#1 sport science school in the world
1 year online study – study while you work
Pathway to masters degree
Why choose applied sport science at Deakin
The Graduate Diploma of Applied Sport Science prepares you to lead and manage high-performance teams in elite sport. Build advanced expertise in sport science, performance analysis and strength and conditioning, while developing the leadership and management skills needed to support athletes and performance staff. The course also focuses on culture development and continuous improvement to help drive team success.
Underpinned by world-class research from Deakin’s Centre for Sport Research and Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, you’ll learn to critically evaluate evidence and apply sport science insights in professional environments. Designed for busy professionals, the course can be completed online in just one year full-time, allowing you to study while you work. It includes eight units from the Master of Applied Sport Science, with the option to progress to the master’s by completing two additional units.
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#1 sport science school in the world
Study at the global leader in sport science and learn from research that is shaping elite sport performance.
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Industry-recognised pathway
This course is recognised by the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association for Level 2 accreditation requirements.
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Learn from leading sport research centres
Study with academics connected to the Centre for Sport Research and Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition.
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Flexible online postgraduate study
Complete your degree online in one year full-time and study while continuing your professional career.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Advance applied sport science skills for performance, testing, monitoring and athlete support roles.
Areas of specialisation
- High performance manager
- Performance analyst
- Rehabilitation coach
- Exercise scientist
- Sport development officer
- Research officer
FAQs
The cost of studying at Deakin depends on your degree, units and study load – tuition fees are listed on degree pages under the fees and scholarships tab. Beyond tuition, you will need to budget for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), accommodation, transport, groceries and textbooks. Find out more about the cost of living in Australia, use the Study Australia calculator to estimate living expenses and explore international scholarships which may help to reduce your tuition costs.
Deakin offers a range of merit-based scholarships that can reduce your postgraduate tuition fees by 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% for the duration of your degree. Eligibility varies by scholarship and the degree you choose, but you will automatically be considered for most scholarships when you apply to Deakin. Use the Find a scholarship tool and filter by 'citizenship' to see what is available to you, or explore Australia Awards scholarships if you are from an eligible country.
It depends on the degree and how you study. Graduate certificates typically take six months full time or one year part time. Graduate diplomas usually take one year full time and masters degrees typically take one to two years full time. Recognition of prior learning can reduce your study time. Check the degree page for full details.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for students, with strong legal protections, reliable public services and a multicultural community. In fact, Melbourne is ranked the #4 student city in the world! At Deakin, you will be part of a supportive community, with 24/7 help, dedicated campus security and practical tools to help you feel safe, confident and connected. Deakin’s SafeZone app also connects you directly to campus security and support services if you ever need help. Find out more about studying in Australia.
We value your experience and qualifications. That is why every new degree application at Deakin is assessed for recognition of prior learning (RPL). Through RPL, Deakin can assess your previous study and life experience and may award course credit that could reduce your study duration, as well as the cost of your study. Qualifications from universities and private tertiary institutions worldwide are considered, as is informal learning related to your degree. Use the RPL calculator to see how much credit you may be eligible for.
Deakin offers a wide range of support to help you settle in and succeed throughout your studies – we are ranked the #1 university in Melbourne for student support. You can access 1:1 study support, English language support, career planning help, disability services and free counselling, as well as financial assistance if you need it. On campus, the SafeZone app and 24/7 security services mean help is always within reach. You can explore the full range of support services for international students or start an online chat with a student ambassador before you arrive.
To enrol in a postgraduate degree at Deakin, many degrees require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). Some degrees require higher scores, so check the entry requirements tab on the degree page for details. You may also meet the requirement through recent secondary or university study completed in English, or by demonstrating five or more years of living and working in an English-speaking country. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you do not yet meet the requirement, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) offers pathway programs to help develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Completion of DUELI’s English for Academic Purposes can give you the minimum English language requirements for most Deakin degrees.
Deakin’s postgraduate degrees are designed to advance your career, whether you want to deepen expertise in your field, move into a specialist role or shift direction entirely. All our degrees are shaped by industry partners, so what you learn reflects what employers need now and into the future. We’re proud to be the #1 university in Melbourne for international student graduate employment. With flexible study options and financial support available, Deakin helps you gain the skills, recognition and confidence to reach your next professional goal.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Graduate Diploma of Applied Sport Science?
