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
Duration
6 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
180
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 265,60
Start of studies
Winter semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Application & Deadlines

Content of the study programme

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!

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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 study 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 evaluationsExternal link, 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.

Behind the scenes

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?

Sportutensilien Sportutensilien Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)

Areas of employment for graduates

  • 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

Master of Science
Woman on a treadmill whose data is being measured
Image: Adobe Stock/Gorodenkoff Productions
Master of Arts
Three men each hold a different sports ball
Image: AdobeStock/Lightfield Studios

What are the personal requirements?

  • 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, 381 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

Subject-specific academic advisor — Dr Florian Müller

Contacts

Subject-specific academic advisor — Dr Hans-Christian Wick (responsible for questions regarding placements)
Examinations Office of the Institute of Sports Science
Student Representative Committee Sports Science
Central Student Advisory Service
Office hours:
We offer consultations and the handling of your concerns in person, via video chat or telephone. Appointments can be made by phone or via service desk.

Consultation hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 to 12:20, Tuesday 14:00 to 18:00 and on Wednesday and Thursday from 14:00 to 16:00.
Video chat:
Videochat Zeiten
Monday to Friday 12.30 to 13:00
Videochat Passwort
ZSB2020
Student Service Centre
Opening hours:
Monday 10 - 12
Tuesday 13 - 15
Wednesday 10 - 12
Thursday 13 - 15
Friday 10 - 12

Updates / adjustments may occur at any time. Thank you for your understanding!

We currently provide advice and handle your concern solely also via phone and service desk.

You can reach us by phone
Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 11:00
Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena
International Office - International students
University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena