Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Exercise Prescription for your Bachelor of Sport and Exercise at Massey
The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise (Exercise Prescription) combines theory and practical application. You’ll learn about a range of disciplines including body function and movement, sport nutrition, and exercise psychology. You’ll also get an insight into fitness assessment and exercise prescription.
These lay the foundations for enhancing health, wellbeing and performance in the general, compromised and athletic populations.
Real-world experience
The sport and exercise practicum will give you work experience allowing you to apply your knowledge and skills in real-world settings. This may include working in the fitness industry, with sports teams and athletes, or with individuals who have various health conditions. This will enable you to work on your fitness assessment, exercise technique and programming skills, while preparing you for entry into the workforce. Your practicum course can be based anywhere around the country, or even overseas.
Wide range of courses
You will take a set of compulsory courses common to all the BSpEx majors, then select courses specific to Exercise Prescription. Some of the courses offer non-compulsory contact workshops on our Manawatū campus. You also have room for some optional courses (electives).
Further study
Following successful completion of this qualification, you may consider further study with a Master of Health Science.
A Bachelor of Sport and Exercise in Exercise Prescription is a good fit if you:
- are passionate about sport and exercise
- are keen to build a healthier world with an exercise-focused degree
- want hands-on, practical experience.
Planning information
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.
Course 234242 Motor Learning and Control is no longer offered and has been replaced with 234243 Sport Pedagogy. You can add this course using the special request function in Course Enrolment.
Electives for this qualification
You may choose five electives – two in year two and three in year three. At least two electives in the third year must be 200-level or above.
These can be from any other undergraduate degree qualification. Many students take electives related to exercise, sport and health, such as hauora, nutrition, sport coaching and sport business.
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 qualification will apply.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.
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 qualification 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 qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Compulsory courses
Course code: 151131 Introduction to Food and Nutrition 15 credits
An examination of the effect of social, cultural and psychological factors on food habits; a brief study of the composition of foodstuffs and the basic principles of human nutrition; an introduction to food safety and food preservation. Emphasis will be given to topics of current interest.
View full course detailsCourse code: 151332 Nutrition for Sport and Performance 15 credits
Nutritional aspects of exercise physiology and metabolism. Nutritional principles for enhancing performance in recreational and elite athletes Food and nutrition for specific sporting codes and specific groups (e.g. children, adolescent athletes, female athletes, elite athletes). Assessment of nutritional status of athletes.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234213 Fitness Assessment 15 credits
A practical application of fitness assessment methods for healthy individuals.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234214 Exercise Prescription 15 credits
A study of prescribing exercise and physical activity for the general population.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234215 Fitness and Athletic Conditioning 15 credits
This course provides an understanding of various exercise techniques and methods to developing fitness and conditioning programmes for the athletic population.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234222 Sport Biomechanics 15 credits
An introduction to the study of the kinematics and dynamics of the human body and the factors that influence skilful and efficient performance of bodily movements in sport and everyday life. Students will be introduced to the techniques and methods required for qualitative analysis of complex skills.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234223 Exercise Physiology 15 credits
A study of the function of human biological systems as they relate to sport and exercise. Acute responses and the chronic adaptations to sport and exercise, specifically in relation to the core topics of human energetics, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. A strong laboratory focus will reinforce the theory and develop laboratory skills relevant to exercise physiology.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234242 Motor Learning and Control 15 credits
Students will study the principles and theories of motor control and their practical applications.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234312 Advanced Exercise Prescription and Therapy 15 credits
This course gives an in-depth knowledge of the role of exercise in rehabilitation. Students will be able to develop and implement exercise programmes to assist with recovery from musculo-skeletal injury and various disease states, and to influence indicators of psychological health.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234338 Sport and Exercise Practicum 30 credits
The practicum is designed to provide practical experience in sport and exercise areas according to individual interests and experience. Students may choose to undertake a practicum in areas including, but not limited to, sport event management, sport coaching, sport coordination, sport performance, exercise prescription and athlete conditioning.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234361 Exercise Psychology 15 credits
An examination of the association between psychological factors and participation in exercise and physical activity, and, in turn, how such participation affects personal functioning, health and well-being.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, outside of university admission regulations.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Can't meet the entry requirements?
If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.
Fees and scholarships
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
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Careers and job opportunities
The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise (Exercise Prescription) will equip you for a challenging and rewarding career helping people achieve their goals through exercise. The combination of general, compromised health and athlete prescription is an excellent preparation for a career in the health, fitness and sport industry.
Our graduates have gained successful employment in a full variety of areas including:
- clinical exercise testing
- cardiac rehabilitation
- green prescription
- personal training
- health promotion
- high performance sport.
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.
What our students say
“The work-integrated learning opportunities and ability to select papers from other subjects helped me develop extensive knowledge of exercise prescription and study my subjects of interest. My background in competitive artistic gymnastics meant the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise was a perfect fit.”
“Massey University have given me the knowledge and experience to enter the sport and exercise field with the confidence that I am well prepared and able to complete my current job as a personal trainer.”
Accreditations
Register of Exercise Professionals
Massey's Bachelor of Sport and Exercise (Exercise Prescription) is accredited by the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS). Graduates can register as exercise professionals with REPS.
Related study options
Exercise and Sport Science – Bachelor of Science
The Exercise and Sport Science major is ideal for you if you have a passion for sport, exercise, and health. Learn how to optimise athletic performance and health through technology, nutrition, psychology, and exercise.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz