Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Australian Catholic University

Program Overview

This double degree combines the study of the mind and the body, giving you a unique foundation to understand both human behaviour and physical performance. It’s ideal if you’re passionate about helping people reach their health, wellbeing, and potential — whether that’s through exercise, coaching, community programs, or exploring what drives thoughts and actions.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Your first year is all about laying the foundations. You’ll explore how people think and behave through units like Foundations of Psychology and Applications of Psychology, while learning about the body in motion with Growth, Motor Development and Ageing and Anatomical Foundations of Exercise Science. You’ll also get hands-on with data through Research Design and Data Analysis 1, building the confidence to make sense of information from the very start.

Year 2: In your second year, you start connecting mind and body in more meaningful ways. Psychology units like Life Span Development and Abnormal Psychology deepen your understanding of human behaviour, while Mechanical Bases of Exercise and Health and Exercise Psychology explore how movement can support wellbeing. You’ll also study Introduction to Nutrition and Motor Control and Learning, discovering how food, behaviour, and movement interact in everyday life.

Year 3: This year is about diving deeper and getting practical. Psychology units such as Personality and Individual Differences and Social Psychology help you understand the variety in human behaviour, while Psychological Services Experience gives you real-world volunteering experience. On the exercise science side, Functional Anatomy, Biomechanics, and Physiological Bases of Exercise give you lab and applied skills, preparing you for advanced practice.

Year 4: In your final year, everything comes together. You’ll explore professional applications of psychology through units like Psychological Assessment, Brain and Behaviour, Cognitive Psychology, and Learning and Behaviour. Meanwhile, Exercise Prescription for Health and Wellbeing and extended professional placements help you translate theory into practice. By the end, your knowledge and hands-on experience form a toolkit ready to launch your career.

Focus Areas:
Human behaviour, exercise programming, health & performance, research methods, community engagement, athletic performance, wellbeing support.

Learning Outcomes:
You’ll graduate ready to understand and apply psychological principles, design evidence-based exercise programs, communicate effectively with diverse clients, and turn scientific knowledge into meaningful health and performance outcomes.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
This degree is designed to be professionally recognised. The psychology sequence is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, while the exercise science components meet provisional accreditation with Exercise and Sports Science Australia. The built-in professional experiences ensure you graduate confident and prepared to step into your chosen field.

Reputation & Employability:
ACU is known for its supportive teaching and strong focus on graduate outcomes. While global rankings highlight its growing reputation in health and behavioural sciences, the real strength of this program lies in the practical skills and professional experience you gain — exactly what employers in health, sport, community, and wellbeing are looking for.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This double degree in Psychological Science and Exercise & Sports Science at ACU Melbourne isn’t just about sitting in lectures — it’s about getting out there and learning by doing. Across the four years, you’ll be immersed in real-world, hands-on experiences, from clinics and community settings to professional environments, so you graduate not just with theory, but with the skills and confidence to hit the ground running.

Here’s how you’ll build those skills along the way:

Practicum in Exercise & Sports Science: You’ll complete 140 hours of supervised professional experience, applying what you learn in class directly to real-life exercise and training scenarios.
Psychological Services Experience: Through 50–100 hours of community volunteer work, you’ll support people in real psychological service activities, developing practical skills that make a difference.
Industry Placements: You’ll get hands-on exposure with organisations like the Australian Institute of Sport, AFL, NRL, A-League clubs, Tennis Australia, and more, helping you explore career options and build valuable professional networks.
Community Placements: Work with schools, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other community groups to sharpen your applied psychological skills while contributing to your community.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL): These experiences bring industry practice straight into your coursework, helping you meet accreditation standards and giving you a real head start in your career.

These experiences aren’t optional extras — they’re woven into the program so everything you learn is grounded in meaningful, practical experience that employers truly value. By the time you graduate, you won’t just know the theory — you’ll have the real-world skills to back it up.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Here’s the honest, human picture of where you could go with the Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at ACU Melbourne — and why this double degree might be a perfect fit for you.

Graduates from this program step into careers that blend understanding people with helping them move, perform, and thrive. You could find yourself shaping lives in sport, community settings, or health-focused workplaces. Typical roles include exercise scientist, health and fitness consultant, community wellbeing advisor, or sport performance coach — and many graduates work with elite athletes, local sports clubs, community programs, or corporate health teams.

Here’s what this really means for you:

Support that actually helps your career take off: ACU doesn’t just hand you a degree — you get guidance. From career development services to work-integrated learning opportunities, you’ll build professional networks and confidence while you study. Plus, you’ll complete real professional experience hours in both psychology and exercise science, giving you practical skills that employers truly value.

Connections that open doors: Through the exercise science side, you’ll interact with major sporting organisations like the Australian Institute of Sport, AFL and NRL clubs, Tennis Australia, and even NBA contacts. That’s experience and exposure you can’t put a price on — and it happens while you’re still studying.

Accreditation that matters: When you graduate, your psychology training is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), and your exercise science is accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). These are respected by employers and essential if you want to follow professional pathways in either field.

A graduate profile that stands out: By combining psychological insight with movement science, you’ll be well-equipped for roles that demand both people skills and evidence-based practice — whether that’s in sport, community health, corporate wellbeing, or recreation programs.

Room to grow academically and professionally: This double degree also sets you up for further study if you want to specialise. Many students continue into honours or postgraduate programs in areas like clinical or counselling psychology, exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, or health and wellness leadership. ACU’s supportive advisors help you plan your next step so it fits both your interests and your career goals.