Go to Courses and units

Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science (53J)

Overview (2027)

Duration

Minimum 3 years, up to a maximum of 7 years.

This course is available to study as both part-time or full-time
Duration
Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Launceston
Semester 1

"In our course we get to learn a lot of theory, so getting to put that theory into practice with elite athletes is a pretty special experience."

Torben Partridge-Madson, Exercise Science Student

Whether you're passionate about elite sport, community health, or helping people move better and live longer, our Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science puts you at the heart of human performance. This hands-on, professionally accredited degree blends cutting-edge science with real-world experience—preparing you to make a meaningful impact in health, fitness, and wellbeing.

From working with athletes to supporting people with chronic conditions, you'll learn how to assess, design, and deliver evidence-based exercise programs that improve lives. With access to specialist labs, expert mentors, and over 140 hours of professional placement, you’ll graduate job-ready and connected to a network of industry partners across Tasmania and beyond.

Exercise Scientists can be found all across the community, working in a range of industries to improve health, wellbeing, fitness, and performance. Key areas of practice include occupational and corporate health, primary prevention, education, sport and recreation, fitness and exercise training, and physical activity within a number of health settings.

Graduate confident and job ready with full accreditation from Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) or step into postgraduate study in allied health fields such as physiotherapy, speech pathology and occupational therapy. With strong job opportunities across a range of sectors, a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science will launch you into a rewarding and thriving health career.

  • 1 Develop interventions that are based on critical evaluation of scientific evidence and incorporate physical activity, exercise, education or a combination of these to educate, promote and implement the adoption of physical activity and/or exercise for a healthy life and improve fitness, health and wellbeing at an individual, community or population level.
  • 2 Gather, synthesise, and critically analyse aspects of health, exercise and sport science, and explain why these current aspects are contestable and open to research and further enquiry. And, create, plan and conduct high quality evidence-based exercise and sport science research supported by well-developed reasoning.
  • 3 Convey complex ideas to a range of audiences using a broad range of communication media, including communicating as a professional with clients and colleagues in real-life exercise and sport science situations.
  • 4 Operate responsibly, ethically and effectively both independently and as a team member in real-life exercise and sport science situations.
Professional Experience Placement

Throughout your studies you will engage in a range of practical experience opportunities, totalling at least 140 hours. These include:

  • Access to a broad network of industry partners, including health and community organisations, the healthcare sector, and peak Tasmanian sporting bodies such as Cricket Tasmania, AFL Tasmania, and the Tasmanian Institute of Sport.
  • Opportunities to develop practical skills in fitness assessment, exercise prescription, and program delivery across a variety of settings.
  • Engagement with diverse populations, from healthy individuals to elite athletes, building your ability to tailor exercise and performance programs.
  • Participation in community and industry-based activities that support professional networking and career development.
Safety in practice compliance

This course includes compulsory Professional Experience Placements. You must meet the College of Health and Medicine's Safety in Practice Requirements before census date of the first semester of your course. The safety in practice requirements are completed separately to the course admission application.

Within this course you will undertake a minimum of 140 hours of Professional Experience Placement (PEP). These placements allow you to apply your academic learning in real-world environments while developing professional skills, confidence, and industry insight.

During your placement you can gain experience across a range of sport, exercise, and health settings, aligning your experience with your interests and career goals. You will:

  • Develop practical skills in assessment, monitoring, and exercise program design.
  • Work with diverse groups, including general populations, community participants, and elite athletes.
  • Build professional networks within sporting organisations, community groups, and the healthcare sector.

Many students also leverage these placement opportunities to pursue additional extracurricular experiences with local sports teams, community organisations, and high-performing sporting bodies.

All work-integrated learning experiences are delivered in accordance with the University of Tasmania’s Work Integrated Learning Policy and Health Professional Experience Placement guidelines, ensuring a high-quality and supportive learning environment.

By integrating theory with practice, this course ensures graduates are well prepared with the professional capabilities, practical experience, and industry connections needed to succeed in the evolving sport, exercise, and health sectors.

The Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science is a professionally accredited degree. This course is accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). 

Graduates may meet the requirements for registration with ESSA as an Accredited Exercise Scientist. There may be additional requirements for registration beyond the completion of the course. For further registration requirements, please visit the Exercise and Sports Science Australia website. 

If you have any queries about the accreditation process, please contact us for further information. 
 

