Sports courses

Work with athletes, sports teams and clubs to boost their performance

Help me choose a course

Introduction to Sports

Behind every elite athlete, is a team of coaches, managers, nutritionists, physiotherapists and more—working hard to make sure athletes can perform at their best.

Learn about the sports courses that can help you build an exciting career in the field. Whether it’s a short course, bachelor degree or postgraduate qualification, you’ll find it here.

Explore the different ways you can study sports with leading Australia universities online. Compare courses, get guidance from our friendly student advisors and find out how doable it is to study with us, even while working full-time or caring for family.

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Study sports courses online with leading Australian universities, through Open Universities Australia.

Discover sports courses

Online sports subjects and short courses

University of South Australia

UndergraduateUSA-HLTH2036

Nutrition and Exercise Biochemistry

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Starts 16 Sep 2024

Griffith University

UndergraduateGRF-THS239

Sport Management Principles

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

University of Notre Dame Australia

UndergraduateUND-HLTH1020

Exercise and Healthy Living

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

University of Tasmania

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Starts 22 Jul 2024

View all subjects

Online sports degrees

University of Southern Queensland

PostgraduateUSQ-SSE-MAS

Master of Science (Sport and Exercise)

Online & on-campus

2 years full time or part time equivalent

Torrens University Australia

UndergraduateTUA-SPO-DIP

Diploma of Business (Sport Management)

Turn your sporting passion into a career you love

100% online

1 year full time or part time equivalent

Australian Catholic University

Add rehab to your health science skillset

100% online

6 months full time or part time equivalent

Edith Cowan University

UndergraduateECU-COM-DEG

Bachelor of Commerce

Combine essential business skills with a commerce specialisation

Online & on-campus

3 years full time or part time equivalent

View all bachelor degrees

Discover 70 ways to study sports with leading Australian universities.

Explore sports courses

Need help choosing the right course?

Our student advisors are here to guide you with expert advice on:

  • Enrolling and planning your studies
  • Finding a study option that suits your needs
  • Understanding your funding options

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Sports study FAQs

What online sports courses are available?

Online sports courses are diverse and can lead to the full range of career pathways in sport. Find your interest, then have a look at the courses we recommend.

I want to...We recommend exploring...
help athletes and other people recover from sports injuriesexercise rehabilitation courses and physiotherapy courses.
help athletes optimise their performanceexercise and sport science courses
work in community sport and help people stay fitsport development courses
train athletes to reach their peakcoaching courses and sports psychology courses
work in the business-side of sportsport management courses
use data science and tech to help sports teams and athletes improve their performancesports analytics courses
help athletes and other people optimise their diets for better performancesports nutrition courses
What jobs can you get with a degree in sports?

A degree in sports will allow you to explore a range of careers, including:

  • sports scientist
  • performance analyst
  • strength and conditioning coach
  • exercise physiologist or exercise coordinator
  • biomechanist
  • athlete manager
  • sports agent
  • athletic trainer
  • sports nutritionist or dietitian
  • sport development coordinator
Why should I study sports at university?

You should study sports at university because through research and technology, we know so much more about the link between nutrition, fitness, strength, psychology and performance. Choosing an interest area and specialising in it at university will set you up for the best possible career growth.

Why should I study a sports course online?

Studying a sports course online is great if you’re looking for flexibility in your schedule. You’ll be able to continue working and fulfilling family commitments while doing your coursework.

Through Open Universities Australia, you can enrol in sports courses at all levels—diplomas, undergraduate certificates, associate degrees, bachelor degrees, graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master degrees.

Open Universities Australia even offers courses from Australia’s no.1 sports science university (and world’s no.2)The University of Queensland.

Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?

There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.

  • You can enrol without entry requirements 
    We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
  • You have total control over how you study
    Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.
  • You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
    Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.
  • We’ll help you navigate the university world
    Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
I’m an elite athlete. Can you help me find a course to prepare for a career outside of sport?

Of course we can! Whether you’re interested in transitioning into a sport-adjacent career (such as the ones mentioned above) or something completely different, our friendly student advisors are happy to chat.

Because studying online is so flexible, you’ll be able to continue with training and part-time work while you study.

Additionally, Open Universities Australia partners with the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) to offer study scholarships as well as education and career advice. Find out more about how we’re making studying easier for athletes like you!

How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Chat with us to find out more.

How do I enrol?

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.  

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

Student stories and study advice

What’s it like to work at the Olympics?

With the 2024 Olympics just around the corner, two elite sport pros tell us what they’ll be up to behind the scenes in Paris.

The power of a workout: Can exercise boost your grades?

If you’re looking for ways to improve your focus, studying longer and harder might not actually be the answer. 

4 careers in sport that aren’t athlete

Fascinated by a career in high performance sport? There are a number of opportunities you can explore that don’t require you to compete—but are just as rewarding.

Meet 3 athletes who are nailing the balance between work, sport and study

They’re our nominees for the 2023 Open Universities Australia Performance Lifestyle Award—and their stories are sure to inspire you. 

We’re here to guide you to the right uni course

A student leaping from one side of a platform to another, with a blue sky in the background.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian to access thousands of university courses.

Over 518,000 students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.

How we can help you

Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.

You don't need a strong academic history to go to uni

We make it possible for everyone to start university through single subjects, regardless of ATAR or study experience. These subjects are covered by government loans, and can be used to upskill or gain entry into a qualification.

You have the flexibility to start at multiple points during the year

We’re not restricted by a traditional academic calendar, so you can enrol when it suits your life. You also have total control over how you study. You can scale up (or down) your study load and even pause your course if you need to.

You can rely on us as an unbiased destination for online tertiary education

As a not for profit, we have your best interests at heart. Our advisors are here 7 days a week to guide and support you. It’s our priority to get you qualified with the university of your choice.

Enrol in courses from 25 of Australia's leading universities

Charles Sturt University logoUniversity of New England logo
Australian National University logoRMIT University logo
Bond University logoSwinburne University logo
James Cook University Australia logoThe University of Notre Dame Australia logo
University of Southern Queensland logoSouthern Cross University logo
Edith Cowan University logoUniversity of South Australia logo
Curtin University logoThe University of Queensland logo
Flinders University logoUniversity of Adelaide logo
Murdoch University logoGriffith University logo
The University of Newcastle logoUniversity of the Sunshine Coast logo
Macquarie University logoUniversity of Tasmania logo
Torrens University Australia logoAustralian Catholic University logo
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