
Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours)
Overview
Prepare to play a vital and rewarding role, encouraging healthy habits and motivating younger generations to be healthy and active.
UQ’s Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours) educates the next generation of specialist health, sport and physical education teachers, and senior biology teachers.
It is the longest-running university-based physical education program in Australia, with more than 70 years of teaching, research and graduate excellence.
You'll learn how to help young people explore a range of sport and physical activities confidently and competently, and develop a lifelong love of being healthy and active.
You'll engage in extensive practical learning experiences, as well as develop a solid understanding of the sciences behind human movement including biomechanics, motor development, psychology, skill acquisition and exercise physiology.
You'll also have a great time – learning experiences in this program have been purposely designed to be fun, involve physical activity and encourage teamwork.
Program highlights
- Put theory into practice with more than 100 days of hands-on, practical teaching experience, including a full school term in your fourth year.
- Be taught by leading academics who are also active researchers in areas such as health and physical education curriculum, young people and physical activity and digital technology.
- Learn and train in Olympic-standard recreational and sporting facilities, including an aquatic centre, an athletics centre, a fitness centre, and tennis courts.
- Graduate with a highly respected honours qualification, with advanced knowledge and skills that will set you apart in the job market.
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Overseas study
- Research experience
- Workshops
Placements and work experience
You will undertake over 100 days of supervised practical teaching experience in a range of settings including primary, secondary and special needs schools. During your placements, you will have the opportunity to apply your theoretical knowledge acquired through coursework to practice and develop your clinical skills in real life setting.
The practical teaching experience in third year of the program includes observing a primary school program for 5 days, participating as a staff member at a secondary school for at least 25 days and spending one day per week at a primacy school planning and implementing Health Sport and Physical Education (HPE) lessons. During the third year, you will also undertake sessional practical experiences (e.g. motor active clinic) as well as practical teaching experience.
During year 4, you are immersed in the life of a school for 12 weeks and in particular the HPE department. By week five of this placement, you will be teaching a full load in HPE and Junior Science.
Placements may be outside of the Brisbane metropolitan area where you will be required to fund your travel, accommodation and daily living expenses.
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Biomechanics
- Sport and Health in Society and Culture
- Health & Fitness Through Diet & Exercise
- Sport Coaching: Learning, Talent and Performance
Career possibilities
Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Senior physical education teacher
- Senior health teacher
- Senior biology teacher
- Junior health and physical education teacher
- Sports coach
- Corporate health officer
- Recreation manager
- Outdoor education coordinator
- Physical performance director
- Sports academy researcher
Graduate salary
Teacher education (undergraduate)
compared.edu.au
Professional memberships
When you graduate, you may be eligible for memberships with the following professional organisations. Contact the organisation to find out how to become a member.
- Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation
- Queensland College of Teachers
Professional registration
When you graduate, you may be eligible for registration with the following professional organisations. Contact the organisation to find out how to register.
- Queensland College Of Teachers
Program accreditation
The Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours) is accredited by:
- Queensland College Of Teachers, Australian Institute For Teaching And School Leadership
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Meet the expert: Exploring health, sport and physical education with Dr Leigh Sperka

Uni life
What’s it really like to study health, sport, and physical education at UQ?
Stories
See all stories
UQ people
Meet the expert: Exploring health, sport and physical education with Dr Leigh Sperka

Uni life
What’s it really like to study health, sport, and physical education at UQ?
Entry requirements
Prerequisites
From 2018 applicants to education programs in Australia must complete non-academic entry criteria. Refer to the 'Additional application information' section below for further information.
Prerequisites
From 2018 applicants to education programs in Australia must complete non-academic entry criteria. Refer to the 'Additional application information' section below for further information.
Entry score threshold
ATAR / Rank | IB |
---|---|
75 | 26.5 |
These are the lowest adjusted scores we made an offer to in Semester 1, 2023. Entry scores are based on the most recent Semester 1 intake and are updated in April each year. Meeting the entry score threshold doesn't guarantee admission.
Guarantee your place at UQ: If you meet our guaranteed minimum ATAR you could secure an offer for your preferred program.
English language requirements
IELTS score of 7.5 overall; speak 8; listen 8, read 7, write 7. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL IBT - Overall score 108, listen 29, speak 27, read 25, write 27.
TOEFL PB - Overall score 627, listen 65, read 59, write 64/6.
Pearsons - Overall 78, listen 82, speak 82, read 72, write 72.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 6 plus a minimum grade of A+ in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 191, listen 200, speak 200, read 185, speak 185.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Inherent requirements
To complete this degree, you have to meet its inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes. Read the inherent requirements before you apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours) are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.
