Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport

Course information for - 2025 entry

Duration
0.5 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Fees (first year)*

$4656 CSP
$12092 Fee-paying

Start dates
ACU Term 1 , ACU Term 2 , ACU Term 3, ACU Term 4

Overview

The high performance sport industry is a global, multi-billion dollar entity that provides employment opportunities for a range of professions, including sport scientists, coaches and managers.

The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport aims to help students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to enhance the conditioning of high performance athletes, with the aim of optimising individual and team performance, within the context of a multidisciplinary environment and its culture and leadership structures, and to do so in an ethical manner characterised by a concern for respect, equity and social justice.

Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course. See the Courses costs section below, under Fees.

Professional experience

The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport is designed as a program of structured learning that includes relevant professional practice-related learning.

Careers

Examples of the types of work settings the course prepares graduates for:

  • fitness advisor
  • fitness coach
  • football or other sport manager
  • high performance manager
  • performance analyst
  • professional coach
  • rehabilitation coach
  • sports science manager
  • sports scientist
  • strength and conditioning coach
  • team manager

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Two Terms Option

Students may commence the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport throughout the year.

  • Specified UnitsEXSC510Strength and Conditioning for Performance and Rehabilitation

    Unit offered ACUO Term 1 and ACUO Term 3

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsEXSC513Data Analysis and Interpretation for High Performance Sport

    Unit offered ACUO Term 1 and ACUO Term 3

    10 cp
  • Elective UnitsEXSC650 Fatigue, Recovery, Adaptation and Performance ORElective UnitsEXSC651 Sports Injury Prevention ORElective UnitsEXSC668 Performance Nutrition

    Elective unit options may be available in other ACU Online terms. Please refer to your Course Enrolment Guide for details.

    10 cp
  • Elective UnitsEXSC650 Fatigue, Recovery, Adaptation and Performance ORElective UnitsEXSC651 Sports Injury Prevention ORElective UnitsEXSC668 Performance Nutrition

    Elective unit options may be available in other ACU Online terms. Please refer to your Course Enrolment Guide for details.

    10 cp

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Three Terms Option

Students may commence the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport throughout the year.

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Four Terms Option

Students may commence the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport throughout the year.

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Graduate Certificate - AQF Level 8

Additional course information

The course is designed to suit a postgraduate clientele that is already in the workforce, as well as graduating students. The course provides flexible learning pathways that can accommodate:

  1. professional employment commitments;
  2. national and international-based students;
  3. full-time or part-time enrolments; and
  4. a pathway into the Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport and Master of High Performance Sport degrees.

To meet these objectives, the primary design feature is that the majority of the course is delivered online.

A suite of coursework subjects focus on the preparation and performance of high performance athletes, including technological advances for athlete monitoring, advanced principles of strength and conditioning, and analysis of performance measures.

Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary foci built into the curriculum will bring together current and new knowledge from a range of professions within the industry. A foundation of analysis skills for interpreting performance data will be incorporated with direct application to high performance sporting contexts.

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

International students 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:

a. hold a Bachelor degree or higher in Exercise Science, Sports Science, Human Movement or a related discipline;

OR

b. hold a Bachelor degree or higher AND have evidence of relevant industry experience.

OR

c. submit a resume alongside their formal application, demonstrating suitability for study and evidence of relevant industry experience and/or prior learning over a sustained period.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.

English language requirements

Applicants require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum score of 6.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy (see English Language Proficiency).

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

Further study

The degree is designed as a pathway into the Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport and the Master of High Performance Sport.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$4656 CSP
$12092 Fee-paying

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • the number of units studied per semester;
  • the choice of major or specialisation; and
  • elective units.

The University reviews fees annually.

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. 

Explore your options 

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.  

Search our scholarships  

Apply for this course

ACU Online Applicants

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment . Deferment is not available for enrolment via OUA.

 

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