, Mindset Performance Fitness Centre

It’s been good having JCU graduates as they bring skills that are up to date with the current information in the industry. In this industry, having staff who are JCU graduates is an extra qualification a lot of personal trainers don’t have. So I’ve gone out of my way to look for people with those qualifications.