The Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences program aims to produce scholarly and autonomous graduates who are reflective professionals, ready for work and possess the ability to take responsibility for their personal and professional development. Through the Exercise and Sport Sciences program students will gain in-depth knowledge of the processes and mechanisms of the human body and sound practical skills in the various disciplines of exercise and sports science that will enable them to practise competently and effectively within the allied health profession. The program will provide innovative learning environments that offer guidance and support to foster both independent and collaborative learning.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences degree from CQUniversity have the expertise to enter a wide range of relevant employment fields throughout Australia and overseas. Employment opportunities exist in regional and state sporting organisations, corporate health and fitness, government agencies associated with exercise, sport, physical activity and health, sports institutes and academies, professional sports training, coaching and development, strength and conditioning, rehabilitation clinics and hospitals, private business in personal training and rehabilitation, and in universities and colleges with involvement in education and research. Many others have also completed their course (degree) and directly entered into further study in exercise and sport science, physiotherapy, medicine and nutrition.
Students wishing to pursue a career as a secondary school physical education teacher are recommended to complete CG85 Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences following the Secondary Teaching minor and then apply for entry into the postgraduate teacher education course.
Duration | 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 144 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | Each unit at this level, typically requires 144 hours of student commitment over a period of 12 weeks. |
Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | BESS |
AQF Level | Level 7: Bachelor Degree |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Rank Threshold | SR 69 | ATAR 69 |
International students - refer to the international student section.
Domestic - English, maths, biological science and/or physical education subject.
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | Not applicable |
Accreditation |
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Compulsory Residential School | Students studying via distance education will be required to attend compulsory residential schools for some courses. |
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Click here to view all Residential Schools |
- Students will be required to undertake a minimum of 320 hours of voluntary work placements across the three years of the program.Students are required to complete 200 hours for their ESSA-related placement, 40 hours of clinical observation, and 80 hours for sport management courses. |
ESSC12002 - Students have the opportunity to undertake a 20 hour vocational experience with an approved sport management placement that may include a sports club or sports business that is aligned with student career interests. |
ESSC12006 - Students have the opportunity to undertake a 60 hour vocational experience with an approved sport management placement that may include a sports club or sports business that is aligned with student career interests. Students will be required to organise, implement and manage the delivery of a sports or business event that they have developed for this course. |
ESSC13003 - Students must complete 200 hours of compulsory practicum experience with healthy populations under the supervision of a health professional: - an AEP (Accredited Exercise Physiologist) OR - an exercise professional with or capable of attaining, full membership of ESSA OR - a university-trained allied health professional with experience in exercise delivery OR - a certificate IV in fitness trained individual with at least 10 years full-time equivalent experience within the exercise and sports science industry |
ESSC13005 - Students are required to attend a compulsory 40 hour observational placement at an agreed location, where exercise/activity is used with the aim to develop health related benefits to an individual or group of individuals categorised as at risk or with a clinical condition. |
Year | Number of Students |
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2024 | 151 |
2023 | 179 |
2022 | 182 |
2021 | 209 |
2020 | 233 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
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Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks and are outlined in the health, security and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date prior to a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course.
Mandatory health requirements may include immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) to the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening. Additional vaccinations and screening are subject to the site or state health authority.
Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.
Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance, working with children check, and NDIS worker screening clearance.
Other mandatory requirements may include a First Aid and CPR certificate, student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, fitness to participate in WIL student declaration, jurisdictional and site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules.
Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning | ||||||
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge | ||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas | ||||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence | ||||||
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas | ||||||
6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship | ||||||
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | ||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | ||||||
KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | ||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | ||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 18 | Total credit points: 114 |
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Program Structure
Students must complete a total of 24 courses consisting of 18 core courses; and a minor consisting of 6 courses.
Students can view the minor options below.
This program consists of COMPULSORY residential schools. Please see More Details for further information and view the residential school timetable.
Recommended study schedule
The following schedule is designed for full-time students who usually enrol in 4 courses per term or 24 units of credit. Part-time students should therefore modify this schedule to suit their own needs. The normal study load for part-time students is 2 courses per term or 12 units of credit per term.
Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BMSC11001 | Human Body Systems 1 | |
ESSC11001 | Physical Activity, Fitness and Health | |
ESSC11004 | Study and Research Skills for Health Science |
In addition to the above core courses, students are required to select 1 course from their chosen Minor in Year 1 Term 1.
Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BMSC11002 | Human Body Systems 2 | |
ESSC11002 | Measurement and Evaluation in Health Science | |
ESSC11003 | Skill Acquisition and Movement |
In addition to the above core courses, students are required to complete 1 course from their chosen Minor in Year 1 Term 2.
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
ESSC12001 | Exercise and Sport Physiology | |
ESSC12002 | Exercise and Sport Management | |
ESSC12003 | Exercise and Sport Psychology | |
ESSC12004 | Exercise and Sport Biomechanics |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
ESSC12005 | Applied Exercise and Sport Physiology | |
ESSC12006 | Applied Exercise and Sport Management | |
ESSC12007 | Applied Exercise and Sport Psychology | |
ESSC12008 | Applied Exercise and Sport Biomechanics |
Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
ESSC13003 | Advanced Applied Exercise and Sport Science A | |
ESSC13006 | Applied Skill Acquisition and Movement |
In addition to the above core courses, students are required to complete 2 courses from their chosen Minor in Year 3 Term 1.
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
ESSC13004 | Advanced Applied Exercise and Sport Science B | |
ESSC13005 | Advanced Clinical Exercise Science |
In addition to the above core courses, students are required to complete 2 courses from their chosen Minor in Year 3 Term 2.
Minors
Students must complete 6 courses from ONE of the following minors.
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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ESSA Accredited Career Options:
Regional and state sporting organisations; Corporate health and fitness; Government agencies associated with exercise, sport, physical activity and health; Sports institutes and academies; Professional sports training, coaching and development; Strength and conditioning; Rehabilitation clinics and hospitals; Private business in personal training and rehabilitation, and in universities and colleges with involvement in education and research.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PSYC11008 | Biological Foundations of Psychology | |
NUTR19001 | Nutrition | |
BMSC12006 | Cardiorespiratory Physiology and Measurement | |
BIOH12008 | Human Pathophysiology | |
ESSC13007 | Functional Anatomy | |
BMED19006 | Nutrition in Practice |
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Occupational Health and Safety Career Options:
Government agencies associated with exercise, rehabilitation and health; Private business associated with exercise, rehabilitation and health; Private companies and business requiring health and safety workers; Ergonomics, rehabilitation and injury.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
OCHS11025 | Health and Safety Risk Management | |
OCHS11026 | Introductory Occupational Health and Safety | |
AINV11002 | Socio-technical Systems | |
OCHS12019 | Human Factors | |
OCHS13017 | Resilient Organisations | |
OCHS13018 | Safety Systems |
Student are advised to undertake the courses for their minor in the following sequence:
In Year 1 students must complete courses OCHS11025 and OCHS11026.
In Year 3 Term 1 students must complete courses OCHS13018 and OCHS12019.
In Year 3 Term 2 students must complete courses AINV11002 and OCHS13017.
The OHS Minor must be confirmed by the Exercise and Sports Sciences Program Advisor.
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Physical Education Career Options:
Students wishing to pursue a career in Physical Education are recommended to complete the CG85 Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences program following the Physical Education minor and then enrol in a postgraduate preservice teacher education program.
Currently students must enrol into the postgraduate preservice teacher education program CV09 Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching (Specialisation) with CQUniversity and must also complete six (6) teaching discipline areas (science, mathematics, computing, etc) and meet the relevant entry requirements of CV09 on completion of the CG85 Program. NOTE: The last intake into the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching (Secondary) will be Term 1 2015. After this date students will be required to enter a postgraduate Masters pre-service teacher education program.
To be eligible to graduate with the Physical Education minor, students must complete 6 courses in a secondary teaching discipline. For the secondary teaching discipline list please contact the Education Program Advisor.
