Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science/Bachelor of Nutrition Science

Exercise and sport science at Deakin gives you the expertise to become a professional leader in the field. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the biology, technology, behaviour and best practices that underpin exercise and sport science.

You will have the opportunity to participate in two sport industry practical experiences during this course. In third year, students complete 80 hours of practical experience at a pre-approved host organisation through the Exercise Programming unit. The Exercise and Sports Science Practicum in your final year provides a minimum 140 hours of practical experience.

Additionally, you can choose to study the Food and Nutrition Practicum in your final year, giving you a further 75 hours of practical food or nutrition industry experience. Or you may wish to undertake an elective international study tour (run every two years) to learn about the context of food, nutrition and health from an international perspective, past countries have included the Netherlands, the US, Singapore and Malaysia.

Work-integrated learning experiences allow you to undertake hands-on training in a variety of sporting, exercise or health environments, and set you apart from other graduates. The roles can involve coaching, sport science, exercise research and fitness. Many graduates have even been offered employment based on their excellent fieldwork performance.

You can find work experience with a variety of organisations such as:

With an increase in demand for qualified nutrition professionals, you will be in a strong position to pursue diverse career opportunities. Combining studies in exercise, sports and nutrition sciences means you will be ready to take your expertise into the field and find new and innovative ways to promote health across a broad range of organisations and communities. Find out more about the exciting and diverse career opportunities across sport and nutrition.

Are you a current Year 12 student? If you attend a school in a regional or remote area or within the City of Greater Geelong you may be eligible to apply for this course through our Regional and Remote Entry Scheme using our dedicated VTAC codes. As an eligible applicant you may also receive up to a 10 aggregate point adjustment towards your entry score. Make the most of your ATAR.

Discover our sport courses.

^*Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Entry requirements

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

If you don't meet the academic entry requirements as outlined in the tabs below, or haven't completed Year 12, or don't hold any relevant qualifications, the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test) Multiple Choice (MC) may be an option for you to meet course entry requirements.

Academic requirements

All students must be able to prove that they can meet our English language requirements. Our English language requirements are divided into five bands – from Band A through to Band E. These Bands indicate the level of English required to undertake the course, with Band E representing the highest English skill level required.

You will be able to provide evidence of your English language skills if you have:

• completed an English language test such as IELTS, Pearson, TOEFL or Cambridge
  • Applicants who are unable to sit standard tests due to public health concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic can complete an online English language test such as IELTS Indicator, OET@Home, TOEFL Special Home Edition.
• completed some types of university (tertiary) or high-school (secondary) studies
• completed an approved English subject in IB Diploma, Australian Year 12 or other high school qualifications
• lived and worked in an English speaking country for at least five years.

These requirements are different for prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students. For the most up-to-date English language requirements, please visit the English Language Admission Criteria procedure.

Career outcomes

There are diverse career opportunities across many roles and fields available for graduates of the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science/Bachelor of Nutrition.

Accredited Exercise Scientists are qualified to prescribe exercise to improve health, wellbeing, fitness and performance, and to assist in the prevention of chronic conditions, at an individual, community or population level. As well as typical roles in the sport, exercise, coaching and fitness industries, you may pursue employment in sports science, community health and wellness, or rehabilitation.

Upon graduating, you may find employment opportunities in:

• elite, professional sporting clubs
• local and state government agencies
• professional sporting bodies
• local and community sporting clubs
• hospital and rehabilitation clinics
• fitness and aquatic centres
• private health and recreation centres
• large business organisations in corporate health.

Find out more about where your exercise and sport science degree can take you.

Registered Nutritionists are qualified to provide evidence-based advice on matters relating to food and its impact on human health, and mostly work in group/community settings. You will be well prepared for a nutrition-focused career and can work in areas in the nutrition and food industry such as:

• human nutrition
• population health
• food analysis
• food sustainability
• food policy
• nutrition and disease prevention
• assessing and evaluating food intake

Find out more about where a qualification in nutrition can take you.

After successfully completing the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science/Bachelor of Nutrition Science, you may consider applying for further study to advance your career in the sport science and nutrition industry. We offer:

• H442 Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science (Honours)
• H418 Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Honours)
• H718 Master of Dietetics
• H743 Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology
• H707 Master of Applied Sport Science.

Choose your degree

Use our course finder to discover your ideal degree. On each course page you will find information on entry requirements, professional recognition, career opportunities, course structure, fees and more.

Also consider where you would like to study – we have four campuses in the state of Victoria, Australia, or you may like to study online.