Well-equipped
From recreation to research, our huge range of facilities and laboratory equipment will support your sport and exercise studies.
Move it
Future roles in this area include coaching, sport science, personal training, and managing events, teams or sport facilities.
Spoilt for choice
Explore your area of interest. Massey has a wide range of health qualifications, with many courses to choose from.
Be connected
We'll help you build strong industry contacts. And your health qualification lets you work globally once you graduate from Massey.
Overview
From athlete development to prescribing exercise, event management to promoting physical activity across people's lifespan, it's all part of studying sport and exercise at Massey.
Learn from experts with experience as coaches, competitors or administrators. Master new skills in state-of-the-art facilities such as our human performance lab, athletics tracks and sports fields. Delve into the latest theories. Gain hands-on experience and apply skills and knowledge with internships, such as at fitness centres, schools, sporting organisations or sports teams. Graduate work-ready with skills employers need.
Work-integrated learning opportunities
Studying sport and exercise is a good fit if you:
- enjoy school subjects such as physical education, business, biology or health
- want to help people achieve goals and live active lives
- like being active and solving problems.
Courses in sport and exercise may cover:
- coaching and leadership
- community and sport development
- exercise science, including biomechanics (how bodies move)
- inclusion, diversity and ethics
- nutrition
- sports and business management, including governance, marketing and sponsorship
- sports psychology.
How to study sport and exercise
Discover what we offer if you’re interested in sport and exercise – whether you’re coming to university for the first time, changing direction or returning to advance your study or career.
Undergraduate study
Bachelor's degrees
Bachelor of Sport and Exercise – BSpEx
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.
Exercise Prescription – Bachelor of Sport and Exercise
Massey’s Bachelor of Sport and Exercise (Exercise Prescription) will give you the knowledge and skills to develop, implement and assess exercise programmes to enhance sport performance, health, and rehabilitation.
Physical Education – Bachelor of Sport and Exercise
The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise (Physical Education) will prepare you for a satisfying career working with youth in sport and exercise.
Sport Development – Bachelor of Sport and Exercise
With Massey’s Bachelor of Sport and Exercise (Sport Development) you’ll be prepared for the important roles sport development plays in the health, wellbeing, and economy of our society.
Relevant undergraduate subjects to major or specialise in
When you apply to study at Massey, for some undergraduate qualifications you can choose what subject you’d like to specialise in. You can usually change your mind after you get to university, depending on the courses you enrol in.
Postgraduate study
Master's degrees
Master of Health Science – MHlthSc
Advance your knowledge and skills in the growing health industry.
PhD and other doctoral degrees
Doctor of Philosophy – PhD
A prestigious research qualification that demonstrates your ability to carry out independent and original research in your chosen field.
Relevant research areas at Massey
Discover research expertise, projects and initiatives relating to sport and exercise at Massey.
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 have thoroughly enjoyed my time studying at Massey and have been extremely fortunate to have been taught and supervised by some of the leading lecturers in the field of physical education and coaching.”
“I’d heard about Massey’s unrivalled distance programme, which enabled me to complete my studies. Massey has, without a doubt, played a key role in my journey. It equipped me with the knowledge and skills that continue to influence my contributions to sport and governance today.”
Our facilities
Massey offers a wide range of first-class exercise and sports facilities.
Athletics and sports facilities
Facilities include:
- athletics track
- hockey turf suitable for international-level matches
- netball and tennis courts
- rugby and soccer fields.
Location: Manawatū campus
Human Performance Laboratory
This laboratory evaluates performance for a wide range of sports and occupational activities, with state-of-the-art research and testing equipment.
Location: Manawatū (Palmerston North) campus
Sport and Exercise Science Research Laboratory
This laboratory offers a physiological and biomechanical analysis for many sports and occupational activities. Laboratory staff have experience with a wide range of sports, athletes and occupations.
Location: Auckland campus
Academy of Sport
For athletes who study at Massey.
Our Academy of Sport is a sport scholarship programme for emerging and high-performance athletes, offering support to achieve your best academically and in your sporting career.
Equestrian Centre and Arena
Graze your horse at the only equestrian centre at a New Zealand university.
Stables, paddocks, yards and our large all-weather arena are open all year.
Location: Manawatū campus
Sport and Event Centre
World-class facilities for all sports and corporate teams in a high-performance environment, including:
- fitness centres
- indoor training facility
- recovery plunge pools.
As well as a venue for sports events and training, the institute also hosts business meetings and team-building days.
Location: Manawatū campus
Jobs in sport and exercise
Careers in sport and exercise can involve working with all ages and abilities, and at community, regional, national or international levels. From commercial sports venues to aged-care centres, gyms to fitness studios, community centres to elite training facilities, sport and exercise is a vibrant and growing industry.
Some graduates specialise in sports such as athletics, cricket, netball, rugby, tennis or triathlon. Others move into sport research, or run their own business, event or venue.
Sport and exercise careers include:
- coaches or officials
- facilities managers, who run fitness centres, gyms or sporting venues
- fitness instructors and personal trainers
- health and wellbeing advocates or promoters, who work in community, health or sport organisations
- sports managers, who may run events or teams
- sport scientists, who work with athletes, teams or sporting organisations
- teachers or school sports co-ordinators.
Annual salary ranges for jobs
- Fitness instructor or personal trainer – pay rates vary, but many charge $50 to $100 an hour
- Sports coach or official – $48,000 to $146,000
- Sport facilities manager – $55,000 to $150,000
Salary ranges disclaimer
Indicative pay rates are:
- in New Zealand dollars
- based on careers.govt.nz data.
Which sport and exercise qualification?
Examples of where our qualifications may take you.
| Jobs | Examples of what you could study |
|---|---|
| Coach or trainer | Bachelor of Sport and Exercise |
| Sport facilities manager | Bachelor of Sport and Exercise (Sport Development) |
| Manager of a sporting event, organisation or team | Bachelor of Sport and Exercise (Sport Development) |
| Health and wellbeing advocate or promoter | Bachelor of Sport and Exercise |
| Sport coordinator or sport development officer | Bachelor of Sport and Exercise |
| Teacher | Bachelor of Sport and Exercise then a teaching diploma |
Get an information guide
Download our guides to find out more about studying sport and exercise at Massey.
Accreditations and rankings
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.
ShanghaiRanking - Sport Science Schools
Massey's School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition is ranked in the top 200 Global Shanghai Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments.
Related areas of interest
