Australian residents
International students
Duration: 
1.5 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
Footscray Park
Delivery mode: 
Hybrid
Start dates:
24 February 2025
28 July 2025
Application due dates:
Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.
Apply

Overview

Become an exercise physiologist (AEP) with a Master of Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation at Victoria University.

You'll learn to assess and prescribe exercise and physical activity for people with chronic conditions or complex care needs. This course will prepare you to work in the community and in clinical settings with people who have:

  • musculoskeletal injuries
  • neurological conditions
  • metabolic conditions
  • cardiovascular conditions
  • various comorbidities.

Our program follows a strong evidence-based teaching approach to the scope of practice of clinical exercise physiology. To consolidate your theoretical learning, you will gain significant practical experience in clinical placements.

You will graduate with the knowledge, skills and experience to work as an exercise physiologist. There is also an optional research component embedded in this course that will prepare you academically for a PhD pathway.

This course is fully accredited with Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA).

Commonwealth Supported Places in 2023

Fees are heavily subsidised and HECS-HELP loans available for eligible students in 2023. Apply now or register your interest - there's never been a better time to study!

(Note: Fees with CSP are subject to availability.)

Following the overwhelming success of the revolutionary VU Block Model with undergraduate students, we have rolled out the Block Model to our postgraduate courses.

This course will be delivered in four-week mode, which means you study one unit (subject) at a time over four weeks, rather than juggling several units at once. And with its focused timetables and smaller, collaborative classes, VU’s Block Model gives you more time to connect with your peers, lecturers and industry partners, helping you to build strong professional networks.

The VU Block Model has improved our student results and engagement, and has won multiple international awards for innovation and excellence.

Everything you learn with VU has direct links to the real world. We place a strong emphasis on clinical and practical learning.

A key part of your studies will be embarking on a range of external clinical practicums, with additional staff mentoring. You'll have the opportunity to gain real-world experience through exercise science and rehabilitation placements that can lead directly to future employment.

Victoria University has an outstanding reputation in sport, exercise science and health and fitness.

We have gained this name through our extensive offering of sport-related courses and our world-class facilities. Also unique to VU is our significant research, leading academic staff and our broad partnerships.

We have more sports industry partners than any other university. Our partners include:

  • Western Centre for Health, Research and Education at Sunshine Hospital
  • Victoria University Inter-professional Clinic
  • Western Bulldogs Football Club
  • Australian Institute of Sport
  • Victorian Racing Club
  • Australian Sports Commission
  • Real Madrid Football Club Foundation
  • Beijing and German Sports Universities
  • Sport Australia Hall of Fame
  • National Heart Foundation
  • VicHealth
  • National Ageing Research Institute
  • Football Federation Victoria
  • Tennis Australia
  • Western Health
  • Australian Football League (AFL)
  • many public and private healthcare providers.

VU has the largest number of students enrolled in sport courses, and we have the most graduates working in the sport industry.

You will access our amazing sport and exercise infrastructure and facilities, the most comprehensive in the southern hemisphere.

This course is part of the Victoria University Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation (VUCER) program that operates from a clinic at our Footscray Park campus. The clinic recently underwent a $500,000 redevelopment and now includes a clinical-grade gymnasium, exercise testing laboratory and consultation rooms.

The Institute for Health and Sport is also part of the world-class sport and learning precinct at Footscray Park. It features the most advanced sport and exercise technology available. The facility is used by students, researchers, professional sports teams and community organisations.

At the Victoria University Community Sports Stadium you will learn alongside sport and recreation professionals. This stadium is a joint initiative with the Western Bulldogs.

Our facilities include:

  • exercise physiology labs
  • altitude hotel
  • biomechanics labs
  • motor learning and skilled performance labs
  • heat chambers
  • motor control and biofeedback labs
  • integrated teaching and learning facilities.

 

360° tour of VUCER - Transcript

In the 2015 ERA (Excellence in Research for Australia) ratings, VU received the highest rating of five (well above world-standard) for research in Human Movement and Sports Science.

Victoria University has been ranked number 7 in the world for sport science (ShanghaiRankings).

Our ground-breaking research, world-class facilities and partnerships with some of the world’s top sporting clubs have rocketed us to this position.

Studying with us means you benefit from all of the opportunities that come with our elite status – learning from academics who are connected with top organisations, researching with national sporting bodies and accessing our cutting-edge sport-science equipment.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back
Define your career in sport with a postgraduate degree - Transcript

Careers in exercise science

Exercise physiology is a growing allied health profession. A postgraduate qualification in clinical exercise science from Victoria University will put you at the forefront of helping those with chronic conditions or complex care needs. 

You could find work in a range of settings, including:

  • hospitals
  • community health centres
  • fitness centres
  • sporting academies
  • sports clinics
  • rehabilitation clinics
  • case management through compensable schemes such as WorkSafe.

You could also run your own private practice.

