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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Human Movement Sciences
Header image Human Movement Sciences

Human Movement Sciences

How does the nervous system control voluntary movement? What are the benefits of exercise? And are these things the same for all people? Find out in this programme.

The two-year selective Master's programme is meant for students who are fascinated by the complexity of human movement. You will study human movement from multiple perspectives, using theories from Medicine, Biology, Mathematics and Behavioural Sciences.
In this programme, you will acquire an advanced theoretical understanding of human movement. You will also gain research skills and professional skills, learning to apply your knowledge in a practical setting.
The programme has two central themes. In 'motor function and cognition in healthy ageing' you will explore how physical activity and innovative solutions can prevent chronic diseases, and preserve cognitive function. You will also study slow ageing. In 'rehabilitation and functional recovery' you will improve your understanding of impaired movement and the restoration of functioning in rehabilitation practices.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Human Movement Sciences
Course type
Master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
60684
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Medical Sciences
Why study this programme in Groningen?

• Two-year selective programme in English (120 ECTS) • Building bridges between fundamental lab research and applied societal practice • Room for personal tracks with academic assignments and hands-on experience to match your interests, under expert supervision • Collaborate with staff and (PhD) students on your own research project • Develop scientific and professional skills in an ambitious environment • Direct link to the clinical environment of the University Medical Center Groningen (

Programme
  • Specialization course units to gain a better understanding of one's chosen specialization, i.e., Motor Function and Cognition in Healthy Ageing or Rehabilitation and Functional Recovery
  • Ample possibilities of choosing courses to develop a personal profile
  • Philosophy of Science and Ethics
  • Deepening one's methodological and statistical knowledge
Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
3D-Movement analysis (5 EC)

BWM176

Introduction to teaching (mentor system) (5 EC, optional)

BWM440

Mechanisms of motor function in ageing (5 EC, optional)

BWM160

Motor Control (5 EC, optional)

BWM137

Rehabilitation & Functional Recovery (5 EC, optional)

BWM150

Academic Assignment(s) (5 EC, optional)
Master monitor (5 EC)

BWMMO

Advanced Statistics (5 EC)

BWM136

Disorders in motor control and current theories (5 EC, optional)

BWM151

Interventions targeting motor function and cognition in ageing (5 EC, optional)

BWM161

Introduction to Dynamical Systems (5 EC, optional)

BWM142

Physiology of Training and Exercise (5 EC, optional)

BWM134

Clinical Mobility Lab (5 EC, optional)

BWM148

Musculoskeletal modelling and biomechanics (5 EC, optional)

BWM177

Perception and Action (5 EC, optional)

BWM135

Sport and Talent (5 EC, optional)

BWM139

Review article

BWM152 or BWM162

Big data in Sport Sciences & Human Movement Sciences (5 EC, optional)

BWM146

Philosophy of Science and Ethics (5 EC)

BWM143

Signal Acquisition and Analysis (5 EC, optional)

BWM145

  • Master's Graduation Project
  • Possibilities to further one's professional and personal development, e.g., by following additional course units, develop and execute an academic assignment, for example in a professional or an educational context.
Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Master Graduation Project (40 EC)

Curriculum

In the Master's programme in HMS, you choose one of two specializations: Rehabilitation or Healthy Ageing. In the first year you follow course units in your chosen specialization or combine them. Within Healthy Ageing you explore how physical activity and innovative solutions can prevent chronic disease and preserve cognitive function. In Rehabilitation you improve your understanding of impaired movement and the restoration of function in rehabilitation practices.

The specialization further involves writing a review article on a topic that applies to your chosen specialization. By conducting literature research and writing this article you acquire and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a specific field in HMS. Alongside the specialization, the first year includes two compulsory course units (Advanced Statistics and Philosophy of Science and Ethics) and a profiling part. In this part you can select course units that are offered by the department of Human Movement Sciences. Alternatively, you can select external course units or carry out an academic assignment, which could involve gaining teaching or applied research experience, doing consultancy work or writing a scientific article for publication. During your studies you are expected to work intensively with students and lecturers in various different ways. The main focus of the second year of the Master's programme is the master graduation project. You can do this internally, externally or abroad. In your research project you demonstrate that you are able to conduct scientific research in a specific field and that you are able to present your findings in a scientific article.

Programme options
Rehabilitation and Functional Recovery (specialization)

To further ones understanding and knowledge of impaired movement and the mechanisms of restoration of mobility and functioning in rehabilitation practice.

  • Gait & balance
  • Cyclic upper body exercise
  • Handicap, exercise & sport
  • Manual dexterity and upper extremity functioning
  • Diagnostic tools & assistive technology
Motor Function and Cognition in Healthy Ageing (specialization)

One explores how physical activity can prevent chronic diseases, slow ageing, preserve cognitive function, and how solutions can promote mobility and independence in old age.

  • Biomechanical and neural mechanisms of how the motor system ages
  • Intervention strategies to slow motor and cognitive aging
  • Behavioral theories as applied to physical activity promotion
  • Gaming as a strategy to reduce falls
  • Mobility retention in old age through improved perception-action

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional
  • For an average of 20 weeks
  • Maximum of 40 EC
Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Teacher Education in Physical EducationAll Universities of applied sciences

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC

More information:

Follow admission and selection procedure.

Occupational TherapyAll Universities of applied sciences

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC

More information:

Follow admission and selection procedure.

PhysiotherapyAll Universities of applied sciences

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC

More information:

Follow admission and selection procedure.

