Manage health, injury and disease with exercise
Exercise is a powerful tool to improve human performance and health outcomes. This program qualifies you to work as an exercise physiologist, and to use the science of exercise to prevent and manage chronic conditions, injuries and to help people live healthier lives.
- 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.
Exercise is a powerful tool to improve human performance and health outcomes. This program qualifies you to work as an exercise physiologist, and to use the science of exercise to prevent and manage chronic conditions, injuries and to help people live healthier lives.
Like physiotherapists, exercise physiologists work with clients in healthcare settings and sports to prevent disease and injuries, and to manage health, lifestyle and behaviour changes.
In this program you will:
- Learn how to use exercise to prevent and manage chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis and mental health conditions.
- Train to prevent and manage musculoskeletal injuries in sport and recreational settings.
- Study anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise assessment, exercise programming, psychology and nutrition.
- Build your professional skills through 500 hours of supervised work placement in hospitals, clinics and sport settings.
- Test and train athletes in USC’s AIS-accredited sport science labs.
- Qualify to work as an exercise physiologist in hospitals, health clinics, rehabilitation facilities, community health, occupational rehabilitation, gyms and more.
Career opportunities
This degree qualifies you to practice as an exercise physiologist in a range of healthcare settings and to seek provider status with Medicare.
Clinical exercise physiology can lead to careers in cardiac and pulmonary testing, musculoskeletal injury prevention and management, neurological rehabilitation, cancer and renal disease rehabilitation, occupational rehabilitation, case management and research. The program can also provide a pathway to studies in physiotherapy.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete 500 hours of supervised placement. Students may be required to undertake some clinical placement hours outside the Sunshine Coast region in metropolitan and regional / rural areas.
Before undertaking placements (eg by Year 3), students must provide evidence of immunisations, first aid training, satisfactory criminal history check, and hold a current Blue Card (Working with Children Check). Students may also be required to complete QLD Health orientation package.
Accreditation and memberships
This degree is professionally accredited at the levels of Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). Graduates may also apply to become members of Sports Medicine Australia.
Note: External accreditation requirements for this program allow for credit transfer to be granted for study completed at minimum of AQF level 7 Bachelor degree level only. Credit transfer cannot be granted for study completed within a qualification lower than AQF level 7 Bachelor degree (e.g. TAFE/RTO level Advanced Diploma or lower), or for non-formal learning.
Program structure
Introductory courses (8) 96 units
COR109 Foundations of Sustainability
LFS112 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
LFS122 Social Research
PUB104 Creativity, Design and Communication Project
SCI110 Social Sciences and Humanities Project
SPX101 Communication and Thought
SPX102 Cell Biology
SPX121 Biodiversity and Ecology
Developing and Graduate courses (22) 288 units
HLT221 Chemistry
NUT203 Science Research Methods
PUB351 Discovering Science
SPX201 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
SPX202 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
SPX203 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
SPX211 Special Field Studies Topic
SPX221 Special Research Project A
SPX222 Workplace Learning I
SPX231 Analytical Sciences
SPX300 Communication and Thought *
SPX301 Human Physiology
SPX302 Human Anatomy
SPX306 Introduction to Behavioural Health Δ
SPX322 Science Research Methods
SPX331 Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science
SPX402 Introduction to Coaching Science Δ
SPX403 Exercise Prescription and Programming I Δ
SPX410 Human Pathophysiology Δ
SPX411 Active Lifestyle Nutrition Δ
SPX412 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation Δ
SPX413 Functional Anatomy Δ
* Exercise and Sports Science Australia requires students to complete 500 hours of supervised practice comprising of a minimum of 140 hours for apparently healthy clients, 140 hours for neuromuscular /musculoskeletal clients, and 140 hours for metabolic / cardiopulmonary clients. These hours will be completed within SPX300 , SPX402 and SPX403 courses.
Δ refer to Program notes
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete all required components of this program, to be able to apply for accreditation as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
- Complete 500 hours of supervised practice comprising of a minimum of 140 hours for apparently healthy clients, 140 hours for neuromuscular /musculoskeletal clients, and 140 hours for metabolic / cardiopulmonary clients. These hours will be
completed within SPX300 , SPX402 and SPX403 courses.
In order to commence fieldwork placement you must:
- Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card - Working with Children Check - QLD). This is required by week 6 of the third year subject, SPX300 , and is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). The application timeline for this Card is usually in the region of 6-8 weeks, therefore it is advised that this process is initiated at the time of enrolment into SPX300 if not before
- Provide evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B (blood titre level after approved vaccination schedule)
- Hold current Senior First Aid and CPR certificates (currency of certification is to be maintained throughout the program)
- You may also be required to complete a Criminal History Check for particular placements, cost of which is borne by the student
- Some courses within this program are taught outside of the standard teaching semesters. Students should refer to the Session Timetables for dates
For more information on mandatory requirements refer to Sport and Exercise Science/Clinical Exercise Science - Placements
Program notes
- SPX306 MUST be studied prior to enrolment into SPX301 , SPX302 and SPX411
- All 100, 200 and 300 level courses MUST be completed prior to commencing 400 level courses
- Enrolment in SPX300 , SPX402 and SPX403 subject to special entry requirements and by Course Coordinator approval only.
- For Sippy Downs students some courses in this program will be taught at the Sunshine Coast Heath Institute
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- 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 Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues. Students should be aware there are restrictions applicable to credit transfer in order to obtain ESSA accreditation and they should contact their Program Advisor if considering participating in the Study Overseas program
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- Note: External accreditation requirements for this program allow for credit transfer to be granted for study completed at minimum of AQF level 7 Bachelor degree level only. Credit transfer cannot be granted for study completed at TAFE/RTO level (Advanced Diploma or lower), or for non-formal learning.