Entry score range
This table shows the range of entry scores for recent secondary students offered a place in the B Health, Sport & Physical Ed for Semester 1, 2023
Without adjustments | With adjustments | |
---|---|---|
Highest | 94.5 | 95.7 |
Median | 82.1 | 82.55 |
Lowest | 72.85 | 75.4 |
Who you'll study with
Here's a snapshot of our student intake for this program in Semester 1, 2023:
Applicant background | Number of students | Percentage of all students |
---|---|---|
(A) Higher education study | 18 | 33.3% |
(B) Vocational Education and Training (VET) study | 0 | 0% |
(C) Work and life experience | 0 | 0% |
(D) Recent secondary education | ||
| 0 | 0% |
| 36 | 66.7% |
| 0 | 0% |
International students | 0 | 0% |
Total | 54 | 100% |
"<5" — The number of students is less than 5.
N/A — Students not accepted in this category.
N/P — Not published. The number is hidden to protect the privacy of students in other cells.
Need help meeting the entry requirements?
Additional application information
This program has limited intake capacity.
Part-time study is available, however, semesters that include a placement must be studied full-time.
Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website.
For applicants who need to provide evidence of English proficiency, please note that this program requires a higher level of English language proficiency than the UQ minimum.
As part of the Australian Institute for Teaching and Leadership (AITSL) revised Standards and Procedures (2015), applicants to Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programs (pre-service teachers) must satisfy both academic and non-academic entry criteria for selection. The process for assessing an applicant's non-academic capabilities is available on QTAC's website regarding ITE programs.
From 2017, commencing students are required to successfully meet the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) standards prior to graduation. Refer to Additional Costs under the 'Fees and Scholarships' section for further information.
The following advice has been provided from the Queensland College of Teachers for transferred students:
If a student is admitted as a transfer student into an ITE program at a new university and they enrolled in their original ITE primary program prior to the implementation of the non-academic selection tool prerequisite, they are able transfer without meeting the requirement. If a student is being admitted into an ITE program as a new student, the prerequisite will need to be met.
Additional application information
This program has limited intake capacity.
Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website.
As part of the Australian Institute for Teaching and Leadership (AITSL) revised Standards and Procedures (2015), applicants to initial teacher education courses (pre-service teachers) must satisfy both academic and non-academic entry criteria for selection to the course. All applicants will need to complete an online questionnaire to meet the non-academic entry requirement for this program. Once you have submitted your application, you will be directed to the online questionnaire.
From 2017, commencing students are required to successfully meet the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) standards prior to graduation. Refer to Additional Costs under the 'Fees and Scholarships' section for further information.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$8,760
2023
Fee information for 2024 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2023.
$8,760
2024
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $41,120
2023
Fee information for 2024 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2023.
AUD $41,120
2024
Additional costs
- Annual CPR re-certification (approximately $80 per year)
- First Aid Certificate (including CPR) (approximately $130 renewed every 3 years)
- From 2018, all students are required to successfully meet the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) standards prior to graduation.
- UQ committed to fund test costs to the end of 2018. From 1 January 2019 this is no longer available and students must cover this cost. The 2018 fee was $185 ($92.50 per test). ACER lists current fees.
- For more information on the test, including sample tests and registration information, please visit the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) website https://teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/
- Please contact the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences for further details (hmns@enquire.uq.edu.au) or visit the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences office.
- Costs for vaccinations and serology are the responsibility of the student and will vary based on individual and program requirements.
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours) are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.
Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
If your senior schooling is from outside Australia, you can submit your application to UQ. Or, if you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours) is 2372.
Find out more about applying for undergraduate study
If your senior schooling is from Australia
Submit your application to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre if you're an international student who is currently studying:
- Australian Year 12 (in Australia or another country), or
- the International Baccalaureate in Australia.
The QTAC code for the Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours) is 729402.
Applying through QTAC
All domestic applications should be submitted to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC).
The QTAC code for the Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours) is 729402.
Important dates
If you’re studying Year 12 in Australia, go to the QTAC website to check the closing date for this program.
If you’re applying to UQ, the closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
To check the closing date for this program, go to the QTAC website.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Admissions schemes
Applying to university can be both exciting and daunting, which is why we’ve tried to make the process as simple as we can.
We have several schemes in place to improve your chances of getting a place at UQ.
Pathway options
A rank or score doesn’t determine your potential.
If you're not offered a place in your first-choice program – or if you don't meet the entry requirements – you still have a number of options.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying - or if you have any questions about Uni - get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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