ESSA Accreditation

The status of UTS courses with Exercise Science Accreditation is as follows:

C10300 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Exercise Science major) Full Accreditation 
C10300 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Exercise Therapy major) Full Accreditation 
C10302 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Exercise Science major)/
Bachelor of Arts in International Studies		 Full Accreditation 
C10328 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Exercise Science major)/
Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation		 Full Accreditation 

Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) was founded to meet the professional needs of exercise and sports scientists in Australia. It is committed to establishing and promoting the career paths of tertiary trained exercise and sports science practitioners. There are several types of membership including;

  • Student membership
  • Associate membership
  • Full membership
  • Accredited Exercise Scientist membership (possible for students completing the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science with the Exercise Science or Exercise Therapy major). Apply for AES here.
  • Accredited Exercise Physiologist membership (possible via pathway for students completing the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science with the Exercise Science or Exercise Therapy major)
  • Accredited Sport Scientist membership (possible via pathway for students completing the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science with the Exercise Science or Exercise Therapy major)
  • Accredited High Performance Manager membership

See more information about ESSA membership types.

ESSA have formulated a set of standards for tertiary institutions to adhere to, ensuring excellence in graduate outcomes. Course Accreditation is in place to provide minimum standards in all domains of exercise and sports science.

To gain membership as an Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES), students must;

  1. Meet the English Language Requirements    AND
  2. Complete a Bachelor level of qualification at a course accredited institution. From 2019, UTS students who have followed the normal progression and completed the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science with the Exercise Science or Exercise Therapy major will meet this    OR
  3. Complete an application form for a NON-ESSA ACCREDITED COURSE (look for the application form for NON-ESSA ACCREDITED COURSE)

Students must complete study in the 15 areas of the ESSA Exercise Science (ES) Standards, each of which provide a guiding principle to outline the intent of the study area, assessment expectations, and elements of competency-based graduate outcomes. The ESSA Exercise Science Standards are based on the minimum professional requirements of graduates working in all areas of exercise science. Along with units of study, 140 hours of clinical practice is required and must demonstrate competency in exercise assessment, prescription and delivery. Students completing the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Exercise Science or Exercise Therapy Major) from 2019 can apply here. 

To gain membership as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP), students must complete either a related 4 year undergraduate degree at an accredited institution, or a recognised undergraduate qualification followed by an accredited postgraduate level qualification. There are 13 Professional Standards for AEP which are based on the minimum professional requirements for graduates to begin practice within the clinical exercise physiology profession and build upon the underpinning ES Standards. Along with units of study, 500 hours of clinical practice is required. The minimum requirements are as follows;

  • 140 hours of practical placements in the area of exercise delivery for apparently healthy clients;
  • 360 hours of practical placements with clinical populations, split across the two major areas of:
    • neuromuscular / neurological / musculoskeletal (minimum of 140 hours);
    • metabolic / cardiopulmonary (minimum of 140 hours).

The remaining 80 hours may include other health delivery apart from exercise services, or clinical placement in an area of one’s choice. These practical hours are generally undertaken as units of study in the accredited course.

To gain membership as an Accredited Sports Scientist (ASpS) or an Accredited High Performance Manager (AHPM), students must have completed a tertiary degree in a related field and demonstrate appropriate professional experience as required.

It is important that you keep all Subject Guides as these are essential for the application process. Please note that UTS provide these during your course when you undertake each subject. It is your responsibility to maintain these records as UTS will not provide them again. If you have failed to maintain these, you will need to source them from one of your peers.

Read more about the benefits of membership including those specific to Accredited Exercise Physiologists (such as registering as a Medicare provider).

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.