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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
BExScPsychSc
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Course code
3207113
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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.
International snapshot
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Start Date
March
-
Duration
4 years full-time
-
Location
Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast
-
Placement
Yes Learn more
-
ATAR
70
-
Inherent Requirements
Yes Learn more
-
Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 7.0
-
Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
BExScPsychSc
-
Course code
3207113
-
Credit points
384
-
Equivalent units
32
-
Scholarships
-
Indicative fee
-
CRICOS
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
From the elite athlete to the growing teenager, physical and mental health are essential to a balanced life. In this course you can immerse yourself in the psychology of what drives our behaviour and how this relates to sport and exercise.
Our accredited Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science provides a scientific understanding of the structure and function of the human body as it relates to movement, the interrelationships between health and disease, and the psychological basis of physical activity.
You will complete core units in exercise science including anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, strength and conditioning, and motor control as well as core units in psychological science that include assessment, methodology and principles of behaviour.
Career opportunities exist as a psychologist (with additional postgraduate training) and in careers that carry therapeutic connections to sport and exercise, such as professional athlete counselling, rehabilitation, or within the education sector.
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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 Demonstrate the level of information literacy, critical analysis, problem solving and decision making in exercise science and psychology. |
GA2: Creativity Demonstrate innovative and creative responses and solutions to problems encountered by professionals aligned with psychology and exercise science. |
GA3: Ethical practice Demonstrate a knowledge and application of professional conduct, ethics, legal principles and client centred care consistent with professional standards of conduct and ethical practice. |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Apply and integrate knowledge of evidence-based practice in exercise science and psychology, including the use of technology and digital practices, to deliver a broad range of services. |
GA5: Lifelong learning Demonstrate professional self-development in the field of exercise science and psychology through educational engagement and ongoing learning, self-evaluation of practice, inter- professional working relationships, innovative practice, and support new graduates. |
GA6: Communication and social skills Use a range of modalities to communicate effectively with clients and relevant stakeholders including families, carers and other health, exercise science and psychology professionals, and maintain appropriate documentation and records of services. Demonstrate leadership, teamwork and advocate for client access to health services. |
GA7: Cultural competence Practice in a safe, respectful and inclusive way that is responsive to the diverse needs of people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, gender and sexually diverse persons, persons of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and persons living with a disability. |
You will complete a 140-hour exercise science professional placement in the third year of the course. Placements might be in health and sporting centres, clubs, schools and academies or sport and recreation centres under professional supervision. As part of your professional placement you might assist personal trainers, health educators, strength and conditioning or sports coaches, sporting event coordinators or recreation officers.
Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain pre-requisites (e.g. a working with children check, immunisation and National Police Certificate). Before applying for this course, please consider the important information regarding these requirements.
Exercise science: anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, sports conditioning and motor control.
Psychological science: assessment, methodology, principles of behaviour.
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Lismore | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Term 1 | $25,000 ($3,125 per unit) | 0102160 |
| Gold Coast | Term 1 | $25,000 ($3,125 per unit) | 0102160 |
Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions. | |||
Career Outcomes
Graduates of this degree will be uniquely positioned to combine sport and exercise services with psychological knowledge creating a highly valued point of difference for their clients.
Career opportunities exist as a psychologist or exercise physiologist (both require additional training). Graduates of this degree will be eligible to obtain accreditation as an exercise scientist and strength and conditioning coach and to pursue opportunities in counselling in the sport or school setting, sports science, coaching and health research.
The Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and Exercise & Sport Science Australia (ESSA). All graduates may apply for full membership as Exercise Scientists with ESSA and are eligible for registration as an Exercise Professional with Fitness Australia (FA) and as a Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA).
Graduates may also choose to pursue further training to gain registration as a psychologist or as an accredited exercise physiologist.
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 ELP IELTS Equivalency Schedule 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
For units of study accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), recognition of prior learning (via advanced standing) cannot be granted for previous informal or non-formal learning, or for formal learning completed within a qualification lower than AQF level 7 - Bachelor Degree.
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising all core units.
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience 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 here.
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 Health at SCU
One of the best clinical lab facilities in Australia
Health Clinics on-campus provide safe and supervised environments for practicums
5-star health ratings
We are 5-star rated in psychology, nursing and health services and support
(GUG 2023)Graduates in very high demand
Health graduates in very high demand as Health Care and Social Assistance is Australia's largest and fastest growing industry
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.
Fees and Scholarships
International Students
If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.
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.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.
Apply now
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Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.
Early offer
If you're a current year 12 student you can register for our Early Offer program. You may be eligible to receive an early offer based on your School Principal's recommendation.
Apply now for your early offerChoose where you want to study
Coffs Harbour
Gold Coast
Lismore
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.
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Credit Transfer
Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.
Go to credit assessorEntry Pathway
We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.
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