Master of High Performance Sport

Graduates of the Master of High Performance Sport should be able to:

• LO1 - Integrate specialised technical skills with 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;
• LO2 - Design, deliver, evaluate and refine meaningful interventions to athletes that enhance performance and reduce the likelihood (and/or duration) of injury and illness;
• LO3 - Work in an ethical manner that promotes the dignity of the athlete, and communicate effectively in high performance sports settings that are multidisciplinary and collaborative;
• LO4 - Conduct research, evaluation and/or evidence-based practice in high performance sport settings in ways that result in outcomes that enhance performance and reduce the likelihood (and/or duration) of injury and illness.

The Master of High Performance Sport includes relevant, professional practice-related learning, independent research and project work, and an opportunity for an industry-based internship. This degree can also provide you with a pathway into further research study, for example a PhD.

A series of study units focus on the technological advances for athlete monitoring, advanced principles of strength and conditioning, and the relationships between fatigue, adaptation, performance and injury. The application of this knowledge to the planning and delivery of meaningful interventions for athletes to enhance performance and reduce the likelihood of injury and illness is essential for a professional working in the high performance sport environment. This includes using appropriate techniques of analysis to accurately interpret competition and training information, with advanced information literacy skills to communicate ideas and outcomes.

Recommended study pattern

To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 120 cp from the schedule of subject offerings comprising of:

• 70 cp from specified subjects;
• 10 cp from elective subject;
• 40 cp comprised of:
  • 20 cp from Project subjects AND;
  • 20 cp from Internship subject OR;
  • 20 cp from Elective subjects

One compulsory unit, EXSC652 Contemporary Issues in Sports Science is delivered in intensive, on-campus mode.

Some electives are also delivered in intensive, on-campus mode.

Award requirements

To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 120 cp from the schedule of subject offerings.

Exit points

• A student who has completed 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings may exit with the Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport.
• A student who has completed 40 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, including EXSC510 and EXSC513, 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 $36,988

The amounts shown here are 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.

Explore ACU courses.

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 the Master of High Performance Sport, 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 High Performance Sport Leadership; or
• Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries

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

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 .

Students must meet English Language requirements as follows:

• IELTS: Overall score 6.5, Individual score of 6.0 in all test
• PTE: 58 with a minimum of 50 in all four communicative skills
• TOEFL: Internet based total of 79: minimum 21 in writing, 18 in speaking, 13 in reading and 12 in listening
• ACU English Language Test: B (65-74%)
• CAE: Overall CAE of 176, Minimum individual score of 169 in all tests

Applicants having completed ACU’s Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport will be eligible for recognition of prior learning of 80 credit points.

Applicants having completed ACU’s Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport, Graduate Certificate in Performance Analysis, Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries or Graduate Certificate in Sports Analytics will be eligible for recognition of prior learning of 40 credit points.

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

The Master of High Performance Sport is designed as a program of structured learning that includes relevant professional practice-related learning, independent research and work integrated learning, as well as the opportunity for an industry based internship. 

Fully online with an Online Intensive over two weeks (recorded)