Sport and Exercise Science

Sports not only play an essential role in maintaining individual and collective health, but they are also of great economic and social importance. Students of the English-taught Master’s degree program in Sport and Exercise Science (M.Sc.) learn to comprehend sports’ many dimensions and to develop and implement products and programs that offer optimal solutions to society’s multifaceted demands on sports.

The degree program imparts in-depth knowledge in the classic sports science disciplines, deals with current problems of sports of social importance, for example, with regard to health, economy, and technology, and imparts a broad set of practical professional skills. Students learn to apply different diagnostic procedures in biomechanics, performance physiology, and psychology as well as to carry out neuromuscular and competition diagnostics; to develop and implement concepts for competitive and health sports based on diagnostic results; to use advanced technologies according to requirements; and to critically reflect on social issues of sport, for example concerning public health, ecology or corruption, and to develop holistic approaches for the sustainable development of the impact of sports.

Graduates are competent sports scientists who know how to deal with the various health, social, societal, economic, and environmental dimensions of sports with scientific expertise. They are able to develop and implement viable solutions to complex problems in competitive and popular sports, public health, and sports economics. As a result, they are just as qualified for responsible positions in clubs, local authorities, health insurance companies, elite sports institutions, or sports companies as they are for continuing their academic work within the framework of a doctorate.

A comprehensive description of the program can be found in the following degree program documentation:

Degree program documentation for the Master’s program in Sport and Exercise Science (PDF, German)

Sports Science Diagnostics:

• apply various diagnostic procedures in Biomechanics, Performance Physiology and Psychology as well as Neuromuscular and Competition Diagnostics
• prepare decisions based on the diagnostics and
• create optimization offers and training recommendations and coordinate them interactively with related professional groups (physicians, trainers, researchers)

Handling and application of Sports Science technology:

• plan, conduct, analyze and communicate studies
• apply Sports Science research methods (performance-physiological, biomechanical, psychological, medical, epidemiological, ...)
• interpret research results and discuss the current state of Sports Science research
• developing solutions for Sports Science issues
• develop and investigate their own Sports Science questions

Opportunities in the field of sport:

• analyze socio-political problems in sport, especially in competitive sport (doping, corruption, etc.), develop creative solutions and promote their implementation in different settings
• present the challenges of an ageing society and its side effects and creatively develop ways to improve the quality of life
• discuss with different stakeholders in a goal-oriented manner, present your own arguments convincingly and assert your interests
• develop innovative business ideas in the field of sport, prevention and rehabilitation, recognize their market potential and use them to effectively debate controversial topics and convince listeners with scientific arguments.

The following generally applies to graduates of sports science programs:

• Sports Science as a multimodal science offers not only a specific professional field, but also a wide range of possible applications.
• Due to the global development dynamics of sport in society, politics and for the individual, a growing need for sports scientists with interdisciplinary training is to be expected (response to emerging needs).

Specifically, the following institutions are potential employers:

• Universities, clubs, local authorities, health insurance companies, elite sports institutions and (sports) companies

Idea of the degree program:

• Transfer of subject-specific knowledge to interdisciplinary fields of application as a competitive advantage

1^st semester: 

• Mandatory modules: Biomechanics, Human Movement and Neuromechanical Control; Current topics in Exercise Biology, Performance Testing & Health; Current social and political topics of sport in global societies; Study Design; Ethics – Research Methods; Technical Analysis; Entrepreneurial Opportunity Development

The main aim of the first semester is to teach knowledge in these areas. Additionally, we will pursue an active learning concept in order to enable our graduates to better use this knowledge to solve problems, to verbally or orally communicate this knowledge, and to act as entrepreneurs.

2^nd and 3^rd semester: 

• Elective options from the fields: Biomechanic and Neuroscience; Exercise Biology, training & health; Psychology and Social Sciences; Research Skills, Auxiliary Subjects.
• Mandatory module: Advanced Statistics

The main aim of the second semester is the hands on teaching of sport and exercise science methods, so that they can be used for research or application. The main aim of the third semester is to further develop knowledge and to train this knowledge by covering specialized topics. These topics can be related to major conceptual advances (e.g. precision medicine and sport), be relevant for jobs (e.g. sports science support of athletes) or are related to major societal problems (e.g. doping and corruption in sport).

4^th semester: Master’s Thesis: 

• The aim of the fourth semester is to write a Master’s thesis.

In detail:

• Program Structure

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient English language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your English language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.  

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is English.

• Contact BAföG confirmations
  • Dr. phil. Christine Hoffmann

• Information on exams
• Contact Examination Board
• Information on studying abroad
• Information on internships

The tuition fees for international students from third countries for this degree program are 6,000 euros per semester.

Many international students can have their fees waived or receive scholarships to finance them. You can find all information on waivers and scholarships here.

Please note: The semester fee as a contribution to the student union must be paid additionally. It varies depending on where you are studying. You can find all information on the semester fee here.

Minimum requirements to apply for a Master’s program at TUM are a recognized undergraduate degree (e.g. a Bachelor’s) and the successful completion of the aptitude assessment procedure. The aptitude assessment allows the TUM school to which you are applying to evaluate your individual talents and motivation for study.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

Here you will find detailed information on the requirements for the documents you need to upload for application and admission to TUM.

Generally, applicants with a qualification for postgraduate studies (e.g. a Bachelor’s) obtained outside of Germany must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist (Preliminary Documentation).

In detail:

• Applying for a Master’s program: Application, admission requirements and more 
• Important information about your application from the TUM school

• Abstract
• List of Best Credits
• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a Bachelor’s) was obtained outside Germany)

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Degree Certificate and Diploma (authentic document)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)
• Certification of Internship / Work Experience / Vocational Training
• Transcript of Records (authentic document)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for winter semester: 01.01. – 31.05.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

First, your grades from your Bachelor’s degree are evaluated according to a point system. Furthermore, a performance survey is conducted for all applicants in the form of a written test. The score from stage 1 is derived from the performance in the Bachelor’s program as well as the results of the test. Depending on the score, applicants are either admitted immediately, rejected, or invited to an admission interview (stage 2).

In stage 2, specialized knowledge is tested orally. The result of the selection interview as well as the achievements from the Bachelor’s studies are evaluated. Depending on the score, applicants are either admitted or rejected.

• Aptitude Assessment for Master
• Description of the Aptitude Assessment (appendix 2, German) (PDF 345 KB)