Female student throwing a basketball

Sport Science – Performance & Health

What is the difference between an active and passive range of motion? How much exercise do people actually need to stay healthy? How can training results be improved? If you find these questions interesting, you have come to the right place!
Female student throwing a basketball
Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)
Key facts
Degree
Bachelor of Science
Admission restriction
without admission restriction (without NC)
Duration
6 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
180
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 272,80
Start of studies
Winter semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Institutions
Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Institute of Sport Science
Application & Deadlines

Programme content

There are always athletes or teams who are ahead by a nose and win almost every game—as is the case with the rarely beaten New Zealand men's rugby union team. What is the secret behind their success that has lasted for decades? Is it based on technical superiority, tactics, or rather mental strength? Sports scientists try to investigate the scientific background of such phenomena and derive guidelines for action. 

What is it that makes individual athletes and teams successful? What evidence is there for the effectiveness of different training interventions and methods? How can these findings be substantiated scientifically? Sports science finds answers to all these questions in its numerous disciplines such as sports medicine, training science or sports psychology. At the centre of these research activities are various measurement and research methods, which you will learn about in detail during the course of your studies. It is our goal to make you completely fit for the fields of ‘Performance’ and ‘Health’ in this respect. Are you wondering what it takes? That is quite simple: First, you should be interested in the unbelievably many facets of sport, and second, you should have an open mind for the close link between theory and sports practice, including your own research activities in this subject area! The latter is at the same time the special element of the study programme ‘Sports Science – Performance & Health’ at the University of Jena.

The focus of this Bachelor's programme is on the scientific perspective on a wide range of physical activities. During your studies, you also have the opportunity to set individual focuses and optimally fleshing out your qualification profile for your future career in the field of ‘Sports and Health’. If you are enthusiastic about scientific reasoning and strenuous mental work and possess a large portion of curiosity, you have the best prerequisites for this degree programme.

Are you interested? Great! Then all that is left to say is: Ready (to study), set, go!

placeholder image — Sport Science Show YouTube video
Image: Sophie Bartholome
placeholder image — Get to know Show YouTube video
Picture: Sophie Bartholome

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Structure

students doing sports
students doing sports
Image: Franz Surek

The bachelor's degree is the first professional qualification. The standard period of study is six semesters, during which various forms of courses (e.g. lectures, seminars or practical courses) are offered for the individual modules.

In the single-subject Bachelor’s programme ‘Sports Science – Performance & Health’, the focus is on one subject comprising 180 credits points (CP; 1 CP = 30 hours for attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations).

The study programme includes an internship and various modules on the basic and in-depth aspects of sports science, as well as on movement practice and research methods.

How might your degree programme shape up?

1st semester

2nd semester

3rd semester

 4th semester 5th semester 6th semester
Fundamental Scientific Skills in Sports Science
(8 CP)		 Basics of Sports Pedagogy
(8 CP)		 Testing in Human Movement Science and Exercise Physiology
(4 CP)		 Performance & Health in Sports Pedagogy
(4 CP)
Fundamentals of exercise science
(8 CP)		 Natural Sciences or Social Sciences
Elective module*
(8 CP)		 Advanced Course in Sports Medicine and Health Promotion I
(8 CP)		 Advanced Course in Sports Medicine and Health Promotion II
(8 CP)
An Introduction to Human Movement Science
(Part 1, 4 CP)		 An Introduction to the Psychology of Human Movement and Sport
(Part 1, 4 CP)		 An Introduction to Human Movement Science
(Part 2, 4 CP)		 An Introduction to the Psychology of Human Movement and Sport
(Part 2, 4 CP)		 Methods and Statistics in Sports
(12 CP)
An Introduction to Sports Medicine and Health Promotion
(8 CP)		 Applied Methods in Sports Sciences I
(12 CP)		 Advanced Course on the Psychology of Human Movement and Sport
(4 CP)		 Bachelor thesis
(12 CP)
Basics of Sports Economics
(8 CP)		 Applied Methods in Sports Sciences II
(8 CP)		 Empirical Research Training
(8 CP)		  
Evidence-based Interventions
(6 CP)		 Statistics in Sports
(8 CP)		 Internship
(9 CP)		    
General Key Qualification
(5 CP)		 Research Methods in Sports
(8 CP)		        

Abbreviations: CP = credit points

* In the elective area, various courses are offered: These include, for example, lectures on Sports History, Sports Philosophy or Sports Ethics in the Social Sciences elective, and on Computer Science in Sports or medical application fields in the Natural Sciences elective.

