Type of qualification
Level of study
An undergraduate qualification is usually the first one you study.
Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
Time to complete
Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Study a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise – BSpEx
Note: Some majors in this qualification are covered by the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Amendment Order 2021. Students are required to provide details of their vaccination status on enrolment.
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 internships 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.
A BSpEx is 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.
Entry 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.
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 Get advice button on this page.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
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.
Structure of the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise
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 |
|---|
| 234140 Introduction to Physical Education |
| 234131 Introduction to Sport Organisations and Development |
| 250100 Health Communication |
| 234141 Introduction to Human Movement and Hauora |
| 234111 Training Principles and Practice |
| 234135 Sociology of Sport and Exercise |
| 234121 Functional Anatomy |
| Major |
| Year two |
|---|
| Major |
| Major |
| Major |
| Major |
| Major |
| Major |
| Elective |
| Elective |
| Year three |
|---|
| Major |
| Major |
| Major |
| 234338 Sport and Exercise Practicum 30 credits |
| Elective |
| Elective |
| Elective |
Courses are each worth 15 credits, unless otherwise indicated
Courses and specialisations
Key terms
- Courses
- Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
- Course code
- Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- Credits
- Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- Specialisations
- Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
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
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.
Schedule A: Core courses
Compulsory courses (Choose 105 credits from)
Course code: 234111 Training Principles and Practice 15 credits
An introduction to the knowledge and skills necessary for the planning, implementation and evaluation of goal-oriented training.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234121 Functional Anatomy 15 credits
An introduction to the structure and function of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and cardiopulmonary systems and their importance to health, movement and exercise.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234131 Introduction to Sport Organisations and Development 15 credits
An introduction to the provision of sport, fitness, and physical activity, including the roles of, and relationships between, key organisations and agencies
View full course detailsCourse code: 234135 Sociology of Sport and Exercise 15 credits
An introduction to sociological concepts, principles and theories as applied to sport and exercise.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234140 Introduction to Physical Education 15 credits
An introduction to health and physical education through the exploration of a range of teaching models, management techniques, contemporary issues, and diversity with consideration to the Treaty of Waitangi relevant to undergraduate students.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234141 Introduction to Human Movement and Hauora 15 credits
An introduction to human movement (Te Ao Kori) and its application to the concept of Hauora (holistic health and well-being).
View full course detailsCourse code: 250100 Health Communication 15 credits
This course examines the key principles, ethics and theories of effective health communication for positive health change in individuals and communities. Students will learn to develop and critically analyse health-related messages and research, engage with culturally diverse audiences, and consider social, biological and environmental determinants in health communication.
View full course detailsSchedule B: Specialisations
Majors
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Completing a major is compulsory. A major requires 180 credits including at least 60 credits at 300 level.
Schedule C: 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.
- Equine
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
Schedule D: Elective courses
Course code: 114330 Equity and Diversity in the Workplace 15 credits
A study of the historical, legal and social issues of diversity and equality in the workplace in Aotearoa/New Zealand and overseas.
View full course detailsCourse code: 115114 Finance Fundamentals 15 credits
This course introduces analytical techniques for evaluating personal and business investment and financing decisions, including coverage of the context and environment in which these decisions are made.
View full course detailsCourse code: 115116 Introduction to Marketing 15 credits
The course provides an understanding of the core concepts and practices of marketing.
View full course detailsCourse code: 128300 Ergonomics/Human Factors: Work, Performance, Health and Design 15 credits
An introduction to Ergonomics/Human factors (E/HF) - an inter-disciplinary holistic practice-based approach to integrate work, leisure and people in occupational, organisational, leisure (including sport, equipment, products, design and rehabilitation) environments to optimize matching of human-user-system health, performance, comfort and effectiveness: covering fundamental ergonomics principles, micro-macro-ergonomics, E/HF analytical methods, physical, psychological and social capacity and limitations of individuals and groups/teams in organizational socio-technical work and leisure environments.
View full course detailsCourse code: 147101 Rehabilitation Studies 15 credits
An introduction to the principles and practices of rehabilitation. The processes of rehabilitation are explored with particular reference to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Emphasis is placed on exploring a person-centred approach to rehabilitation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 147102 Whakapiri: Engagement in Mental Health and Addiction Work 15 credits
The course provides an introduction to mental health and addiction with a focus on Aotearoa New Zealand. Attention is given to the social context of mental health and wellbeing. Students are introduced to mental health as a human right, processes of engagement and brief intervention in mental health and addiction work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148334 Sports History 15 credits
An analysis of the relationship between sport and society, commencing with the development of sport in Britain during the second half of the nineteenth century, with particular reference to sport and empire, women in sport and commercialism and nationalism in sport.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150112 Hauora Tangata: Foundations of Māori Health 15 credits
An introduction to understanding Māori health within Aotearoa/New Zealand.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150202 Mauri ora: Māori Wellbeing and Vitality 15 credits
Cultural understandings of health form the basis for an exploration of cultural, biological, social, economic, environmental and political interactions and their impacts on Māori health.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152252 Project Management 15 credits
An introduction to the theory and methods employed in project management.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152336 Leadership Practice 15 credits
A critical analysis of the theory and practice of leadership relevant to public and private organisations and the development of ethical leadership and citizenship in a variety of socio-cultural contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152350 Strategic Management and Governance 15 credits
An examination of strategic management concepts, the tools and techniques of strategic analysis, and issues associated with governance including business ethics.
View full course detailsCourse code: 214101 Human Bioscience: Normal Body Function 15 credits
Human body structure and function (anatomy and physiology), including relevant concepts of homeostasis and metabolism and development throughout the lifespan.
View full course detailsCourse code: 214201 Human Bioscience: Impaired Body Function 15 credits
An examination of the aetiology of disease and alteration of health status and the relevant scientific clinical tests, including the role of micro-organisms in disease processes.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219230 Sport Communication 15 credits
An examination of the theoretical background of sport communication, which includes an application of skills and principles within the topic.
View full course detailsCourse code: 231106 Introduction to Public Health 15 credits
An introduction to public health principles, perspectives, stakeholders and practices that are both internationally recognisable and of local importance to New Zealand.
View full course detailsCourses at 100, 200 or 300-level from the 234 course prefix series.
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
Fees 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 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).
What our students say
“My degree has qualified my passion for sport into a prosperous profession in coaching, teaching, leading and managing sport teams.”
Ngāti Porou
“I thoroughly enjoyed studying at Massey University via distance. It allowed me to live the lifestyle that I wanted due to its flexibility.”
“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.”
Related study options
Bachelor of Sport Management – BSptMgt
Turn your passion for sport into something more. Gain the business, communication, and management skills that you will need to join the exciting world of sport management.
Sport and Exercise – Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Sport and Exercise) will advance your theoretical knowledge of exercise science. You will learn how exercise can be used to enhance athletic performance and improve compromised health and quality of life.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz