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University of South Australia

Human Movement, Sport and Clinical Exercise Physiology

Interested in Human Movement, Sport and Clinical Exercise Physiology?

Take your place at a university ranked 35 in the world for sport science.1

Inspire a healthy and more active society with industry-relevant studies taught by Australia’s leading exercise scientists, high-performance coaches and physical activity specialists. Employment prospects for graduates are promising, with the health, wellbeing and nutrition industries growing and expanding rapidly. 

Offering South Australia’s first fully accredited Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science degree by Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA), you can train to become an expert in the impact of physical activity on the biological, psychological and social parameters of human life. 

In our Bachelor of Human Movement you can study the functioning of a healthy human body and the impact it has on a person’s holistic wellbeing. You’ll graduate industry-ready when you complete at least 75 hours of practical workplace experience.

Expand your career opportunities when you study a double degree, with a range of combinations available including Nutrition and Food Sciences, Business (Sport and Recreation Management) and Psychology (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills).

UniSA is also home to South Australia's only fully accredited Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours), which will qualify you as an accredited Exercise Physiologist in four years. You’ll provide services in our on-campus High Performance Sport Centre embark on more than 600 clinical placement hours across a range of SA’s best clinical exercise facilities.

1Ranked #35, 2021 Shanghai Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments.

Key features

  • Study at the No.1 university in South Australia for graduate careers1 and student satisfaction in health.2
  • Learn from a university producing well above world-class research in clinical exercise physiology, human movement, exercise and sports science.3
  • Be trained by experts and world-class researchers, including some of Australia’s leading exercise scientists, with a curriculum ranked in the top 100 worldwide.4
  • Benefit from our strong links with elite physical activity and sporting organisations, such as the Adelaide Football Club.
  • Learn in state-of-the-art on-campus facilities designed for exercise testing and performance analysis, such as our High Performance Sport Centre, Exercise Physiology Clinic, Environmental Chamber and Health and Fitness Centre.
  • Choose to study a double degree and combine your interests with Nutrition and Food Sciences, Business (Sport and Recreation Management) or Psychology (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills).

1ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018-20, Health Services and Support — Overall Satisfaction Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities. 2ComparED (QILT) Course Experience Questionnaire 2019-20, Health Services and Support — Overall Satisfaction Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities. 32018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 42022 QS Subject Rankings, Sport-Related Subjects.

Why UniSA?

UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people1. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities2, 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.

Our enterprising spirit has made UniSA a renowned centre of innovation in the sectors driving Australia's future forward, including health. This is your chance to help people lead healthier lives through the power of exercise and movement.

World-class teaching staff and state-of-the-art learning facilities mean these qualifications are a great choice for students interested in exercise, sport science, nutrition, health and wellbeing or physical activity. You'll have access to our High Performance Sport Centre, exercise physiology clinics, Environmental Chamber, biomechanics laboratory, UniSA Sport gyms and anatomy laboratories. We’ve also teamed up with a number of high performance coaches and elite sporting organisations, including the Adelaide Football Club.

Ranked in the World Top 100 for exercise and sport science3, UniSA’s links to industry mean you’ll graduate career ready, and get the best foundations for a healthy career.

1UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. 2Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings. 32022 QS Subject Rankings, Sport-Related Subjects.

UniSA offers the following Human Movement, Sport and Clinical Exercise Physiology degree

Choose your level of study

Short programs

Are you after a career change or looking to upgrade your existing skills? Or perhaps you just have an interest in a particular subject area and want to further your experience, skills and knowledge. We offer a suite of short programs that will allow you to build your knowledge and skill set.

Designed in collaboration with expert academics, program content is industry-relevant and up-to-date. Short programs include:

AFL great

AFL great

Girls across Australia are looking at their TV screens inspired by the rise of women’s football and the AFL’s trailblazing female umpire, Eleni Glouftsis.

Growing up with a passion for the game, this UniSA human movement grad and UNSTOPPABLE force made history at 25 by becoming the league’s first woman to officiate as a field umpire, paving the way for the next generation of young girls with big ambitions.

Start your unstoppable career in Human Movement, Sport and Clinical Exercise Physiology

  • Eleni Glouftsis

    Eleni Glouftsis
    AFL Umpire
    Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement),
    Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary)

Back to stories   Hear more from our unstoppable people

World-class partners for a world-class university

We are a globally connected university with over 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.

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Your career

Careers are diverse in the sport, fitness and rehabilitation, health, education or recreation industries. Careers to consider:

  • Exercise Scientist: use a combination of biomechanics, physiology, and psychology to help assess people's  fitness, sporting performance and general health.
  • Exercise Physiologist: qualified in clinical exercise prescription and the delivery of exercise-based lifestyle modification programs to prevent and treat injury and disease.
  • Physical training specialist: advise clients on exercise, health, wellbeing and nutrition; develop and implement individual training plans.
  • Strength and conditioning coach / sports coach: prepare athletes for high performance, enabling them the greatest advantage in competition.
  • Performance analyst: analyse performance data to provide individual and team statistics relating to key performance indicators.
  • Human movement practitioner: engage a broad population of people and groups throughout the lifespan to be more physically active using a broad range of modalities for health, fitness and wellbeing.
Your Career

Global networks

As a globally connected university, our staff and students come from over 90 countries. We have more than 2,500 industry and professional relationships which support student internships, research and community engagement. Our students have completed placements and internships with organisations like:

  • Port Adelaide Football Club
  • Glenelg Football Club
  • Adelaide Hockey Club
  • Goodlife Health Clubs
  • Helping Hand Aged Care
  • Westminster School

Industry facts

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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

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Healthcare and social assistance has been the primary provider of new jobs in the Australian labour market since the 1990s.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

From 4 August 2025, the University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students. Study at Adelaide University.

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Ask UniSA

  • How do I apply? minus-thick plus-thick

    The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.

    The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.

    There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.

    If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.

    You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.

    If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying

  • Is there a closing date for applications? minus-thick plus-thick

    Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

    Undergraduate

    The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or 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. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.

    Postgraduate

    Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.

    As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.

  • What credit can I receive for previous studies? minus-thick plus-thick

    You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central. 

  • Can I speak to someone regarding my study options? minus-thick plus-thick

    Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.

More FAQs

What others are saying

I love working with young adolescents and I love sport/physical activity and seeing students active. The joy and energy that comes with sport is exhilarating.

Kirsty Welsh, Health and Wellness Coach

Bachelor of Human Movement

Kirsty Welsh.jpg

Kirsty Welsh, Health and Wellness Coach

Bachelor of Human Movement

This degree allows me to combine my passion for teaching children with my love for sport and physical education.  

James Fox

Bachelor of Human Movement

James Fox

James Fox

Bachelor of Human Movement

I enjoyed Biology and PE in high school and chose this degree because it involved both the sports and clinical side of science. As part of my studies, I get the opportunity to run exercise classes, develop exercise programs and talk to different clients. 

Erin Coutts

Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology

Erin Coutts

Erin Coutts

Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology

The hands-on approach that lots of the courses have has been brilliant. Not everyone can learn from a book, so having the constant opportunity to get real-world experience and apply what we’ve been learning has been fantastic.   

Lachlan Darch

Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science

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Lachlan Darch

Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science

Why study at UniSA?

As one of the most innovative universities in Australia and Asia, there are many reasons to study with us. Here are just three:

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Accessible, helpful and flexible

We have six campuses, a 24/7 online learning environment, and we offer flexible study options like online and evening courses.

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Graduate success

UniSA is South Australia's number one university for graduate careers.*
*ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.

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A five star university

Five stars for research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness and innovation*
*2023 QS Stars Ratings