Create healthier lives through 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 manage chronic conditions and injuries and 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 2023 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 manage chronic conditions and injuries and help people live healthier lives.
Like physiotherapists, exercise physiologists work with clients in elite sport and healthcare settings to encourage positive training, lifestyle and behaviour changes.
- Learn how to use exercise to manage chronic conditions and injuries, prevent disease and manage long-term conditions like heart disease and diabetes
- Study anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, psychology and nutrition
- Test and train athletes in USC’s AIS-accredited sport science labs
- Build your professional skills through 500 hours of supervised work placement, including clinical practice in hospitals and working with athletes
- Qualify to work as an exercise physiologist in hospitals, health clinics, rehabilitation facilities, gyms and more
Career opportunities
This degree qualifies you to practise as an exercise physiologist in a range of healthcare settings, and to seek provider status with Medicare.
While Clinical Exercise Science can provide a pathway to studies in physiotherapy, it can also lead to careers in cardiac and pulmonary testing, occupational rehabilitation, case management and research.
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: ESSA will allow recognition of prior learning (RPL) for non-university studies to a maximum of 12.5% of program load. USC recommends, therefore, that students holding TAFE studies in fitness seek RPL for not more than four courses upon entering the Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science.
Program structure
Introductory courses (8)
COR109 Communication and Thought
HLT140 Think Health
LFS100 Cell Biology
LFS112 Human Physiology
LFS122 Human Anatomy
PUB104 Introduction to Behavioural Health
SCI110 Science Research Methods
SPX121 Exercise Prescription and Programming I
Advanced courses (21)
HLT221 Human Pathophysiology
NUT203 Active Lifestyle Nutrition
PUB351 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation
SPX201 Functional Anatomy
SPX202 Biomechanics I
SPX203 Exercise Prescription and Programming II
SPX211 Exercise Physiology I
SPX221 Introduction to Sports Medicine
SPX222 Sport and Exercise Psychology
SPX231 Motor Control and Learning
SPX300 Introduction to Clinical Placement
SPX301 Exercise in Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Health
SPX302 Exercise in Musculoskeletal Health
SPX306 Clinical Skills for Exercise Physiology
SPX322 Biomechanics II
SPX331 Exercise Physiology II
SPX410 Exercise Management in Chronic Disease
SPX411 Exercise in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
SPX412 Exercise in Neurological Rehabilitation
SPX413 Case Management and Occupational Rehabilitation
SPX401A Advanced Professional Experience for Exercise Science *
SPX401B Advanced Professional Experience for Exercise Science *
SPX401C Advanced Professional Experience for Exercise Science *
SPX401D Advanced Professional Experience for Exercise Science *
* Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) 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 as part of SPX300 and SPX401 courses.
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 (as per ESSA requirement), comprising a minimum of 140 hours for apparently healthy clients, 140 hours for neuromuscular/musculoskeletal clients and 140 hours for metabolic/cardiopulmonary clients. These hours can be completed as part of SPX300 and SPX401 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
Program notes
- 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 following the recommended study sequence
- 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 GO program
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
- Students intending to seek accreditation with Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) as exercise physiologists are advised that ESSA will allow recognition of prior learning (RPL) for non-university studies to a maximum of 12.5 of program load. Therefore, USC recommends that students holding TAFE studies in Fitness seek RPL for not more than 4 courses upon entering the Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science