4.5 years min for students commencing in July
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
From the elite athlete to the growing teenager, physical and mental health are essential to a balanced life. In this course you can immerse yourself in the psychology of what drives our behaviour and how this relates to sport and exercise.
Our accredited Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science provides a scientific understanding of the structure and function of the human body as it relates to movement, the interrelationships between health and disease, and the psychological basis of physical activity.
You will complete core units in exercise science including anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, strength and conditioning, and motor control as well as core units in psychological science that include assessment, methodology and principles of behaviour.
Career opportunities exist as a psychologist (with additional postgraduate training) and in careers that carry therapeutic connections to sport and exercise, such as professional athlete counselling, rehabilitation, or within the education sector.
From the elite athlete to the growing teenager, physical and mental health are essential to a balanced life. In this course you can immerse yourself in the psychology of what drives our behaviour and how this relates to sport and exercise.
Our accredited Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science provides a scientific understanding of the structure and function of the human body as it relates to movement, the interrelationships between health and disease, and the psychological basis of physical activity.
You will complete core units in exercise science including anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, strength and conditioning, and motor control as well as core units in psychological science that include assessment, methodology and principles of behaviour.
Career opportunities exist as a psychologist (with additional postgraduate training) and in careers that carry therapeutic connections to sport and exercise, such as professional athlete counselling, rehabilitation, or within the education sector.
Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
For units of study accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), recognition of prior learning (via advanced standing) cannot be granted for previous informal or non-formal learning, or for formal learning completed within a qualification lower than AQF level 7 - Bachelor Degree.
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.0 |
| Listening | minimum 5.5 |
| Reading | minimum 5.5 |
| Speaking | minimum 5.5 |
| Writing | minimum 5.5 |
Exercise science: anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, sports conditioning and motor control.
Psychological science: assessment, methodology, principles of behaviour.
Domestic students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Lismore | Term 1, Term 3 |
International students
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Term 1 | $30,800 ($3,850 per unit) | 0102160 |
| Gold Coast | Term 1 | $30,800 ($3,850 per unit) | 0102160 |
Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions. | |||
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising all core units.
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HLTH1008 | Physical Activity for Health | ||||
| HLTH1004 | The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar | ||||
| STAT2002 | Quantitative Methods in Psychology | ||||
| PSYC1002 | Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation | ||||
| PSYC1001 | Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition | ||||
| NUTR1001 | Nutrition for Health and Physical Activity | ||||
| PSYC1009 | Introducing Health Psychology | ||||
| PSYC1010 | Positive Psychology | ||||
| HBIO1009 | Introductory Anatomy and Physiology | ||||
| HBIO1010 | Integrated Anatomy and Physiology | ||||
| HBIO1006 | Growth and Development | ||||
| HBIO2002 | Motor Control | ||||
| PSYC2004 | Lifespan Psychology | ||||
| STAT3001 | Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology | ||||
| PSYC3003 | Learning and Memory | ||||
| HLTH2002 | Exercise Physiology | ||||
| HBIO2001 | Musculoskeletal Functional Anatomy | ||||
| SCIN2002 | Introductory Biomechanics | ||||
| PSYC3004 | Biological Psychology | ||||
| HLTH2003 | Exercise and Sport Assessment | ||||
| HLTH2001 | Motor Learning for Coaching | ||||
| SPRT2001 | Fundamentals of Strength and Conditioning | ||||
| PSYC2003 | Exercise and Sport Psychology | ||||
| HLTH2004 | Exercise Prescription and Delivery | ||||
| PSYC2002 | Understanding Psychological Diagnoses | ||||
| SPRT3001 | Professional Preparation | ||||
| PSYC3005 | Culture and Psychology | ||||
| PSYC2001 | Psychological Assessment | ||||
| PSYC2005 | Psychological Investigation I | ||||
| SCIN3001 | Applied Biomechanics | ||||
| PSYC3001 | Social Psychology | ||||
| PSYC3002 | Psychological Investigation II | ||||
Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.
Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Available | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award | |||||||||||||||||||||||
First Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH1008 | Physical Activity for Health | Term1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH1004 | The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar | Term1,3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| HBIO1009 | Introductory Anatomy and Physiology | Term2,5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1002 | Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation | Term2,5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NUTR1001 | Nutrition for Health and Physical Activity | Term3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1001 | Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition | Term3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1009 | Introducing Health Psychology | Term2,4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1010 | Positive Psychology | Term4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Second Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| HBIO1010 | Integrated Anatomy and Physiology | Term3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| HBIO2002 | Motor Control | Term1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| STAT2002 | Quantitative Methods in Psychology | Term1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| HBIO1006 | Growth and Development | Term2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2005 | Psychological Investigation I | Term2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2004 | Lifespan Psychology | Term3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3003 | Learning and Memory | Term3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH2002 | Exercise Physiology | Term4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| HBIO2001 | Musculoskeletal Functional Anatomy | Term4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Third Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| SCIN2002 | Introductory Biomechanics | Term1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3004 | Biological Psychology | Term1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH2003 | Exercise and Sport Assessment | Term2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH2001 | Motor Learning for Coaching | Term2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| SPRT2001 | Fundamentals of Strength and Conditioning | Term3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2003 | Exercise and Sport Psychology | Term3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH2004 | Exercise Prescription and Delivery | Term4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2002 | Understanding Psychological Diagnoses | Term4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fourth Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| SPRT3001 | Professional Preparation | Dual Term2 Term5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2001 | Psychological Assessment | Term2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3001 | Social Psychology | Term2,5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| STAT3001 | Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology | Term3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| SCIN3001 | Applied Biomechanics | Term3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3002 | Psychological Investigation II | Term4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3005 | Culture and Psychology | Term4,5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies
Good Universities Guide 2021
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Demonstrate the level of information literacy, critical analysis, problem solving and decision making in exercise science and psychology. |
Demonstrate innovative and creative responses and solutions to problems encountered by professionals aligned with psychology and exercise science. |
Demonstrate a knowledge and application of professional conduct, ethics, legal principles and client centred care consistent with professional standards of conduct and ethical practice. |
Apply and integrate knowledge of evidence-based practice in exercise science and psychology, including the use of technology and digital practices, to deliver a broad range of services. |
Demonstrate professional self-development in the field of exercise science and psychology through educational engagement and ongoing learning, self-evaluation of practice, inter- professional working relationships, innovative practice, and support new graduates. |
Use a range of modalities to communicate effectively with clients and relevant stakeholders including families, carers and other health, exercise science and psychology professionals, and maintain appropriate documentation and records of services. Demonstrate leadership, teamwork and advocate for client access to health services. |
Practice in a safe, respectful and inclusive way that is responsive to the diverse needs of people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, gender and sexually diverse persons, persons of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and persons living with a disability. |
Assessment methods vary from unit to unit and might comprise a mix of laboratory-based and readings-based assignments, seminar presentations, online discussion boards, field and investigation reports, as well as practical and written examinations.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Graduates of this degree will be uniquely positioned to combine sport and exercise services with psychological knowledge creating a highly valued point of difference for their clients.
Career opportunities exist as a psychologist or exercise physiologist (both require additional training). Graduates of this degree will be eligible to obtain accreditation as an exercise scientist and strength and conditioning coach and to pursue opportunities in counselling in the sport or school setting, sports science, coaching and health research.
You will complete a 140-hour exercise science professional placement in the third year of the course. Placements might be in health and sporting centres, clubs, schools and academies or sport and recreation centres under professional supervision. As part of your professional placement you might assist personal trainers, health educators, strength and conditioning or sports coaches, sporting event coordinators or recreation officers.
Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain pre-requisites (e.g. a working with children check, immunisation and National Police Certificate). Before applying for this course, please consider the important information regarding these requirements.
The Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and Exercise & Sport Science Australia (ESSA). All graduates may apply for full membership as Exercise Scientists with ESSA and are eligible for registration as an Exercise Professional with Fitness Australia (FA) and as a Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA).
Graduates may also choose to pursue further training to gain registration as a psychologist or as an accredited exercise physiologist.
Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.
Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.
Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.