Your practical training with VU will prepare you to work in a variety of specific areas, such as:

  • women’s health
  • aged care
  • occupational health and safety.
A sporting passion for health & wellbeing

A sporting passion for health & wellbeing

Founder of holistic health and fitness provider The Biomechanics Luke Postlethwaite credits his success with the practical approach of his VU studies, and his own determination.

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Course structure

To attain the Master of Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, students will be required to complete 144 credit points consisting of:
-
120 credit points core units
-
24 credit points coursework/thesis units (Option 1 or 2)

OPTION 1 - Additional Coursework Units

- 12 credit points SCL6004 Pain Science
- 12 credit points SCL7005 Complex Cases in Clinical Exercise Physiology
OR
OPTION 2 - Thesis

- 24 credit points SCL7001 Minor Thesis

Core Units

Option 1: Additional Coursework Units

Option 2: Thesis

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Contextualise theoretical knowledge and expertise through the application of individualised exercise assessment and intervention principles for preventive healthcare, chronic disease management, and rehabilitation;  
  2. Implement specific evidence-based skills and competencies in clinical exercise physiology aligned with the professional standards for accreditation from Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA);  
  3. Critically reflect on and implement high-level interpersonal communication skills for ethical and safe clinical exercise practice supporting person-centred care, cultural inclusivity, and interprofessional practice;  
  4. Evaluate, devise, and conduct research which exhibits independence of thought in the field of clinical exercise physiology and rehabilitation; and  
  5. Critically reflect on practice capabilities and recognise the need for ongoing professional development.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admission & pathways

Inherent Requirements

'Inherent requirements' are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of a course. These should be met while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes.

You need to be able to demonstrate that you hold, or can acquire, the inherent requirements for this degree.

We may be able to make reasonable adjustments to help you manage circumstances that impact your studies – provided these don't fundamentally change the academic integrity of the degree.

Read more about inherent requirements.

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a similar discipline
OR
Completion of an Australian Graduate Certificate (or equivalent) in a similar discipline

A prerequisite for admission to AMEP is Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) accreditation as an Exercise Scientist (AES), or eligibility for Exercise Scientist accreditation.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Additional information

To check whether your prior study would meet current ESSA Exercise Science standards, please consult the ESSA website (https://www.essa.org.au/Public/APPLY_NOW/Accreditation/Exercise_Science_...). Complete a Graduate Entry Assessment (GEA) (https://www.essa.org.au/Public/APPLY_NOW/Graduate_Entry_Assessment.aspx) and include the information that you receive back from ESSA in your application for AMEP Master of Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation. Typically, a GEA is completed by students coming from a non-ESSA accredited qualification. If you are not sure if your degree is ESSA accredited or not, you should check with your university, or here at the ESSA website:https://www.essa.org.au/Public/EDUCATION_PROVIDERS/Accredited_Courses.aspx

CLINICAL PLACEMENTS
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement hours consist of a minimum of 360 hours:
• SCL6104 Clinical Exercise Practice (80 hours onsite placement – Victoria University Clinical Exercise & Rehabilitation Clinic)
• SCL7006 Exercise Physiology Practicum 1 (140 hours external placement)
• SCL7007 Exercise Physiology Practicum 2 (140 hours external placement).

Prior to participating in the onsite practicum in SCL6104 Clinical Exercise Practice the following requirements must be met:
•Completion of the unit SCL6003 Introduction to Clinical Exercise Physiology;
•Completion of at least one of the following units:
SCL6202 Exercise Assessments and Interventions for Musculoskeletal Conditions
SCL6203 Exercise Assessments and Interventions for Neurological Conditions
SCL6000 Exercise Assessments and Interventions for Cardiorespiratory Conditions
SCL6001 Exercise Assessments and Interventions for Metabolic Conditions and Cancer
•Completion of the coursework component of SCL6104 Clinical Exercise Practice
•Demonstration of fitness for practicum including professionalism and evidence of continuing developing competencies throughout the duration of the degree. This is determined in consultation with the Course Chairs and academic teaching staff.

Prior to participating in Exercise Physiology Practicum 1 & 2 (SCL7006 and SCL7007) students are required to have:
•Completed at least 96 Credit Points of the course (8 units). These must include all of:
SCL6104 Clinical Exercise Practice
SCL6202 Exercise Assessments and Interventions for Musculoskeletal Conditions
SCL6203 Exercise Assessments and Interventions for Neurological Conditions
SCL6000 Exercise Assessments and Interventions for Cardiorespiratory Conditions
SCL6001 Exercise Assessments and Interventions for Metabolic Conditions and Cancer
•Demonstration of fitness for practicum including professionalism and evidence of continuing developing competencies throughout the duration of the degree. This is determined in consultation with the course chairs and academic teaching staff.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

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How to apply

Available start dates:
  • 24 February 2025
  • 28 July 2025

Before you apply

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

  • Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
  • Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.

Find out more about applying for our courses.

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

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At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.