Faculty of Medicine and Health
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With appropriate supports and reasonable accommodations, students must be able to carry out the list
of Inherent Requirements in order to successfully complete a coursework award course in Exercise and
Sport Science.
Inherent Requirements for Exercise and Sport Science Courses
To assist students to make informed choices about their study, we have identified and set out below the Inherent
Requirements for coursework award courses in Exercise and Sport Science.
The University of Sydney welcomes and encourages applications from students with disabilities, and from
diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Where there are physical, intellectual, cultural, religious or other factors
that impact on a student’s ability to meet the Inherent Requirements, the University will make reasonable
adjustments to assist the student to meet the requirements.
To successfully complete their award course, students must meet the academic requirements set out in the
Faculty and course resolutions – these are set out in the Faculty handbook. In addition, students in all courses
are required to comply with Australian laws and University rules and policies, including the Student Charter
2020. The University of Sydney upholds the academic standards of each degree and discipline so that all
students graduate with the skills and knowledge expected of a graduate of the award conferred.
Communication tasks
1.
Comprehend spoken English delivered at conversational speed (including in noisy environments, such
as hospital wards and classrooms).
E.g. practical classes are where much of your learning takes place, amongst potentially noisy
exercise equipment.
2.
Understand and respond to verbal communications accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner.
E.g. students must obey instructions during practical classes to ensure the safety of all
participants.
3.
Communicate clearly, audibly and intelligibly in English.
E.g. some units of study require the demonstration of presentation skills as part of their
assessment.
4.
Actively participate in group discussions.
E.g. participate in client based group discussion in class and gymnasium.
5.
Read and comprehend information presented in a variety of standard formats.
E.g. students present assignments for assessment that involve finding, reading, combining and
evaluating information.
6.
Record information accurately and make coherent notes.
E.g. information will be presented during lectures and tutorials that may not be available in other
forms.
7.
Communicate respectfully with people of all genders, sexuality and age, and from diverse cultural,
religious, socio-economic and educational backgrounds.
E.g. students will interact with other students in mixed classroom environments, as well as with
the general public while on professional practice.
Physical tasks
1.
Acquire and hold a Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation Certificate from a registered training organisation.
2.
Cleanse hands and forearms using disinfecting products.
E.g. students must maintain health standards while working on professional practice.
3.
Meet ongoing immunisation requirements, including those introduced after commencement in the course or
program.
Detail is available at https://sydney.edu.au/students/clinical-placement-checks.html.
4.
Attend clinical or practicum placements in a range of physical settings (e.g. urban, rural, hospitals,
clinics) and for the required number of hours, within a reasonable period.
E.g. students may be required to travel to remote and/or rural locations for professional practice.
Intellectual tasks
1.
Gather, comprehend and organise information.
E.g. students present assignments for assessment that involve finding, reading, combining and
evaluating information.
2.
Integrate theory and knowledge from various sources.
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E.g. information from various sources must be integrated to obtain a full understanding.
3.
Develop options and assess and compare their respective merits.
E.g. students must make value judgments when discussing complex cases.
4.
Accurately recall information without reference.
E.g. students will be assessed on their ability to recall important information during exams.
5.
Accurately undertake arithmetic calculations.
E.g. numerical calculations are essential for many units of study. In particular, the ability to re-
arrange and solve algebraic equations is essential.
6.
Engage in scientific and clinical reasoning.
E.g. students must apply reasoning to assess available options in novel case studies.
7.
Engage in rational and ethical reasoning.
E.g. students must reason in an ethical fashion to develop appropriate professional skills.
8.
Understand another person’s perspective.
E.g. the ability to understand others’ perspectives is essential to operate in a professional
manner among clients and co-workers.
9.
Complete clinical tasks in a safe and reasonable time frame.
E.g. tasks must be completed in a reasonable time frame where scientific measures are being
taken and advice provided to clients on the basis of those measures.
10.
Maintain a sufficient level of concentration to focus on an activity to completion.
Interpersonal and social interactions
1.
Control the expression of your own emotions.
E.g. students must interact with each other and maintain appropriate professional behaviour.
2.
Be able to work effectively in the face of uncertainty and adapt to changing environments.
E.g. students must adapt to novel situations when working with different clients.
3.
Accept and fulfill responsibilities you are given for patient/client care.
E.g. students have an obligation to maintain professional standards of care at all times.
4.
Manage your own physical and mental health effectively.
E.g. maintaining their own health is essential if students are to be able to function reliably in a
workplace setting.
5.
Respect personal and professional boundaries.
E.g. students must interact with each other and maintain appropriate professional behavior.
