Combine psychology and sport to work as an exercise scientist with specific knowledge in psychology, or choose to complete further study to become a registered psychologist.
Gain an understanding of the physical and non-physical factors that influence athletic performance. In exercise science, study scientific knowledge and procedures to assess and analyse the human body’s response to acute and chronic physical activity. In the psychology component, 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.
Gain an understanding of the physical and non-physical factors that influence athletic performance. In exercise science, study scientific knowledge and procedures to assess and analyse the human body’s response to acute and chronic physical activity. In the psychology component, 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 28 required courses, 1 elective from the School of Communication and School of Social Sciences and 3 (300 level) SPX courses.
- In Pathway 2 students must complete 22 required courses, 1 School of Social Sciences Minor, 3 electives from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences and 3 (300 level) SPX courses.
- 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 core courses.
- 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 courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Physical Competence, Health and Well-being
COR110 Policy and Practice in Early Education
COR111 Self Expression and Communicating Through the Arts
Faculty of Arts and Business courses
Required introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Workplace Learning 4: Continuity of Early Learning Experience
PSY101 Teaching Reading and Writing
Required advanced courses (12):
PSY200 Teaching Mathematics
PSY201 The Diverse Learner across Early Childhood Contexts
PSY202 Leading in Early Childhood Contexts
PSY203 Assessing and Reporting: Monitoring Learning and Making Judgements
PSY204 Workplace Learning 5: Formal and Intentional Teaching
PSY205 Workplace Learning 6: Internship: The Professional Practitioner
PSY300 Introductory Bioscience
PSY301 Introduction to Nutrition
PSY302 Food in Society
PSY303 Active Lifestyle Nutrition
PSY304 Communication and Thought
PSY305 Abnormal Psychology
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 Communication and Thought
LFS112 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
LFS122 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
SCI105 Introduction to Psychology A
SCI107 Introduction to Psychology B
SCI110 Research Methods in Psychology A
Required advanced courses (6):
LFS251 Research Methods in Psychology B
SPX201 Physiological Psychology
SPX202 Introduction to Human Development
SPX211 Social Psychology
SPX212 Motivation and Emotion
SPX221 Advanced Methods in Psychology
3 required SPX coded courses:
3 x 300 level SPX courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Pathway 2
This pathway will not lead to direct entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program.
Indirect entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) 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 courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
COR110 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
COR111 Personality and Assessment
Faculty of Arts and Business courses
Required introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Human Associative Learning
PSY101 Abnormal Psychology
Required advanced courses (2):
PSY200 Cell Biology
PSY201 Human Physiology
Select 4 courses from the following:
PSY202 Human Anatomy
PSY203 Chemistry
PSY204 Physics
PSY205 Science Research Methods
PSY300 Biochemistry
PSY301 Functional Anatomy
PSY302 Biomechanics I
PSY303 Exercise Physiology I
PSY304 Exercise Prescription and Programming
PSY305 Introduction to Sports Medicine
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 Communication and Thought
LFS112 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
LFS122 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
SCI105 Introduction to Psychology A
SCI107 Introduction to Psychology B
SCI110 Research Methods in Psychology A
Required advanced courses (6):
LFS251 Research Methods in Psychology B
SPX201 Physiological Psychology
SPX202 Introduction to Human Development
SPX211 Social Psychology
SPX212 Motivation and Emotion
SPX221 Advanced Methods in Psychology
3 required SPX coded courses :
3 x 300 level SPX courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering