Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Swinburne University of Technology is designed for students interested in improving health, fitness and sporting performance through exercise prescription, training, coaching and evidence-based advice. The course combines exercise science with health, sport, biomechanics, technology and research.

Key benefits include:

• Access to exercise and sport science laboratories and technologies including wearable sensors, virtual reality and 3D analysis equipment.
• Development of practical skills in exercise prescription, health and performance assessment, biomechanics and movement analysis.
• Training in digital technologies used within the increasingly digitised exercise and sport industry.
• Two compulsory 80-hour industry placement components, giving a total of 160 placement hours within the standard degree.
• Work Integrated Learning is embedded in the degree, although some additional WIL opportunities may not be available to international students because of visa restrictions.
• Accreditation at exercise-science level allows eligible graduates to apply to Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) for recognition as an Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES). 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The standard 300-credit-point programme comprises 12 core units, an Exercise and Health Major and 50 credit points of minor/elective study.

Core units include:

• Anatomy and Physiology – BIO10004
• Introduction to Nutrition – NTR10001
• The Psychology of Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity – SPO10002
• Musculoskeletal Anatomy – BIO10008
• Introduction to Research in Exercise Science – SPH10011
• Motor Control and Learning – SPH10012
• Physical Activity, Health and Technology – SPH10013
• Fundamental Principles of Biomechanics – SPH20010
• Clinical and Sports Movement Analysis – SPH20011
• Industry Professional Practice 1 – SPH30016
• Research Project – SPH30013
• Industry Professional Practice 2 – SPH30017

The major component includes subjects such as:

• Introduction to Exercise and Sport Science – HEA10006
• Exercise Physiology 1 – SPH20012
• Principles of Strength and Conditioning – SPH20014
• Exercise Physiology 2 – SPH20013
• Exercise Prescription and Delivery – SPH20015
• Exercise, Health and Disease – SPH30010
• Performance Analysis – SPH30012
• Exercise for Complex and Chronic Conditions – SPH30011

Examples of minor options include:

• Entrepreneurship
• Health Statistics
• Healthy Societies
• Indigenous Studies
• Innovation
• Management for Health
• Marketing
• Neuroscience
• Nutrition

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme is centred on Exercise and Sport Science, with the handbook describing the principal 100-credit-point major as Exercise and Health.

Major study areas include:

• Exercise science
• Exercise physiology
• Strength and conditioning
• Exercise prescription
• Biomechanics
• Sports movement analysis
• Performance analysis
• Health and disease
• Complex and chronic conditions
• Sport, exercise and physical-activity psychology
• Research in exercise science
• Health and fitness technology

Programme Highlights

• CRICOS registered programme: 097922M.
• Accredited at exercise-science level by/through recognition from Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), enabling eligible graduates to apply as an Accredited Exercise Scientist.
• Two compulsory 80-hour industry placements within the standard degree.
• Access to wearable sensors, virtual reality and 3D analysis technology.
• Small classes and practical learning opportunities.
• Research project component.
• Training incorporates health, fitness, performance, exercise prescription, biomechanics and technology.
• Swinburne reports 86% of graduates found employment within four months of completing the course; this is a university-published outcome claim and should not be interpreted as a guarantee for an individual student.
• Swinburne's course page also reports a graduate salary comparison of $85.3K five years after graduation versus a $66.3K national average; this is university-published information and relates to the stated source period, rather than a guaranteed graduate salary.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies potential career areas including:

• Sports scientist
• Exercise scientist
• Performance analyst
• Coaching officer
• Development officer
• Strength and conditioning specialist
• Cardiac technician
• Government health and sport agencies
• Medical and clinical environments
• Corporate health and wellness
• Exercise and fitness services

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The latest course information currently identifies several requirements that are particularly important for international students:

• 2027 intake dates are currently 1 March and 2 August.
• Applications are currently listed with deadlines of 24 February and 28 July 2027 respectively.
• The course requires 160 hours of placement within its standard structure.
• All enrolled students must maintain a current Australian WWCC.
• First Aid or CPR certification is required before placement units.
• An NDIS Worker Screening Check may be required for particular placements.
• Additional placement compliance requirements can include immunisation documentation, COVID-19 vaccination, hand-hygiene certification and N95 mask-fit testing, depending on the placement organisation.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this course in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

For this course, Swinburne states that international students in Australia holding a Student visa must study full-time and on campus.

Key Student visa considerations currently include:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for the course.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an applicable exemption applies.
• Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
• Evidence of financial capacity when requested/required.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Compliance with visa conditions.
• The Department of Home Affairs can require English-language evidence for the visa, separate from Swinburne's admission English requirement.

Work rights:

• Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.
• Students cannot work before their course starts.
• The 48-hour limitation does not apply in the same way to master's-by-research and doctoral students, but that exception does not apply to this bachelor's degree.

Genuine Student requirement:

• Student visa applicants must demonstrate that studying in Australia is their primary reason for applying.
• The online application includes questions concerning the applicant's circumstances, reasons for choosing the course/provider and Australia, and the benefits of the proposed study.
• The Department currently specifies a maximum of 150 words for each relevant GS response.

Financial capacity:

• Where financial evidence is required, applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds for relevant travel, tuition and living costs.
• The Department may also require evidence demonstrating genuine access to the funds.

Student visa application charge:

• The Department confirms that the Student visa application charge increased from 1 July 2026.
• The exact current charge applicable to an Indian applicant is not stated in the course information itself and can depend on the applicant's circumstances: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU / Australian Department of Home Affairs before lodging the visa application.