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Choose a career that matches your passion for health, exercise and sport

Griffith is one of Australia’s foremost universities in the delivery of exercise science and sport degrees, and is ranked #42 globally in Sports-Related Subjects*

Our exercise science and sport degrees are designed to prepare graduates for current exercise and sport environments, and also for a rapidly evolving health sector where the challenges of an ageing population and increasing burden of chronic disease will require the expertise you’ll be able to provide.

Our long history in developing work-ready graduates will help you to reach your potential as an exercise or sport practitioner – to engage, empower and lead through a combination of coursework and supervised clinical placements.

*2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject

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Study exercise science and sport at Griffith

If you’re passionate about health, exercise and sport, these degrees are the starting point for a healthy career working in those areas.

gym instructor leaning on equipment

Bachelor of Sport Development (3 years)

Focuses on encouraging and retaining sports participation in the community.

    Includes studies in:
  • human anatomy and physiology;
  • health, physical activity, exercise and health promotion;
  • performance analysis;
  • fitness training and coaching;
  • psychology, communication and sport management

Leads to careers in the sport and recreation industries, such as in amateur and professional sporting organisations (state based and national), and sport and recreation centres and resorts.

exercise scientist checking data for a cyclist on a stationary bike

Bachelor of Exercise Science (3 years)

Leads to formal accreditation as an Exercise Scientist.

Exercise scientists design, implement and evaluate exercise programs and physical activity with a focus on healthy people. Those programs can improve general health, fitness and sports performance.

Exercise Scientists work in community, sport and health organisations, in roles such as sports or recreation managers, strength and condition coaches, occupational health and safety officers, or specialists in cardiac, respiratory or sleep medicine. If working in a hospital or in community health, an exercise scientist will supervise exercise programs set by an exercise physiologist or physiotherapist.

Bachelor of Exercise Science is also an excellent pathway degree to study other degrees in the health area.

exercise physiologist checking on a runner on a treadmill

Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (4 years)

Leads to dual accreditation as both an Exercise Scientist and Exercise Physiologist.

With their deeper knowledge of the human body and how exercise affects it, Exercise Physiologists (EP) design and deliver programs that focus more on clients with medical conditions, injuries and disabilities. This may include expert advice on lifestyle modification programs designed to change certain behaviours.

Exercise Physiologists work in areas like return-to-work assessment, chronic disease management, exercise prescription for special populations, weight loss management, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. EPs have undergone extensive training to treat clients with chronic illness. However they can also assist people without any known conditions by prescribing exercise that helps prevent conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer etc.

EPs can register with Medicare to be a healthcare provider whereas this is not available for exercise scientists.

Accredited Exercise Scientists and Exercise Physiologists are in demand for roles in the exercise and health industries.

Both positions have overlapping knowledge and skills with Physiotherapists, and often work together with them in multidisciplinary teams to provide effective patient care.

The future of sports technology

Join Australia's #1 uni for elite athletes.

The Digital Athlete could be the ultimate coaching tool for elite sport, enabling the design of highly personalised training, injury prevention and customised rehabilitation. A collaborative project between Griffith University, the Australian Institute of Sport, the Queensland Academy of Sport and industry partners, the Digital Athlete is an excellent example of future-focused thinking and turning ideas into action. Says Griffith Director of Sports Engagement and Olympic gold medallist Duncan Free: ‘With the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, Australia will be looking at new and innovative ways to train and prepare athletes, and the Digital Athlete can be a tool to assist in doing so.’

Pictured: Australian basketballer Maddison Rocci in Myriad Studios’ specialised scanning suite.

More scholarships than ever before!

From 2024 Griffith will be offering over 1000 scholarships helping students to cover living and education expenses.

Scholarships are free to apply and offer support for academic achievement, relocation, First Peoples, sports achievement and others. One application form, all scholarships considered.

Find out more about Scholarships

Career outcomes

Excellent prospects in a rapidly growing industry

Our graduates are sought after to meet the increasing need for qualified specialists with an understanding of the relationship between exercise and health

As a sport development graduate, you’ll be ready for opportunities in community sport and recreation, including:

  • Health promotion officer
  • Development officer within amateur and professional sporting organisations
  • Manager of sport and recreation centres and resorts
  • Executive officer with national and state sporting organisations
  • Event manager/co-ordinator
  • Sport marketing and media officer

As an exercise science graduate, you’ll be ready for work as an:

  • Exercise scientist for community or sports organisations
  • Rehabilitation, sports or recreation manager
  • Strength and conditioning coach
  • Clinical scientist specialising in cardiac, respiratory and sleep medicine

Want to find out more?

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Life at Griffith

You can gain more than just a degree at Griffith. With plenty of opportunities to balance life and study, you can make memories and mates to last a lifetime.

Learn more about life at Griffith University

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Key dates

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Monday 3 March — Saturday 14 June

Trimester 1 - 2025

Our first teaching trimester starts on 3 March.

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Monday 14 July — Saturday 25 October

Trimester 2 - 2025

Our second teaching trimester starts on 14 July.

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Monday 3 November — Saturday 21 February

Trimester 3 - 2025

Our third teaching trimester starts on 3 November.

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