Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon
Skip to main content

    From how the body works to how communities get active, learn how to make a real-world impact through Physical Education, Activity, Health and wellbeing.

    Why study Physical Education, Activity and Health

    Physical inactivity is one of the biggest health challenges of our time – this programme equips you to tackle it. You’ll explore why people move (or don’t), how exercise supports wellbeing, and how to design programmes that encourage lifelong activity.

    Studying at the intersection of sport science, physiology, psychology, and public health, you’ll investigate the social, cultural, and biological factors that shape movement, and learn how to promote health through evidence-based, culturally responsive practice.

    You’ll also explore hauora, te ao Māori, and the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in advancing health equity. This culturally grounded foundation is paired with practical learning, so you graduate ready to make a difference in schools, communities, and a range of health settings.

    Career opportunities

    A degree in Physical Education, Activity and Health opens doors across health, education, sport, and wellness.

    Graduates find rewarding roles such as:

    • Physical education and health teaching (with postgraduate study)
    • Health coaching and exercise programme advising
    • Clinical exercise physiology (with further study)
    • Community health and wellbeing facilitation
    • Sport and lifestyle coaching

    Lead through physical activity

    Hear from students and staff about how Physical Education, Activity and Health at Otago explores human movement, wellbeing, and the global impact of physical inactivity—plus the diverse careers it can lead to.

    Read transcript

    Samantha Kirkness:

    Hey, I’m Samantha. I study Physical Education, Activity and Health. And one thing I love about Otago is the close-knit community that we have. Everything is available at the tip of our fingers, and the staff and student support services are just really there to look out for you and want you to do the best. And so yeah, I really highly recommend anyone thinking about this course or studying at Otago.

    Associate Professor Chris Button:

    Kia ora koutou, I’m Chris Button. I’m the Dean of the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Science.

    So, what is Physical Education, Activity and Health? It’s one of our four majors, and we look at the study of the social and physical basis of mauri ora or flourishing wellness. The programme considers why humans move in the way they do, what motivates them to be active or not, and what are the long-term implications for their health and their well-being.

    Physical inactivity could prove to be one of the most significant burdens on global health in the 21st century. We will teach you to understand why this is the case, and we will also give you the tools to tackle this issue head-on.

    If you love sport, exercise and physical activity, then you should come to study with us here at Otago for a truly moving physical education.

    Wondering what you might do when you graduate? There are many career opportunities that await graduates of our PEAH programme. There are numerous career pathways in the general areas of coaching or teaching. You might consider community health and wellness, physical activity and health research. And specific roles include things such as a health promotion coordinator, exercise programme advisor, a wellness facilitator, or sport and lifestyle coaches. All of these would be perfect career pathways for students that graduate with a Physical Education, Activity and Health major.

    How you will learn

    Learning at Otago is active, applied, and connected to the real world. You’ll combine theory and practice with a strong focus on community wellbeing and Māori health.

    Your classes include lectures, tutorials, exercise labs, and field experiences, all designed to build skills you can use beyond university. Core topics include human physiology, exercise psychology, health education, and te ao Māori perspectives on physical activity.

    You’ll have the opportunity to complete a practicum paper that puts your learning into practice.

    Assessments range from essays and reports to presentations, projects, and exams – helping you grow as both a thinker and a practitioner.

    Recommended high school subjects for undergraduate study

    Year 13 Biology and Physical Education are recommended but not essential.

    Choose a study option

    Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.

    Undergraduate qualifications

    For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.

    Ready to apply?

    Take the first step towards your future in this subject.

    Further study opportunities

    Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.

    Lead wellbeing through movement, culture, and community

    Physical Education, Activity and Health at Otago gives you the tools to improve lives through movement. You’ll study how physical activity shapes wellbeing – not just for individuals, but for whānau, communities, and populations.

    This programme stands out for its strong foundation in hauora and te ao Māori, empowering you to promote equitable health outcomes in Aotearoa and beyond. You’ll learn from leading researchers and practitioners tackling global inactivity challenges, and graduate ready to lead positive change.

    Whether you’re passionate about sport, teaching, or community health, this programme helps you turn your knowledge into impact, and your passion into purpose.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level SPEX 101 Sport, Science and Society 18
    SPEX 102 Principles of Exercise for Health and Performance 18
    and either:
    ANAT 101 Anatomy for Sport and Exercise, and PHSL 101 Physiology for Sport and Exercise
    (strongly recommended)

    or

    HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1, and HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2

    or

    PTWY 131 Introduction to the Human Body, and HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2

    Note: PTWY 131 is only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science.