6.
Dress appropriately and safely for the clinical workplace.
E.g. you will complete professional practice in a commercial workplace that will require a
particular dress code from its employees.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why have a list of Inherent Requirements for Exercise and Sport Science Courses
We think it’s important for students to be aware of the Inherent Requirements they will need to meet in university
subjects and courses. This information enables prospective students to make informed decisions about their
subject and career choices. In the case of Exercise and Sport Science Courses and other health professional
degrees, many of the Inherent Requirements relate to client contact. This contact increases with each year of
the course and we believe it’s important to be clear from the beginning about what is required to be able to
successfully complete the course.
The Inherent Requirements are likely to be particularly helpful for students with disabilities. Many students
successfully manage their disabilities with external support, and opt not to notify the University. However,
the University’s Disability Services assists hundreds of current students with a disability, and provides
prospective students with advice about the support services offered at the University. Where necessary,
after confidential registration of a disability, Disability Services negotiates reasonable adjustments for
students with the relevant Faculty. Adjustments to coursework and assessments may also be made for
students with carer’s responsibilities, or cultural or religious needs. These adjustments may include such
things as building and timetabling modifications, recording teaching material and special examination
provisions. For fieldwork placements, it may include negotiating with supervisors in advance of the
placement for reasonable adjustments. Adjustments must be reasonable and cannot compromise the
academic integrity of a course. Reasonable adjustments are provided to assist students to achieve the
inherent requirements, not as a substitute for them.
How are lists of Inherent Requirements developed?
They are developed from the required learning outcomes of the courses. Course structure and content, including
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learning outcomes, are designed to ensure that the course meets required standards. In addition to meeting
general higher education standards, the health professional courses are accredited (inspected and approved) by
specialist groups. There are 14 health professions regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Agency
(AHPRA) and profession specific boards or councils are responsible for assessing programs of study and
education providers against accreditation standards.
In the case of many university subjects, the Inherent Requirements are purely cognitive. However, the health
professional courses, in addition to teaching cognitive skills, train students to diagnose and treat clients and
patients. Students’ abilities to do this are assessed in structured examinations and students are required to
perform supervised care of clients and patients satisfactorily when on placement. Patient and client safety must
be ensured at all times and the healthcare institutions, the registered practitioners supervising, and, the
University have a duty of care to these patients and clients. Students are required to comply with relevant
requirements for placement organisations (e.g. NSW health). The health placement requirements are at:
https://sydney.edu.au/students/clinical-placement-checks.html
Do I have to disclose any disability I believe I may have? Is there an assessment?
No, the information on Inherent Requirements is provided for your guidance. While registration with Disability
Services is necessary for you to obtain reasonable adjustments, you are not otherwise required to disclose your
disability to the University, unless it poses a risk to your health or safety or to that of others.
What should I do if I am worried about my ability to successfully undertake a listed essential
requirement?
You can make initial contact with a course advisor via the Education Support team or with Disability Services to
discuss your specific issue. Liaison will occur, if necessary, with appropriate protection of your privacy. The
Education Support team can be contacted on s[email protected]du.au. The Disability Services Team can
be contacted on +61 2 86278422 or disability.services@sydney.edu.au.
What is an adjustment?
These are modifications or accommodations made by the University that have the effect of assisting a student
with a disability to participate or access something on the same basis as someone without a disability. Common
accommodations include aids to vision or hearing (which many people of course wear every day). Disability
Services at the University works to support students with disabilities, including negotiating reasonable
adjustments for students. These adjustments are frequently related to assessment, e.g. extra time in
examinations, allowing students to type instead of handwrite, or may relate to such issues as timetabling or
access. Other assistance for fieldwork may include adjusting hours of work and the allocation of the type of
placement may also be adjusted where needed to ensure the psychological safety of the student.
The University of Sydney has obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), the Anti-
Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (Cth) to ensure that reasonable
adjustments are available. Adjustments must be reasonable and cannot compromise the academic integrity of a
course. Reasonable adjustments are provided to assist students to achieve the Inherent Requirements, not as
a substitute for them.
Can I enrol even if I am not sure I will be able to carry out some of the Inherent Requirements?
Yes. In fact, it will usually be unlawful for the University to restrict enrolment on the basis of disability, or to
discriminate against students with a disability in other ways.
What happens if I do enrol and I am unable to carry out some of the Inherent Requirements?
Assessment is carried out with approved reasonable adjustments. If, even with reasonable adjustments, you are
unable to carry out some of the Inherent Requirements, you may fail an essential component of the course. In
this event, you will be unable to graduate with the health professional degree.
