Why Study / Key Benefits

The University of Canterbury (UC) Bachelor of Sport (BSport) is a flexible three-year degree designed for students who want to build careers across the sporting, fitness, health, performance, coaching and sport-business sectors.

Key benefits include:

• Interdisciplinary study combining sport science, performance, coaching, wellbeing, leadership, business, teaching and sporting culture.
• Ability to customise the degree around areas of personal sporting interest.
• Practical learning through practicums, workshops, field trips and laboratory work.
• A 120-hour internship with a professional or community sport organisation in the final year.
• Choice of one major, a major plus minor, or two majors.
• Opportunity to add a minor from a very wide range of UC subjects, including business, health, psychology, nutrition, statistics, computer science and sport-related subjects.
• Most BSport courses are available through online distance study, making the qualification flexible for students who cannot be in Christchurch for every course.
• Opportunities to continue into postgraduate sport, health, teaching and business qualifications after completing the degree.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Bachelor of Sport has four major thematic areas:

• Society and sporting culture
• Science and performance
• Sport leadership and business
• Teaching and learning.

Current compulsory courses include:

Year 1:

• SPRT101 – Introduction to Sport Coaching
• SPRT104 – Anatomy and Physiology
• SPRT105 – Sport, History and Society
• SPRT110 – Practicum 1
• SPRT108 – Sport, Business and Governance

Year 2:

• SPRT208 – Sport and Culture in Aotearoa New Zealand
• SPRT203 – Evidence in Sport

Year 3:

• SPRT308 – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Sport
• SPRT320 – Internship.

Disciplines / Specialisations

Students can choose:

• One major
• One major plus one minor
• Two majors.

Current BSport majors are:

• Performance Data Analysis
• Physical Activity and Wellbeing
• Sport Coaching and Physical Education
• Sport Marketing and Management
• Strength and Conditioning
• Te Ao Hakinakina.

There are two important restrictions:

• Sport Coaching and Physical Education is a major-only option.
• Sport Marketing and Management is also a major-only option.
• If completing a double major, at least one major must be Sport Marketing and Management or Te Ao Hakinakina.

The minor can be selected from a broad range of UC subjects. Relevant examples include:

• Accounting
• Business Analytics
• Economics
• Finance
• Health Science
• Health Studies
• Human Services
• Nutrition
• Psychology
• Public Health
• Statistics
• Sport Coaching
• Sport Management
• Strength and Conditioning
• Te Ao Hakinakina
• Youth and Community Leadership.

Programme Highlights

• 360-point bachelor's degree.
• NZQF Level 7.
• Three years full-time.
• Up to six years part-time.
• February and July intakes.
• On-campus and online distance-study options.
• Most BSport courses are available online.
• 135 compulsory points.
• 120-point major.
• Major, major + minor or double-major options.
• Six current major choices.
• Very broad choice of minors.
• Practicums, workshops, field trips and laboratory learning.
• 120-hour professional/community sport internship.
• Focus on sport science, performance, coaching, wellbeing, leadership, business and culture.
• Opportunities to progress to postgraduate Sport Science, Health, Business and Teaching-related programmes.

Career Outcomes

UC identifies career opportunities including:

• Sports trainer
• Sports scientist
• Sports coach
• Extreme/adventure sports guide
• Team manager
• Sport management and leadership roles
• Health and wellbeing-related roles
• Fitness-related careers
• Performance and data-related sport roles.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current 2026–2027 UC information shows several important developments:

• The Bachelor of Sport remains a current 360-point Level 7 qualification.
• UC has expanded flexibility through online distance study, with most BSport courses available online.
• The degree includes a 120-hour internship in the final year.
• The current major portfolio includes Performance Data Analysis, Physical Activity and Wellbeing, Sport Coaching and Physical Education, Sport Marketing and Management, Strength and Conditioning, and Te Ao H?kinakina.
• Students completing courses involving children may need a police check and interview.
• Some courses may require vaccinations.
• Individual course prerequisites and practical requirements must be checked before enrolment.
• UC's separate Bachelor of Sport Coaching is listed as not open to new enrolments, while the Bachelor of Sport remains open and current

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student travelling to New Zealand for full-time study, the usual visa is the Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to the student's individual circumstances.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Offer of Place from an approved education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an applicable scholarship.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study in New Zealand.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.
• Compliance with visa conditions.

Current visa information:

• Cost: from NZD 850
• Maximum duration: up to 4 years
• Processing: 80% within 8.5 weeks.
• Applications are submitted online.
• INZ strongly encourages international students to apply approximately three months before intended travel.

Living-funds requirement:

• NZD 20,000 per year for tertiary study of one year or more.
• NZD 1,667 per month where the study period is shorter than one year.

Work rights:

• Eligible students may work up to 25 hours per week while studying.
• Full-time work during scheduled holidays may be permitted, depending on the conditions on the student's visa.