Bachelor of Science in Psychology/ Bachelor of Health Science (Human Movement)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Canberra

Program Overview

If you’re curious about how the human mind works and how our bodies move, this double degree at the University of Canberra is a fantastic way to explore both passions in a career that makes a real difference. Over four years, you’ll dive into psychological theory and research while also learning the science of human movement — from anatomy and exercise physiology to understanding behaviour and performance. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to work at the crossroads of sport, health, coaching, and wellbeing.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1 is all about building a strong foundation. You’ll explore units like Psychology Across the Life‑Span and Foundations of Psychology to understand how people think and behave, while in human movement you’ll tackle Regional and Systemic Anatomy and Physiology to really grasp how the body works. Alongside these, courses like Understanding People and Behaviour and Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences will start sharpening your critical thinking and research skills.

Year 2 is where theory starts turning into practice. In human movement, units like Biomechanics 1 and Physiology of Exercise 1 show you science in action, while in psychology, Experimental Psychology introduces research design and data interpretation. You’ll also begin stepping into real-world settings with Professional Practice (Health) 1, giving you hands-on experience and a taste of professional life.

Year 3 starts to feel like your future career. You’ll study Advanced Functional Anatomy and Exercise Programming and Prescription for Performance to learn how to help people move and perform at their best. Psychology courses like Motivation and Emotion and Social Psychology help you understand not just how people move, but why they do what they do. You’ll also strengthen your research skills with Survey Research and Design in Psychology, which will come in handy across both fields.

Year 4 is where it all comes together. Through Industry and Community Engagement (Health), you’ll work on meaningful projects in real settings, while Professional Evidence (Psychology) ensures you can translate theory into practice confidently. With open electives, you can shape your studies toward coaching, sport performance, psychology, or wellbeing program design — tailoring the degree to your future goals.

Focus Areas: Applied human movement science, behavioural psychology, research skills, professional practice, and performance optimisation.

Learning Outcomes: You’ll graduate able to assess human behaviour and physical performance, apply evidence-based strategies to enhance wellbeing and athletic outcomes, and communicate your insights confidently in professional settings.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The psychology portion of this degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, so your learning meets national standards if you choose to continue professional training in psychology. Combined with hands-on health and movement courses, this makes your degree both credible and practical.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): The University of Canberra punches above its weight globally, ranked in the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings. It’s especially recognised for strengths in sport, health, and social sciences. Graduates leave with skills that employers value in health, coaching, sport science, community work, and research — helping you step confidently into meaningful work.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Double Degree at the University of Canberra isn’t just about sitting in lectures and memorising theories — it’s designed around actually doing the work that gets you ready for a career in health, sport, and psychology. From your very first year, you’ll dive into units that take you out of the classroom and into real-world settings, working alongside community partners and tackling real problems. You won’t just study anatomy, human movement, or behaviour — you’ll get hands-on, practising assessments, interpreting data, and reflecting on your own growth as a future professional. By the time you graduate, you won’t just have knowledge — you’ll have confidence and experience you can put straight into practice.

Here’s a taste of the ways this course brings your learning to life:

Industry and Community Engagement (Health) – connect with health settings and community partners to apply what you’re learning in real-life contexts.
Professional Practice (Health) 1 – gain practical experience in health environments, building the skills you’ll need on the job.
Professional Evidence (Health) – learn to evaluate and apply evidence in hands-on health-related practice.
Professional Orientation (Health & Psychology) – get early exposure to what it’s really like to work in health and psychology, so you know what to expect from day one.
Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences – experience the full research process firsthand, from designing studies to interpreting results.
Survey Research and Design in Psychology – apply psychology research methods to real data and study designs, not just theory.

These experiences make sure you’re not just absorbing information — you’re actively using it in ways that matter, setting you up for a career that’s both meaningful and practical.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology / Bachelor of Health Science (Human Movement) at the University of Canberra is more than just a degree — it’s a gateway into understanding both how people think and behave, and how the human body moves and performs. Graduates step into meaningful careers in health, wellbeing, sport, research, and community-focused roles. Think exercise physiologist, sports coach, rehabilitation specialist, health promotion officer — and many more paths where you can make a real impact.

Here’s what this means for you:

Real-world skills employers love: You’ll graduate with a unique mix of psychological insight and human movement science. That means you’ll understand both human behaviour and physical performance — skills that are highly sought after in industries like health and fitness, sports performance, rehabilitation, coaching, and community health.

Hands-on learning from day one: Many of your units involve practical, real-world experiences. You won’t just learn theory — you’ll apply it, gain confidence, and start building professional connections before you even finish your degree. That kind of experience makes you work-ready and gives you an edge with employers.

Accredited psychology training: The psychology component of this degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. This means your training is officially recognised and can serve as a stepping stone if you decide to pursue further psychology qualifications later on.

Versatility in your career: Because this degree blends health science and psychology, you won’t be limited to a single career path. You could work in sports administration, biomechanics, program coordination, rehabilitation, training, health education — or explore other roles that connect mind and body.

Opportunities for further study: If you love learning and want to go deeper, there’s a natural pathway. Many graduates continue with Honours in Psychology to aim for professional registration or clinical roles, then may move into postgraduate studies such as a Master or Doctor of Clinical Psychology. On the health science and human movement side, your degree provides a solid foundation for postgraduate paths in exercise physiology, physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, or allied health research.

If you’re excited by the idea of understanding both mind and body, and using that knowledge to help people — whether it’s helping athletes perform at their best, supporting healthier communities, or exploring human behaviour professionally — this degree could be a perfect fit.