- Where you can study
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Distance and onlineManawatū campus (Palmerston North)
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International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand
- Note:
- Note: All courses are available online. Some courses are supported by non-compulsory face-to-face workshops on the Manawatū campus.
Specialise in Physical Education for your Bachelor of Sport and Exercise at Massey
The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise (Physical Education) will provide you with the perfect foundation to use your talents in a professionally satisfying and productive way.
This major will provide you with the knowledge and skills to perform and teach aspects of physical activity, exercise and sport in educational contexts.
As a graduate, you’ll be knowledgeable about aspects of physical education, particularly as it relates to the breadth and potential of human movement. You will be able to demonstrate the application of key teaching principles in movement education, especially as they relate to youth.
The physical education practicum will give you experience working in a real-world setting. It can be based anywhere around the country, or even overseas.
This major takes an interdisciplinary approach to study. You will:
- gain practical competency in a range of physical activities
- enhance your critical-thinking skills
- gain insights on movement education from a socio-cultural and biophysical perspective
- gain a big-picture view of the potential of physical education to be a major positive force in society.
Wide range of courses
You will take a set of compulsory courses common to all the BSpEx majors, then select courses specific to Physical Education You also have room for some optional courses (electives) that can be used to add a second teaching subject for those planning to go into secondary teaching.
Study options that suit your lifestyle
Whether you want to study from home or experience campus life, our blended delivery offers the flexibility to learn from anywhere and will allow you to balance study, work and play. All of the BSpEx courses are available online by distance and many offer the option to come onto the Manawatū campus for regular face-to-face practicals and workshops, including a number of the core first year courses.
Further study
You could become a primary or secondary school PE teacher, by completing Massey’s Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching. The secondary diploma qualifies you as a teacher of health, hauora and physical education.
A Bachelor of Sport and Exercise in Physical Education is a good fit if you:
- are passionate about sport and exercise
- want to work with, and positively influence, youth in education and sports settings
- see the potential of physical education to shape life-long, healthy, active lifestyles.
Planning information
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 courses in your first year are common to all majors.
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
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.
Core courses for the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Bachelor of Sport and Exercise core courses
Physical Education courses
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. Emphasis will be given to topics of current interest.
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: 234236 Applied Sport Coaching 15 credits
This course examines aspects of contemporary sport coaching through concepts of long-term athletic development and youth sport.
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: 234243 Sport Pedagogy 15 credits
A critical examination that extends students' knowledge of the skills and methodologies relating to the learning and instruction of a range of physical activities and sports within educational contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234331 Sport and Physical Activity in the Social Context 15 credits
An examination of the social, cultural, political, economic and educational contexts of sport and physical activity.
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: 234343 Sport Pedagogy II 15 credits
This course examines the principles and practices associated with effective sport pedagogy especially as it is applied to the delivery of game instruction in school and sport contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234346 Te Ao Kori and Health Promotion 15 credits
Explores the development of physical activity and health promotion initiatives in school, workplace and community settings, and the practices of Te Ao Kori (The World of Movement).
View full course detailsEntry requirements
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.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and scholarships
2026 tuition fees
- Domestic students: $8,420
- International students: $42,300
Tuition fees are estimates only. The exact fees charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment. The estimates are for full-time study (120 credits). Fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The estimates do not include the Student Services Fee. This fee is $1,164 for on-campus students and $948 for distance students for full-time study (120 credits). For more information about this fee and other fees you may need to pay, see non-tuition fees.
There may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
Course fees
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, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Inland Revenue website.
Scholarship and award opportunities
Find more 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
Careers and job opportunities
With the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise (Physical Education), you could go on to become a physical education teacher by undertaking one year’s further study. Many graduates with this major become primary or secondary school teachers in health, hauora and physical education, with opportunities for employment in New Zealand and overseas.
You may also work as a sports coordinator in a school or with local sports organisations, working alongside health workers and other educational staff.
What our students say
“I chose Massey because of its great location and flexibility. In my first year, I lived in Tawa Hall. I made heaps of friends and enjoyed the campus life in Manawatū. The second year was tough with the studying, and the third year was about placement. Massey will give you all the support you need.”
“I decided to take the physical education major as I knew I wanted to be a teacher...The sport and exercise degree has given me a head start in my teaching career.”
Taranaki
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