Study Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, Bachelor of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

Entry Scores
2024 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 90.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): A,A,A
TAFE/RTO: DIP
View Guaranteed Entry Info
2023 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 80.00
TAFE/RTO: Dip
View full entry requirements

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR
Higher education study
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above
OR
Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
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Students commencing in July will follow an alternate degree structure to accommodate starting in Second Semester.

Degree overview

Combine your passion for health and exercise with nutrition, and graduate with two highly complementary qualifications with only one extra year of study.
Study South Australia’s first fully accredited exercise and sport science degree by Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA).
Become an expert in the impact of exercise and nutrition on the biological, psychological and social aspects of human performance and wellbeing.
Study at a university ranked 35th in the world for sports science.¹
Choose South Australia’s No.1 university for graduate careers in health.²
Benefit from UniSA’s expansive industry partnerships when you complete 140 hours of industry placement across sporting clubs, gyms and fitness centres, schools and more.
Learn from expert academics and world-class researchers, including Australia’s leading exercise scientists and nutrition experts.
Access dedicated facilities designed for exercise testing and performance analysis, as well as a nutrition hub.
Learn from a university with well above world-class research in exercise and sport science, as well as nutrition and dietetics.³
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities,⁴ we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.

¹2021 Shanghai Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments.²ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21, Health Services and Support –Overall Employment Indicator (Undergraduate and Postgraduate). SA public universities. ³2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). ⁴Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings.

Snapshot

Exercise and sport science students using the High Performance Centre Start your unstoppable career in the world of human health and wellbeing with a double degree in exercise and sport science, combined with nutrition and food science.

Studying exercise and sport science will equip you with expertise on the impact of exercise and physical activity on the biological, physiological, psychological and social aspects of human life. Your additional study in nutrition and food sciences will give you hands-on experience in promoting and managing diets and lifestyles, conducting meaningful research for enhanced wellbeing, and developing innovative foods.

As two complimentary areas of health, your career opportunities are diverse. You could be at the forefront of innovation in the food and nutrition industries, with opportunities to go into scientific and advisory roles. You could also design, deliver and assess exercise and physical activity programs to improve the health and wellbeing of clients, their performance, or to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Further study opportunities may include a Master of Research (Health Sciences) or Master of Health Services Management.

What you'll need

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements.

Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

What you'll learn

Through theoretical and practical learning, you’ll become an expert in all aspects of exercise and sport science, and graduate with the skills needed to design, implement and evaluate exercise and physical activity programs.

The exercise and sport science component prepares you to provide exercise advice, deliver strength and conditioning services, biomechanical analyses, and skill acquisition knowledge to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of generally healthy individuals, ranging from children to elite athletes to older persons.

The nutrition and food sciences component will teach you to understand diets and lifestyles for optimum health and the associations between nutrient intake, energy output and physical health and performance. You’ll also learn how to manage and improve nutrition and diet related to physical activity and lifestyle changes, and how to maximise physical performance for healthy, active people.

During the first two years you’ll learn about nutrition and study exercise and sport science courses, which will give you a solid foundation in:

human anatomy and physiology
fundamental movement skills
skill acquisition
chemistry and biology

The third and fourth years have a strong practical focus. You'll develop critical thinking and practice-based skills through learning about:

exercise prescription and delivery
relationship between food bioactives, functional foods and medicines
developing personalised dietary and exercise plans to manage weight
nutrition for sports, exercise and activity

