This international Master of Science is offered jointly by the Institute of Sport Science and the Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine at Saarland University in Saarbrücken, Germany. It is designed to prepare sports scientists for careers in professional and performance-oriented sports as well as academic roles that address issues relevant to elite athletes.
The curriculum emphasizes a scientific approach to elite sport, with courses in advanced research methods and statistics and contributions from multiple sports science disciplines. Students deepen sport- and discipline-specific expertise and gain practical experience in areas such as elite training methods, performance analysis, exercise physiology, international sports structures, talent identification and development, and strategies for international communication and leadership in high-performance sport.
Both hosting institutes are colocated next to the Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland Olympic Training Centre and the Saarland Sports Federation (LSVS), forming a recognized “Sport Campus.” This close collaboration provides strong research and practical infrastructure: the institutes support Olympic Training Centre athletes with eligibility screening, training management and scheduling, and performance analysis. Students benefit from hands-on projects and collaborations with local and national athletes and coaches, preparing them for roles in sports science support teams or academic settings.
Requirements (summary based on provided information)
This accredited, full‑time on‑site Master’s runs over four semesters and awards 120 credit points (CP). Entry is competitive: the programme admits a small cohort (currently 20 places) once a year for the German winter semester (starts in October, runs through March). Applicants need an undergraduate degree in sports science or a closely related field. The course is taught in person and is designed for students aiming to work professionally with elite athletes or in high‑performance sport environments.
The degree is organised into three components:
You will build rigorous methodological and statistical skills for evidence‑based practice and research, and develop applied competence in physiology, medicine, biomechanics, motor control, and training design specific to elite athletes. The programme also addresses organisational and quality issues and the social dimensions of high‑performance sport, preparing you to plan, implement and evaluate athlete development and competition strategies. Electives let you specialise for roles such as performance analyst, high‑performance coach, sport scientist, or support professional within elite sport systems.
Requirements (concise)
To be admitted to this MSc, you must hold a relevant undergraduate degree and demonstrate above-average academic performance. Degrees in sports science are preferred, but closely related fields are also acceptable. If your undergraduate degree was completed outside Germany, it will be assessed for equivalence with German qualifications.
Your final grade must meet the programme’s threshold: at least 2.5 in the German grading scale or an ECTS grade of B. For international qualifications, equivalence checks are carried out according to the Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK — Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs), and your grades will be converted into the German system using the modified Bavarian formula.
Winter Semester (International)
15 July 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 July 2026
Graduates are prepared for roles in professional and performance-oriented sport environments as well as academic positions. Typical career paths include positions in sport science support teams at Olympic or national training centres, performance analysis and training management roles at clubs and federations, exercise physiology and medical support roles, and positions in talent identification and development programmes. The programme’s research methods training and close links to elite sport organisations also support progression into doctoral research or university careers. Practical collaborations and recommended internships enhance employability in international sports organisations, high-performance institutes, national federations, and private performance consultancy roles.