Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, Bachelor of Psychological Science (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills)

This unique double degree is the only one of its kind in South Australia and will develop your expertise in exercise and sport science, psychology, counselling, and behavioural research methodology.

With a strong practical and multi-disciplinary industry focus, you will graduate with a specialised set of skills to meet emerging market needs.

The exercise and sport science component to design, deliver and assess exercise and physical activity programs to improve the health and wellbeing of clients, their performance, or to prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes and arthritis.

The psychology component provides a balance of courses in psychology theory and counselling, meaning you will enter the workforce with the analytical, communication and interpersonal skills needed to work with individuals, groups and communities.

If you finish your degree with a credit or higher grade point average (GPA) you could also be eligible for the one-year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours).

Completion of this honours degree can lead to employment as a practicing psychologist (additional requirements must also be met).

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.

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.

This unique double degree will provide you with expertise in the areas of exercise and sport science, and psychology. You will graduate with a specialised set of skills to meet emerging market needs. You will gain expertise in human thought and behaviour, develop cognitive and creative skills to solve real-world scientific problems, and apply your knowledge in diverse contexts such as sports and mental health.

The exercise and sport science component prepares you to provide counselling to athletes, rehabilitation services, and to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of the population. The psychology component provides a balance of courses in psychology theory and counselling – for graduates this means you will enter the workforce with a strong understanding of psychology, as well as the analytical, communication and interpersonal skills needed to work with individuals, groups and communities.

During the first two years you will study exercise and sport science courses, which will give you a solid understanding of:

• human anatomy and physiology
• fundamental movement skills
• skill acquisition
• physical activity and health

The third and fourth years have a strong practical focus, where you will develop critical thinking and practice-based skills through learning about:

• develop influencing skills and intervention strategies
• gain knowledge of psychological disorders, including their causes and range of treatments
• study the relationship between psychology and physical activity

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 sporting organisations, such as the Adelaide Football Club, Adelaide United and Basketball SA, to provide you with excellent networking opportunities.

You will also complete a minimum of 140 hours of exercise science industry placement across a variety of settings. This may include working with children at a kindergym, athletes at elite sporting clubs or returned service men and women as part of the Invictus Pathways Program, further enhancing industry networks and relationships.

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

Your career

As the health, wellbeing and nutrition industries continue to grow, employment prospects for graduates of this double degree are promising. Careers to consider include:

• Athlete Counsellor (with further study): concerned with the wellbeing, mental functioning and physical performance of athletes
• Exercise Scientist: use a combination of biomechanics, physiology, and psychology to help assess and ultimately increase an individual’s fitness, sporting performance and general health
• School Counsellor (with further study): work across primary and secondary schools to facilitate and advocate student wellbeing
• Strength and Conditioning Coach: prepare athletes for high performance, enabling them the greatest advantage in competition
• Sport Psychologist (with further study): working with athletes and coaches to increase athletic performance through psychology influences

To become a professionally practicing or research psychologist you must complete a one-year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree. You must finish your degree with at least a credit or higher grade point average (GPA) to be considered for or eligible to apply for honours. You will then need to complete a two-year Master of Psychology (Clinical), and on completion register with the Psychology Board of Australia.

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

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.

You will have access to:

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