The program combines psychology and sport to prepare students to work as exercise scientists with specific knowledge in psychology, or complete further study to become registered psychologists.
Students gain an understanding of the physical and non-physical factors that influence athletic performance. In exercise science, they study scientific knowledge and procedures to assess and analyse the human body's response to acute and chronic physical activity. In the psychology component, students learn how to help athletes and exercisers with motivation, goal-setting, positive thinking, concentration, emotional control, and coping skills.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Students gain an understanding of the physical and non-physical factors that influence athletic performance. In exercise science, they study scientific knowledge and procedures to assess and analyse the human body's response to acute and chronic physical activity. In the psychology component, students learn how to help athletes and exercisers with motivation, goal-setting, positive thinking, concentration, emotional control, and coping skills.
Career opportunities
Community recreation and fitness, personal training, research, sport and exercise psychology (with further study), exercise science.
Registration
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) has accredited Pathway 1 of the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Exercise Science) as a three-year undergraduate sequence in psychology. Following successful completion of an accredited honours year plus either further accredited postgraduate study or supervision following the guidelines of the Psychologists Registration Board in their state or territory, graduates may be eligible for registration as a psychologist in that state or territory.
Honours
USC offers an accredited honours year—the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours). At the completion of third year, students who meet the entry criteria may apply for Honours. Note that a minimum grade point average in Pathway 1 psychology courses is required for honours entry.
Program structure
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Select Pathway 1 or Pathway 2.
- In Pathway 1 students must complete 27 required courses, 1 elective from the School of Communication and School of Social Sciences, 3 (300 level) SPX courses, and 1 elective from either faculty.
- In Pathway 2 students must complete 21 required courses, 1 School of Social Sciences Minor, 3 electives from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences, 3 (300 level) SPX courses, and 1 elective from either faculty.
- Complete a maximum of 5 introductory level courses from the School of Communication and School of Social Sciences.
- Complete no more than 192 units of introductory level courses in total, including the core course.
- Complete 12 required courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering and undertake 3 x 300 level SPX elective courses.
- Register your selected Majors and Minors with Student Administration.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, please refer to the Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 Study Plan.
Pathway 1
This pathway may lead to direct entry into the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program, subject to achievement of a minimum grade point average in Psychology courses.
Core course
1 core course:
COR109 Public International Law
Faculty of Arts and Business courses
Required introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Private International Law
PSY101 Human Rights Law
Required advanced courses (12):
PSY200 International Social Justice Clinic
PSY201 Introduction to Creative Entrepreneurship
PSY202 Introduction to the Creative Industries
PSY203 Communication and Thought
PSY204 Creativity, Design and Communication Project
PSY205 Qualitative Research Methods
PSY300 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
PSY301 Advanced Issues in Criminology & Justice
PSY302 Research Dissertation A
PSY303 Research Dissertation B
PSY304 Communication and Thought
PSY305 Introduction to Psychology A
Elective courses
Select 1 elective course from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering courses
Required introductory courses (6):
LFS100 Introduction to Psychology B
LFS112 Research Methods in Psychology A
LFS122 Research Methods in Psychology B
SCI105 Physiological Psychology
SCI107 Introduction to Human Development
SCI110 Social Psychology
Required advanced courses (6):
LFS251 Motivation and Emotion
SPX201 Advanced Methods in Psychology
SPX202 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
SPX211 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
SPX212 Personality and Assessment
SPX221 Human Associative Learning
3 required SPX coded courses:
3 x 300 level SPX courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Elective course
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Pathway 2
This pathway will not lead to direct entry into the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program.
Indirect entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program would require completion of 6 further Psychology courses, and would be subject to achievement of a minimum grade point average in Psychology courses.
Core course
1 core course:
COR109 Abnormal Psychology
Faculty of Arts and Business courses
Required introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Cell Biology
PSY101 Human Physiology
Required advanced courses (2):
PSY200 Human Anatomy
PSY201 Chemistry
Select 4 courses from the following:
PSY202 Physics
PSY203 Science Research Methods
PSY204 Biochemistry
PSY205 Functional Anatomy
PSY300 Biomechanics I
PSY301 Exercise Physiology I
PSY302 Exercise Prescription and Programming
PSY303 Introduction to Sports Medicine
PSY304 Communication and Thought
PSY305 Introduction to Psychology A
Minor (4 courses)
Select a minor from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
Elective courses
Select 3 elective courses from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering courses
Required introductory courses (6):
LFS100 Introduction to Psychology B
LFS112 Research Methods in Psychology A
LFS122 Research Methods in Psychology B
SCI105 Physiological Psychology
SCI107 Introduction to Human Development
SCI110 Social Psychology
Required advanced courses (6):
LFS251 Motivation and Emotion
SPX201 Advanced Methods in Psychology
SPX202 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
SPX211 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
SPX212 Personality and Assessment
SPX221 Human Associative Learning
3 required SPX coded courses :
3 x 300 level SPX courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Elective course
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).