Bachelor of Human Movement

Exercise and physical activity positively affect human life in a variety of ways - biologically, psychologically and socially.

In this industry-relevant degree you will develop a holistic understanding of these impacts.

You can align your studies with your career aspirations, with the opportunity to select one of two primary streams in Exercise and Sport Science or Health and Physical Education.

There is also the opportunity to select secondary study streams in Rehabilitation Sciences, Sports Coaching, Outdoor Education, Health Promotion, Nutrition or Advanced Exercise and Sport Science.

If you think you might be interested in secondary school teaching, you can apply for the Bachelor of Human Movement/Master of Teaching (Secondary).

Please see the Your Career section below for more information.

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.

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 Diploma level or above

OR Work and life experience

• Qualify for Special Entry, or
• Complete a 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

Assumed Knowledge

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.

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.

During your first year of study, you will develop a strong foundation in:

• human anatomy and physiology
• human movement professional practice
• health and physical activity
• growth and motor development
• group and team psychology.

Second year studies will focus on:

• motor learning
• nutrition
• exercise physiology
• biomechanics
• specialist knowledge through electives.

During your final year you will focus largely on your chosen stream, in addition to core courses in sociology of health and physical activity. You can choose to complete a stream in one of the following areas:

• Health and Physical Education
• Rehabilitation Sciences
• Sports Coaching
• Outdoor Education
• Health Promotion.

You will also develop knowledge in two additional specialist areas, choosing from physical education, coaching, health, outdoor education, rehabilitation or nutrition.

This degree teaches you practical skills and effective communication skills to facilitate interaction with a range of clients and peers, complete client screening, conduct laboratory and field testing, interpret scientific research and design and implement physical activity, exercise and training programs.

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 and 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.

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

We have teamed up with a number of community, local and elite physical activity and sporting organisations, such as the Adelaide Football club, Adelaide United and Basketball SA, providing you with excellent networking opportunities. You can also complete an industry placement as part of your study, further enhancing industry networks and relationships. Industry placement providers include public and private schools, elite and community sports teams, councils and not-for-profit organisations.

In addition, we host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Your career

Depending on your primary chosen stream, human movement graduates will be able to consider careers such as:

• Sport Development Officer: responsible for coordinating club and athlete participation in sports programs, as well as improving the performance of individuals and teams
• Community and Allied Health Worker: support and assist the work of allied health professionals, such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists and dieticians
• Health and Wellbeing Advisor: provide advice on healthy active lifestyles and nutrition to support wellbeing
• 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
• Outdoor Education Practitioner: facilitate nature-based outdoor learning experiences for personal and group development, health and wellbeing, environmental learning, sustainability and social justice
• Sports Coach: provide expert training advice to sporting professionals, and analyse their performances to provide further feedback and development strategies.

Those students in the Health and Physical Education stream can continue their studies in either primary or secondary teaching, leading to a career as a primary specialist Health and Physical Education or Science teacher, or a secondary school teacher in Health and PE and Junior Science, as well as a third learning area depending on your electives. For more information including subjects you'll be able to teach, visit our secondary health and physical education teaching page.

Become even more employable by combining your Bachelor of Human Movement degree with another degree. With just one year of extra study you can graduate with a double degree. Your options include Nutrition and Food Sciences or Psychology (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills).

Other postgraduate coursework areas include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, business, journalism and social work.

Where can my interest in health take me?

View our guide on Active Careers for more information.

To apply:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the relevant SATAC code*, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

*There are two SATAC codes – one for this degree, and one for this degree packaged with the Master of Teaching. You can apply to study this degree on its own. However if you already know you would like to combine it with a Master of Teaching, you can apply for both together.

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas 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 has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect 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.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

• academic counselling
• personal counselling
• social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

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

As a human movement student you will have access to:

• Exercise Physiology Clinic
• Environmental Chamber
• Multiple exercise physiology laboratories
• Biomechanics laboratory
• UniSA Sport Gyms
• Anatomy laboratories
• Human performance and resistance training laboratory