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Graduates may be eligible for Level 2 accreditation with ASCA
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Learn from industry professionals.
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You’ll graduate with 200 hours of real-world industry experience.
Bachelor of High Performance Sport
Course information for - 2025 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- International
- Domestic
- International
Offered at 4 locations
- Blacktown
- Brisbane
- Melbourne
- Strathfield
- Blacktown
- Brisbane
- Melbourne
- Strathfield
- Duration
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2.5* or 3 years, or part-time equivalent
*To complete this course in 2.5 years, students must commence in Semester 1 and complete several units in the summer and winter terms, outside the standard two semesters each year.
- UAC code
- 105528
- ATAR
- 58.50 for Blacktown
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
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Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025Applications open August 2024Midyear (Semester 2) intake: to be advised
Overview
At the heart of high performance sport is the conditioning of the athlete, with the aim of optimising individual and team performance and keeping them at the top of their game. You will gain skills in sports performance and analysis, exercise programming, and strength and conditioning of athletes. You’ll learn to design and deliver programs that enhance athletic performance and reduce the likelihood of injury and illness.
Professional experience
You’ll graduate with a minimum of 200 hours real-world industry experience.
Work placement
To be a competent exercise scientist and strength and conditioning coach, students must be able to transfer the knowledge and skills they’ve learnt to a professional context with increasing autonomy and confidence. Your professional experience will allow you to apply your learning to help support clients’ and athletes’ needs, operate in an ethically responsible manner and communicate effectively. By undertaking a practicum you’ll meet the Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) professional practice requirements for Exercise Science accreditation and exercise scientist and strength and conditioning accreditation (level 2).
We’re connected to a huge range of sporting organisations including the Australian Institute of Sport; AFL, NRL and A-League clubs; Tennis Australia; and America’s NBA. With us you’ll get outstanding opportunities for industry placement and future employment in Australia and around the world. Students have recently completed internships at AFL clubs such as Essendon FC and Melbourne FC, A-league clubs such as Sydney FC Academy, Queensland Cricket, Tennis Australia, and in sports departments at Brighton Grammar School and Xavier College.
Students have completed tasks such as assisting in coaching athletes in gym sessions, prescribing exercises for athletes and monitoring their technique, managing and operating specific performance analysis equipment, testing, assessing and collecting data from elite athletes to create reports for athletes and coaches.
Visit the faculty’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) webpage to view opportunities in high performance science.
Professional recognition
This degree has 'qualifying accreditation' status with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) for the Strathfield, Melbourne and Brisbane campuses. Please note that ESSA requires all individuals seeking initial accreditation to meet ESSA's English Language requirements. Graduates are eligible to apply for Level 2 accreditation with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association.
After completing their entire first two years of study, students can apply for registration with Fitness Australia to become a personal trainer.
The Bachelor of High Performance Sport offered at our Blacktown Campus is identical to the programs at our other campuses which are working towards accreditation. Accreditation is expected for Blacktown in 2023, once the first cohort is in its final year.
Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- the AFL
- the NRL
- Super Rugby
- A-league
- professional sporting organisations
- national sporting organisations
- national institutes of sport
- state institutes or academies of sport
- state sporting organisations
- small business in the health and fitness industry
- academia
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of High Performance Sport, a student must complete 240 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Additional course information
Classes
Class sizes: Your class size will depend on the unit you are studying and if that unit is taught across different degrees. Most of the time units that are core to your degree will have smaller classes. The tutorial, lab and workshop class sizes are normally capped at 20 students.
Contact hours: Most units will require you to attend two to four hours of classes each week in the form of a lecture, tutorial, lab or workshop on campus. Some of these may be online and you will be required to watch, read, listen and interact with the materials provided as an alternative to attending face-to-face classes. Therefore, if you are a full-time student taking four units in a semester that will add up to four x units by four hours (maximum) = approximately 16 hours required on campus or engaging in content. Per semester each unit requires approximately 150 hours of work which includes scheduled classes and/or online engagement with learning activities, self-study and preparation of assessment tasks.
Sample assessments
High performance sport sample assessment examples:
Each unit has three assessments per semester.
Assessment 1 (30 per cent): Laboratory report
Assessment 2 (30 per cent): Practical assessment task
Assessment 3 (40 per cent): Exam If the unit has a final exam it is counted as part of the three assessments. Assessments have different weighting percentages towards your overall mark. A single assessment cannot be worth more than 50 per cent of your assessment total. The format of assessments is different for every unit and will be explained by your lecturer in the unit outline and at the start of the semester.
Overseas study available
There are international study opportunities within sport and exercise science including high performance sport.
