Bachelor of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation

Take a person-centred approach to movement therapy and exercise for health across the lifespan

Explore the complexities of the human body and mind. Understand what happens to different body systems and functions during injury and illness, and the importance of movement and exercise for people across the lifespan from health to injury recovery, chronic disease management and palliative stages of care.

In the 4-year Bachelor of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation, you will learn how to work with people experiencing challenges to their health and function, and support them through the application of exercise medicine, physical activity, and movement. You will learn how to collaborate within healthcare teams and environments that facilitate healing, recovery, and quality of life.

You'll develop in-depth clinical and analytical skills and explore beyond the physical to discover how exercise as a medicine positively affects the mental and emotional recovery of each person.

During your time at UC, you will undertake regular Work Integrated Learning (WIL), in the form of placements where you will gain valuable experience by using your skills and knowledge in real-life situations to support real people, under the supervision of experienced health professionals.

Study our Bachelor of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation at UC and you will:

• Develop working knowledge of the integrated systems and functions of the human body.
• Evaluate the impact of injury, illness, disorders and disease on a person's physical and mental health, global function, and quality of life.
• Explore, critique, and apply the evidence for exercise, physical activity, and movement as part of prevention, rehabilitation, recovery, and management for a wide range of health concerns.
• Value person-centered care that respects diversity and aims to provide an inclusive and safe health environment for all people.
• Develop core cognitive, technical, and interpersonal skills with sound clinical reasoning to address the needs of clients across a wide range of clinical health areas.
• Build respectful, inclusive, and effective communication skills to work collaboratively with clients, carers, peers, health professionals, and other health stakeholders.
• Uphold the professional ethics, responsibilities, values, and standards that align with Exercise and Sports Science Australia, and national standards for (self-regulating) health professionals.

Work-integrated learning

WIL is an integral part of this course, giving you an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience and form strong relationships with industry stakeholders and professionals before graduating. Over the 4 years (full time equivalent) of this course, you'll undertake at least 500 hours of real-world placement in clinical health services, hospitals, sporting partners, private organisations, and community clinics and health services, both locally and/or interstate.

Career opportunities

Graduates of this course qualify for accreditation with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), and once approved, are ready to work as an accredited exercise physiologist in a wide range of areas such as:

• Primary healthcare in private practice, allied health clinics, GP practices.
• Community or not-for-profit health centre
• Public or private hospitals
• Emergency services and defence forces
• Rehabilitation services (consultancy)
• Sporting teams and academies
• Fitness centres, gyms
• Workplace/corporate health
• Aged care
• Education (schools, universities)
• Research institution
  
  

Course specific information

To complete this degree, you will be required to undertake a National Police Check, attain an ACT Working with Vulnerable People card, maintain current first aid and CPR qualifications, and meet core pdate ng on requirements, to be able to undertake WIL (placement) in the required clinical areas.

This course has inherent requirements (knowledge, skills, and abilities) that are necessary to achieve the learning outcomes of your degree. All students need to meet the minimum inherent requirements for the course they enrol in.

This course is accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). Upon graduation, you are eligible to apply to ESSA for accredited as an exercise physiologist. You are also eligible for full membership with ESSA upon application.

High performing students may be eligible for enrolment in the Bachelor of Sport Studies (Honours), which provides a pathway to a Doctorate for students interested in Higher Degree Research.

Professional accreditation

Upon completion of the degree graduates will be eligible to apply for membership to Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) and accreditation as an Exercise Physiologist. A number of industry qualifications are also available to students on completion of appropriate units.