150+ industry links in elite sport organisations
#11 in the world for sport-related subjects
#1 provider for sport in Australia
Why choose sport development at Deakin
Turn your passion for sport into a rewarding career with Deakin's Bachelor of Sport Development. Learn how to grow participation, design programs and support safe, inclusive sport in schools, clubs and community organisations. Build expertise in sport systems and pathways, coaching, and contemporary health and community development. Develop the skills to create positive sporting experiences and strengthen communities through sport.
Tailor your degree with a range of electives and gain practical experience through placements and projects with organisations such as Netball Victoria, the Melbourne Vixens and the Geelong Football Club. With access to quality sport facilities and flexible study options, you will graduate ready to contribute to the sport industry in Australia and around the world.
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Study sport at a global leader
Deakin is the #1 sport provider in Australia and ranked #11 globally for sports-related subjects.
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Practical experience with industry
Gain 100+ hours of practical experience through industry placement with organisations across the sport sector.
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Strong sport industry connections
Learn through partnerships with 150+ sport organisations including Netball Victoria, Cricket Australia and the Geelong Football Club.
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Train in elite sport facilities
Study in Deakin’s specialised sport precinct and exercise science facilities designed for high-performance sport learning.
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
Build practical skills for careers that grow sport participation, strengthen communities and deliver inclusive programs across clubs, schools, recreation services and other sport organisations.
Community development officer
Work with communities and organisations to identify needs, coordinate programs and build partnerships. In sport, you could help increase participation, strengthen clubs and support inclusive community initiatives.
- $93k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 13.7%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.3/5
Job satisfaction
Recreation officer
Plan and coordinate sport and recreation programs, activities and events for communities. Engage participants, support program delivery and help create accessible opportunities for people to be active.
- $83k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 13.7%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 3.7/5
Job satisfaction
Other jobs
- Sports coach
- Community engagement officer
- Club development officer
- Sport development officer
- Sport policy officer
- Sport program development officer
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
FAQs
Yes – every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning (WIL) in their degree. Each year, more than 30,000+ students complete a placement or internship with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, EY and the National Australia Bank. You can access WIL through placements, industry projects, field-based experiences, simulations and global programs, helping you apply your skills and graduate with the experience and confidence employers value.
DeakinTALENT is Deakin's award-winning career service, and you can access it for life – not just while you're studying. From personalised career coaching sessions and AI-enhanced resume support to a jobs and internships board with employment opportunities, it’s designed to give you the career management skills and connections you need to stand out. Every Deakin degree is built with input from employers, so your course is designed around real workplace needs, now and into the future.
Entry requirements and the minimum ATAR vary by degree and are detailed on the degree page, but if your ATAR is below the cut-off, you still have options. Use the pathway finder tool to find the opportunities available to you, including associate degrees and Deakin Guaranteed ATAR, which offers eligible students a guaranteed entry score that's on average 10 points below the lowest selection rank. If you don't have an ATAR, Deakin Uni Ready is a free, supported program designed to build your skills and confidence and open doors to degrees in arts, health, science and business. Access programs and equity schemes are also available.
At Deakin, employability isn't an add-on – it's built in. Our degrees are designed with industry input, so your skills are aligned to what employers actually need. Every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning through opportunities such as placements, internships and industry projects, helping you build your professional network and practical experience before you even graduate. It's an approach that works: nine out of 10 Deakin graduates get a job within four to six months of finishing their degree.
Yes. Most eligible undergraduate students are offered a Commonwealth Supported Place meaning the government subsidises part of your tuition fees. If eligible, you can pay your student contribution using a HECS-HELP loan that you only start repaying once your income is above the repayment threshold. Deakin has scholarships that cater to our diverse student community, ranging from $5,000 per year for high ATAR achievers to $10,000 per year for students facing financial or personal hardship. The University also offers support services including financial counselling, budgeting help and access to short-term, interest-free loans to help you stay on track.
Deakin is the #1 Victorian university for student support and that starts the moment you accept your offer. Orientation is designed to help you feel welcome and get to know your community of classmates and teachers from day one. Across all campuses, there's a vibrant student community with clubs, events and opportunities to build real friendships. Deakin offers a range of services to help students stay healthy and safe, including sport and fitness facilities, free counselling, on-campus medical services and around-the-clock security.
Yes, and it's straightforward. You can transfer to Deakin in a few steps and apply for credit through recognition of prior learning (RPL), so you won't necessarily repeat subjects you've already completed. If you're coming from a TAFE partner, you may get guaranteed entry into second year with guaranteed RPL. Deakin's three-trimester system also means you may be able to start mid-year rather than waiting until March.
