What you can expect in our master's program

The master's degree program in Sports Science at KIT provides you with extended and in-depth knowledge in the natural sciences, medicine and social and health sciences fields of sports science. The standard period of study until graduation is 2 years; a total of 120 credit points (CP) must be acquired in accordance with the ECTS.

The degree program consists of the Major Subject Sports Science, a Compulsory Elective Subject and subject-independent modules. In the Major Subject, you will be taught cross-profile content on Applied Research, Sport Exercise as well as Advanced Sports Science, which are relevant as a prerequisite for all three study profiles.

You can choose your Compulsory Elective Subject from three options:

• Movement and Technology
  
• Physical Activity and Health
  
• Exercise and Sport in Childhood and Adolescence (in cooperation with University of Heidelberg and University of Education Karlsruhe)
  

Depending on your individual interests, you can specialize in the technical and scientific fields of sports science, in the field of health-related sports or with a focus on exercise and sport in childhood and adolescence. Further information can be found in the module handbook. Regardless of the subject you choose, further skills for (research-oriented) work in a managerial role are taught through internships, key qualifications and the master's thesis.

You will be involved in ongoing projects at an early stage and can thus gain insights into research. After graduation, you will be able to carry out and evaluate your own empirical projects. Particular emphasis is placed on interdisciplinarity and cooperation with institutions from other departments.

Program structure

The 120 credit points are distributed as follows:

Internship

The degree program includes a compulsory internship of approx. eight weeks (300 hours). You can complete the internship in different companies and therefore in different subject areas. The content of your internship should be connected to your chosen study profile. You can also complete a voluntary internship during your studies. If it serves the objectives of your studies and covers at least half of the lecture period, you can apply for a semester off (leave of absence). Such an internship offers you valuable experience outside the university and can make it easier for you to start your career later on.

Make your studies international

You have various options for integrating a stay abroad into your master's degree course. For example, you can study at a foreign university of your choice for one or two semesters via Erasmus+ or as a freemover. You can also do an internship abroad. In addition, selective mobility is possible via Eucor - The European Campus: KIT students can flexibly attend individual courses in addition to courses at KIT or study full-time for an entire semester or year at an Eucor partner university.

The EPICUR University Alliance also offers low-threshold international experience via a virtual campus, sometimes on site or in blended learning.

Further information can be obtained from the contact persons responsible for stays abroad at the KIT Department or at the International Students Office.

Master's thesis

At the end of your studies, you will complete your master's thesis (30 CP), an academic paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It deals with a specific topic from your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and the preparation of a written thesis. The master's thesis takes 6 months to complete. You can start it as soon as you have achieved 60 CP. Upon request, the master's thesis can also be completed in a company or at another KIT Department.

The skills you acquire will qualify you for management positions in the following professional fields, depending on the focus of your master's degree: e.g. (sports) therapeutic facilities, companies (workplace health promotion), fitness and performance centers, health insurance companies, clubs, associations, municipalities (sports administration), sports tourism (fitness, wellness, rehabilitation) sports management, sports marketing.

You will also be able to carry out and evaluate your own empirical projects. The program therefore offers you access to an academic career and lays the foundations for a subsequent doctorate.

Characteristic features of Sports Science M.Sc. at KIT

• insights into various fields of work
  
• modern, innovative and research-oriented knowledge transfer
  
• many different, self-selectable study specializations
  
• insights into various professional fields during your studies
  
• research-oriented teaching through active involvement in international research projects at one of the best university sports locations in Germany
  
• partner university of elite sport
  
• cooperation abroad all over the world
  
• study in small, well-supervised groups
  
• integration into the EUCOR university network enables participation in courses at the universities of Freiburg, Basel, Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse
  

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• Lernraum app
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
  

Admission requirements

The requirements for admission to the master's degree program in Sports Science are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  a successful bachelor's degree (or at least an equivalent degree) in Sports Science or a sports science-related degree program at a university, university of applied sciences, university of cooperative education or at a foreign university. The degree must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years and with a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits.
  
• letter of motivation
  in the letter of motivation, you should comment on the following topics or provide information:
  • brief introduction of yourself
  • intended study profile and the reasons for choosing the profile
  • your career goals
  • relevant academic achievements to date (e.g. internship, seminar paper, etc.)
    
  • topic and summary of your bachelor's thesis
    
  • details of your English language skills, with proof if necessary (e.g. TOEFL test)
    
  The letter of motivation should not exceed 4000 characters. All additional achievements and qualifications listed in the letter of motivation should be listed in a table and supported by appropriate documents.
  

Language requirements and certificates

For the Master's degree program in Sports Science, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language. Your German language skills must correspond to at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.

In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact

• Students Office if you are applying as a German, German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national

Proof of sufficient German language skills

As proof of your German language skills, your higher education or master's entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, university degree or a professional qualification that entitles you to study) is sufficient if you have acquired it at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction.

In concrete terms, this means that you do not have to submit additional proof of German if you

• have obtained your Abitur at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,
• are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or
• you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country regarding the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.

A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender (KMK) in the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you have already completed a German-language degree at a German university, this can also count as proof of German language proficiency - but only if the diploma supplement, transcript of records or degree certificate clearly states that German was the sole language of instruction and examination.

If, on the other hand, you did not obtain your higher education or master's entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at least at DSH-2 level. This corresponds to CEFR level C1.

Only the following certificates are accepted in accordance with the KIT admission and enrollment regulations:

• passed German section of the Feststellungspruefung (assessment test)
• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with overall result DSH-2
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 4 in all four parts of the exam
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - second level (DSD II)
• Goethe certificate C1 or higher
• passed telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule exam
• Austrian Language Diploma C1 or higher

Note: The above-mentioned tests are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

What if I cannot provide suitable C1 proof of German at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the C1 certificates listed above demonstrating your German language skills by the application deadline, you may still be admitted if you can provisionally demonstrate at least B1 language proficiency. Proof of B1 level is provided by a recognized language certificate or other certification from a language or other educational institution that clearly shows that B1 level has been achieved.

But please don't forget: you still have to submit the C1 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take a recognized language test.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extensvion can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Student Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

There are 65 study places available each year. These are allocated on the basis of a ranking list of applicants who meet the admission requirements. The ranking list is based on a maximum of 90 achievable assessment points.

You can achieve in detail

• max. 30 points for the overall grade of the final academic examination
• max. 30 points for previous experience related to the desired master's degree program:
  1. completed vocational training in a relevant training occupation and previous professional experience relevant to the degree program, even without completed vocational training
     
  2. practical activities and special previous training, in particular
     • advanced training, e.g. in the fields of sport, health, medicine
       
     • licenses, coaching activities, referee activities
       
     • in top-class sport
       
     • voluntary work
       
  3. academic achievements and qualifications, e.g. publications, prizes
     
  4. research activities and research stays at scientific institutions
     
• max. 30 points for the letter of motivation
  

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

• KIT-Fakultät für Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaften
• Institut für Sport und Sportwissenschaft
• Fachstudienberatung
• Prüfungsausschuss
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft Sport

Teaching calendar

Course catalog

• Course catalog current term
• Course catalog current term PDF (English)
• Archive of previous catalogs