University of Waikato

What you'll study

This Bachelor programme covers the scientific principles that underpin human movement, athletic performance and health. Core study areas include exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control and skill acquisition, sport psychology, strength and conditioning, and sport coaching and administration.

• Foundational sciences: human anatomy and physiology, exercise prescription, and nutrition for performance.
• Measurement and analysis: biomechanics, lab-based testing, sports performance assessment, and statistical methods for applied research.
• Applied practice: strength and conditioning programming, coaching methods, skill learning, and rehabilitation principles.
• Professional skills: sport policy and governance, ethics, programme planning, communication and leadership in sport and community settings.
• Research and project work: a supervised research project or capstone that integrates laboratory work, field testing and data analysis.

The curriculum is structured to combine lectures and tutorials with extensive practicals in physiology and biomechanics laboratories, supervised fieldwork with clubs and schools, and industry placements or internships. Students can usually tailor later-year papers to focus more on high-performance pathways, community health and exercise, or research and postgraduate preparation.

Entry requirements

Typical entry is via New Zealand University Entrance or an equivalent overseas secondary qualification. Applicants are usually expected to have achieved a level of secondary achievement that demonstrates readiness for university study. Recommended background subjects include biology, physical education/sport studies and mathematics/statistics or physics.

• Domestic applicants: University Entrance (for example NCEA Level 3 with the required credits) or an appropriate foundation or bridging programme.
• International applicants: an equivalent secondary qualification and, where English is not the first language, an accepted English language test score.
• Mature applicants: applicants with relevant work or industry experience may be considered through alternative entry pathways, sometimes with additional requirements such as interviews or portfolio evidence of relevant practice.

Entry into specific majors or for course selection in later years may have prerequisites from first-year science papers. Prospective students should check the University of Waikato admissions pages for the up-to-date formal entry criteria and pathways.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Bachelor of Sport and Human Performance enter a broad range of roles across sport, fitness, community health and research. The degree provides practical and theoretical skills valued by employers and offers a pathway to postgraduate study in specialised areas.

• Strength and conditioning coach or performance support practitioner for clubs, schools and high-performance programmes.
• Exercise physiologist, fitness specialist or clinical exercise instructor working in community health, rehabilitation settings or private practice (note: some clinical roles may require additional accreditation or postgraduate qualifications).
• Sports coach, talent development officer, or community sport and recreation coordinator.
• Performance analyst, biomechanics or movement analyst roles within sport science teams.
• Research assistant or pathway to honours and postgraduate study in exercise science, sports psychology, biomechanics or public health.

Why study at University of Waikato

The University of Waikato offers applied, hands-on sport science education with access to practical laboratory facilities and close links to regional sporting organisations. The programme emphasises real-world experience through fieldwork, placements and partnerships with schools, sports clubs and community health providers in the Waikato region.

Students benefit from small-group practical sessions, opportunities to work with athletes and teams, and academic staff with research and applied experience in exercise physiology, biomechanics and coaching. The degree is designed to prepare graduates for employment or further specialised study while rooted in the local sporting environment and industry networks.