Duration: 
1.5 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
Delivery mode: 
Hybrid
Start date:
31 July 2023
Application due dates:
Direct applications are due on 23 July 2023 for our next intake which starts on 31 July 2023.

This course is available to Australian residents and international students who are studying outside of Australia or on non-student visas.

Overview

Gain the expertise to succeed in the global sport industry with a Master of Sport and Exercise Science at Victoria University.

This postgraduate sports course prepares you for a career in the exciting world of professional or community sport and fitness.

During your study, you will gain high-level professional and specialist skills in areas such as:

  • sports science
  • coaching
  • talent management
  • strength and conditioning
  • analytics.

You will graduate with a comprehensive education in sport and exercise science tailored to the needs of organisations across the range of sporting disciplines.

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

This course is 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.

Victoria University is one of Australia's most recognisable sport universities. We have an outstanding reputation in sport, exercise science, health and fitness.

We have strong, unique partnerships with more than 350 local, national and global sport organisations. Some of our partners are:

  • Western Bulldogs Football Club
  • Australian Institute of Sport
  • Victorian Racing Club
  • Australian Sports Commission
  • Real Madrid Graduate School Universidad Europea
  • Melbourne Victory Football Club.

VU’s facilities are the most comprehensive range of sport and exercise science facilities in the southern hemisphere. Our world-class sport and learning precinct at our Footscray Park Campus includes the Institute for Health & Sport (IHES).

We have the largest number of students enrolled in sport courses, and more sport industry partners than any other university. We also have the most graduates working in the sport industry.

Learning within the Master of Sport and Exercise Science is dynamic and accessible. The curriculum is designed to ensure you get the most out of your studies, and uses multiple delivery modes, including:

  • group-centred
  • case analysis
  • work-integrated
  • face-to-face
  • intensive
  • hybrid
  • online.

You will have the opportunity to undertake professional-level research that can lead to doctoral studies. If you wish to start working sooner, you may also be able to exit early with a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma.

As a postgraduate student you might want to take up one of many opportunities to further develop your academic language and study skills. VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.

We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.

Our programs include:

  • workshops
  • drop-in sessions
  • peer mentoring
  • maths and writing resources
  • resume and career guidance.

We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.

Students studying outside of Australia or students on a temporary visa may apply for this course. You can complete most of the course online in your country of residence.

As you can study from home, you won’t need a student visa to study in Melbourne, and this course doesn’t provide eligibility for a student visa.

You need to complete a one-week residential component in Melbourne and a two-week study tour in Spain. It is your responsibility to get any necessary visas for these components.

To qualify for this course, you’ll need to meet entry requirements, including recognised proof of English-language proficiency (e.g. an IELTS test result).

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back

Careers in sport

Graduates from the Master of Sport and Exercise Science may be employed in the following roles:

  • director of sports science
  • sport scientist
  • high performance manager
  • head of strength and conditioning
  • strength and conditioning coach
  • data analyst
  • performance analyst.

Course structure

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

  • 96 credit points core units  
  • 48 credit points specialisation studies selected from the approved list

Specialisations

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

  1. Contextualise knowledge and theory with expertise from different sport-related disciplines to shape innovative practice in sport and exercise sciences;  
  2. Advise specialist and non-specialist stakeholders using a range of interpersonal skills to communicate effectively in an environment with competing pressures, priorities and power dynamics;  
  3. Implement research methods and statistical skills which exhibit evidence of independent thought in the field of sport and exercise science;  
  4. Analyse and evaluate current issues in sport to exemplify and guide ethical behaviour and integrity within diverse national and international contexts; and,  
  5. Formulate and implement plans, in response to contemporary and future high-performance sport challenges and evaluate outcomes adaption and improvement.  

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.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: Full-fee

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

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
OR
Applicants without an undergraduate qualification may be admitted to the Graduate Certificate (in the same discipline) based on approved work experience. Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate, graduates will be eligible for admission to this course with credit granted for completed units.

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.

How to apply

Available start dates:

  • 31 July 2023

Before you apply

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

  • Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
  • Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.

Find out more about applying for our courses.

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 23 July 2023 for our next intake which starts on 31 July 2023.

Apply direct to VU


Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

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At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.