Bachelor of Sport, Physical and Outdoor Education
If you are thinking about a career in community sport and recreation, or if you are you looking for a great pathway into Outdoor Education or Health & PE (HPE) teaching, this is the course is for you.
Course essentials
ATAR
Guaranteed ATAR Score 50.00
Entry requirements
Credit
Study mode
Duration
Start dates
01 March 2027
19 July 2027
Locations
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Course overview
If you want to share your passion for being active, sport and the outdoors then the Bachelor of Sport, Physical and Outdoor Education course is for you.
During this degree, you'll learn leadership, teaching and people skills and put these into practice in a variety of settings.
Your subjects are a blend of hands-on and theoretical work, and include outdoor leadership, fundamental movement, exercise physiology and fitness, swimming and water safety, biomechanics, outdoor living and travel skills and human development and nutrition.
This course provides a strong foundation for a rewarding career in the sport and recreation and outdoor education industries.
Alternatively, this course is a pathway to become a Health and Physical Education and/or Outdoor Education Teacher. Upon graduation you can enrol into the Master of Teaching, Primary or Secondary (1.5 years), and become a qualified teacher in 4.5 years of total study.
The successful completion of the first year of this course also enables the opportunity to transfer into the second year of our Bachelor of Secondary Education (Health and Physical Education Teaching). This means that you may qualify as a teacher within 4 years of study.
The best thing about this degree is that you can start studying and keep your options open to explore the world of sport, recreation and education careers.
IT requirements
To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.
Got questions?
Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.
Student support
The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.
The fine print
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.
Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.
School department
Education
Course co-ordinator
Brad Beseler
Luiza Lana Goncalves
Career paths
Opportunities are quite varied depending on the area of interest. You will be well prepared to successfully undertake many occupations and will be highly sought after by professions requiring graduates with excellent communication and organisational abilities, critical, strategic and reflective thinking and problem solving skills, and a strong professional work ethic.
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fee information
Commonwealth Supported Places are subsidised by the Australian Government. The tuition fee is called the student contribution amount. The indicative fee above is based on a typical first-year enrolment for this course and should be used as a guide only. For 0.5 EFTSL (60 credit point) courses the certificate fee is displayed. Your fee will depend on the units you chose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved credit you receive.
How it's calculated
The government sets the fee each year. The amount depends on the discipline area and band of each unit. 2026 annual student contribution amounts for 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) range from $4,738 (Band 1) to $17,399 (Band 4). The sample course structure below link to the EFTSL, Band and fee for each unit or you can use our unit search to find these details.
Other fees
You will also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Other study costs
Prescribed textbooks: approximately $500
Suggested clothing: School tracksuit top approximately $90, School polo shirt approximately $50
Fee assistance
If you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan, you can defer the payment of all or part of your student contribution fee. If you’re also eligible for a SA-HELP loan, you can defer your SSAF payment too. You won’t have to start paying either loan back until your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold.
Scholarships
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Course details
Start dates
Semester 2, 2026
20 July 2026
Locations
Berwick (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Semester 1, 2027
1 March 2027
Locations
Berwick (on campus)
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Semester 2, 2027
19 July 2027
Locations
Berwick (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Information
- Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat. Testing.
Contact hours
Approximately 16-20 hours per week
Work integrated learning
This course requires a minimum of 50 days of placement undertaken across 10 weeks. This amounts to approximately 400 hours.
Sample course structure
Here’s what the course structure could look like. It’s just an example (so don’t use it for enrolment). Interested in the details? You can find current course structure or select a single unit name below to find out what it’s about and how much it costs.
- Learning and Teaching15 credit pointsEDCEL1016
- Fundamentals of Movement, Skill Acquisition and Instruction15 credit pointsEDHPE1000
- Understanding Movement in Health and Physical Education15 credit pointsEDHPE1004
Elective
- Child and Adolescent Development and Characteristics15 credit pointsEDBED1017
- Health and Lifestyle15 credit pointsEDHPE1002
- Perspectives on Health, Outdoor and Physical Education15 credit pointsEDHPE1003
Elective
- The Sport, Physical and Outdoor Education Sectors15 credit pointsSHPOE2100
- Swimming and Water Safety Education15 credit pointsEDHPE1001
- Games Pedagogy15 credit pointsEDHPE4000
- Outdoor Living and Travel Skills - Water15 credit pointsOEEDU1005
- Coastal Education15 credit pointsOEEDU2600
- Moving the Body in Health and Physical Education15 credit pointsEDHPE2002
- Outdoor Leadership and Experiential Learning15 credit pointsOEEDU2000
- Adventure and Outdoor Recreation15 credit pointsOEEDU2500
- Human Development and Nutrition Across the Lifespan15 credit pointsEDHPE4001
- Managing Risk in Outdoor and Adventure Sport Environments15 credit pointsOEEDU3801
- Professional Development in Sport, Physical and Outdoor Education15 credit pointsSHPOE3000
Prescribed Elective List 1
- Health and Physical Activity in Society15 credit pointsEDHPE3002
- Population and Global Health Perspectives15 credit pointsEDHPE4002
- Professional Project in Sport, Physical and Outdoor Education15 credit pointsSHPOE4000
Prescribed Elective list 2
Meet us at Open Day
Open Day is your chance to explore all that Federation has to offer. Meet current lecturers and students, ask course questions, learn about our support services and explore campus spaces.
