Bachelor of Exercise Sport Science, Bachelor of Psychology (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills)

This four-year double degree brings together exercise and sport science with psychology, focusing on counselling and interpersonal skills. You graduate with two bachelor qualifications: one in exercise sport science and one in psychology. The exercise side covers how the body responds to movement, how to assess fitness and performance, and how to design training or rehabilitation programs. The psychology side covers human behaviour, mental health, and the practical skills of listening, questioning, and supporting people through change. The counselling component is not a separate major but a strand that runs through the psychology units, so you learn how to apply psychological ideas in real conversations.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees normally take three years of full-time study. This double degree is four years because it combines two separate awards. You study units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, across semesters or trimesters. The exact sequence depends on the university, but you can expect core units in both disciplines, electives, and a capstone or research project in your final year. Some programs include a professional placement or work-integrated learning component, especially in exercise science where you might work with athletes, patients, or community groups. Confirm the structure, unit list, and any placement requirements on the official Adelaide University page.

What you learn

You learn how to measure and interpret human movement, how to use psychological theories to understand behaviour, and how to communicate with people who are stressed, injured, or trying to change habits. The counselling and interpersonal skills units focus on active listening, empathy, ethical practice, and working with diverse clients. You also build research skills: how to read studies, collect data, and evaluate whether an intervention worked. By the end, you can move between the gym, the clinic, and the counselling room, using evidence from both fields.

Who it suits

This degree suits someone who wants to work with people and movement, but is not sure whether they want to be a psychologist, an exercise scientist, or something in between. It also suits students interested in health promotion, rehabilitation, or community sport. The double degree takes longer than a single degree, so think about whether you want the breadth. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and after you graduate you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. English proficiency is required; IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common undergraduate standard, but some fields ask for higher. Check the official page for the exact requirement and tuition, which is published on the CRICOS register.

• Exercise scientist or sport scientist in professional sport, community sport, or fitness organisations
• Wellbeing officer or health promotion officer in schools, local councils, or non-profits
• Support worker or case worker in mental health, disability, or aged care services
• Rehabilitation assistant in hospitals, private clinics, or return-to-work programs
• Research assistant in universities or medical research institutes
• Further study: master's in psychology, counselling, exercise physiology, or public health to qualify for registration or specialist roles