Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise (Sport Development) prepares students for careers across the sport industry, with emphasis on increasing participation, developing athlete pathways, improving community health and wellbeing, and strengthening sport organisations.
• The programme combines sport development theory with practical industry experience.
• Students study areas including sport sociology, sport event management, coaching, sport business, community development, sport organisations and health promotion.
• A dedicated Professional Development for the Sport Industry course prepares students for their industry practicum.
• The 30-credit Sport and Exercise Practicum can be completed in New Zealand or overseas, providing practical workplace experience.
• Massey has connections with national and regional sport and recreation organisations that can support practical learning opportunities.
• The programme can suit students interested in grassroots sport, community development, sport administration, athlete development, sport events and health-promotion initiatives.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The degree has a common BSpEx core, the 180-credit Sport Development major and electives.

Typical first-year BSpEx study includes:

• 234140 Introduction to Physical Education
• 234131 Introduction to Sport Organisations and Development
• 250100 Health Communication
• 234141 Introduction to Human Movement and Hauora
• 234111 Training Principles and Practice
• 234135 Sociology of Sport and Exercise
• 234121 Functional Anatomy
• One major/elective component.

The current BSpEx structure specifies 105 credits of core courses, 180 credits for the major and 75 elective credits.

Current Sport Development courses include:

• 151131 Introduction to Food and Nutrition – social, cultural and psychological factors affecting food habits, food composition and basic human nutrition.
• 152236 Sport Business – strategic management, governance, organisational behaviour and human-resource management in sport organisations.
• 152237 Sport Event Management – management aspects of sporting events.
• 152238 Professional Development for the Sport Industry – preparation for the practicum through field experience and critical reflection.
• 234216 Sport and Community Development – sport development concepts, community sport, sport/health initiatives, policy, social and economic development, urban development, grant writing and funding.
• 234236 Applied Sport Coaching – contemporary coaching, long-term athletic development and youth sport.
• 234243 Sport Pedagogy – learning and instruction methods for physical activities and sport in educational settings.
• 234331 Sport and Physical Activity in the Social Context – social, cultural, political, economic and educational contexts of sport and physical activity.
• 234338 Sport and Exercise Practicum – practical industry experience in areas such as sport event management, coaching, coordination, sport performance, exercise prescription and athlete conditioning.
• 234346 Te Ao Kori and Health Promotion – physical-activity and health-promotion initiatives in schools, workplaces and communities.
• 234360 Sport Psychology – theory, research and practice in sport psychology.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise currently has three principal specialisations:

• Exercise Science
• Physical Education
• Sport Development

There is also a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise option without a specialisation.

Within Sport Development, the focus is on:

• Sport development
• Sport organisations
• Sport business
• Sport events
• Community sport
• Coaching
• Sport sociology
• Sport psychology
• Health and physical-activity promotion
• Industry experience.

Programme Highlights

• 360-credit undergraduate degree.
• NZQF Level 7.
• Three years full-time.
• 180-credit Sport Development major.
• Distance and online study option.
• Manawat? campus option.
• Blended learning with online study and practical/workshop opportunities.
• 30-credit industry practicum.
• Practicum may be completed in New Zealand or overseas.
• Strong emphasis on real-world sport-industry experience.
• Study of sport organisations, sport business, community development, coaching, sport events and health promotion.
• Optional minor available.
• Massey states that its sports-related subjects are ranked among the top 150 globally in the QS World University Rankings. This is a university-reported ranking claim.

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies career areas and roles including:

• Local, regional and national sport organisations
• Community outreach
• Corporate social responsibility
• Sport partnership management
• Physical activity and health promotion
• Sport volunteer coordination
• Sporting activity coordination
• Event coordination
• Programme coordination.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current programme remains a 3-year, 360-credit BSpEx degree with Sport Development as a 180-credit major.
• All BSpEx courses are available online by distance according to Massey's 2027 qualification guide, while many courses provide opportunities for face-to-face practicals/workshops at Manawat?.
• The Sport and Exercise Practicum is 30 credits and can potentially be completed overseas, subject to Massey's placement arrangements.
• There are no additional academic entry requirements specifically for Sport Development beyond Massey's university admission requirements.
• Course prerequisites apply, particularly for higher-level study.
• Students should plan the Professional Development for the Sport Industry course before undertaking the Sport and Exercise Practicum.
• Students may include an optional minor, subject to the relevant regulations.
• Massey's current page lists the qualification as open to international students studying on campus in New Zealand or online outside New Zealand.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students who study the programme online from outside New Zealand do not need a New Zealand student visa merely because they are enrolled in the online programme while remaining outside New Zealand. Massey explicitly states that the programme is open to international students studying online outside New Zealand.

Students intending to relocate to New Zealand for on-campus study generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa, unless another immigration category applies.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an acceptable scholarship/approved arrangement.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Health and character requirements where applicable.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence of plans or funds to leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.