You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Periods 1, 2 or 3)
Physical Activity and Health	HLTH 1044	4.5
Physiology Essentials 100	BIOL 1051	4.5
Foundations in Human Movement, Exercise and Sports Science	HLTH 1039	4.5
OR
Introduction to Nutrition and Food Sciences 1	BIOL 1041	4.5
Chemistry 100	CHEM 1006	4.5
Second Semester (Study Periods 4, 5 or 6)
Group and Team Leadership	HLTH 1017	4.5
Motor Development and Ageing	HLTH 1065	4.5
Introduction to Evidence Based Practice and Research in Health Sciences	HLTH 1049	4.5
OR
Quantitative Methods in Health	MATH 1065	4.5
Chemistry of Food	FOSC 2002	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Periods 1, 2 or 3)
Exercise Physiology 1	HLTH 2006	4.5
Human Nutrition	HLTH 2001	4.5
Human Anatomy 100	HLTH 1020	4.5
Biology A	BIOL 1007	4.5
Second Semester (Study Periods 4, 5 or 6)
Exercise Physiology 2	HLTH 2005	4.5
Functional Anatomy	HLTH 1045	4.5
Food Innovation and Culinary Nutrition	FOSC 2007	4.5
Sensory and Consumer Evaluation of Foods	FOSC 2004	4.5
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Periods 1, 2 or 3)
Motor Control and Learning	HLTH 2026	4.5
Exercise Prescription and Delivery 1	HLTH 2027	4.5
Biochemistry	BIOL 2014	4.5
Microbiology	BIOL 2051	4.5
Second Semester (Study Periods 4, 5 or 6)
Biomechanics of Human Movement	HLTH 2025	4.5
Exercise Prescription and Delivery 2	HLTH 3011	4.5
Health, Exercise and Sport Psychology	HLTH 3014	4.5
Lifespan Physiology	BIOL 2052	4.5
FOURTH YEAR
First Semester (Study Periods 1, 2 or 3)
Exercise and Sport Science Project Design	HLTH 3053	4.5
Communication in Nutrition and Food Sciences	FOSC 3014	4.5
Nutrition, Exercise and Weight Management	HLTH 3001	4.5
Professional Practice in Exercise Science	HLTH 3054	4.5
Second Semester (Study Periods 4, 5 or 6)
Sociology of Health, Physical Activity and Sport	HLTH 3055	4.5
Food Safety and Regulation	FOSC 2006	4.5
Sports Nutrition	HLTH 3002	4.5
Biochemistry of Human Metabolism	BIOL 3035	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. To undertake field/clinical placements students are required to have current criminal history and screening checks as published by the Clinical Placement Unit (unisa.edu.au/CPU). These checks will list disclosable court outcomes that may prevent field / clinical placement involvement and subsequently may prevent completion of the program.

2. Students must have a 'Provide First Aid Certificate', Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR) and Mandatory Notification Training Certificate, prior to the commencement of any field placement.

3. The program requires participation in practical classes where manual skills are practiced. Essential learning activities in some classes may require that students partially remove their clothing to a level that is appropriate to the learning activity. Students may also be asked to act as subjects for their peer group members. If a student is unable to meet these requirements they may be at risk of being unable to successfully complete course objectives and assessments and progress through the program.

4. Students who do not maintain continuous enrolment in this program after commencing work integrated learning placements, or are returning from a period of absence of more than 12 months after the 2nd year in the program will be required to undertake a competency assessment and/or recency training at an upfront cost, in addition to the program tuition fees. This is to ensure students have maintained competency in the required skills to protect the safety of the public during work integrated learning arrangements.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

presentations and portfolios
quizzes
research assignments
practical projects and case studies
essays and assignments
examinations

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.

You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Why Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, Bachelor of Nutrition and Food Sciences

Students in the nutrition and food science hub commercial kitchen Graduate with two highly complimentary degrees with just one extra year of study, with a unique set of health skills relevant to current and emerging market trends.

UniSA offers the first fully accredited exercise and sport science degree in South Australia.¹ You'll benefit from practical learning opportunities and be guided by leading exercise and nutrition experts, while studying from a curriculum informed by our above world-class research in nutrition and dietetics, as well as exercise and sports science.²UniSA is also home to the highly regarded Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA).

You’ll build industry connections while you study, from industry placements with a range of elite and local sporting organisations to field trips at South Australia’s major nutrition and food providers.

You’ll train in UniSA’s dedicated on-campus facilities including a purpose-built sensory laboratory, microbiology laboratory and commercial kitchen. There is also the High Performance Sport Centre, exercise physiology clinics, environmental chamber and UniSA Sport gyms. Learning in these facilities is a great way to develop practical skills and experience the hands-on nature of these fast-growing industries.

Graduates are eligible to apply to become an Accredited Exercise Scientist through Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA).

¹Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA). ²2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

Real-world connections

UniSA has strong alliances with industry, ranging from elite and local sporting clubs to not-for-profit organisations.

You’ll complete a minimum of 140 hours of exercise science industry placement, further enhancing your networks and relationships with industry. Our industry placement providers include elite and community sports clubs, public and private schools, gyms and fitness centres, aged care, local councils and not-for-profit organisations. Examples of hands-on placement opportunities include:

working with older adults in community settings, including aged care
empowering athletes at amateur or elite sporting clubs
supporting serving and veteran service personnel and first responders as part of the Invictus Pathways Program

As part of your nutrition and food science stream, you’ll attend field trips to some of the state’s major nutrition and food providers, which are a great opportunities to build your industry relationships.

