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Exercise & Sports Science

ECU's Sports Science program is internationally recognised and includes our postgraduate studies in Strength and Conditioning. High performance sports teams choose ECU for testing, including West Coast Eagles, Perth Glory and many other elite athletes.

Why ECU?

  • QILT logo

    ECU top in teaching quality

    For the fifth year in a row, ECU has received the top undergraduate teaching quality ranking of all 37 public universities in Australia.

    ECU was also the top-ranked public university in Australia for undergraduate skills development for the sixth year in a row.

    View QILT results.

  • The Good Universities Guide 2021

    Good Universities Guide

    In the 2021 Good Universities Guide, ECU graduates have given us a 5-star rating for teaching quality, skills development, student support, learning resources, learner engagement and overall student experience.

    The 5-star rating for undergraduate teaching quality has now been achieved for 14 straight years.

    Read more about the Good Universities Guide.

  • THE World University Rankings 2020 Top 100 Young

    THE Young University Rankings

    ECU has been ranked in the world's top 100 universities under 50 years old in the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) Young Universities Rankings, THE World University Rankings.

Courses

Study world ready

Our Exercise Science and Rehabilitation program was the first in Western Australia accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia.

Need some help deciding what to study?

Our future student events include a mix of on-campus and online sessions designed to help you decide what to study at ECU.

Download a guide

If you prefer paper over pixels, please download one of our guides.

Domestic Students

Study area guide Undergraduate course guide Postgraduate course guide

International Students

Create your own guide International student guide

Become World Ready

Experience Exercise & Sports Science at ECU.

World Ready facilities

Scholarship opportunities to reduce your expenses

Scholarships recognise those whose life journey may have been challenging, as well as students who've shown outstanding academic excellence and endeavour.

A scholarship can help you realise your ambitions by paying for fees, text books and living expenses.

Realise your dream with our scholarships

Students benefit from professional partnerships

ECU's partnerships with sports industry leaders, including AFL powerhouse West Coast, offer students unique opportunities to go behind the scenes, gain industry insights and better understand their career prospects.

This includes students who've chosen the Football Performance major.

Lecturer Mark Scanlan says:

"The Football Performance students benefit enormously from our relationship with the WCE as they get early exposure to professional sport in a state-of-the-art, multi-million-dollar facility."

Current student Corey Wilson couldn't agree more:

"Seeing the facilities at the West Coast Eagles High Performance Centre was a privilege, and to know that our university has opportunities with these high-calibre partners makes our third-year practicum through the Football Performance major an even more exciting task!"

Student aims for glory

Kristian Popovic, ECU Exercise and Sports Science student and Perth Glory footballer

"I am originally from Sydney, and was recommended to study at ECU by a well-known person in the field of sports science. Since starting at ECU, I have not been disappointed -the ECU Joondalup campus is large and home to the latest technology and facilities."

"The course has really helped me in my aspirations to be a pro-footballer, helping to develop my knowledge in areas such as recovery strategies, nutrition and coaching. I would highly recommend ECU to anybody looking to study sports science."

Kristian Popovic, ECU Exercise and Sports Science student and Perth Glory footballer.

Student stories

  • Willie Cruz

    Willie Cruz

    Master of Exercise Science (Strength & Conditioning) student

    "It was highly recommended by colleagues working in elite sport to strongly consider ECU."

    I chose to study a postgraduate degree in Strength and Conditioning at Edith Cowan University to improve my instructive skills as a sport performance coach with The Oklahoma City Thunder. During the vetting process for a master's program, it was highly recommended by colleagues working in elite sport to strongly consider ECU. After doing my own investigation, it was an easy decision.

    The degree is available online with a two-week on-campus practicum component, and offers a great learning opportunity to explore both the coaching and scientific side of strength and conditioning. The practicum was a once in a lifetime experience where I was able to establish a worldwide network of some of the brightest minds in the industry. During the course of my studies, I have learned skills that are applicable to my work as an Athletic Performance Coach in the NBA, and beyond.

  • Yosuke Kotani

    Yosuke Kotani

    Integrated PhD candidate (Exercise Science)

    "I would like to become a professor and strength and conditioning coach"

    I got a masters degree in the United States, but had no research experience before I came to ECU. I wanted to pursue my PhD under Dr. Haff and Dr. Nosaka, plus ECU is ranked 13th in the world in the field of exercise science.

    The first year of the Integrated PhD really helped me to gain research skills such as writing, reading, presenting, and skills needed for experimentation. My supervisors have been devoting so much of their time to assist me to gain these skills.

    In the longer term, I would like to become a professor and strength and conditioning coach at the university and to coach elite athletes.

  • Kristian Popovic

    Kristian Popovic

    ECU Exercise and Sports Science student and Perth Glory footballer

    "The course has really helped me in my aspirations to be a pro-footballer"

    I am originally from Sydney, and was recommended to study at ECU by a well-known person in the field of sports science. Since starting at ECU, I have not been disappointed - the ECU Joondalup campus is large and home to the latest technology and facilities.

    The course has really helped me in my aspirations to be a pro-footballer, helping to develop my knowledge in areas such as recovery strategies, nutrition and coaching. I would highly recommend ECU to anybody looking to study sports science.