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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
March, July
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Duration
4 years full-time; 8 years part-time
4.5 years min for students commencing in July -
Location
Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore
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Placement
Yes Learn more
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ATAR
70
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Inherent Requirements
Yes Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 7.0
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
BClinExPhys
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Course code
3007012
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Credit points
384
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Equivalent units
32
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Scholarships
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Indicative fee
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
The Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology is a four-year degree that develops expert knowledge about how exercise can improve health and wellbeing and prevent, rehabilitate or manage chronic disease, injury or disability.
The degree prepares you for an exciting career as an accredited exercise physiologist (AEP), one of the fastest-growing group of allied health professionals in Australia, and includes a significant clinical placement (of a total 514 hours) as part of the degree.
The course will build your knowledge and expertise to assess, prescribe and deliver exercise programs to assist clients better manage their health.
Please note: There are requirements that you need to meet as a student in this course. You will need to identify these requirements and ensure you allow sufficient time to meet them. Some of these requirements have associated costs.
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“My experience at Southern Cross has been really good. There has been a vast array of opportunities for me. I've seen the whole spectrum of what I'm capable of doing."
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Use digital technologies and literacies to assess, evaluate and synthesise information from multiple sources |
GA2: Creativity Design and deliver safe, effective, collaborative, evidence-based exercise programs for clients |
GA3: Ethical practice Demonstrate ethical and professional conduct in accordance with the ESSA Code of Professional Conduct, Scope of Practice and Ethical Practice |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Apply and integrate an understanding of physiology and pathophysiological conditions to inform exercise practice Attain competency in screening, data collection and assessment of function, health and fitness status to inform exercise design |
GA5: Lifelong learning Exercise advanced critical reasoning, self-reflection, communication and advocacy skills for optimal outcomes |
GA6: Communication and social skills In partnership with the client, empower the client to adopt exercise and a healthier lifestyle to improve their health |
GA7: Cultural competence Apply cultural and indigenous awareness and sensitivity in dealings with clients and stakeholders in exercise and clinical exercise physiology |
You will complete 514 hours of professional placement, including 360 hours of clinical placement, as part of your degree, for valuable work integrated learning.
During your placements, you will have the opportunity to apply your theoretical knowledge acquired through coursework to practice and develop your skills in real life settings. This work integrated learning is completed at the Southern Cross University Health Clinic and external locations such as hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, sporting clubs, private practices and aged care facilities. The University has an important focus on both urban and rural and remote health.
Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain pre-requisites prior to attending any placements (e.g., a working with children check, immunisation and National Police Certificate). Prior to applying for this course, please consider the important information regarding these requirements.
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Term 1 |
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Lismore | Term 1 |
Career Outcomes
Clinical exercise physiologists are skilled in assessing, prescribing and delivering exercise programs to assist clients better manage their health and various chronic medical conditions. These conditions may include diabetes, cancer, cardiac, respiratory, musculoskeletal, neurological disease and mental health conditions, as well as injury or disability. Career opportunities for clinical exercise physiologists can be found in a variety of settings, including private practice, hospitals, aged care facilities, community health, multidisciplinary allied health clinics, workplace health centres and rehabilitation centres in rural and metropolitan areas.
Clinical exercise physiology is an allied health profession that is part of the Medicare, Department of Veterans' Affairs, workers compensation, motor accident insurance, National Disability Insurance Scheme and private health insurance systems.
The Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology is accredited by Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA). Graduates will be eligible for full membership with ESSA as both an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and an Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES).
Please note: To apply for accreditation as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and an Accredited Exercise Scientist, applicants must meet ESSA’s English language requirements.
Undergraduate students are also eligible for registration as a Fitness Professional with AUSactive and as a Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) after completing the first two years of their degree.
Please note: To apply for ASCA Level 1 accreditation, an additional 30 externally supervised coaching hours must be completed.
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
To meet the University’s minimum English Language Proficiency requirement an applicant must have achieved:
- satisfactory completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the Recognised Countries (see below), including at least two years between years 7 and 12; or
- completed at least two years (full-time equivalent combined secondary and/or tertiary and/or vocational education taught and assessed solely in English, in one of the Recognised Countries; or
- the IELTS (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components: or
- the OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components; or
- the PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills; or
- the TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 listening, 24 reading, 27 writing, and 23 speaking; or
- successful completion of the English for Academic Purposes 3 program at SCU College; or
- successful completion of the Diploma of Health at SCU College.
Recognised Countries means the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK and USA.
Please note, Rule 2 Schedule B test scores equivalencies do not apply to this course.
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score or equivalent | 7.0 |
| Reading | 7.0 |
| Writing | 7.0 |
| Listening | 7.0 |
| Speaking | 7.0 |
Credit for prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available for this course. For more information, please view the Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology RPL Guide.
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:
- 29 core units (372 credit points); and
- 1 option unit (12 credit points).
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on the Faculty of Health Work Integrated Learning page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
Other things to consider
As part of our commitment to admissions transparency, the University provides a snapshot of how students were admitted to their courses and the profile of students studying with us.
There are different pathways into an undergraduate degree.
Whether you are returning to study after some time or you have just finished school and you need some extra academic preparation before embarking on a degree, Southern Cross University offers two excellent, fee-free academic preparation programs that develop the skills you need to be successful at university.
SCU College also offers a range of one-year Diplomas that provide extra academic support as you commence university. Diplomas are a great pathway to a degree and may also prepare you for diverse paraprofessional roles.
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University undergraduate degree before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results.
Course structure
Why study Clinical Exercise Physiology at Southern Cross University
Hands-on learning
Health Clinics on-campus provide safe and supervised environments for practicums
5-star ratings in Sport and Leisure
We're rated 5 stars for undergraduate Learner Engagement, Skills Development and Student Support
Good Universities Guide 2025Guaranteed entry with Diploma of Health
Successful completion of the Diploma guarantees entry and eight (8) units of credit towards a linked Bachelor degree
Fees and Scholarships
Domestic students
You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.
Commonwealth Supported Places:
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).
SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.
Full Fee-Paying Places:
A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.
How can we help?
Credit Transfer
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