Combine psychology and sport to work as an exercise scientist with specific knowledge in psychology, or choose to complete further study to become a registered psychologist.
Gain an understanding of the physical and non-physical factors that influence athletic performance. In exercise science, study scientific knowledge and procedures to assess and analyse the human body’s response to acute and chronic physical activity. In the psychology component, learn how to help athletes and exercisers with motivation, goal-setting, positive thinking, concentration, emotional control and coping skills.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Gain an understanding of the physical and non-physical factors that influence athletic performance. In exercise science, study scientific knowledge and procedures to assess and analyse the human body’s response to acute and chronic physical activity. In the psychology component, learn how to help athletes and exercisers with motivation, goal-setting, positive thinking, concentration, emotional control and coping skills.
Career opportunities
Community recreation and fitness, personal training, research, sport and exercise psychology (with further study), exercise science.
Registration
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) has accredited Pathway 1 of the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Exercise Science) as a three-year undergraduate sequence in psychology. Following successful completion of an accredited honours year plus either further accredited postgraduate study or supervision following the guidelines of the Psychologists Registration Board in their state or territory, graduates may be eligible for registration as a psychologist in that state or territory.
Honours
USC offers an accredited honours year—the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours). At the completion of third year, students who meet the entry criteria may apply for Honours. Note that a minimum grade point average in Pathway 1 psychology courses is required for honours entry.
Program structure
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Select Pathway 1 or Pathway 2.
- In Pathway 1 students must complete 28 required courses, 1 elective from the School of Communication and School of Social Sciences and 3 (300 level) SPX courses.
- In Pathway 2 students must complete 22 required courses, 1 School of Social Sciences Minor, 3 electives from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences and 3 (300 level) SPX courses.
- Complete a maximum of 5 introductory level courses from the School of Communication and School of Social Sciences.
- Complete no more than 192 units of introductory level courses in total, including core courses.
- Complete 12 required courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering and undertake 3 x 300 level SPX elective courses.
- Register your selected Majors and Minors with Student Administration.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, please refer to the Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 Study Plan.
Pathway 1
This pathway may lead to direct entry into the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program, subject to achievement of a minimum grade point average in Psychology courses.
Core courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
Faculty of Arts and Business courses
Required introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B
Required advanced courses (12):
PSY200 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY202 Physiological Psychology
PSY203 Introduction to Human Development
PSY204 Social Psychology
PSY205 Motivation and Emotion
PSY300 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY301 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY302 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY303 Personality and Assessment
PSY304 Human Associative Learning
PSY305 Abnormal Psychology
Elective courses
Select 1 elective course from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering courses
Required introductory courses (6):
LFS100 Cell Biology
LFS112 Human Physiology
LFS122 Human Anatomy
SCI105 Chemistry
SCI107 Physics
SCI110 Science Research Methods
Required advanced courses (6):
LFS251 Biochemistry
SPX201 Functional Anatomy
SPX202 Biomechanics I
SPX211 Exercise Physiology I
SPX212 Exercise Prescription and Programming
SPX221 Introduction to Sports Medicine
3 required SPX coded courses:
3 x 300 level SPX courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Pathway 2
This pathway will not lead to direct entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program.
Indirect entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) program would require completion of 6 further Psychology courses, and would be subject to achievement of a minimum grade point average in Psychology courses.
Core courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
Faculty of Arts and Business courses
Required introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B
Required advanced courses (2):
PSY200 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology B
Select 4 courses from the following:
PSY202 Physiological Psychology
PSY203 Introduction to Human Development
PSY204 Social Psychology
PSY205 Motivation and Emotion
PSY300 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY301 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY302 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY303 Personality and Assessment
PSY304 Human Associative Learning
PSY305 Abnormal Psychology
Minor (4 courses)
Select a minor from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
Elective courses
Select 3 elective courses from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering courses
Required introductory courses (6):
LFS100 Cell Biology
LFS112 Human Physiology
LFS122 Human Anatomy
SCI105 Chemistry
SCI107 Physics
SCI110 Science Research Methods
Required advanced courses (6):
LFS251 Biochemistry
SPX201 Functional Anatomy
SPX202 Biomechanics I
SPX211 Exercise Physiology I
SPX212 Exercise Prescription and Programming
SPX221 Introduction to Sports Medicine
3 required SPX coded courses :
3 x 300 level SPX courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering