Master of High Performance Sport

A professional working in the high performance sport industry needs to know about testing protocols to assess athlete performance, principles of strength and conditioning, and the technologies available for monitoring and training the high performance athlete. They will need to understand the relationships between fatigue, adaptation, performance and injury, how to acquire meaningful performance data, and how to work within the culture of a high performance industry. 

The application of this knowledge and understanding to the planning and delivery of meaningful interventions for athletes to enhance performance and reduce the likelihood (and/or duration) of injury and illness, using appropriate techniques of analysis to accurately interpret competition and training information, and using advanced information literacy skills to communicate ideas and outcomes to specialist and non-specialist audiences is essential for a professional working in the high performance sport environment.

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 a pathway into further research study, eg a PhD. A series of subjects 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.

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.

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

Students may exit with either of the following relevant awards provided they have completed the required units specified within the degree:

Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport
80 cp

Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport
40 cp

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

Indicative total fee $31,000

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.

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 course, an applicant must:

• 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

• 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

• have completed one of the following ACU degrees:

1. Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport
   1. Graduate Certificate in Performance Analysis
   2. Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport Leadership; or
   3. 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.

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

NOTE: Applicants having completed ACU’s 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 will be eligible for recognition of prior learning of 40 credit points.

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 or Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries 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 a one-week on-campus intensive component in Melbourne or offshore by arrangement.