Course overview

Join the #1 sport science school in the world* and learn from expert teachers in world-class facilities with Deakin's Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science/Bachelor of Business (Sport Management). Offering an accredited pathway for you to be eligible to register and practise as an Accredited Exercise Scientist with Exercise and Sports Science Australia; you will become a professional leader in exercise and sport science, with business knowledge to manage sporting organisations and events.

Exercise and sport science study enables you to develop the skills to apply exercise and sport science principles to improve the performance, health and participation of individuals, athletes and teams. Sport management study teaches you about the business of sport, including sport systems, finance, marketing, management and law. Plus, complete a minimum of 320 hours of practical experience. Be ready to broaden your career options and your understanding of wider sport contexts.

Want to learn the science behind elite performance and influence the business of sport?

With this combined course, you will gain unique knowledge and skills in managing organisations that support sports and events within disciplines such as:

• athlete management
• equipment/merchandising
• finance
• marketing
• promotion
• sponsorship

At the same time, you will focus your expertise on sport science and peak performance. The nationally recognised Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science is the field leader in Victoria and focuses on areas like:

• behavioural aspects of sport and exercise
• exercise physiology
• human growth and ageing
• improved performance
• motor learning and development.

Learning from teachers who are active in the industry means your classroom becomes a hub of the latest ideas, approaches and techniques. As well as classroom-based learning, you will undertake at least 220 hours of fieldwork experience in real-world settings through the Exercise Programming and Exercise and Sports Practicum units, plus 100 or more hours with a host sporting organisation in the Sport Management Practicum unit.

This extensive practical experience gives you the expertise to pursue opportunities varying from sport, exercise and coaching occupations, to sports administration, management, governance and development roles.

Course structure

To complete the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science/Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) students must attain 32 credit points. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. In order to gain 32 credit points you will need to study 32 units (AKA 'subjects'). Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester and usually undertaken two trimesters each year.

The course comprises a total of 32 credit points which must include 16 core units in the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, 15 core units and 1 elective unit in the Bachelor of Business (Sport Management).

Note for Geelong students:

• Exercise and Sport Science (H-coded) units are offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
• Business (Sport Management) (M-coded) units are mostly offered online, and/or delivered at Waterfront (Geelong)

You may need to travel between Waterfront (Geelong) and Waurn Ponds (Geelong) to complete this course.

Intakes by location

The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

Additional course information

This combined course features extensive practical experience in exercise and sport science so you can start your career before you graduate with hands-on work placement experience.

You have the opportunity to undertake hands-on experience in a variety of sporting, exercise or health environments. These may vary from local, state or national sporting organisations and professional sporting clubs; state and national institutes of sport; as well as health, fitness and rehabilitation providers. The roles can involve coaching, sport science, sports administration, sport management, rehabilitation and fitness. Many graduates have been offered work based on their excellent fieldwork performance.

^Indicates compulsory practicum core unit students need to complete in this course - refer course structure.

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Mandatory student checks

Working with Children Check

Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) for the relevant state prior to undertaking placements as part of this course. Further information and guidance will be provided to students when they enrol into their placement units. 

Police record check

Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for placements as part of this course. Further information and guidance will be provided to students when they enrol into their placement units. 

Workload

As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Participation requirements

The course contains two compulsory placements comprising a minimum of 240 hours. One placement from the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science (minimum 140 hours) and one from the Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) (minimum 100 hours).

The Exercise Programming experience provides you with an 80 hour placement in exercise assessment, prescription and delivery at one of our approved host organisations.

Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Work experience

Exercise and Sport Science

The Exercise and Sport Science Practicum gives you the opportunity to undertake a formalised fieldwork experience of a minimum of 140 hours in an exercise and sport organisational setting. You will be responsible for selecting and negotiating an appropriate work experience. Field experiences are intended to provide you with opportunities to develop skills and knowledge in areas of exercise and sport science which will enhance your professional development and vocation potential.

Sport Management

The Sport Management Practicum will be a placement organised by you with a host sporting organisation, association or facility for a period of 100 hours.

Recognition of prior learning

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of Prior Learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of Prior Learning.
Your Recognition of Prior Learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

Career outcomes

With this combined degree, you will be equipped to provide professional leadership in the field and contribute to the development of the Australian sporting industry. Career opportunities may include:

• business development manager
• exercise scientist
• player manager/agent
• recreation officer
• sports administrator
• elite coach
• strength and conditioning coach
• sports development officer
• sports event manager.

Students wanting to pursue further study in exercise and sport science may consider applying for Deakin’s:

• Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science (Honours) (H442)
• Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology (H743)
• Master of Applied Sport Science (H707).