About Bachelor Of Sport And Exercise in Southern Institute of Technology

The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise degree has been designed to prepare graduates for a leadership career in the sport, recreation and fitness industry. The course of study includes foundation sports management and sport science papers. Additional papers in Years Two and Three of the course ensure subject specialisation with theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise provides students with independent educational abilities and professional skills which meet the needs of the sport and exercise industry and enable graduates to continually re-educate themselves through their working lives.

• This is a top quality academic degree with the choice of majoring in Recreation Management, Exercise Science/Health Promotion or PE (Physical Education) Teaching
• Papers include anatomy, physiology, exercise prescription, endurance conditioning, rehabilitation, nutrition, psychology, research, communication, business and marketing
• Specialist equipment in our Human Performance Centre includes a VO2 metabolic cart and students get regular opportunities to test and work with top local athletes
• Students gain work experience in their area of interest during a six month industry placement in the third year

Career Opportunities

There are three pathways students can take within the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise:

Physical Education Teaching/Coaching

This pathway is designed for people wishing to coach or move into Physical Education and Health teaching in secondary schools. The pathway provides an in depth background in exercise science, health, and physical activity. The pathway essentially develops skills in pedagogy which are applicable to teaching and coaching environments. Candidates completing the Physical Education Teaching pathway will study:

SE6248 Exercise Physiology
SE6241 Fitness Assessment and Programming
SE6247 Psychology
SE7342 Exercise and Nutrition as Therapy and/or SE73341 Applied Sport Science
SE7344 Applied Pedagogy in Sport and Physical Education
Exercise Science/Health Promotion

This pathway is suited to students interested in sport sciences, conditioning, rehabilitation and health promotion. Candidates completing the Exercise Science/Health Promotion pathway will study:

SE6248 Exercise Physiology
SE6241 Fitness Assessment and Programming
SE7341 Applied Sports Science
SE7342 Exercise and Nutrition as Therapy
Sport and Leisure Management

This pathway is designed for students interested in opportunities such as event and facility management, sports coordinators in schools or sports associations, and recreation planners in local government, funding agencies, and sports groups. Students also complete papers aligned to the teaching pathway to develop necessary people skills and to experience a broad range of exercise and leisure activities. 

Candidates completing the Sport and Leisure Management pathway will study:

SE6202 Management for Professional Practice
SE6282 Programming Outdoor Education
SE7330 Marketing and Economics in the Leisure Industry
SE7331 Applied Sport and Leisure Management

School Leavers

University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 - Three subjects at Level 3 or above made up of the following:

• 14 credits each, in three approved subjects
• Literacy - 10 credits at Level 2 or above made up of five credits in reading and five credits in writing
• Numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above made up of specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects or unit standards - package of three numeracy unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627 - all three required

Notwithstanding the stated criteria, applicants will be considered where they can demonstrate a likelihood of success in the programme. This includes commitment to a sporting code and/or recent experience working in a sport and exercise related capacity in a sports related business or gym. 

Mature Applicants

Applicants over the age of 20 years will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. This includes successful completion of a programme of study at Level 4 or above and/or commitment to a sporting code and/or recent experience working in a sport and exercise related capacity in a sports related business or gym.

Language Requirements

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate of at least 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having passed an NZQA approved English Proficiency  Assessment, or one of the following tests of English language competence in accordance with the NZQA rules below:

• IELTS Test: Academic  Score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5
• TOEFL Paper-based test (pBT): Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE
• TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT): Score of 60 (with a writing score of 20)
• University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations: FCE or FCE for schools or CAE or CPE with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill
• Pearson Test of English Academic: PToE Academic with score of 50
• City and Guilds IESOL: B2 Communicator with a score of 66
• NZCEL: Level 4 with the Academic endorsement

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate below 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English must provide evidence that they:

1. Have gained NCEA Level 3 and met New Zealand University Entrance requirements or
2. Hold a bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, The Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America or
3. Have achieved a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, CELTA or passed one of the English language tests listed above.

Southern Institute of Technology Highlights

New Zealand Living Expenses

You'll require between $20,000 and $25,000 a year ($380–480 per week) for housing/rent, food, transportation, phone bills, internet usage, and entertainment, in addition to your tuition and insurance fees. The average living expense will be the same for everyone, regardless of their tuition or course price. Please keep in mind that these are only suggestions; the Immigration New Zealand requirement is $15,000 per year including return travel or an additional $2,000.