Bachelor of Sport and Leisure Studies

With a Bachelor of Sport and Leisure Studies (BSpLS) from Waikato, you can take your interest and turn it into a career. Our popular degree gives you the tools to understand and help develop one of New Zealand’s most rapidly growing industries.

BSpLS Benefits

• Strong partnerships with the sport and leisure industry.
• Choose electives to complement your areas of interest.
• Mixes hands-on learning with theory.
• Opportunity to do a practical placement.

Sport and leisure are increasingly important parts of the New Zealand economy and lifestyle. Good leaders are vital in such a dynamic and fast-moving environment – we’re equipping you to shape the industry rather than follow someone else’s lead.

Your first year will examine the policies, politics and planning behind New Zealand’s sport and leisure industry, trends within the industry and the impact of sport and leisure choices on individuals and society. In the second year, you will focus on how to become an effective leader as well as understand how your own experiences and beliefs about sport and leisure are affected by the culture in which you live. We also encourage students to volunteer in their communities and so gain valuable industry experience.

Major

• Sport and Leisure Studies

A second major can also be selected from the majors offered by other Faculties and Schools of Studies. Please consult with your Faculty or School of Studies to see how this can fit into your programme.

BSpLS Career Opportunities

• Community Sports Coordinator
• Events Manager
• Health Promoter
• National Sports Organisations
• Outdoor Recreation
• Personal Trainer
• Physical Education Teacher
• Recreation Coordinator
• Regional Sports Trust Worker
• Sport and Leisure Promotion and Management
• Sports Administrator

Pathways in Sport and Leisure

These pathways are an indication only. If you would like help in choosing papers to structure your degree towards a particular career, please contact the Student Recruitment Office on 0800 WAIKATO or 07 838 4007.

Event Management/Public Relations
SpLS: Papers in Management, Media Representation and Legal Issues in Sport and Leisure Support: Marketing, Management Communication or Public Relations

Exercise Physiology/Personal Training
SpLS: Papers in Nutrition and Well-being, Injury Prevention and Instructing
Support: Psychology, Science or a Management subject

Outdoor Adventure Leaders/Tourism
SpLS: Papers in Adventure Programming and Outdoor Leadership
Support: Tourism

Teaching
SpLS: Papers in Sport for Youth, Dance, Physical Education, Skill Acquisition, and Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
Support: A curriculum subject, which can be taught in schools. For example, Geography, Mathematics or a subject that deals with youth such as Human Development or Education Studies.

Conjoint BSpLS/BTchg Degree
If you are interested in teaching Physical Education and Health at secondary level, you may apply to do a conjoint degree, which provides the opportunity to complete a BSpLS with a BTchg over a four-year period. You can also complete a three-year BSpLS degree and then apply for a one-year Graduate Diploma of Teaching.

Practical Experience

A number of papers at all levels link theory and practice through laboratories, practical projects and work placements.

Entry Requirements

You will be eligible to apply for this degree if you have University Entrance and meet any additional requirements for the qualification. All other applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Scholarships

The Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship.

For more information, visit www.waikato.ac.nz/scholarships

Degree Structure

3 years - 360 points