Students learn to use exercise as a means of prevention and treatment for chronic diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, and arthritis.
Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have available to us to prevent disease, treat acute injuries, and manage long term diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Exercise physiologists work within our health system, making important contributions to health care at relatively low cost.
- 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.
Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have available to us to prevent disease, treat acute injuries, and manage long term diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Exercise physiologists work within our health system, making important contributions to health care at relatively low cost.
This program is a professionally focussed degree to educate clinical exercise physiologists and prepare them for employment in the Australian health system. Studies include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, biomechanics, psychology, motor learning, and sports nutrition. Advanced courses focus on professional practice in clinical and community environments, followed by industry placements and workplace learning.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete 500 hours of supervised placement. Students may be required to undertake some clinical placement hours outside the Sunshine Coast region in metropolitan and regional / rural areas. Before undertaking placements (ie: by year 3), students must provide evidence of immunisations, first aid training, satisfactory criminal history check, and hold a current Suitability Card.
Career opportunities
Accredited exercise physiology (exercise as medicine), cardiac and pulmonary testing, occupational rehabilitation, case management, research.
Accreditation and Memberships
This degree is professionally accredited at the levels of Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). Graduates from this program may practise as exercise physiologists and seek provider status with Medicare.
Also, graduates may apply to become members of Sports Medicine Australia.
Note: ESSA will allow recognition of prior learning (RPL) for non-university studies to a maximum of 12.5% of program load. USC recommends, therefore, that students holding TAFE studies in fitness seek RPL for not more than four courses upon entering the Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science.
Program structure
Program Structure
Introductory courses (8)
COR109 Nutrition and Dietetic Practice Management
HLT140 Nutrition and Dietetics Thesis
LFS100 Business Analytics
LFS112 Introduction to Economics
LFS122 Introduction to Marketing
PUB104 Introduction to Informatics
SCI110 Business Law and Ethics
SPX121 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
Advanced courses (24)
HLT221 Communication and Thought
PUB351 Communication and Thought
SPX201 Cell Biology
SPX202 Human Physiology
SPX211 Human Anatomy
SPX212 Introduction to Behavioural Health
SPX221 Chemistry
SPX222 Science Research Methods
SPX231 Introduction to Coaching Science
SPX300 Human Pathophysiology
SPX301 Functional Anatomy
SPX302 Biomechanics I
SPX322 Exercise Physiology I
SPX331 Exercise Prescription and Programming
SPX352 Introduction to Sports Medicine
SPX410 Sport and Exercise Psychology
SPX411 Motor Control and Learning
SPX412 Introduction to Clinical Placement
SPX413 Exercise in Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Health
SPX401A Exercise in Musculoskeletal Health *
SPX401B Biomechanics II *
SPX401C Exercise Physiology II *
SPX401D Sports Nutrition *
Plus choose an one (1) advanced elective (12 units)
* Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) requires students to complete 500 hours of supervised practice comprising of a minimum of 140 hours for apparently healthy clients, 140 hours for neuromuscular/musculoskeletal clients and 140 hours for metabolic/cardiopulmonary clients. These hours will be completed as part of SPX300 and SPX401 courses.
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to commence fieldwork placement you must:
- Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card - Working with Children Check - QLD). This is required by week 6 of the third year subject, SPX300 , and is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). The application timeline for this Card is usually in the region of 6-8 weeks, therefore it is advised that this process is initiated at the time of enrolment into SPX300 if not before
- Provide evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B (blood titre level after approved vaccination schedule)
- Hold current Senior First Aid and CPR certificates (currency of certification is to be maintained throughout the program)
- You may also be required to complete a Criminal History Check for particular placements, cost of which is borne by the student
- Some courses within this program are taught outside of the standard teaching semesters. Students should refer to the Session Timetables for dates
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete all required components of this program, to be able to apply for accreditation as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
- Complete 500 hours of supervised practice (as per ESSA requirement), comprising a minimum of 140 hours for apparently healthy clients, 140 hours for neuromuscular/musculoskeletal clients and 140 hours for metabolic/cardiopulmonary clients. These hours can be completed as part of SPX300 and SPX401 courses
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 Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues. Students should be aware there are restrictions applicable to credit transfer in order to obtain ESSA accreditation and they should contact their Program Advisor if considering participating in the GO program
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan
- Students intending to seek accreditation with Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) as exercise physiologists are advised that ESSA will allow recognition of prior learning (RPL) for non-university studies to a maximum of 12.5 of program load. Therefore, USC recommends that students holding TAFE studies in Fitness seek RPL for not more than 4 courses upon entering the Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science