Overview
Aim for a career that combines your passion for sport with the rewards of youth work. Our double degree gives you in-demand skills and knowledge to help young people reach their potential.
The Bachelor of Youth Work/Bachelor of Sport Management expands your career options in youth work and sport management. You’ll develop practical management and leadership skills for both areas, and become an expert in roles where sport and youth work meet.
Youth work encourages young people’s personal and social development, giving them a voice in their communities and society. One of the key tools in this work is recreation and adventure programs. Our combined degree, Bachelor of Youth Work and Bachelor of Sport Management, will teach you enjoyable and challenging educational activities that help young people to work through issues and build self-confidence.
We give you valuable youth-work and sport-management experience – ensuring you’re job-ready when you graduate.
Work experience through placements
During your degree, you’ll receive practical experience in various areas of youth work, through industry-based learning and professional development.
Our professional practice unit offers fieldwork placements – including recreation and outdoor adventure programs. Our sports college also offers placement programs.
Youth work students get to complete 200 hours of fieldwork placement. This can take place at any time throughout the academic year (dependent on organisation needs and student availability).
Sports education excellence
VU is a leading sports-education provider. When you study sports-related topics with us, you’ll be part of a fantastic community of sports study and achievement.
We offer a huge range of sporting-related courses, dozens of connections with sporting organisations, and cutting-edge facilities.
You’ll benefit from expert lecturers and mentors, and partnerships and affiliations with professional and community sporting clubs, and public-health and education groups. These include:
- The Real Madrid Graduate School Unversidad Europea
- Australian Sports Commission
- Australian Institute of Sport
- Western Bulldogs Football Club.
A campus with everything
Footscray Park Campus has everything you need, all set a pleasant stroll from the Maribyrnong River and parklands.
Facilities include:
- aquatic and fitness centre
- childcare services
- learning common spaces with WiFi, tables and chairs
- restaurants and café
- state-of-the-art lecture theatres.
Our library gives you constant access to online resources from wherever you are. It also has the following for your use:
- 14 group study rooms
- 15 laptops for loan
- 296 PCs and six Apple Macs
- printing, copying and scanning
- WiFi access.
Study overseas while earning course credits
At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.
Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backHelp young people to reach their potential with our Bachelor of Youth Work/Bachelor of Sport Management.
Careers in sport management and youth work
You may find work in one of many roles in the following areas:
- youth work
- sport management
- recreation centres and community development.
Check the predictions for youth work job openings at Labour Market Insights.
If you continue to our Masters of Teaching (Secondary), you’ll be able to apply for secondary-school teaching positions.
Salaries
Find average Australian salaries for:
Course structure
To attain the double degree of Bachelor of Youth Work/Bachelor of Sport Management students will be required to complete 384 credit points in total consisting of:
- 384 credit points of Core Units including 24 credit points of Capstone studies.
Course structure and units
Year 1
-
- Unit code
- AEB1800
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- AEB1801
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- AEB1804
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- AYW1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BHO1000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- SOL1000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- SSM1101
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- SSM1104
- Credits
- 12
Year 2
-
- Unit code
- AEB2802
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- AEB2803
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- AEB3803
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ECY2001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- SSM2002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- SSM2104
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- SSM2204
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- SSM2205
- Credits
- 12
Year 3
-
- Unit code
- AEB3802
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- AEB3805
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- AYW2002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- EDI3001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- SSM2003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- SSM2103
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- SSM3104
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- SSM3204
- Credits
- 12
Year 4
-
- Unit code
- AEB3801
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASC2005
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ECY3000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ECY3001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ECY3003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ECY3004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- SSM3103
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- SSM3205
- Credits
- 12
Achieve more with the VU Block Model
We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.
Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.
You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.
Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.
Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.
Find out more about the VU Block Model.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. | Critically review their understanding and appreciation of the nature, role and significance of recreation for young people in its differing social, political and economic contexts; | ||
2. | Adapt their knowledge and skills of youth work, recreation and sport management practice in diverse contexts including policy, practice and management; | ||
3. | Take responsibility and accountability for their own learning and professional practice by applying knowledge and skills in youth work, recreation and sport management contexts in collaboration with industry professionals and practitioners; | ||
4. | Apply generic and specialist understandings and skills that enable professional effectiveness in youth work, recreation and sport management settings (eg. oral and written communication, self-reliance, teamwork, research); | ||
5. | Demonstrate specialist knowledge of the functions of youth workers and recreation and sports leaders in a range of management roles that are suitable for application in a variety of service organisations (professional sport and recreation clubs, state and national sport and recreation agencies, leisure centres, stadiums and facilities, community service organisations, outdoor recreation service providers, all levels of government sport and recreation services, commercial sport and recreation services, and sports management consultancies); | ||
6. | Plan and implement youth work, recreation and sport management programs and activities for young people they work with in order to empower young people in community settings; | ||
7. | Demonstrate and apply a range of leadership, delivery and facilitation skills for use in youth work and sport management settings; | ||
8. | Clearly and coherently articulate the social and political dimensions of disadvantage, in particular how it relates to young people; |
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:
- Commonwealth supported place pay tuition fees that are partly subsidised by the Australian government
- full fee-paying place need to pay the full amount for all enrolled units before census each study period.
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.
Admissions
Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.
Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.
Admission criteria
The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.
Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)
- Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
- an Australian or overseas equivalent or
- an International Baccalaureate (IB).
Importance of ATAR for this course
We consider both ATAR and other criteria
ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
Why is ATAR not applicable?
You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study
This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).
Applicants with higher education study
This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.
Admission criteria
Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of two units of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.
Applicants with work & life experience
This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.
Admission criteria
Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Human Services, Sports, Training & Development or similar.
OR:
Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
Additional information
Students will require a Working with Children Check to be eligible to undertake and participate in workplace visits, placements or projects. Use the following site link to obtain additional information: http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/
Pathways & credits
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.
Pathways from VU courses
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
You will be credited for up to 48 credit points of study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Pathways from other institutions
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
SEDA Group, Australia
You will be credited for up to 36 credit points of study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past study
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.
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 through VTAC
Apply through VTAC if any of the following apply to you:
- you are applying for more than one course
- you are completing Year 12 in 2023
- you have an existing VTAC application to study in 2024
VTAC very late applications are due 14 January 2025.
Apply via VTACSpecial Entry Access Scheme
You can apply for consideration of your life circumstances during the application process by submitting a VTAC Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) application.
Apply direct to VU
Apply directly to VU if any of the following apply to you:
- you are a current VU student
- you are only applying for this course and are not completing Year 12 in 2023
Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.
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.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
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.