Australian residents
International students
Intakes: 

2023: February, July

Duration: 
1.5 years
Location: 
Footscray Park
Fees: 

2023: A$16,700*
* fee per semester

Application due dates:
We are currently accepting applications for this course.
Apply

Overview

Become an exercise physiologist (AEP) with a Master of Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation at Victoria University.

You'll learn to assess and prescribe exercise and physical activity for people with chronic conditions or complex care needs. This course will prepare you to work in the community and in clinical settings with people who have:

  • musculoskeletal injuries
  • neurological conditions
  • metabolic conditions
  • cardiovascular conditions
  • various comorbidities.

Our program follows a strong evidence-based teaching approach to the scope of practice of clinical exercise physiology. To consolidate your theoretical learning, you will gain significant practical experience in clinical placements.

You will graduate with the knowledge, skills and experience to work as an exercise physiologist. There is also an optional research component embedded in this course that will prepare you academically for a PhD pathway.

This course is fully accredited with Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA).

Commonwealth Supported Places in 2023

Fees are heavily subsidised and HECS-HELP loans available for eligible students in 2023. Apply now or register your interest - there's never been a better time to study!

(Note: Fees with CSP are subject to availability.)

Following the overwhelming success of the revolutionary VU Block Model with undergraduate students, we have rolled out the Block Model to our postgraduate courses.

This course will be delivered in four-week mode, which means you study one unit (subject) at a time over four weeks, rather than juggling several units at once. And with its focused timetables and smaller, collaborative classes, VU’s Block Model gives you more time to connect with your peers, lecturers and industry partners, helping you to build strong professional networks.

The VU Block Model has improved our student results and engagement, and has won multiple international awards for innovation and excellence.

Everything you learn with VU has direct links to the real world. We place a strong emphasis on clinical and practical learning.

A key part of your studies will be embarking on a range of external clinical practicums, with additional staff mentoring. You'll have the opportunity to gain real-world experience through exercise science and rehabilitation placements that can lead directly to future employment.

Victoria University has an outstanding reputation in sport, exercise science and health and fitness.

We have gained this name through our extensive offering of sport-related courses and our world-class facilities. Also unique to VU is our significant research, leading academic staff and our broad partnerships.

We have more sports industry partners than any other university. Our partners include:

  • Western Centre for Health, Research and Education at Sunshine Hospital
  • Victoria University Inter-professional Clinic
  • Western Bulldogs Football Club
  • Australian Institute of Sport
  • Victorian Racing Club
  • Australian Sports Commission
  • Real Madrid Football Club Foundation
  • Beijing and German Sports Universities
  • Sport Australia Hall of Fame
  • National Heart Foundation
  • VicHealth
  • National Ageing Research Institute
  • Football Federation Victoria
  • Tennis Australia
  • Western Health
  • Australian Football League (AFL)
  • many public and private healthcare providers.

VU has the largest number of students enrolled in sport courses, and we have the most graduates working in the sport industry.

You will access our amazing sport and exercise infrastructure and facilities, the most comprehensive in the southern hemisphere.

This course is part of the Victoria University Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation (VUCER) program that operates from a clinic at our Footscray Park campus. The clinic recently underwent a $500,000 redevelopment and now includes a clinical-grade gymnasium, exercise testing laboratory and consultation rooms.

The Institute for Health and Sport is also part of the world-class sport and learning precinct at Footscray Park. It features the most advanced sport and exercise technology available. The facility is used by students, researchers, professional sports teams and community organisations.

At the Victoria University Community Sports Stadium you will learn alongside sport and recreation professionals. This stadium is a joint initiative with the Western Bulldogs.

Our facilities include:

  • exercise physiology labs
  • altitude hotel
  • biomechanics labs
  • motor learning and skilled performance labs
  • heat chambers
  • motor control and biofeedback labs
  • integrated teaching and learning facilities.

 

360° tour of VUCER - Transcript

In the 2015 ERA (Excellence in Research for Australia) ratings, VU received the highest rating of five (well above world-standard) for research in Human Movement and Sports Science.

Victoria University has been ranked number 7 in the world for sport science (ShanghaiRankings).