More detailed information can be found in the module catalogue for the study programme [in German].External link

Why study in Jena?

Prof. Dr. Rouwen Cañal-Bruland
Prof. Dr. Rouwen Cañal-Bruland
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)

Short distances, research-oriented teaching and intensive support enable students to develop competencies that prepare them for the diverse and constantly changing demands of future careers in the field of sport, exercise and health.

Prof. Dr Rouwen Cañal-Bruland
Professor of Psychology of Human Movement and Sport

  • Excellent teaching: Experienced teaching staff and modern training concepts ensure that graduates earn a top quality and internationally recognized degree and thus the best possible qualifications for the demands of the labour market.
  • Good ratings: In teaching evaluations, the University's sports science programmes always achieve above-average positions. The reason is simple: It is mainly due to the good supervision ratio and the qualified specialists in teaching and research.
  • Innovative research: The Institute covers the core areas of sports science. The research profile is characterized by a clear orientation towards the topic of ‘Health’.
  • Top facilities: Modern sports facilities, lecture theatres and seminar rooms await you at the Institute of Sports Science in Jena.
  • Adventure abroad: If you dream of spending a semester abroad, you can easily make it come true. Our University has a worldwide network of partner universitiesExternal link.

A look behind the scenes

Image: Franz Surek
Sporthalle am Institut für Sportwissenschaft
Team spirit matters
Team spirit is very important in sport—and the collegial atmosphere at the Institute is proof of this. Teachers who are easy to reach, competent subject-specific academic advisors and joint working groups, for example, all reflect the good team spirit.

What can you do after your studies?

Areas of employment for graduates

Sportutensilien
Sportutensilien
Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)
  • fitness management / gyms
  • working for clubs / coaching / sports associations
  • public health and mass sports
  • hospitals and rehabilitation centres
  • sporting goods manufacturers
  • workplace health promotion
  • public health education / health insurance providers
  • employer’s liability insurance associations
  • scientific career
  • product development
  • sports journalism

Postgraduate master’s programmes at our University

  1. Three men each hold a different sports ball
    Image: AdobeStock/Lightfield Studios
    Sport Governance Master of Arts
    • Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences
  2. Woman on a treadmill whose data is being measured
    Image: Adobe Stock/Gorodenkoff Productions
    Sport Science: Performance & Health Master of Science
    • Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences
All degree programmes

Downloads and links for the degree programme

What are we looking for in prospective students?

  • interest in research questions and scientific methods
  • a broad general education
  • love of sports and exercise
  • creativity and ability to improvise

Admission requirements

  • University entrance qualification

    A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.

    More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.

  • Medical certificate

    In order to be admitted to a sports science programme at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, you must provide doctor’s certificate confirming your medical eligibility.

    Form sheet: Medical certificatepdf, 394 kb · de

  • Language requirements

    Admission and language requirements for applicants of foreign nationality and without German Abitur: www.uni-jena.de/en/study-orientation-international

Contacts

Academic Advisor — Dr Florian Müller

Room O101d
Seidelstraße 20
07749 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Academic Advisor — Dr Hans-Christian Wick (responsible for questions regarding placements)

Wöllnitzer 42
07749 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Student Representatives Sports Science

Seidelstr. 20
07749 Jena

Central Student Advisory Service

University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Office hours:
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.

Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).

Video chat: Zoom – Video chat Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 183 kb

Student Service Centre

University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Opening hours:
Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)

You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.

Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena

International Office - International students

University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Additional services