High performance study tour
Location: USA
Travel dates: September – October
Rome semester
Four units delivered through a condensed eight-week schedule to eligible second- and third-year students.
Travel dates: August – October (dates and times may vary each year).
Community engagement and professional practice
Location: Timor Leste – Baucau and/or Vanuatu - Port Villa
Travel dates: mid-June – end July (each trip is approximately three weeks)
Grants/Funding: New Colombo Plan grants for travel to Timor Leste and Vanuatu are valued at $3,000 each.
Rome Campus
Intensive unit delivery of Motor Control and Learning
Travel Dates: June – July (during winter semester break)
Learn more about faculty-based Short-Term International Study Experiences (STISE) in sport and exercise science.
** These experiences are all subject to travel restrictions.
Entry requirements
An applicant must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent.
| State | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
New South Wales | Assumed Knowledge: English (Standard) – Band 3, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE); Mathematics (any) OR one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics |
Queensland | Assumed Knowledge: English (Units 3 & 4, C) , one of General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health or Physical Education (Units 3 & 4, C) |
Victoria | Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in English other than EAL. |
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.
View transparency admission information
Applicants with recent secondary education
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If your school result was affected by circumstances outside of your control, such as financial hardship, illness, disability or a challenging home environment, you may qualify for an access scheme. You can apply through your TAC as part of your application process.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
For current year 12 students
If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above.
For non-school leavers
If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank by your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC). This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements.
ACU has partnerships with TAFE and many private education providers. If you have completed a qualification with one of these partners or with ACU College, you may be eligible for guaranteed entry and/or credit into a related ACU degree. Please apply through your local TAC and then submit a credit application for your previous study.
Applicants with higher education study
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.
Applicants with work and life experience
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.
- If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
- If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
- You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
- If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students
If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be.
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
Are you applying to ACU as a non-school leaver?
By that we mean, you’re not currently completing Year 12 and haven’t completed it in the two years previously. If the answer is yes and your selection rank isn’t enough to meet the requirements for your desired course you still have a number of options to help you achieve your study goals.
If you’re over 21, you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), or you can complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course.
Further study
Further study options at ACU include:
· Bachelor of High Performance Sport (Honours), and postgraduate opportunities in a variety of programs listed below.
Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to:
- postgraduate studies in high performance sport
- postgraduate studies in clinical exercise physiology courses, if seeking exercise physiology accreditation
- further study in other allied health professions
You can read more about our postgraduate programs in sport and exercise science
Fees
Course costs
A student’s annual fee will vary depending on factors including:
- Number of units studied per year
- Choice of major or specialisation
- Elective units
The University reviews fees annually.
- You can view current course costs and domestic tuition fee rates by unit.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
Domestic applicants
If you are a Year 12 student you must apply through VTAC, UAC or QTAC. Unfortunately, a Direct application cannot be considered.
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.
Staff Profile
Dr Ryan Timmins
Senior Lecturer in the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Dr Ryan Timmins is the course coordinator of the Bachelor of High Performance Sport degree. After completing his PhD in 2015 focusing on hamstring muscle architecture and its role in injury and response to training interventions, he has continued to provide athlete injury consultancy to elite sporting teams. This has involved the assessment and reporting on various factors which may be associated with a range of injuries. He also provides input into program design and athlete management when addressing these factors with numerous industry stakeholders. Dr Timmins’ research focus is on sports injury prevention and rehabilitation practices that are applicable to sporting environments and realistic with their applications. He has been invited to speak at elite sporting organisations including Arsenal Football Club, Leicester City Football Club, Manchester City Football Club as well as Welsh and Scottish Rugby Union Associations. Furthermore, he has been an invited speaker at the European Congress of Sport Science, Aspetar Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Hospital, Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre and at the first Copenhagen Hamstring Injury Seminar.
Dr Alyse Wilcox
Dr Wilcox is the course advisor for the Bachelor of High-Performance Sport in Melbourne and the national course coordinator of the Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science & Bachelor of High Performance Sport honours programs. Dr Wilcox lectures in the sport, health, and exercise psychology units in both the undergraduate postgraduate programs. Her interests are in research in career transitions of athletes, including the experiences of dual career athletes as well as research in athlete wellbeing and performance.
Dr Wilcox is a registered psychologist and has extensive experience working in high performance sport settings. Her most recent roles were as the club psychologist for the Melbourne and Hawthorn Football clubs' AFLW programs. She has a passion for both teaching and working as a psychologist in high performance sport.
Testimonial
“I chose the Bachelor of High Performance Sport because it offers something more than just exercise and sports science. It offers an opportunity to learn how we can help our best athletes become even better. I aspire to work with these athletes and know that I’m helping to shape the current and future generations of sportsmen and sportswomen.”