Our Wellington and Manawatū campuses are open, Auckland remains closed at AL3. More information.
Overview
Join one of New Zealand’s biggest sectors
With Massey’s Bachelor of Sport and Exercise (BSpEx) you’ll be equipped with valuable skills to work in the world of health and physical activity.
Level
- Undergraduate, NZQF Level 7
Credits
- 360
Duration
- 3 year(s) full-time. Available part-time.
Great jobs - plenty of choices - wide range of subjects
Get a broad, interdisciplinary understanding of key sport and exercise concepts and knowledge. Then dig deeper by choosing one of three specialist areas. As part of your major, you will gain valuable real world experience in our sport and exercise practicum. This will allow you to apply your skills and knowledge and prepare you for entry in to the workforce.
World-class, highly experienced staff
You will learn from the best, with many of our staff involved in sport as competitors, coaches, administrators and managers. Our research-active academic staff will teach you the most up to date information to help prepare you for the ever-changing and expanding world of sport and exercise.
Outstanding facilities
You will enjoy working in first-class facilities including our state-of-the-art human performance labs, Sport & Rugby Institute, athletic track and sports fields.
Real-world learning
Our hands-on internship programmes give you invaluable real-life work experience, which often leads directly to job offers.
What makes sport and exercise at Massey – and you – a winner?
- You’ll benefit from our enviable industry connections.
- We have strong alliances with leading national sport organisations.
- We are New Zealand’s go-to group for companies such as Nestlé, for sports nutrition.
- Our graduates are highly regarded by employers.
Specialisations
Majors, subjects or endorsements
Careers and further study
Careers
The BSpEx will prepare you for a variety of careers in New Zealand’s large sport and exercise industry. This might include the growing areas of community sport, fitness, professional sport, sport administration and wellness. Potential careers and fields include:
- community sports and fitness centres
- medical centres, hospitals, clinics and aged care facilities
- national and regional sporting organisations
- school sport coordinator
- sport events and recreation programmes
- sport venues and facilities
- sport, health and physical activity promotion
- sports trainer or coach of athletes and teams
- teaching (further study required, such as the Massey Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching).
International students
New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.
Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.
As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.
Entry requirements
University admission
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Programme admission
Required
There are no specific entry requirements for this programme, outside of university admission regulations.
English language requirements
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
If you do not have the entry requirements
English language and foundation courses
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and programmes that may help.
- English Language Proficiency
- Foundation Certificate in Academic English
- Foundation Certificate in Advanced Academic English
- Full Foundation - Certificate in Foundation Studies
Summer School
If you need to do a course before you start your programme, there may be options for you in Summer School.
Courses and planning
Credit summary
360 credits
- Core courses – 105 credits
- Major courses – 180 credits
- Electives – 75 credits
Ensure that overall, you have:
- Not more than 165 credits at 100 level
- At least 75 credits at 300 level
Courses for this programme
Schedule A: Core courses
Compulsory courses
| 105 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 234111 | Training Principles and Practice | 15 |
| 234121 | Functional Anatomy | 15 |
| 234131 | Introduction to Sport Development | 15 |
| 234135 | Sociology of Sport and Exercise | 15 |
| 234140 | Introduction to Physical Education | 15 |
| 234141 | Introduction to Human Movement and Hauora | 15 |
| 250100 | Health Communication | 15 |
Schedule B: Specialisations
Majors
Please refer to individual specialisation page for a list of courses for your specialisation.Schedule C: Minors
Please refer to individual specialisation page for a list of courses for your specialisation.Schedule D: Elective courses
| 114330 | Equity and Diversity in the Workplace | 15 |
| 115114 | Finance Fundamentals | 15 |
| 115116 | Introduction to Marketing | 15 |
| 128300 | Ergonomics/Human Factors: Work, Performance, Health and Design | 15 |
| 147101 | Rehabilitation Studies | 15 |
| 147102 | Whakapiri: Engagement in Mental Health and Addiction Work | 15 |
| 148334 | Sports History | 15 |
| 150112 | Hauora Tangata: Foundations of Māori Health | 15 |
| 150202 | Mauri ora: Māori Wellbeing and Vitality | 15 |
| 152252 | Project Management | 15 |
| 152336 | Leadership Practice | 15 |
| 152350 | Strategic Management and Governance | 15 |
| 214101 | Human Bioscience: Normal Body Function | 15 |
| 214201 | Human Bioscience: Impaired Body Function | 15 |
| 219230 | Sport Communication | 15 |
| 231106 | Introduction to Public Health | 15 |
Courses at 100, 200 or 300-level from the 234 course prefix series.
Majors and minors
About specialisations
Completing a major is compulsory. A major requires 180 credits including at least 60 credits at 300 level.
About minors
Completing a minor is optional. Minors increase the breadth of your degree and give you extra knowledge, attributes and capabilities.
A minor must be in a different subject from your major.
You may choose a minor from any University undergraduate degree that has recognised minors. If the minor is from another degree the regulations of that programme will apply.
Planning your programme
Planning overview
If you study full-time, in your first year, you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.
If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.
The majority of courses in your first year are common to all majors.
Typical pattern for the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise
Core courses These courses are a compulsory part of your qualification.
Major courses Choose from a selection of courses appropriate for your specialisation.
Elective courses Follow your interests. Your qualification may have selection guidelines for elective courses.
| Year one |
|---|
| Introduction to Physical Education |
| Introduction to Sport Organisation and Development |
| Health Communication |
| Introduction to Human Movement and Hauora |
| Training Principles and Practice |
| Sociology of Sport and Exercise |
| Functional Anatomy |
| Major |
| Year two |
|---|
| Major |
| Major |
| Major |
| Major |
| Major |
| Major |
| Elective |
| Elective |
| Year three |
|---|
| Major |
| Major |
| Major |
| Sport and Exercise Practicum 30 credits |
| Elective |
| Elective |
| Elective |
Courses are each worth 15 credits, unless otherwise indicated
Fees and scholarships
Fees and finance
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
A good fit if you:
- are passionate about sport and exercise
- are keen to build a healthier world with a sport-focused degree
- want to help people live happier, healthier, better lives.
Meet our students
“
My degree has qualified my passion for sport into a prosperous profession in coaching, teaching, leading and managing sport teams.
” Aaron McLelland
“
I thoroughly enjoyed my three years and feel very privileged to have been taught by such fantastic lecturers who have prepared me well for a career in exercise prescription.
” Olivia Tilyard
“
I have always been passionate about sport; therefore, I knew that the Massey University Bachelor of Sport and Exercise degree would be best suited for me and my future.
” Stephanie McKenzie
Health and PE teacher at Horowhenua College
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Regulations
Review this important information before you apply for this programme. This gives you full details of the rules and regulations about what you need to study and what you must achieve in order to graduate with this qualification. That includes structure, courses and requirements. These regulations should be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including the below.
Undergraduate programmes
Applying and enrolling
Applying for the programme
Check you are ready
If you are ready to apply, have a look at our application checklist. It will help you get prepared with what you need. Please also check the entry requirements carefully before you apply.
Choose your programme and click on Apply now
You will apply for the programme using the Apply now button on this page. You’ll also choose your specialisation (major, subject or endorsement) if applicable.
Some programmes have additional requirements such as the submission of a portfolio or CV. Click on Apply now and you will be able to submit those documents as part of the application process.
Receive and accept an Admission Offer of Place
You will receive an Admission Offer of Place when you have been accepted into the programme. You need to accept this before you can enrol in your courses. International students also need to pay their fees at this point.
Enrolling in courses
You’ll then get access to your own student homepage (also known as the student portal). This is where you can enrol in courses. Any updates on your application or enrolments will also be on your student homepage. Make sure you check this regularly.
When you choose courses, ensure you check for any requirements that apply including:
- prerequisites (courses you have to do before the one you are enrolling in)
- corequisites (courses you have to do at the same time as the one you are enrolling in)
- restrictions (courses that you cannot enrol in if you are completing or have completed another identified similar course)
- location – for instance some distance-based courses still have an on-campus element, so double check that the way the course is taught is suitable for your situation.
Each of our courses has its own webpage where you can find this information. You can use our course search to find course pages.
More information on courses is in the ‘Courses for this programme’ section on this page.
You can find information on application due dates and semester dates on the key dates page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Massey!
If you have any questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
What are courses and credits?
What are courses and credits?
Each Massey programme is made up of courses (in some tertiary institutions they are called ‘papers’).
You will have some compulsory courses and some you can choose from.
Each course is worth a certain amount of credits (often 15 credits, but this does vary). You must gain a set number of credits to be able to graduate from this programme.
There may also be some rules about which courses you need to pass to progress to the next year, or stage, of your study (known as progression). There are also courses you must pass to graduate with a specialisation.
- See the ‘Courses for this programme’ section for the list of courses.
- Courses search
Understanding course numbers
The first three digits of our course numbers show you which subject the course is about.
The second three digits show you the level and course ID number. For instance:
- sub-degree courses are '0' (i.e. xxx.0xx)
- undergraduate study begins at 100-level, (i.e. xxx.1xx)
- as you progress through 200- and 300-level courses this number changes to 2 and 3 respectively. The higher the number that starts the second three digits, the higher the level of study.
| 1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Subject area | Level | Course ID number | |||||
About electives
Electives are courses that are not compulsory. Certain guidelines are usually provided on courses you may take. Elective courses contribute to the programme, but not to your major or specialisation.
Workload and time management
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the programme or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these programmes go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
Scholarships and awards
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.