In addition to the 6 courses from the secondary teaching discipline area above, students must also complete EDCU11032 Health and Physical Education in place of ESSC13003 Advanced Applied Exercise and Sport Science A from Year 3, Term 1 of the core structure of the program and NUTR12001 Human Nutrition in place of ESSC13004 Advanced Applied Exercise and Sport Science B from Year 3, Term 2 of the core structure of the program.
The Physical Education Minor must be confirmed by the Education Program Advisor.
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Sport Management Career Options:
Management and administration in regional and state sporting organisations; Management and administration in government agencies associated with exercise, sport, physical activity and health; Professional sporting organisations; Regional and state sports development; Media; Private business; Lifestyle management.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MGMT11109 | Introduction to Business | |
HRMT11011 | Human Resource Management | |
OCHS12015 | Occupational Health and Safety Law | |
HRMT11010 | Organisational Behaviour | |
HRMT19020 | Perspectives on Organisational Change | |
HRMT19012 | Performance Management |
Students are advised to undertake the courses for their minor in the following sequence:
In Year 1 students must complete courses MGMT11109 and HRMT11011.
In Year 2 students must complete courses OCHS12015 and HRMT11010.
In Year 3 students must complete courses HRMT19020 and HRMT19012.
Compulsory Residential Schools
The Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences course has compulsory residential schools that are offered for first year, second year, and third year exercise and sport sciences coded units (ESSC). These residential schools are to be attended by students studying via On-Campus and Mixed-Mode enrolment. Residential schools for these units are held in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton. See the Residential School Timetable in this Handbook.
Where possible, the residential schools are presented in a block format that attempts to combine ESSC coded units with non-ESSC coded units to reduce travel requirements for residential schools. Students are also advised to be aware of possible residential school requirements in units within their chosen minor, as well as potential clashes that may occur.
Students completing study part-time should carefully select units with residential schools in the same year of study to minimise travel requirements.
Students must undertake the residential school component during the term of unit enrolment and are unable to defer residential school or undertake residential school prior to enrolling in a unit.
Work Integrated Learning
Across the three-year course, students will complete a minimum 150 hours of work-integrated learning through voluntary experience and observation in professional practice placements, working with the general population, athletic populations, and clinical populations. Failure to complete work placements and submit associated compulsory documentation will result in students failing units requiring work-integrated learning.
Before commencing professional practice placements, students will need to complete pre-placement checks, purchase a uniform, and have a student ID card. Further information can be found on Sonia (CQUniversity's placement management system), the "Course Features" page under the "Getting Started" tab of the Handbook, and on specific unit Moodle sites.
Application for Credit Transfer
Credit transfer will only be granted where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies undertaken, equivalent in content and depth to the CQUniversity course have been successfully completed. Students should examine unit outlines in this handbook to determine the units for which they may be eligible to receive exemption.
You can apply for direct credit against CQUniversity units if equivalent tertiary level study has been completed. You must supply relevant documentation (study guides, unit profiles, etc.) in this process. Refer to the Credit Transfer website for further details on the guidelines and application process.
Computing Requirements
It is a requirement of enrolment in this course that students have access to the CQUniversity website. Students may be required to undertake various components of study in the course using email and the Internet.
It is strongly recommended that students have access to at least a broadband connection to access online student resources that includes but is not limited to, email, internet, video streaming, and electronic assessment submission.
Student Memberships
As a student in the CG85 Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences course, you are eligible for membership with a number of organisations such as Exercise and Sports Science Australia and Sports Medicine Australia. These organisations provide a range of industry-relevant resources and student are encouraged to become members. Links to student memberships can be found here:
Exercise and Sports Science Australia
Professional Recognition
The CG85 Bachelor of Exercise and Sport is currently accredited with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) (2019 through 2024). Please note, the CG85 course is currently undergoing reaccreditation with an outcome anticipated in 2025.
To attain Exercise Science accreditation following graduation, graduates of the CG85 course must submit a completed application to ESSA along with certified copies of their transcript or letter from CQUniversity, copy of photo identification, and necessary payment. Further details are provided to students while undertaking the unit ESSC13009 Professional Practice in Exercise and Sport Sciences.