The Bachelor of Recreation and Sport (BRS) programme is a full-time, three year programme that offers stimulating degree studies, while providing a pathway for a professional qualification in sport and recreation.

The programme enables graduates to enter employment in the sport, fitness and recreation industry with a sound knowledge of:

• Anatomy and physiology,
• Exercise and sport science,
• Sport coaching,
• Business studies,
• Research and professional practice skills.

This programme is designed to develop:

• Technical skills related to recreation and sport science
• Communication skills necessary for negotiation, coaching, scientific and management level
  presentations
• Research skills, critical thinking and problem solving skills necessary to evaluate new information, concepts and evidence from a range of sources
• Professional skills which meet the needs of industry and society/communities, and these skills will enable the graduate to continue to consolidate, apply and extend their knowledge.

You are welcome to make an appointment to discuss your study options with our staff and to view our facilities.

There are two entry points per year: 

• February
• July

3 years full-time or equivalent part-time

A personal interview may be part of the application process.

For admission, applicants must meet one of the following criteria: 

Standard Entry

• A minimum of 42 credits at Level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, including a minimum of 14 credits at Level 3 or higher in each of two subjects from an approved subject list, with a further 14 credits at Level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains on the National Qualifications Framework in approved subjects, plus a minimum of 14 credits at Level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau and a minimum of eight credits at Level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Māori; four credits must be in Reading and four credits must be in Writing.  The literacy credits will be selected from a schedule of approved achievement standards and unit standards or
• At least 75 Level 2 NCEA credits in one year in best four subjects or
• Having passed three New Zealand Diploma in Business courses with a minimum B grade in each.  These courses will be able to be Cross Credited towards your Bachelor of Business Studies/Bachelor of Recreation and Sport Concurrent Degrees.
• Satisfactory completion of Bridging/Foundation programme (e.g. Certificate in Foundation Studies for Nursing, Recreation and Sport Science).

Provisional Entry

• Applicants who do not meet the criteria above, but present evidence of ability to succeed (e.g. maturity, life experience, work experience, other study) or
• Those who narrowly fail to meet the entry criteria above. 

Please Note

• Entry to subsequent study is conditional on satisfactory academic progress in the first year. 

English Language Entry Requirement

Students are required to have attained an acceptable level of English language fluency.  This may be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including successful study in English, approved scores on TOEFL (550 with a TWE score of 4) or IELTS tests (6 Academic), completion of accepted international equivalents, or completion of an EIT Hawke’s Bay assessment.

The Bachelor of Recreation & Sport (BRS) provides pathways and employment possibilities across the sport and recreation landscape. Some possibilities include:

Lifestyle & Health Promotion

(exercise rehabilitation, Green Prescription Advisor, Corporate Wellness Consultant, Special Needs/ Populations Activity Facilitator)

Fitness & Conditioning

(business owner, Personal Trainer, gym floor staff, Group Fitness Instructor, Masseuse)

Sports Administration & Management

(Sports Co-ordinator, Development Officer, Regional Co-ordinator, Player Liaison, Administrator, Sponsor Manager, Special Needs Manager)

Sports Coaching & Leadership

(Coach, Coach Educator, Sports Co-ordinator, Team Manager, Player Liaison, Player Life-Skills Coach,

Referee / Official)

Community Recreation Management

(Recreation Officer, Recreation Programmer, Special Needs Programmer, facility management,

business owner)

Sport Science & Support

(Exercise Psychologist, Exercise Physiologist, Biomechanist, Team Trainer/Conditioner, Nutritionalist, Masseuse, Research Technician)

Graduates also have the opportunity to become Physical Education Teachers and Sports Journalists with additional training, as well as pursuing Post Graduate study in sport, recreation and leisure (e.g. Honours and Masters).