If you’re interested in turning your sporting hobbies into a career and you have an aptitude for science, a Sport Science degree might be perfect for you!
Not sure which university would suit you best though?
Keep reading to see Australia’s top 5 places to study Sport Science!
#5. Edith Cowan University
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Rankings
Edith Cowan University (ECU) is the fifth best place for Sports Science in Australia under the QS Top University Rankings by Subject 2022. Globally, ECU takes 30th place as the best university to study Sports Science.Â
ECU is also the 30th best overall university in Australia, as ranked by the QS Top Universities 2022!
AboutÂ
A Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Sports Science) at ECU is a three-year degree studied at the Joondalup campus in Perth.
The first year of ECU’s Sports Science degree focuses on foundational subjects before moving onto the major-specific study in the second and third year.
ECU has a highly renowned Football Performance major. With a tight-knot cohort, many students get the chance to intern with the West Coast AFL team and Perth Glory soccer team. Apart from Football Performance, there are four other majors:
- Health Promotion
- Nutrition
- Occupational Safety
- Health and Sport Business
There are two types of class formats you can attend:
- On-campus class schedule, with weekly lectures and laboratories
- Blended class schedule, with online content and two intensive laboratory sessions on campus (per semester)
You can also study a Bachelor of Science (International Exercise and Sports Science), where students attend the University of Portsmouth in their last year of study.
Entry Requirements
As of 2022, the minimum entry ATAR requirements for ECU’s Sport Science degrees are:
- Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Sports Science): 70
- Bachelor of Science (International Exercise and Sports Science): 70
#4. The University of Western AustraliaÂ
Image sourced from The University of Western Australia
RankingsÂ
The University of Western Australia (UWA) is, according to QS Top University Rankings by Subject 2022, the fourth best place for Sports Science in Australia. It is also the 23rd best university to study Sports Science worldwide.Â
Deakin currently sits at 7th best overall university in Australia.Â
AboutÂ
UWA is located just over the water from South Perth and boasts a beautiful coastline location. You can also study in Albany, on the Regional campus!
There are two main options for studying Sports Science at UWA. You can either undertake a three year Bachelor of Science with a major in Sports Science, or a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) with a major in Health Science.Â
You can also combine this with majors in Exercise and Health, Anatomy and Human Biology or Anthropology and Human Biology. If you pair Sports Science with an Exercise and Health major, you will have a direct path to be an accredited exercise scientist.Â
By studying at UWA, you’ll gain eligibility to apply for a membership with Exercise and Sport Science Australia, which will support your career path and provide professional development.Â
You will also have the option to undertake placement locally, in Western Australia, or overseas in Hong Kong, Leeds or Sweden.Â
You can find scholarships to UWA right here!
Entry RequirementsÂ
The current minimum entry ATARs are:Â
- Bachelor of Science (Sports Science): 80Â
- Bachelor of Science (Sports Science and Exercise and Health): 80Â
- Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) with a Major in Sports Science: 98
#3. Deakin UniversityÂ
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RankingsÂ
Deakin comes in as the 3rd best place for Sports Science in Australia in 2022. Globally, it is the 6th best university to study Sports Science.Â
Deakin is Australia’s 16th best university, overall, according to QS Top Universities in Australia 2022.Â
AboutÂ
At Deakin, you can study either in Melbourne or Geelong, giving you options for several different locations.Â
Deakin offers a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science as a three-year standalone degree, or as a double degree with either Nutrition Science or Business (Sport Management). You can also undertake an additional Honours year!
In a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, you will be on a pathway to register as an Accredited Exercise Scientist or work in similar sport and nutrition professions.Â
Though you must study a minimum of 16 core units (or subjects), you may select your 8 elective units to create a major sequence and thereby graduate with a major. This may include exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, sport coaching or languages and media, amongst others.
Arranging your subjects like this is a great way to specialise before you even begin your degree, helping you stand out!Â
Scholarships for Deakin can be found here!
Entry RequirementsÂ
Each degree at Deakin requires students to have scored at least 30 in EAL or 25 in English. Deakin also offers selection adjustments, which allow your marks in certain subjects to contribute to your entry.Â
The current minimum ATAR for 2022 are:Â
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science
- Burwood (Melbourne): 70
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong): 62.1
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science/Bachelor of Nutrition ScienceÂ
- Burwood: 73.65
- Waurn Ponds: 69.55
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science/Bachelor of Business (Sport Management)Â
- Burwood: 81.05
- Waurn Ponds: 71
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science (Honours) requires direct application during your degree.Â
#2. The University of SydneyÂ
Image sourced from The University of Sydney
RankingsÂ
The University of Sydney (USYD) is 2nd in Australia and 4th in the world for Sports Science, according to QS Top University Ranking by Subject 2022.Â
USYD is also the 3rd best university, as ranked by the QS Top Universities 2022!
AboutÂ
At Australia’s oldest university, you will be able to study with other like-minded students and dedicated staff. You’ll also be learning in a brand-new, purpose built facility.Â
USyd offers a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) under the Faculty of Medicine and Health. This three-year degree will allow you to study an Exercise Science major and a Physical Activity and Health minor.Â
Alternatively, you can skip the minor and study electives in subjects such as accounting, anatomy and histology, or even Ancient Greek. This would offer you a truly diverse degree!Â
At its core, this degree will give you experience in Advanced Exercise Programming and Delivery and Movement Analysis.Â
Importantly, this degree is not offered part-time, so may not be the ideal option for every student.Â
You can find USyd scholarships here!
Entry RequirementsÂ
The current guaranteed ATAR for a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science)Â is 82.Â
USyd also offers several alternative pathways into this course. If you do not get your required ATAR, but you achieve a Band 6 in high-level English or Maths, you can have your ATAR adjusted by up to five points under the Academic Excellence Scheme.Â
If you are an elite athlete and your training schedule has disrupted your Year 12 study, you may also be eligible for special consideration. Find a full list of admission pathways here.
Learn more about the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) at USyd here!
#1. University of QueenslandÂ
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RankingsÂ
The University of Queensland (UQ) is currently Australia’s best place for a Bachelor of Sports Science.
It’s also 2nd best university for Sports Science globally, according to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022.Â
This university is 5th in Australia overall, according to QS Top Universities in Australia 2022.Â
AboutÂ
At UQ, you’ll be studying right in the heart of Brisbane. The university’s largest campus is situated along a lake, so you’ll have great views.Â
Here, you can study a Bachelor of Sport Science (Honours), which runs for four years. This degree gives you a direct pathway to being an Accredited Exercise Scientist or Accredited Sports Scientist.Â
In this course, you’ll learn about biomechanics, health and fitness through anatomical basis of human movement and more.Â
The course also requires you undertake at least 500 hours of supervised placement, with most of this happening in your final year of study.Â
This is one of Australia’s only Sport Science degrees that offers Honours up front. This makes it an easy course to move straight into professional work.Â
You can find scholarships for this degree here!
Entry RequirementsÂ
Students for this course must have studied Year 12 General English (or equivalent) and either Biology, Chemistry or Physics.Â
The current minimum 2022 ATAR for this course is 88.
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Lucinda Garbutt-Young hopes to one day be writing for a big-shot newspaper… or maybe just for a friendly magazine in the arts sector. Right now, she is enjoying studying a Bachelor of Public Communication (Public Relations and Journalism) at UTS while she writes on the side. She also loves making coffees for people in her job as a barista, and loves nothing more than a sun shower.