The Graduate Diploma of Applied Sport Science builds advanced expertise in high-performance sport through integrated training in sport science, performance analysis and strength and conditioning. Across one year of study, you develop the technical and leadership capabilities needed to support athletes, teams and high-performance programs.
High-performance sport expertise
Advanced sport science knowledge
Explore the science underpinning athletic performance and athlete development. You learn how physiology, training design and sport science principles inform high-performance decision-making.
Performance analysis and data insights
Develop skills in analysing sport performance using modern analytical methods. Learn how to interpret movement, match and training data to identify opportunities for improvement.
Leadership in high-performance sport
Strengthen your ability to manage teams, support staff and athlete programs. You explore leadership, culture and professional practice within complex sporting environments.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Applied Sport Science, you must pass 8 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Core units
^These units have practical Intensive components. Please refer to ‘Participation requirements’ section for further information.
Professional recognition
We are recognised as an industry provider for the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA).
Upon completion of the Graduate Diploma of Applied Sport Science or Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning, you will meet the theoretical and practical skills gained through HSE724 Strength and Conditioning for High Performing Athletes and HSE725 Advanced Training Design for Sport for Level 2 ASCA accreditation. You would be required to provide ASCA with evidence of an article of publication standard for the Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning (JASC), and practical coaching experience, to meet the eligibility requirements for Level 2 accreditation.
For more details and to view the application form, visit ASCA.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
IMPORTANT: Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin’s online courses. To participate in the mandatory campus based scheduled sessions, it is suggested that you apply for a Visitor Visa to study for a short period in Australia . Please be advised that Deakin University cannot guarantee that you will be granted a Visitor Visa by the Australian Government.
Read more about Visitor Visas on the Department of Home Affairs website and other options to study in Australia on the government website at Explore visa options (homeaffairs.gov.au)
All places offered to international students in this course are only offered via online study mode. Deakin University is not obligated to provide any students with a COE (confirmation of enrolment) to facilitate a student visa application.
As a student in an online course with on campus intensives in some units in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend at least 11-13 hours per unit every week participating in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals, placements and online interaction online. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.
HSE721, HSE724, HSE725 and HSE726 have on campus intensives. Intensives are typically delivered up to 5 days.
Domestic students must attend HSE721, HSE724 and HSE725 intensives on-campus at Deakin University. HSE726 can be completed on campus at Deakin University or online.
International students must attend HSE724 and HSE725 intensives on campus at Deakin University, Australia. HSE721 and HSE726 intensives must be completed either on-campus at Deakin University, Australia or online (video conferencing). International students who wish to complete intensives in person please refer to the visa information under 'Additional course information' section.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Intensives Information
International students are strongly encouraged to carefully consider their obligations to attend on-campus practical intensives at Deakin University campuses in Melbourne - Burwood and Geelong - Waurn Ponds. These obligations relate to three units;
- HSE721 High Performance Management in Sport
- HSE724 Strength and Conditioning Methods for Athletes
- HSE725 Factors Influencing Training Design for Sport
Students should use the handbook to determine in which trimester/s these units are offered. In some circumstances it may be possible enrol in all three units in one trimester so that you can complete all practical intensive obligations in one visit to Australia. Detailed information about each practical intensive is announced on course and unit CloudDeakin sites.
International students who attend the intensives at Deakin University, Australia please refer to the visa information below.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
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| Apply advanced knowledge of sport science to sport performance related problems including key principles, concepts and research strategies. |
| Select and use appropriate modes of communication to transmit evidence based sport science knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences with a view to inform, motivate and effect change at the individual and organisational level. |
| Use digital technologies to locate and disseminate information, ideas and resources related to sport science to specialist and non- specialist audiences. |
| Critically analyse complex theoretical and technical information related to a range of specialised sport science contexts. |
| Apply advanced cognitive and technical skills to autonomously analyse, generate and transmit solutions to complex sport science problems. |
| Employ high-level personal responsibility, accountability and autonomy to demonstrate expert judgement and adaptability to familiar and emerging challenges confronting sport scientists. |
| Contribute to an interdisciplinary team and establish constructive relationships, with a range of stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes and to advance sport science across the broad spectrum of contexts. |
| Engage in professional and ethical practice that demonstrates personal autonomy, awareness of, and adaptability to, diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts in sport sciences. |
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Applied Sport Science
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H607
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Alternate exits
- Graduate Certificate of Applied Sport Science (H507)
- Graduate Certificate of Sport Performance Analysis (H514)
- Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning (H513)