Australian residents
International students
ATAR:
Not required*
*Offers made in 2022. More about ATAR
Duration: 
3 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
Footscray Park
Delivery mode: 
In person
Start dates:
16 February 2026
27 April 2026
27 July 2026
Application due dates:
Direct applications are due on 8 February 2026 for our next intake which starts on 16 February 2026.
Apply

Overview

Build a rewarding career in health, fitness, and sport performance with the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Victoria University (VU).

Build a rewarding career in health, fitness, and sport performance with the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Victoria University (VU).

Need some advice?

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

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Careers

Graduates of the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science course can find employment in: Exercise Science; Sports Science; Exercise Training; Strength and Conditioning Coaching; Health and Fitness Industries; Physical Activity, Sport Performance; Personal Training; Health and Fitness Instructing; Primary Health Prevention; Occupational and Corporate Health; Sport and Recreation; Population and Community Health; and Exercise and Sports Science Research.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Exercise Science (Sport Practice), students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:
-
96 credit points of First Year Core units
- 144 credit points of Professional Core units
- 48 credit points of chosen Minor studies

First Year Core Units

Year 2 Professional Core Units

Plus

24 credit points from the chosen Minor

Year 3 Professional Core Units

Plus

24 credit points from the chosen Minor

Minors

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.

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

  1. Integrate foundational and theoretical knowledge in exercise and sport science, with technical and professional skills, to analyse, improve and maintain health and performance outcomes;  
  2. Integrate evidence-based practice in exercise and sport science and critically evaluate, compile, and communicate the scientific rationale for decisions informing practice;  
  3. Exhibit the ability to design, deliver and manage safe and effective exercise and sport science assessment and programming across a range of contexts in a professional, ethical, inclusive, and collaborative manner;  
  4. Exemplify the use of professional skills that are responsive to the diverse needs of people, including First Nations Peoples, gender and sexually diverse persons, persons of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those living with a disability;  
  5. Exhibit the capacity to work as an independent and collaborative professional who can communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and coherently to clients, their carers (where relevant), and as part of interprofessional and multidisciplinary teams; and  
  6. 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.

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.

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.

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

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

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.

Subject adjustments

A study score of 20 in Biology, Chemistry, Health and Human Development, any Mathematics, Physical Education, Physics or Sport and Recreation (VCE VET) D equals 5 aggregate points per study. A study score of 25 in English other than EAL equals 5 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in English (EAL) equals 5 aggregate points. Overall maximum of 20 points.

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.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

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).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

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

Completion of at least one semester of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

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

Completion of 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).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Additional information

Students will require a Working with Children Check and National Police Check to be eligible to undertake and participate in workplace visits, placements or projects. Use the following site links to obtain additional information:
http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274.

SUPERVISED PLACEMENT
The Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) Practicum Standards specify that for accreditation as an Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES), students need to complete a minimum total of 140 hours of practicum that is required to include at least 80 hours of activities to demonstrate competence in exercise assessment, prescription and delivery and up to 60 hours of any other activities within the scope of practice of an Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES). The exercise assessment and prescription hours must be to improve health and fitness, well-being, or performance, and not for the treatment and/or management of a clinical condition or injury. Exercise delivery hours can be with non-clinical clients or with clinical clients when prescription is provided by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) or qualified health professional. No more than 15 hours can be undertaken in a simulated learning environment (SLE).

In terms of Supervision arrangements for Practicum, Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) specifies that all supervisors must be appropriately qualified and experienced for the activity being supervised and supervisors of exercise delivery must be trained in exercise prescription. At least 80 hours of practicum must be supervised by one of more of: a supervisor with a Bachelor degree in exercise and sport science or higher, an Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) level 2 qualification for strength and conditioning placements, or a qualified physical education teacher for placements in a school setting. Up to 60 hours may be supervised by a professional holding a formally recognised qualification for the activity being supervised, with any exercise assessment, prescription and delivery hours supervised by such an individual overseen by a supervision plan with an appropriately qualified and experienced supervisor as specified above.

SCL3004 Sport and Exercise Practice is designed to ensure that students meet these Practicum Standards. SCL3004 provides for practical placement. Prior to commencing practical placement in SCL3004 students must have a valid working with children check, current police check, and first aid and CPR certificate. In SCL3004 students must pass a theory practical readiness test and a practical readiness test to determine competency for placement before commencing placement. Students must also submit a 140 hours practicum placement logbook indicating they have worked with apparently healthy clients, and have these hours signed off in accordance with Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) criteria, which must be graded by the practicum supervisor as "satisfactory".

Selection criteria assistance

Let us know which qualifications you have studied and we will help you find the admission information that most applies to you.

Which of the following qualifications have you studied, or are currently studying?

Still not sure? Make an enquiry and one of our advisors can assist.

Student profile

No student profile information available for this study period. This is a new course.

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.

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.

Credit Calculator

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

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Available start dates:
  • 16 February 2026
  • 27 April 2026
  • 27 July 2026

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 8 February 2026 for our next intake which starts on 16 February 2026.

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.

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

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Get help

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.