We’ve got heaps of activities, tours and presentations planned. Basically, we want you to get a real feel for Federation. The atmosphere. The opportunities. The community.
Oh – and there’s no need to pack a sandwich. Lunch is on us.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements (year 12)
Current year 12 students and recent secondary graduates (the past 2 years)
Prerequisite (compulsory):
- Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion in two units (any study combination) of Maths: General Mathematics, Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics or Units 3 and 4: any Mathematics;
- Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in any English.
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
Guaranteed ATAR
This course has a guaranteed ATAR. If you meet the course pre-requisites and any essential requirements for admission, we will guarantee you a place in this program with this ATAR. We use the adjusted ATAR, factoring in subject adjustments and SEAS as detailed below.
Subject adjustments
A study score of 35 in Biology, Chemistry, Physical Education or Physics equals 3 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 5 points.
SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme)
Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for the Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS). Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, a SEAS application may provide support for your course application.
Entry requirements (non year 12)
All applicants
Entire academic record:
This course uses the applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
Some applicants
Literacy and numeracy test:
If VCE maths and English requirements or equivalent have not been met, a literacy and/or numeracy assessment is required to demonstrate the pre-requisite requirements. Applicants required to complete the assessment will be notified.
Applicants with higher education study
- Successful completion of the Federation University Foundation Access Studies (FAST)course (or equivalent), or;
- Previous university study (including single subjects) with a pass average and meets the VCE maths and English requirement benchmarks or literacy and/or numeracy test, or;
- Successful completion of an undergraduate degree in any field.
Applicants with vocational education and training study
- Successful completion of a cognate* Certificate III and meets the VCE maths and English requirement benchmarks or literacy and/or numeracy test and industry experience of at least one year, or;
- Successful completion of a cognate* Certificate IV and meets the VCE maths and English requirement benchmarks or literacy and/or numeracy test, or;
- Successful completion of a Diploma in any field and meets the VCE maths requirement benchmark or numeracy test.
*Cognate education areas: Community Services, Education Support, Children’s Services, Disability and Nursing, or Sport.
Applicants with work and life experience
Applicants who have not completed secondary education, or undertaken any TAFE or university studies will not be eligible for entry into this course. Applications in this category should consider a pathway program such as Foundation Access Studies (FAST) course.
English language requirements
Overall IELTS band score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0 or equivalent English language test
Extra requirements
Essential requirements for enrolment and graduation
Working with Children Check
Compulsory: Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check prior to undertaking professional placements.
National Police Record Check
Compulsory: Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements.
How you apply will depend on your current situation – school leaver, tertiary background or life experience – and whether you’re also applying for courses at other institutions. Visit our how to apply page to find out more.
Ready to fill out your application? You might need these codes:
- VTAC application
- Yes
- VTAC code
- 3701810601 - Berwick (on campus)
3700710601 - Gippsland (on campus)
3700510601 - Mt Helen (on campus) - Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- SO5
Pathways to this course:
Candidates seeking alternate entry to this course can consider the below options:
Other TAFE studies
Apply for a relevant TAFE course, at any TAFE provider, and then apply to articulate into this program. You may receive credit for TAFE units undertaken, which will be individually assessed upon request, after you enrol in your bachelor level course.
Bridging programs
A bridging program can provide an excellent foundation to build upon in your bachelor course studies:
• Our one semester Foundation Access Studies (FAST) course provides you an alternate entry into tertiary study, with a focus on building the more generic academic skills required for success at university. On successful completion of FAST, students can apply for the Bachelor of Sport, Physical and Outdoor Education for the next semester.
Credit will be considered if you have successfully completed higher education or TAFE studies relevant to this degree. Advanced standing will be determined on an individual basis, depending on your eligibility for credit transfer, prior experience and qualifications.
Pathways from this course:
At the beginning of second year, you can apply to transfer to another undergraduate Education program at Federation University, where you can qualify as a teacher and gain registration with VIT. Please note that you must have successfully completed 8 courses in the 1st year of the Bachelor of Sport Physical and Outdoor Education and have a credit average to be eligible for transfer. • Bachelor of Secondary Education (Health and Physical Education Teaching) Alternatively, you can complete the Bachelor of Sport, Physical and Outdoor Education and then apply for Master of Teaching.
Hear from our students
Hi, my name is Maddie and I'm studying a Bachelor of Education. I'm specialising in inclusive Ed and I'm in my third year of studies. I chose to study at Fed Uni because it is close to home and because I had a few friends who were studying here as well. I would recommend federation to those considering studying because of the placement opportunities they have here. This year as part of my diversity placement I was given the opportunity to travel to the NT to a remote indigenous community. This option was available to all students in my degree in the third year and it was made even more accessible as the majority of the accommodation and flights were funded by the Uni Arunga. The community I was placed in was the most beautiful little community with wonderful students and incredible classroom facilities. I'm so glad and proud of myself for taking that leap of faith because now I have so many more skills and experiences under my belt. This opportunity will be something I'll happily share with anyone and we'll think about forever. I really couldn't recommend this programme more.