Most Deakin courses run across three trimesters per year instead of the traditional two semesters. Trimester 1 begins around March, Trimester 2 around July and Trimester 3 around November, each with roughly 12 weeks of teaching followed by an exam period. This means you can usually start your degree at three different points in the year and have more flexibility to manage your study load. Check the intakes by location section on the course page for details.
*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 Bachelor of Sport Development?
The Bachelor of Sport Development builds your understanding of how sport supports participation, community wellbeing and organisational success. You progress from foundational sport and business knowledge to applied projects and industry-focused learning.
Foundations of sport and business
Explore sport industry fundamentals
Learn how sport organisations operate and how participation, policy and community programs shape the sport sector in Australia and globally.
Build core business capability
Develop practical skills in areas such as marketing, accounting and management that underpin effective sport organisations.
Strengthen professional foundations
Build communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills that support academic success and future employment.
Deepen discipline knowledge
Examine sport development systems
Analyse how sport programs are designed and delivered to increase participation and support community wellbeing.
Develop management insight
Strengthen your understanding of leadership, planning and decision-making within sport and recreation organisations.
Broaden your expertise through choice
Select electives that allow you to explore related interests and expand your professional skill set.
Apply knowledge in industry contexts
Translate theory into practice
Work on projects and assessments that reflect contemporary challenges faced by sport organisations and community programs.
Strengthen career readiness
Build industry awareness and professional capabilities that support employment across sport development and recreation settings.
Complete your learning journey
Consolidate advanced knowledge and graduate with the practical skills and confidence needed to contribute to the sport industry.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Sport Development, you must pass 24 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
Foundation Units:
Specialist Units:
Completion of 8 credit points selected from undergraduate units offered by the University.
Recommended minors:
Subject to eligibility, the 8 credit points of electives may include one of the following minor sequences:
Professional recognition
Deakin Business School holds the prestigious and globally recognised AACSB and EQUIS accreditations, which attest to quality, academic and professional excellence, ongoing improvement, innovation and graduate employability.
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.
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. 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.
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more work integrated learning units.
Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.
International Students:
This course includes Work Integrated Learning (WIL) formally registered as part of the course on the CRICOS register. The total work integrated learning hours will differ depending on the WIL unit you choose. For more information about WIL hours, please check the unit information in the handbook or the unit guide.
For information about how WIL units may impact student visa holder work rights, please visit Home Affairs. See 8105 Work limitation.
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.
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 |
|---|
| Demonstrate core knowledge of the distinction between the development of and through sport by analysis and application of theory in sport development, coaching, and allied disciplines in order to provide effective management in the development and delivery of sport |
| Develop written, oral and visual communication skills around complex concepts for diverse stakeholders with interests in sport development and coaching including organisations in government and corporate sectors, and those involved in delivery of sport at community through to elite settings |
| Select and use a range of digital technologies in appropriate ways to manage and disseminate relevant information to stakeholders engaged in sport development and coaching |
| Demonstrate the ability to exercise reasoned judgement and reflection in relation to managing sport development and coaching |
| Identify and address issues, formulate solutions related to the development and design of sport policy, systems, pathways and practices to implement efficient strategic and operational outcomes for enhancing the development of and through sport |
| Demonstrate skills to work independently and take responsibility for continuing professional development |
| Constructively engage in teams to contribute to collaborative outcomes and be able to take on roles towards demonstration of sound management of sport development and coaching |
| Engage as a professional in the sport industry with the skills that are applicable to a variety of contexts (sport science, coaching, sport management) and issues (global, social, ethical, cultural) in the development of and through sport |
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Sport Development
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400514421 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
1400614421 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) - Deakin code
- M320
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$17,781
for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
The estimated tuition (student contribution) fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your student contribution is determined by the units you enrol in and will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.
Check your eligibility or learn more about CSP or HECS-HELP.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Apply through VTAC
Applications are open. Apply through VTAC if you're:
- currently in Year 12 and applying for Trimester 1 or Semester 1
- applying for multiple undergraduate courses
Need help? Follow our step-by-step undergraduate guide to prepare and submit your application.
Indigenous Access Scheme
If you’re an Indigenous student, you can apply for this course through the Indigenous Access Scheme. We recognise achievements beyond your ATAR and academic results, considering your skills, experience and community work as preparation for university study.
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.
Not sure if you'll meet entry requirements?
Deakin offers a range of pathways into the Bachelor of Sport Development to suit your background and goals. Explore the pathways finder to see how previous study, diplomas or alternative qualifications can lead you into the course.
Looking ahead to what's next?
If you don't have an ATAR, or it's been some time since you last studied, Deakin Uni Ready is a free online program that helps you build the academic skills and confidence needed for university study. The program prepares you for entry into a range of undergraduate degrees in arts, health, science or business.