We also host regular University-wide alumni events, employee master classes and employment expos in Australia and overseas.

Career outcomes

Your career

As the health, nutrition, exercise and wellness industries continue to grow, employment prospects for graduates are promising. Employment for nutrition professionals in Australia is projected to increase by 7.2% by November 2026.¹

Careers to consider include:

Exercise scientist: assist people to increase their fitness, sporting performance and general health using a combination of biomechanics, physiology and performance analysis.
Physical training specialist: advise clients on exercise, health, wellbeing and nutrition; develop and implement individual training plans.
Sports and fitness nutritionist: responsible for improving the health and optimising the performance of athletes and exercisers.
Food scientist: use chemistry and biology to look at the microbiological, chemical and physical properties of food and ingredients. Analyse nutritional content, discover new food sources, and ensure the manufacturing process is safe.
Product development manager: develop innovative products and solutions to meet strategic business objectives.
Researcher: plan and conduct laboratory-based investigations, experiments and trials, and analyse results in order to broaden scientific understanding.
Community nutritionist: create changes in attitude toward nutrition and health; provide advice, guidance and support to the community.
Health promotion officer: plan and coordinate health promotion programs for various community groups.
Community sports project officer: develop, coordinate and manage programs delivered by community sport organisations.
Food policy advisor: offer qualified health and nutrition advice to the public.
Flavour technologist: sample products and conduct experiments to alter the ingredients in food and beverages to make it taste better, replicate a taste, or develop a new taste.
Health promotion officer: use social and environmental interventions to improve the health of groups and individuals.

¹Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

Professional accreditation and recognition

This degree is accredited by Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA). Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as an Accredited Exercise Scientist through ESSA.

Industry facts

Employment for sport and fitness coaches, instructors and officials in Australia is projected to increase by 9.8% by November 2026.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

Employment for nutrition professionals in Australia is projected to increase by 7.2% by November 2026.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

To November 2026, healthcare and social assistance is projected to make the largest contribution to employment growth in Australia – an increase of 301,000 jobs.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

Go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply.
You will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application.

Alternative Pathways

Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:

UniSA College Diploma in Health (Sport)
UniSA College Diploma in Health (Biomedical Science)
UniSA College Undergraduate Certificate in University Studies (Health)

SAIBT Diploma of Health Science

International

There are other pathways you can follow to study this program, including:

SAIBT Diploma of Health Science

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you're eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a Pathway

Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.

More scholarships

UniSA Excellence Scholarships

$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.

Learn more

UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship

Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:

academic counselling
personal counselling
social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
common rooms
prayer rooms
security officers
career services and mentoring
Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.

When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Your study spaces

UniSA Sport Gym.jpg

As a hands-on degree, you’ll benefit from UniSA’s practical approach to learning. You'll have access to facilities including:

exercise physiology clinic
High Performance Sport Centre
environmental chamber
exercise physiology laboratory
biomechanics laboratory
UniSA Sport gyms
sensory laboratory
chemistry laboratory
microbiology laboratory
commercial kitchen
anatomy laboratories
physiology laboratory
human performance and resistance training laboratory

From 2025, students in our Human Movement, Exercise and Sport Science and Clinical Exercise Physiology programs will benefit from an integrated practical learning experience with the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI). You can study alongside elite athletes and leading industry experts, and learn how to use the latest equipment and sport science technology in new, purpose-built facilities.

You’ll also have access to a range of on-campus spaces including modern lecture theatres, collaborative teaching rooms and relaxed student lounges.

Your program director

I am proud to direct a program that is delivered by a team of highly-qualified researchers and educators with a genuine interest in developing students into industry ready graduates. This Exercise and Sports Science Australia accredited program utilises innovative and safe learning environments, and offers opportunities for practical experience within industry settings, to enable students to pursue excellence and fulfil their highest potential.

Dr Tom Wycherley

Program Director

Enquire

Dr Tom Wycherley

Program Director

Enquire

Ask UniSA

How do I apply?

There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.

For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.

Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Master of Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
Is there a closing date for applications?

Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.

Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

Credit transfer or advanced standing

You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

Recognised prior learning

If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.

How do I get credit?

Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.

Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.

Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.

If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.

Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.

We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!

There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.

You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
Where can I get further information?

It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.

Find a course or a provider

TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.

More information on university admission

Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.

Questions about your application

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.