There are a few places in Queensland you can study sports and exercise after you complete your high school studies.

After speaking with Griffith University about sport and study, we sat down with the admissions team at The University Of Queensland to talk about what life is like there for a student studying sport and exercise science.

The University of Queensland is ranked number one in Australia and number three in the world for sports-related subjects, which is why we’ve teamed up with the University of Queensland student liaison officers to bring you more information about their exercise degrees.

With study areas in exercise and nutrition sciences and exercise and sport sciences you’ll learn all about health and fitness through diet and exercise, advanced nutrition science, exercise physiology and human movement.

While it might sound daunting now, you’ll learn everything you need to know through lectures, tutorials, laboratory work and workshops just like you do at high school!

 

What is life like on the Brisbane campus?

The St Lucia campus in Brisbane is the biggest of the three, with a vibrant lifestyle and world-class facilities for socialising, sport and academics. With a dentistry, physio and hairdressers, it’s just like a city center!

There are several major events each year including the Bloom Festival which celebrates the season of jacarandas with a long table dinner, live music throughout the year and one of UQ’s proudest traditions – The Great Court Race.

UQ Sport boasts a fitness centre with 80 group classes, 21 tennis courts, swimming squads at the aquatics centre and Olympic-standard athletics track with a 565-seat grandstand. There are also a number of sporting competitions over the year for social sports, college sports and intervarsity sports.

 

What subjects would you recommend students studying at school if they’re thinking about studying exercise and sport sciences?

For the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences, admission requirements include Queensland Year 12 (or equivalent) English and one of either Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

For the Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, admission requirements include Queensland Year 12 (or equivalent) English and Mathematics A, B or C, plus one of either Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

 

Can you tell us more about what it’s like to study health at UQ?

As a student, you’ll explore the complex nature of human movement and how the body reacts to acute and chronic physical activity such as general fitness regimens, recreational activities and elite sports.

You’ll study the best practices of biology, technology and the behaviour that underpin exercise and sport sciences.

With the Exercise and Sport Sciences Degree, students will spend 500 hours on practical placements with sporting academies and institutions, acquired through help from the dedicated UQ employability team, that provides hands-on experience with real clients in a supervised environment. Students will also design and deliver exercise programs for clients from children right up to the elderly.

 

What are the career possibilities from studying health at UQ?

For the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences, you may direct your studies towards a specific specialisation for careers in elite athlete development, sports conditioning and performance, clinical measurements or corporate and community health and fitness. You’ll have the opportunity to become the following:

  • Accredited Exercise Scientist.
  • Accredited Sport Scientist.
  • Cardiac Scientist.
  • Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
  • Community Recreation and Fitness Officer.
  • Health Promotion Officer.

 

For the Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, you can work in roles such as a nutrition assistant, and fitness or weight loss consultant. Many graduates combine this degree with a postgraduate qualification to specialise in a variety of clinical careers.

You’ll have the opportunity to become the following:

  • Public Health Manager.
  • Sports Scientist.
  • Sports Coach.
  • Sport and Recreation Manager.
  • Community Health Officer.

 

What scholarships do you have available for this degree?

Griffith offers the following sporting scholarships and awards:

  • UQ Sport Achievement Scholarship – Awarded to outstanding student athletes who have demonstrated remarkable ability in both their chosen sport and academic pursuits.
  • Clem Jones Sport Scholarships – Awarded to students who have the potential to perform at a high level in their chosen sport.
  • UQ Sport Scholarship Ambassador Program – To provide high performance support services to professional and elite athletes who are ineligible for other scholarships.

 

Do you have any opportunities for elite athletes?

The UQ Sport Academy has sports programs for elite-level athletes, teams and coaches. The academy supports more than 200 student athletes, including Olympians, Paralympians, Commonwealth Games and Professional athletes.

The Sports Academy delivers first in class strength and conditioning programs, sports science testing, coaching workshops and athlete counselling. It enables students by partnering them with mentors, helping with flexible study options, offering discounts for UQ sport facilities and personal development workshops.

UQ also has affiliations with the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland Firebirds and Brisbane Roar which can provide great opportunities for students when it comes to networking and athletic development.

Students can also apply for elite athlete status which gives them access to the UQ Sport Elite Athlete Program and academic considerations. You can read more about the program in this Elite Athlete Guide.

 

If you’re interested in what the University of Queensland has to offer, the student liaison officers recommend asking as many questions as possible throughout your enrollment process, visiting the Future Students section on their website, coming to St Lucia for a campus tour on Wednesday or Friday at 10AM, or even taking a virtual tour from your living room!