Career outcomes

"Don’t rule out anything or think you can’t do it – look at me, I’m 27 and I took the leap to come back to uni and all these opportunities have come my way."

Corey Somerville, Exercise Science student

Find out more

You’ll graduate ready to undertake an exciting career in the health sector as an Accredited Exercise Scientist with Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

Your career could see you providing training and development programs as a strength and conditioning coach or sports scientist, delivering exercise based interventions to individuals and communities, working alongside professional athletes, or supporting health and wellbeing through workplace and
corporate health.

Career outcomes and settings for graduates may include:

  • Exercise Scientist
  • Allied Health Assistant
  • Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Respiratory, Cardiac or Sleep Technician
  • Sport Scientist
  • Health advocacy
  • Sports Development Officer
  • Personal Trainer
  • National, state, and club-based sporting organisations and institutes
  • Private health practices and non-for-profit groups
  • Community health programs
  • Fitness centres or gymnasiums
  • Universities and research institutes
Postgraduate study

Graduates may also be able to pursue research in exercise science, or apply for postgraduate study in allied health areas like physiotherapy, speech pathology, or occupational therapy. Those interested in pursuing a career in teaching may continue their studies with a Master of Teaching.

Guaranteed entry pathway to Allied Health courses for Tasmanian high school graduates

This degree offers a pathway to further studies in physiotherapy, speech pathology, and occupational therapy. Up to 10 places in each of the three courses are reserved for Tasmanian students who have finished their Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or International Baccalaureate (IB) in the last 12 months.

The pathway needs to be applied for separately, with applications due on 1 December 2026.

Visit the Allied Health Pathway page to find out more


Exercise and Sports Science career pathways

Turn your passion for sport, exercise and health into a career. A Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science can lead to opportunities across fitness, high-performance sport, rehabilitation, health promotion and community wellbeing, helping people achieve their goals at every stage of life.

Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science pathways

Read more

Course structure

Entry requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you’re not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study.

Schools Recommendation Program

Australian year 12 students can apply for this course via our Schools Recommendation Program. Rather than an ATAR, your application is based on a recommendation by your school teachers. This can factor in your year 11 results, an assessment of your capabilities, and other considerations.

Through the program, you can receive and accept an offer prior to completing year 12. You will still need to finish your year 12 studies – including any exams – to commence your studies. In addition, this course requires you to pass specific pre-requisite subjects in Year 12 (or equivalent), see below for details.

If you don’t receive an early offer for this course through the Schools Recommendation Program, you will be re-assessed for a higher preference offer once your ATAR is released.

Domestic applicants who recently completed secondary education (completed in the past two years)

The minimum ATAR for this course is 65.

Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available. In 2026, the lowest ATAR to receive an offer into this course was 65.1  The lowest ATAR to receive an offer may change from year to year based on the number of applications we receive.

Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.

To be eligible for an offer, you must also meet the subject prerequisites listed below.

Domestic applicants with higher education study

To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have:

  • Partially completed an undergraduate course at undergraduate level or higher (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least two units of study (equivalent to 25 University of Tasmania credit points). If an applicant has failed any units, the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made.
  • Applicants must also meet the subject prerequisites listed below.

Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study

To be eligible for an offer, you must have completed a Certificate IV in one of the following:

  • Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetics Specialisation),
  • Certificate IV in Food Science and Technology,
  • Certificate IV in Fitness,
  • Certificate IV in Leisure and Health,
  • Certificate IV in Ageing Support,
  • Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques,
  • Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice,
  • Certificate IV in Hospital/Health Services Pharmacy Support,
  • Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy

OR

Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled Nursing).

All applicants must meet the subject prerequisites listed below.

  Domestic applicants with work and life experience

This course does not admit students on the basis of work or life experience. Please enquire online for advice on pathways or alternative course options.

Subject Prerequisites

These prerequisites apply to students from all educational backgrounds.

To be an eligible for an offer, you must have completed studies or have experience equivalent to a satisfactory achievement in one of the following Tasmanian Senior Secondary subjects:

  • BIO315124 Biology,
  • CHM415115 Chemistry,
  • MTG315123 General Mathematics,
  • PHY415115 Physics,
  • PSC315118 Physical Sciences,
  • SPT315126 Sport Science 

You can enquire online for information on interstate and international equivalents to the Tasmanian senior secondary subject above. If you need assistance to meet the prerequisite, we offer foundation units that you can complete before you start your course.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

We believe university education should be an option for everyone, no matter your background. If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition, or disability.

