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Sport and Exercise Science

Sport and Exercise Science is a dynamic discipline that applies scientific principles to enhance athletic performance and improve peoples lives through sport.

This degree will provide you with the skills, knowledge and industry experience needed to excel in the realms of sports and exercise, both for personal growth and professional advancement.

As a sport and exercise practitioner, you'll find yourself in a variety of settings, from the laboratory to the gym and the playing field, all aimed at optimising human performance and enhancing peoples lives through sport and exercise. The core subjects of this degree include sport psychology, strength and conditioning, exercise physiology, sports nutrition, and movement analysis. These areas equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence success in sport and exercise.

The programme goes beyond theoretical knowledge, offering abundant opportunities for practical application. You'll be prepared for roles in strength and conditioning, personal training, coaching, sports coordination, and performance analysis. Our curriculum is designed with a focus on employment, incorporating industry practicums and internships in the second and third years. This allows you to gain valuable experience and learn directly from experts in the field.

Over the last 15 years, our graduates have carved out successful careers in the sport industry, becoming experts and leaders in their areas. By choosing this degree, you're not just gaining an education; you're stepping onto a path that leads to excellence in the world of sport and exercise.

Within our three year (full time) degree programme you’ll study theory and develop the practical skills needed for working in a variety of sport science environments. You'll gain hands-on experience with a wide range of modern equipment in both laboratory and field-based environments, and you'll learn how to evaluate, facilitate and/or enhance sports performance in a wide range of contexts.

Some of the areas covered within the degree include: the application of sport science in New Zealand; the relationship between sport science disciplines including exercise physiology sports nutrition, biomechanics and sports psychology; applied sport science testing; training for enhanced sports performance; assessing and tracking changes in performance; industry experience in a wide range of high performance environments such as The Crusaders, Canterbury Rugby Football Union and High Performance Sport New Zealand.