Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport
Course information for - 2023 entry
- Study mode
- Online
- Duration
- 0.5 year full-time or equivalent part-time
- Fees (first year)*
$11176 Fee-paying
- Start dates
- ACU Online Term 1 - January, ACU Online Term 2 - April, ACU Online Term 3 - July, ACU Online Term 4 - October
This program is not open to international students to study full-time in Australia on a student visa. Applicants residing overseas may undertake this program online and should apply as domestic students.
Applications to study online via Open Universities Australia. Please register your interest for this course.
Overview

The high performance sport industry is a global, multi-billion dollar entity that provides employment opportunities for a range of professions, including sport scientists, coaches and managers.
The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport aims to help students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to enhance the conditioning of high performance athletes, with the aim of optimising individual and team performance, within the context of a multidisciplinary environment and its culture and leadership structures, and to do so in an ethical manner characterised by a concern for respect, equity and social justice.

Professional experience
The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport is designed as a program of structured learning that includes relevant professional practice-related learning.

Careers
Examples of the types of work settings the course prepares graduates for:
- fitness advisor
- fitness coach
- football or other sport manager
- high performance manager
- performance analyst
- professional coach
- rehabilitation coach
- sports science manager
- sports scientist
- strength and conditioning coach
- team manager
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport, a student must complete 40 credit points (cp).
Sample program map
Year - Study period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Two Terms Option Year 1 ACU ONLINE - Term 1 | EXSC510 Strength and Conditioning for Performance and Rehabilitation | EXSC513 Data Analysis and Interpretation for High Performance Sport | |||
Two Terms Option Year 1 ACU ONLINE - Term 1 | Elective unit offerings: Either EXSC650 Fatigue, Recovery, Adaptation and Performance or EXSC651 Sports Injury Prevention or EXSC668 Performance Nutrition | Elective unit offerings: Either EXSC650 Fatigue, Recovery, Adaptation and Performance or EXSC651 Sports Injury Prevention or EXSC668 Performance Nutrition | |||
Three Terms Option Year 1 ACU ONLINE - Term 1 | EXSC510 Strength and Conditioning for Performance and Rehabilitation | ||||
Three Terms Option Year 1 ACU ONLINE - Term 2 | Elective Unit offerings Either EXSC650 Fatigue, Recovery, Adaptation and Performance or EXSC651 Sports Injury Prevention or EXSC668 Performance Nutrition | Elective Unit offerings Either EXSC650 Fatigue, Recovery, Adaptation and Performance or EXSC651 Sports Injury Prevention or EXSC668 Performance Nutrition | |||
Three Terms Option Year 1 ACU ONLINE - Term 3 | EXSC513 Data Analysis and Interpretation for High Performance Sport | ||||
Four Terms Option Year 1 ACU ONLINE - Term 1 | EXSC651 Sports Injury Prevention | ||||
Four Terms Option Year 1 ACU ONLINE - Term 2 | Elective Unit offerings Either EXSC650 Fatigue, Recovery, Adaptation and Performance or EXSC651 Sports Injury Prevention or EXSC668 Performance Nutrition | ||||
Four Terms Option Year 1 ACU ONLINE - Term 3 | EXSC513 Data Analysis and Interpretation for High Performance Sport | ||||
Four Terms Option Year 1 ACU ONLINE - Term 4 | Elective Unit offerings Either EXSC650 Fatigue, Recovery, Adaptation and Performance or EXSC651 Sports Injury Prevention or EXSC668 Performance Nutrition |
This is a sample program only and units will vary depending on your campus and mode of study. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.
* Elective units to be selected in consultation with the Course Coordinator
AQF framework
Additional course information
The course is designed to suit a postgraduate clientele that is already in the workforce, as well as graduating students. The course provides flexible learning pathways that can accommodate:
- professional employment commitments;
- national and international-based students;
- full-time or part-time enrolments; and
- a pathway into the Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport and Master of High Performance Sport degrees.
To meet these objectives, the primary design feature is that the majority of the course is delivered online.
A suite of coursework subjects focus on the preparation and performance of high performance athletes, including technological advances for athlete monitoring, advanced principles of strength and conditioning, and analysis of performance measures.
Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary foci built into the curriculum will bring together current and new knowledge from a range of professions within the industry. A foundation of analysis skills for interpreting performance data will be incorporated with direct application to high performance sporting contexts.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must:
a. hold a Bachelor degree or higher in Exercise Science, Sports Science, Human Movement or a related discipline;
OR
b. hold a Bachelor degree or higher AND have evidence of relevant industry experience.
OR
c. submit a resume alongside their formal application, demonstrating suitability for study and evidence of relevant industry experience and/or prior learning over a sustained period.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2023 Admission.
English language requirements
Applicants require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum score of 6.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy (Schedule 3).
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Further study
The degree is designed as a pathway into the Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport and the Master of High Performance Sport.
Fees
Course costs
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- the number of units studied per semester;
- the choice of major or specialisation; and
- elective units.
The University reviews fees annually.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.