We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.

Safety In Practice Requirements

This course includes compulsory work placements. All students must meet the course Safety in Practice Requirements before their first placement. The safety in practice requirements are completed separately to the course admission application.

All international students will need to meet the minimum English Language Requirements, University General Entry Requirements and any course specific requirements such as pre-requisite subjects, if applicable.

English Language Requirements

This degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 7.0, with no individual band less than 7.0, or a PTE Academic score of 65, with no score lower than 65 or equivalent.

For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided.

See the English Language Requirements page for more information.

General Entry Requirements

Admission to undergraduate courses at the University of Tasmania requires the completion of qualifications equivalent to a year 12 education in Australia.

Please review the equivalent undergraduate entry requirements to see the minimum requirement relevant to your country. The ATAR information for this course is located in the “For Domestic Students” section of the entry requirements on this page.

Applicants are ranked by their academic scores and offers made based on the number of places available.

You can also meet the General Entry Requirement for this course by completing one of the following Certificate IV qualifications or prior studies:

  • Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetics Specialisation),
  • Certificate IV in Food Science and Technology,
  • Certificate IV in Fitness,
  • Certificate IV in Leisure and Health,
  • Certificate IV in Ageing Support,
  • Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques,
  • Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice,
  • Certificate IV in Hospital/Health Services Pharmacy Support,
  • Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy
  • Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled Nursing)
  • Complete or incomplete (minimum 25 credit points) of previous tertiary study at Bachelor level or higher

If you do not meet the minimum requirements, we offer the Foundation Studies Program.

Course Specific Requirements

Subject Prerequisites:

These prerequisites apply to students from all educational backgrounds.

To be an eligible for an offer, you must have studies or experience equivalent to a satisfactory achievement in one of the following Tasmanian Senior Secondary subjects:

  • BIO315124 Biology,
  • CHM415115 Chemistry,
  • MTG315123 General Mathematics,
  • PHY415115 Physics,
  • PSC315118 Physical Sciences,
  • SPT315126 Sport Science 

You can enquire online for information on interstate and international equivalents to the Tasmanian senior secondary subject above. If you need assistance to meet the prerequisite, we offer foundation units that you can complete before you start your course.

Safety In Practice Requirements

This course includes compulsory work placements. All students must meet the Safety in Practice Requirements before their first placement. The safety in practice requirements are completed separately to the course admission application.

Applications for credit can be made in your course application. Find out more information about how to apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing at Recognition of Prior Learning.

Talk to us on 13 8827 or enquire online about your credit transfer.

This course articulates from the 21A Diploma of University Studies (Health Science).

 If you aren’t eligible for an offer to this course yet, don’t worry! Our pathway programs are designed give you access to undergraduate courses by equipping you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
Visit the Pathways to University page to find out more.

If you meet the minimum ATAR but haven't completed the required prerequisite unit(s), we offer Foundation Units to help you bridge the gap. These are offered at no cost to you (HECS-waived) and many run in spring and summer school so you can meet a prerequisite and not delay the start of your Bachelor level studies.

If you do not meet the ATAR, or you are a mature age student and do not meet the General Entry Requirements, you should consider enrolment in the 21A Diploma of University Studies (Health Science).

Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.

Fees & scholarships

Domestic students

Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are available for this course. For eligible domestic students, this means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.

Commonwealth Supported Place indicative annual fee: $9,203.38

How is this calculated?

This is an estimate. The calculation is based on the average full-time enrolment for this course in 2026. All figures are indicative only for 2027. Actual tuition fees will depend on specific unit enrolment, and are subject to annual increases each year. You can find the complete fee details for each unit of study on the individual unit pages. The units for this course are found in the course structure section of this page.

These figures do not include other costs such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). For further information, please visit Scholarships, fees and costs.

HECS-HELP loans

You may be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.

Further information on student loans and a CSP eligibility checker can be found at Australian Government Study Assist.

International students

2027 annual international student tuition fee: $41,948 AUD

The standard year of study for this course is 100 credit points.

Indicative total tuition fee for international students: $ 132,239 AUD.

This total tuition fee is indicative only. Please visit fees and costs for further information on how this is calculated.

International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.

Domestic scholarships

For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.

How can we help?

Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.