Diploma of Sports Performance and Coaching (Higher Education)
Turn your passion for sport into an elite career with Federation University and Melbourne City Football Club. Learn directly from industry professionals at world-class facilities, gain real-world credentials, and fast-track your path into high-demand roles across sport, health, and education.
Course essentials
ATAR
If you receive an ATAR equal to or above the guaranteed ATAR, and meet the course prerequisites and any extra requirements, you're guaranteed a place.
A lowest adjusted ATAR shows the lowest selection rank (ATAR plus adjustments) offered a place last year. It's not a guaranteed entry score and changes annually.
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
Entry requirements
Credit
A full-time study load is 120 credits a year (usually four 15-credit units each semester). 120 credits equal one equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL). Each credit point equals about 10 hours of learning, so a 15-credit unit means roughly 150 hours.
Study mode
Study modes tell you how teaching and learning will be delivered for your course and include where and when classes can be scheduled, what you'll do and the tech you'll use.
Duration
Start dates
26 July 2027
Locations
Course overview
Step onto the pitch and into the inner workings of elite sport with the Diploma of Sports Performance and Coaching. Jointly delivered by Federation University and Melbourne City Football Club (MCFC), this immersive, industry-embedded program bridges academic theory and professional practice. Based face-to-face at MCFC’s state-of-the-art Casey Fields facilities, you won't just study sport — you will live it alongside top-tier coaches, sport scientists, and administrators.
Whether you choose the Education Stream or the Exercise and Sports Science Stream, you will master fundamental movement skills, exercise programming, health promotion, and athlete development. Beyond core academic units, you will gain hands-on experience through direct instruction from MCFC staff, and graduate with real-world credentials—including Level 1 Coaching Accreditation with Football Victoria, Level 1 Sports Trainer, and First Aid certifications. You will also attend exclusive presentations on professional team performance, athlete welfare, and game strategy.
Designed for maximum career agility, this Co-Op program positions you to thrive in a rapidly growing sporting landscape across community clubs, youth academies, and school wellbeing programs. Complete your diploma in just 1 year full-time (or 2 years part-time) with immediate, job-ready skills. Or use your qualification as a seamless pathway into Federation University degrees such as Secondary Education (Health and Physical Education), Exercise & Sport Science, or Clinical Exercise Physiology.
Take control of your future and power your sporting potential with Federation University and Melbourne City Football Club.
IT requirements
To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.
Got questions?
Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.
Student support
The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.
The fine print
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.
Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.
School department
Exercise & Sport Science
Fees and scholarships
Fees are subject to change annually.
Other fees
You will also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Fee assistance
If you're eligible for FEE-HELP, you can defer payment of your tuition fees (up to HELP loan limit). If you’re also eligible for a SA-HELP loan, you can defer your SSAF payment too. You won’t have to start paying either loan back until your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold.
Scholarships
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Course details
Start dates
Semester 1, 2027
1 March 2027
Locations
Melbourne City Football Club
Semester 2, 2027
26 July 2027
Locations
Melbourne City Football Club
Contact hours
You’d be looking at about 25-30 hours per week (if you’re full time), but this includes on-campus classes and self-directed study (i.e. homework).
Sample course structure
Here’s what the course structure could look like. It’s just an example (so don’t use it for enrolment). Interested in the details? You can find current course structure or select a single unit name below to find out what it’s about and how much it costs.
- Fundamentals of Movement, Skill Acquisition and Instruction15 credit pointsEDHPE1000
- Psychosocial Aspects of Health Behaviour15 credit pointsHEALT1705
- Foundations of Exercise Programming and Prescription15 credit pointsEXSCI1802
- Understanding Movement in Health and Physical Education15 credit pointsEDHPE1004
- Health and Physical Activity Promotion15 credit pointsHEALT1706
- Child and Adolescent Development and Characteristics15 credit pointsEDBED1017
Elective
Entry requirements
Entry requirements (year 12)
Units 3 and 4: A study score of at least 20 in any English.
Entry requirements (non year 12)
Applicants with Higher Education:
Previous higher education studies with results at a pass level or above, including any 'single subjects of study', or successful completion of a tertiary preparatory course such as Federation Access Studies (FAST).
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training Studies:
Successful completion of a relevant VET qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
How you apply will depend on your current situation – school leaver, tertiary background or life experience – and whether you’re also applying for courses at other institutions. Visit our how to apply page to find out more.
Ready to fill out your application? You might need these codes:
- Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- PC1
Hear from our students
Hi, my name is Maddie and I'm studying a Bachelor of Education. I'm specialising in inclusive Ed and I'm in my third year of studies. I chose to study at Fed Uni because it is close to home and because I had a few friends who were studying here as well. I would recommend federation to those considering studying because of the placement opportunities they have here. This year as part of my diversity placement I was given the opportunity to travel to the NT to a remote indigenous community. This option was available to all students in my degree in the third year and it was made even more accessible as the majority of the accommodation and flights were funded by the Uni Arunga. The community I was placed in was the most beautiful little community with wonderful students and incredible classroom facilities. I'm so glad and proud of myself for taking that leap of faith because now I have so many more skills and experiences under my belt. This opportunity will be something I'll happily share with anyone and we'll think about forever. I really couldn't recommend this programme more.