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Bachelor of Exercise Science and Rehabilitation

Build real-world, practical skills and contemporary knowledge. Heal people with chronic disease. Improve overall quality of life.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

If you’re planning to study at UOW immediately after finishing your HSC, International Baccalaureate (IB), or an interstate equivalent, you can apply for Early Admission to this course. Applications can be submitted via the UOW Early Admission website during the designated period, usually June – August each year.

Students can also apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

If you’re a non-school leaver (e.g., completed Year 12 previously and/or have a TAFE qualification or equivalent), you can apply directly to UOW.

Before applying, please review the requirements, intakes, and deadlines for your chosen degree.

International students are encouraged to apply with the support of an approved UOW agent. An agent can help navigate the application process and ensure that you submit all necessary documentation. For your nearest agent, please see our agent list.

Alternatively, if you would like to apply directly (without an agent), you can start the process through our Apply Online portal. Please note, some applicants will not be eligible to apply directly and will be prompted to apply via an agent.

International students who are studying an Australian Year 12 qualification in or outside of Australia may choose to apply through UOW Early Admission, and/or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Need help?

Contact the UOW Future Students Team:

For more details about this course

Australia: 1300 367 869. International: +61 2 4221 3218

Student ?
Campus
Wollongong
ATAR-SR ?
90
IB Admission Score ?
34
Delivery ?
On Campus
Starts
  • Autumn 2025
  • Autumn 2024
Codes
UAC: 757643
UOW: 851_2

Overview

Exercise physiologists are specialised allied health professionals who employ exercise strategies to enhance health, aid in recovery, and foster independence among individuals and groups with chronic health conditions, disabilities, or injuries. They work in diverse settings including private clinics, hospitals, community health centres, aged care facilities, workplace rehabilitation, education, and research.

Throughout the Bachelor of Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, you will study subjects including anatomy, physiology, clinical exercise physiology, exercise prescription, biomechanics, and neuromechanics. These core subjects are designed to deepen your understanding of how exercise affects the body, and how to use evidence-based practices and a person-centred approach to prescribe exercise safely and effectively. This knowledge is aimed at improving health outcomes and the quality of life of those you will serve.

A key element of this degree is the practical experience component. It involves a total of 500 hours of placement — 140 hours in a community, sports, scientific, or commercial exercise setting, and an additional 360 hours in a clinical setting. These placements are necessary for you to graduate and become an exercise physiologist. This hands-on experience is crucial, as it allows you to apply what you've learned in real-world scenarios, ensuring you are prepared for professional practice upon graduation.

Read the course handbook for more information. 

Careers

  • Cardiac Technologist
  • Case Worker
  • Exercise Physiologist
  • Exercise Scientist
  • Fitness Instructors / Personal Trainers
  • Rehabilitation Specialist
  • Researcher
  • Sports Administrator
  • Strength and Conditioning Specialist
See more

Accreditation & professional recognition

This course has accreditation with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). Graduates of the Bachelor of Exercise Science and Rehabilitation are eligible to apply for accreditation as Exercise Physiologist as well as Exercise Scientists with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

It is highly recommended that all graduates apply for accreditation with ESSA within 2 years of completing their degree. This is of particular importance for international students to ensure that they meet the ESSA English Language requirements. For more information see ESSA Accreditation site.

Admissions information

The University assumes students will have studied Mathematics and any 2 units of science. The university recommends that students study Chemistry and Biology

Students who have not completed Chemistry and/or Biology in the HSC are strongly recommended to enrol in bridging courses offered in February each year.

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For specific advice or to ask any questions regarding an application, please contact the UOW Future Students Team.

  • Higher Education Study

    For your application to be assessed on your university results you need to have completed at least half a year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) at a Bachelor's degree level or higher. Your grades will be converted to a selection rank to be used for admission purposes. Students may also be eligible for credit for prior learning.

  • Work and life experience

    Admission to UOW is primarily based on your academic qualifications, with work or life experience generally not considered. If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, we recommend exploring recognized pathway programs, such as those offered by UOW College or the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC).

    For more information, please refer to the UOW Admissions Information page.

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

    UOW's Woolyungah Indigenous Centre's Indigenous Admissions Program (IAP) offers an alternative pathway for Indigenous Australians aged 17 and over who are seeking entry into an undergraduate course at UOW. Upon completing the IAP, applicants will be considered for admission based on an interview and assessment of both academic and non-academic qualities. For further details, including the application process, please contact Woolyungah Indigenous Centre.

  • Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications

    If you have completed or partially completed studies at an approved university or tertiary institution, you may be eligible for entry to UOW. You'll need to provide academic records, and your course must be at least one-sixth complete. Non-English documents must include an official English translation. For more information, contact the UOW Future Students Team.

  • English language proficiency

    All UOW courses are taught in English and require varying levels of proficiency. If English is not your first language, you must meet the University’s English Language Requirements, which differ by course.

    Accepted international test results include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, and OET for specific health-related courses.

    Alternatively, you can fulfill the requirement by completing an English course at UOW College.

  • Workload
    Full-Time Study Load

    As a full-time student, you can expect to commit around 48 hours of study per week. This includes class time and independent study. You may need to factor more time for examination study and practical work & placements.

    Part-Time Study Load

    For part-time students, study hours will vary based on the number of units taken, with similar expectations for class and independent study.

    For more details on course workloads, please refer to the UOW Handbook.

  • Record Check

    The NSW Health Department requires all students undertaking clinical placements at NSW Health hospitals and facilities to:

    • undergo a national criminal record check; and
    • comply with NSW Health's immunisation requirements

    prior to employment or placement in any capacity in the NSW health system.

    This criminal record clearance will be conducted by the NSW Police and/or the Australian Federal Police. Students are required to arrange for this check to be undertaken following enrolment, and the cost of the check will be their responsibility.

    In addition, overseas students must also provide a Police Certificate from their home country/any country they have resided in, or a signed Statutory Declaration with no convictions/pending charges.

    Students should consult the information on Criminal Records Checks, Prohibited Employment Declaration and Infectious Diseases in the Health Placements section.

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    If you have completed prior studies or relevant professional experience, you can request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

    Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous study or work experience related to your chosen subjects.

    UOW values lifelong learning and recognizes various types of prior learning, regardless of how or where it was obtained. For more information, refer to UOW's Credit for Prior Learning page.

More detail

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available. For eligible domestic students, Australian government funding will contribute towards your tuition fees. The remaining proportion, known as a student contribution, will depend on when you begin study (enrolment year) and study area. Read more domestic student fees and CSPs.

Indicative enrolment

The number of students in 2023 for the Bachelor of Exercise Science was 123. This indicates the likely size of this group of students (in these similar courses) in 2024.

Student profile

This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at UOW for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at UOW in 2023.

Student profile table
Applicant background 2023 intake 2023 intake (%)
Higher education study 27 22%
Vocational education & training study 8 7%
Work & life experience N/P
Recent secondary education
ATAR Only 6 5%
ATAR plus additional criteria 0 0%
Other criteria only (non-ATAR) 77 63%
International students N/P
All students 123 100%

< 5: Number of students is less than 5
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)

ATAR profile

This table relates to all students selected on the basis of ATAR alone or ATAR in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ATAR-based admission.

ATAR profile table
ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2023 ATAR Selection Rank
Highest rank to receive an offer 86.34 87.69
Median rank to receive an offer 77.6 78.57
Lowest rank to receive an offer 71 71.65

< 5: Less than 5 ATAR-based offers made
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 ATAR-based offers made)

More information

For more information about UOW admission pathways, see UOW Admission Information.