Undergraduate study in Exercise, Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences
Important notice
From 2027, the Exercise Sciences major will offer a year one entry pathway into the following year two clinical programmes: Medicine, Pharmacy, Optometry and Medical Imaging (Honours). You can find out more about this and other clinical programme pathway options on our health majors in Science page.
What can you study in Exercise, Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences?
There are two choices for undergraduate study in the Exercise Sciences.
You can study Applied Exercise and Sport Sciences (AESS) as a specialisation in the Bachelor of Science (BSc)
This specialisation trains students to become exercise scientists, improving the health and performance of apparently healthy individuals and communities through physical activity, exercise and training. It aligns with international accreditation standards, meaning that your qualification will distinguish you as a highly qualified practitioner in the eyes of exercise and sport science organisations in New Zealand and overseas.
The first year of the AESS specialisation introduces you to systems physiology. Core foundational knowledge in biomechanics, exercise physiology, exercise and sports psychology, and movement neuroscience are taught at both second and third year levels, as well as human anatomy and exercise nutrition in year two.
Across all three years you will do practical courses that develop skills and give you formal opportunities to apply them in exercise prescription and assessment, working with real clients. This culminates in external supervised work-integrated learning placements with our partner fitness and sporting organisations.
You can study Exercise Sciences as a major in the Bachelor of Science (BSc)
You will study the physiological, psychological, biomechanical and neural influences on human performance in exercise, sport and the workplace – in both healthy and unwell individuals. This practical and diverse major will offer you the skills you need to work with people in movement science, health, wellness, rehabilitation and sport science.
You will develop an understanding of how the body moves, how it responds to physical activity (and inactivity), how fitness levels can be tested and adapted, and how physical activity is connected with health.
Laboratory work plays an important role in the Exercise Sciences major and is based around the analysis of data collected from humans engaged in physical activity.
As part of your major you will complete the Exercise Sciences capstone course, EXERSCI 399: Applying Exercise Science, where you will translate your theoretical knowledge into practical skills in a supervised environment.
In the Exercise Sciences major, you can choose, based on your interests, and study to an advanced level, at least three out of our four core disciplines: biomechanics, exercise physiology, exercise and sports psychology, and movement neuroscience. You can also optionally take our courses in exercise prescription, nutrition, human anatomy, and a one-semester research project.
Find the right pathway for you
You can select your choice of programme between your first and second years of study. Watch this video to hear how the major and specialisation are different and to find the right pathway for you.
Where can undergraduate study in Exercise, Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences take you?
Exercise Sciences is an important discipline that relates to all aspects of everyday life. Our courses cover human physiology, functional anatomy, exercise and sports psychology, biomechanics, and movement neuroscience.
Studying Exercise Sciences will facilitate skills for lifelong learning, critical and analytical thinking, communication, independence, collaboration and intellectual curiosity. In laboratory classes, you will develop hands-on skills in interacting with human participants and the processes of experimentation.
The programme is committed to developing students' knowledge and skills in the exercise sciences, health, wellness, physical fitness, and sport science.
A BSc with a specialisation in Applied Exercise and Sport Sciences is the preferred pathway for entry to professional clinical master’s degrees in clinical exercise physiology (MClinExPhys) and physiotherapy (MPhysioPrac). Entry can also be gained through a BSc majoring in Exercise Sciences and other related degrees as long as critical undergraduate course prerequisites are met, as detailed on the pages for those masters programmes.
Jobs related to Exercise, Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences
- Physiotherapist
- Clinical exercise physiologist
- Cardiac physiologist
- Corporate exercise specialist
- Exercise scientist
- Human movement scientist
- Injury prevention consultant
- Respiratory physiologist
- Sport and fitness practitioner
- Sport scientist (consultant in biomechanics, exercise, nutrition, physiology)
- Community sport facilitator
- Group fitness leader
Scholarships and awards
Each year we award scholarships and prizes to thousands of students.
Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for, search available scholarships or begin an application by visiting Scholarships and awards.
Help and advice
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