Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport

Upon successful completion, students should be able to:

LO1. Use advanced technologies and techniques to collect, analyse, interpret and report meaningful data for monitoring the health, performance and training interventions of high performance athletes;

LO2. Apply advanced principles and strategies of strength and conditioning, fatigue management, recovery and nutrition to enhance athlete and team performance and reduce the likelihood (and/or duration) of injury and illness;

LO3. Design, deliver and evaluate meaningful interventions to athletes that enhance performance and reduce the likelihood (and/or duration) of injury and illness;

LO4. Work in an ethical manner that promotes the dignity of the athlete and communicate effectively in high performance sport contexts.

The Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport develops your knowledge, understanding and skills needed to enhance the conditioning of high performance athletes. You'll build strategies to optimise individual and team performances, 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.

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. In Australia, there are employment opportunities in professional and semi-professional sporting teams, Australian and state institutes of sport, academies of sport, and other sporting organisations. These opportunities extend to the international market.

Recommended study pattern

Students are required to follow the pattern of unit enrolment set out in the relevant Course Enrolment Guide, unless otherwise approved by the Course Coordinator. In all aspects of progress through the course, students will be advised by the Course Coordinator.

To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings comprising:

a. 70 cp from Specified Units

b. 10 cp from Elective Units .

Specified Units - all of the following:

• Strength and Conditioning for Preformance and Rehabilitation
• Leadership and Culture in High Performance Settings
• Data Analysis and Interpretation for High Performance Sport
• Fatigue, Recovery, Adaptation and Performance
• Sports Injury Prevention
• Contemporary Issues in Sports Science
• Performance Nutrition

Elective units - one of the following:

• Exercise Prescription for Sports Injury Management Across the Lifespan
• Implementation of Analytics in High Performance Sport
• Project Design for High Performance Sport
• Performing Under Pressure
• Athlete Development Strategies, Capabilities and Wellbeing
• Exercose Rehabilitation for Return to Sports Performance
• The Business of High Performance Sport
• Theoretical Foundations of Performance Analysis
• Contemporary Practice in Strength and Conditioning
• International Experience in High Performance Sport (delivered off-shore in intensive attendance mode).

Award requirements

To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings comprising:

a. 70 cp from Specified Units

b. 10 cp from Elective Units

Choose your subjects

Electives

Elective units - select one from the following:

• Exercise Prescription for Sports Injury Management Across the Lifespan
• Implementation of Analytics in High Performance Sport
• Project Design for High Performance Sport
• Performing Under Pressure
• Athlete Development Strategies, Capabilities and Wellbeing
• Exercose Rehabilitation for Return to Sports Performance
• The Business of High Performance Sport
• Theoretical Foundations of Performance Analysis
• Contemporary Practice in Strength and Conditioning
• International Experience in High Performance Sport (delivered off-shore in intensive attendance mode).

Exit points

A student who has completed 40 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, including EXSC510 Strength and Conditioning for Performance and Rehabilitation and EXSC513 Data Analysis and Interpretation for High Performance Sport, may exit with the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $22,532

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.

Learn more about ACU.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

35

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

26

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 AND have evidence of relevant industry experience; AND
  • submit a supporting professional referee’s report regarding suitability for this postgraduate program and/or experience in the industry;

OR

• b. hold a Bachelor degree in Exercise Science, Sports Science, Human Movement or a related discipline, with a grade point average of at least 4.8 on the ACU 7 point scale; AND
  • submit a supporting professional referee's report regarding suitability for this postgraduate program and/or experience in the industry;

OR

• c. have completed one of the following ACU degrees:
  • Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport
  • Graduate Certificate in Performance Analysis
  • Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries

NOTE: Applicants having completed a Bachelor degree (or higher) in a related allied health discipline will be considered, dependent on specific qualifications and evidence of industry experience.

• Academic IELTS with an overall score of 6.5: with minimum scores of 6.0 in all tests.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) - 58: with a minimum of 50 in all four communicative skills
• Test of English as a Foreign Language - Academic TOEFL Internet based total of 79: with a minimum 21 in writing, 18 in speaking, 13 in reading and 12 in listening
• Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) - Overall CAE of 176: with a minimum individual score of 169 in all tests.

If you have already studied at university level or have significant relevant work experience, you can apply for credit towoards your ACU course. Credited units replace units you would otherwise study, so you can finish your course earlier.

NOTE: Applicants having completed the following ACU Graduate Certificates will be eligible for recognition of prior learning (RPL):

• Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport (40 cp RPL);
• Graduate Certificate in Performance Analysis (20 cp RPL);
• Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport Leadership (20 cp RPL);
• Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries (30 cp RPL);
• Graduate Certificate in Sports Analytics (20 cp RPL).

ACU will consider requests for advanced standing based on prior studies to a maximum equivalence of 20cp.

The EXSC675 International Experience in High Performance Sport elective unit is delivered off-shore (internationally) in intensive attendance mode.