Master of High Performance Sport

Course information for

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

$24659 Fee-paying

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

Overview

The Master of High Performance Sport includes relevant, professional practice-related learning, independent research and project work, and an opportunity for an industry-based internship. This degree can also provide you with a pathway into further research study, for example a PhD.

A series of study units focus on the technological advances for athlete monitoring, advanced principles of strength and conditioning, and the relationships between fatigue, adaptation, performance and injury. The application of this knowledge to the planning and delivery of meaningful interventions for athletes to enhance performance and reduce the likelihood of injury and illness is essential for a professional working in the high performance sport environment. This includes using appropriate techniques of analysis to accurately interpret competition and training information, with advanced information literacy skills to communicate ideas and outcomes.

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Major Project

Students may commence the Master of High Performance Sport throughout the year.

  • Specified UnitsEXSC652Contemporary Issues in Sports Science

    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
  • Specified UnitsEXSC651Sports Injury Prevention

    Unit offered ACUO Term 2 and ACUO Term 4

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsEXSC668Performance Nutrition

    Unit offered ACUO Term 2 and ACUO Term 4

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsEXSC512Leadership and Culture in High Performance Settings10 cp
  • Specified UnitsEXSC510Strength and Conditioning for Performance and Rehabilitation

    Unit offered ACUO Term 1 and ACUO Term 3

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsEXSC650Fatigue, Recovery, Adaptation and Performance

    Unit offered ACUO Term 2 and ACUO Term 4

    10 cp
  • Electives Elective

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

    10 cp

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit. 

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Minor Project and Two Electives

Students may commence the Master of High Performance Sport throughout the year.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit. 

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Internship and Two Electives

Students may commence the Master of High Performance Sport throughout the year.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit. 

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Minor Project and Internship

Students may commence the Master of High Performance Sport throughout the year.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit. 

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit.

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

Masters (Coursework) - AQF Level 9

Exit Points

  • A student who has completed 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings may exit with the Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport.
  • A student who has completed 40 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, including EXSC510 and EXSC513, may exit with the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport.

Additional course information

The program structure also provides the opportunity for elective choices to allow students to tailor the degree to their specific needs. This includes the flexibility to elect additional units in research training to provide students with a pathway into future higher degree research, an opportunity for an industry based internship, as well as additional units from fields such as sports science, rehabilitation, psychology, leadership, management and business.

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

AND

have evidence of relevant industry experience;

AND

submit a supporting professional referee's report regarding suitability for this postgraduate program and/or experience in the industry.

OR

b. hold a Bachelor degree in Exercise Science, Sports Science, Human Movement or a related discipline, with a grade point average of at least 4.8 on the ACU 7 point scale;

AND

submit a supporting professional referee's report regarding suitability for this postgraduate program and/or experience in the industry.

OR

c. have completed one of the following ACU degrees:

  1. Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport
  2. Graduate Certificate in Performance Analysis
  3. Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries
  4. Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport

NOTE: Applicants holding a Bachelor degree (or higher) in a related allied health discipline will be considered, dependent upon specific qualifications and evidence of industry experience.

NOTE: Applicants having completed ACU’s Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport will be eligible for recognition of prior learning of 80 credit points.

NOTE: Applicants having completed ACU’s Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport, Graduate Certificate in Performance Analysis, Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries or Graduate Certificate in Sports Analytics will be eligible for recognition of prior learning of 40 credit points.

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

English language requirements

Applicants must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy and 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 with elective options of research training as a pathway to higher degree research, for example, PhD and Masters by research.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$24659 Fee-paying

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

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.

A 10% rebate on fees will be offered to domestic ACU graduates (from any faculty) enrolling in full fee-paying postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Conditions apply.

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

Apply now

Applicants for our High Performance Sport courses must also provide a referee report. Your referee can fill out and submit their reference online using the High Performance Sport Referee Report form.

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment.

 

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