    		36
    200-level Three of:
    SPEX 203 Exercise Physiology
    SPEX 205 Physical Activity and Health
    SPEX 206 Te Pū o te Ora Māori Physical Education and Health
    SPEX 207 Understanding Sports Coaching     		54
    300-level Four of:
    SPEX 306 Te Pou o te Koronga Advanced Māori Physical Education and Health
    SPEX 307 Coaching, Leadership and Mentoring
    SPEX 308 Psychology of Physical Activity
    SPEX 309 Active Living and Environment
    SPEX 310 Exercise for Clinical Populations
    SPEX 316 Practicum     		72
    Plus 162 further points. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science. 162
    Total 360

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    SPEX papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    SPEX101 2026, 2027 Sport, Science and Society 18 points Semester 1
    SPEX102 2026, 2027 Principles of Exercise for Health and Performance 18 points Semester 2
    SPEX201 2026, 2027 Biomechanics 18 points Semester 2
    SPEX202 2026, 2027 Motor Behaviour 18 points Semester 1
    SPEX203 2026, 2027 Exercise Physiology 18 points Semester 1
    SPEX204 2026, 2027 Psychology of Sport and Exercise 18 points Semester 2
    SPEX205 2026, 2027 Physical Activity and Health 18 points Semester 2
    SPEX206 2026, 2027 Te Pū o te Ora Māori Physical Education and Health 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    SPEX207 2026, 2027 Understanding Sports Coaching 18 points Semester 1
    SPEX208 2026, 2027 Sociology of Sport and Exercise 18 points Semester 2
    SPEX209 2026, 2027 Sport Development and Management 18 points Semester 1
    SPEX301 2026, 2027 Performance Analysis 18 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028
    SPEX303 2026, 2027 Exercise Energetics and Physiology 18 points Semester 2
    SPEX304 2026, 2027 Sport Psychology 18 points Semester 1
    SPEX305 2026, 2027 Athletic Conditioning and Rehabilitation 18 points Semester 1
    SPEX306 2026, 2027 Te Pou o Te Koronga Advanced Māori Physical Education and Health 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    SPEX307 2026, 2027 Coaching, Leadership and Mentoring 18 points Semester 2
    SPEX308 2026, 2027 Psychology of Physical Activity 18 points Semester 1
    SPEX309 2026, 2027 Active Living and Environment 18 points Semester 2
    SPEX310 2026, 2027 Exercise for Clinical Populations 18 points Semester 1
    SPEX311 2026, 2027 Sports Technology 18 points Semester 2
    SPEX312 2026, 2027 Advanced Sociology of Sport 18 points Semester 1
    SPEX313 2026, 2027 Sport and Health Policy 18 points Semester 2
    SPEX314 2026, 2027 Advanced Sport Management 18 points Semester 2
    SPEX315 2026, 2027 Sport Media 18 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028
    SPEX316 2026, 2027 Practicum 18 points Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year, 1st Non standard period (9 November 2026 - 15 February 2027), 1st Non standard period (15 November 2027 - 25 February 2028)
    SPEX317 2026, 2027 Neural Control of Movement 18 points Not offered in 2026, Semester 2
    SPEX380 2026, 2027 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    SPEX401 2026, 2027 Research Methods in Sport, Exercise and Health 20 points Semester 1
    SPEX440 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Physical Education, Activity and Health 20 points Semester 1
    SPEX441 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Physical Education, Activity and Health 20 points Semester 2
    SPEX450 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Exercise and Sport Science 20 points Semester 1
    SPEX451 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Exercise and Sport Science 20 points Semester 2
    SPEX460 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Sport Development 20 points Semester 1
    SPEX461 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Sport Management and Policy 20 points Semester 2
    SPEX480 2026, 2027 Independent Project 40 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 11 June 2027)
    SPEX481 2026, 2027 Independent Study 20 points Semester 1, Semester 2
    SPEX490 2026, 2027 Dissertation 60 points Full Year
    SPEX495 2026, 2027 Master's Thesis Preparation 40 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (2 March 2026 - 26 February 2027), 2nd Non standard period (6 July 2026 - 2 July 2027), 1st Non standard period (1 March 2027 - 25 February 2028), 2nd Non standard period (5 July 2027 - 30 June 2028)
    SPEX516 2026, 2027 Practicum 30 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (25 February 2026 - 15 February 2027), 1st Non standard period (25 February 2027 - 15 February 2028), 1st Non standard period (25 February 2027 -
    SPEX517 2026, 2027 Practicum Report 30 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (25 February 2026 - 15 February 2027), 1st Non standard period (25 February 2027 - 15 February 2028), 1st Non standard period (25 February 2027 -

    More information

    Have a question or need support? AskOtago can connect you with the right team for personalised help.

    This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.

    Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.

    Not sure what to study?

    Take our short quiz to uncover study options matched to your background and interests.

    Take the quiz
    Undergraduate student
    Back to top