Our ground-breaking research, world-class facilities and partnerships with some of the world’s top sporting clubs have rocketed us to this position.

Studying with us means you benefit from all of the opportunities that come with our elite status – learning from academics who are connected with top organisations, researching with national sporting bodies and accessing our cutting-edge sport-science equipment.

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Define your career in sport with a postgraduate degree - Transcript

Careers in exercise science

Exercise physiology is a growing allied health profession. A postgraduate qualification in clinical exercise science from Victoria University will put you at the forefront of helping those with chronic conditions or complex care needs. 

You could find work in a range of settings, including:

  • hospitals
  • community health centres
  • fitness centres
  • sporting academies
  • sports clinics
  • rehabilitation clinics
  • case management through compensable schemes such as WorkSafe.

You could also run your own private practice.

Your practical training with VU will prepare you to work in a variety of specific areas, such as:

  • women’s health
  • aged care
  • occupational health and safety.
How Carlie is becoming a leader in sport

How Carlie is becoming a leader in sport

Chancellor’s Scholarship recipient Carlie Bauer’s sporty background led to her Exercise Science degree.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.

Course structure

To attain the Master of Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, students will be required to complete 144 credit points consisting of:  

  • 120 credit points core units
  • 24 credit points research units (Option 1 or 2)

OPTION 1 - Coursework

  • 24 credit points research coursework units

OPTION 2 - Thesis

  • 24 credit points minor thesis units

Requirements of the accrediting body, Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA):Students may need to complete either JQU0056 Cancer, Renal and Respiratory Domains or JQU0057 Respiratory Domain (JQAN ESSA 2018 Standards Bridging Course), on advice from the course chair depending on the combinations of units undertaken in the Master of Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation.

Core Units

Research Options

Option 1 - Coursework

Option 2 - Thesis

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge and expertise to the application of exercise in the field of preventive medicine and rehabilitation;  
  2. Interpret and apply specific evidence-based skills and competencies in rehabilitation for Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) defined domains (cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, musculoskeletal, neurological and mental health conditions, and cancer), which will assist in gaining accreditation with ESSA;  
  3. Critically analyse, reflect on and implement skills for clinical practice;  
  4. Refine and adapt evaluation skills and tools to self-assess; and,  
  5. Evaluate, design and conduct active research which exhibits independence of thought in the field of clinical exercise science and rehabilitation.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Admission & pathways

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a similar discipline
OR
Completion of an Australian Graduate Certificate (or equivalent) in a similar discipline
PLUS
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score of 7 (with no band less than 7.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking)

A prerequisite for admission to AMEP is Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) accreditation as an Exercise Scientist (AES), or eligibility for Exercise Scientist accreditation.

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Additional information

To check whether your prior study would meet current ESSA Exercise Science standards, please consult the ESSA website (https://www.essa.org.au/Public/APPLY_NOW/Accreditation/Exercise_Science_...). Complete a Graduate Entry Assessment (GEA) (https://www.essa.org.au/Public/APPLY_NOW/Graduate_Entry_Assessment.aspx) and include the information that you receive back from ESSA in your application for the AMEP. Typically a GEA is completed by students coming from a non ESSA accredited qualification. If you are not sure if your degree is ESSA accredited or not, you should check with your university, or here at the ESSA website.
https://www.essa.org.au/Public/EDUCATION_PROVIDERS/Accredited_Courses.aspx

CLINICAL PLACEMENTS
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement hours are obtained in the units SCL6104 Clinical Exercise Practice and SCL7000 Advanced Case Management and Practice, and total a minimum of 220 hours (as allowed by ESSA under Individual Provisional Accreditation requirements due to COVID).

The minimum hours are calculated as:
Placements supported (onsite or offsite) - 70% of 220 - 360 hours = 154 - 252 hours
Placements supported (onsite) - 30% of 220 – 360 hours = 66 - 108 hours

Students may negotiate additional hours beyond the minimum 220 hours, up to a maximum of 360 hours, on a case by case basis.

Clinical placement hours are split between SCL6104 and SCL7000. Placement hour requirements must be accrued within 3 months of completing each unit (full-time) or 6 months (part-time); not necessarily in one block or at one institution.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.

Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.

Apply

If you have questions, please get in touch:

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.