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Human Movement SciencesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Follow selection procedure.

Liberal Arts and SciencesUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC

Additional requirements:
  • knowledge minimum
  • additional subject
More information:

0-30 EC if you followed enough courses in the biomedical field.

MedicineUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC

More information:

Follow admission and selection procedure.

Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC

More information:

Max. 45 EC premaster, follow admission and selection procedure.

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Psychology (EN)All Research universities

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC

More information:

Follow admission and selection procedure.

Biomedische WetenschappenAll Research universities

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC

More information:

Follow admission and selection procedure.

GezondheidswetenschappenAll Research universities

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC

More information:

Follow admission and selection procedure.

Pharmaceutical SciencesAll Research universities

Via a pre-master

More information:

Follow admission and selection procedure.

BiologyAll Research universities

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC

More information:

Follow admission and selection procedure.

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Human Movement SciencesVU University Amsterdam

Additional requirements

More information:

Follow selection procedure

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Clinical TechnologyUniversity of Twente

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC

More information:

Follow admission and selection procedure

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education
  • Bachelor degree in Human Movement Sciences (RUG/VU) – follow selection procedure
  • WO bachelor degree in a related field (follow admission- and selection procedure)
  • HBO-bachelor degree in a related field (e.g. physiotherapy, occupational therapy, sport studies, human movement technology, MIRT, etc.) (follow admission and selection procedure)
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
entry test

video-assignment

(motivation-) letter
other admission requirements

Questions about the application procedure? Please contact the academic advisor, Ms. C.H. Plaggenmarsch, via studieadviseur-bw umcg.nl

Registration procedure

From 2024/2025, this Master's programme has a selection procedure. See this flowchart which route applies to you: https://www.rug.nl/umcg/education/human-movement-sciences/pdfs/documenten-20232024/admissions-flowchart.pdf

Information for students with a Dutch diploma Human Movement Sciences (RUG or VU)

1. Apply via Studielink for the master Human Movement Sciences before March 1st, 2024
2. Upload the documents for selection ( selection file ) before March 1st, 2024 in the Brightspace course: Selection HMS and SpSc
3. No later than May 1st 2024 you will receive information about your ranking
4. Accept your place before June 1st 2024. After this date the waiting list will be updated.
5. Start with the master in September 2024


Information for students with a Dutch relevant WO- bachelor degree or HBO-degree

1. Apply via Studielink for the master Human Movement Sciences before March 1, 2024
2. Upload documents for admission ( admission form ) AND selection (see selection file ) before March 1, 2024 in the Brightspace course: Selection HMS and SpSc
3. No later than May 1st you will receive information about your admission and ranking in the premaster program
4. Accept your place before June 1st. After this date the waiting list will be updated.
5. Start with the premaster in September 2024. After successfully finishing the premaster program you can start the master in September 2025.


Selection procedure

The application consists of two procedures: admission and selection. The admission-procedure is to determine whether or not you are eligible for the master. The outcome can either be: not eligible, directly eligible or eligible via a premaster program. All students who are eligible and want to start the master have to join the second step, the selection procedure.

Students with a bachelor Human Movement Sciences from the RUG or the VU are directly eligible for the selection procedure. A premaster program is an option for students with a relevant background and who are proficient in Dutch, since the premaster consists of bachelor courses (in Dutch).

Once it is determined that you are eligible (directly or via a premaster), the selection procedure provides a ranking. For 2024/2025 the 40 students with the highest ranking will be selected. Besides, five students who can start a premaster program in September 2024 will be selected, they can start the master in September 2025 after successfully finishing the pre-master program.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 March 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Bachelor degree (Bachelor of Science) in Human Movement Sciences or a strongly related field (e.g. kinesiology, sport and exercise sciences, etc.). Or education and experience on a comparable level.

language test

see language requirements

Language requirements

ExamMinimum score
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE)C1
C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE)C2
IELTS overall band6.5
IELTS listening6
IELTS reading6
IELTS writing6
IELTS speaking6
TOEFL internet based90

Registration procedure

The master Human Movement Sciences is a selective master program. As a student with an international bachelor degree you have to follow the admission procedure AND the selection procedure. The documents for the admission procedure (qualification, academic transcripts, admission form and proof of English proficiency) needs to be uploaded in the Progress Portal. Documents for the selection procedure needs to be uploaded in the Brightspace course for the selection procedure.

Information for students with an international diploma

1. Apply via Studielink for the master Human Movement Sciences between October 1, 2023 and March 1, 2024

2. Upload the required documents for admission via the Progress Portal as soon as possible (and before March 1).

a document indicating the name of your qualification in the original language (for example Laurea, Ptychio, Sarjana, Bachelor, Licenciado, 学士 etc.), academic transcripts (if you have not graduated yet, please also provide us with all list of courses that are not yet on your transcript), admission form and proof of English proficiency

3. Provide the documents for the selection procedure ( see selection file ) before March 1 via the Brightspace course for selection: Selection HMS and SpSc.

4. When admitted AND selected, no later than May 1st you will receive information about your ranking

5. Accept your place before June 1st. After this date the waiting list will be updated.

6. Once selected: You can start with the master in September 2024.


Questions: contact the study advisor via email

Please note: All applicants with a non-Dutch bachelor qualification will have to pay an application fee. More information about the application fee can be found on this page.

Selection procedure

The application consists of two procedures: admission and selection. The admission-procedure is to determine whether or not you are eligible for the master. The outcome can either be: not eligible, directly eligible or eligible via a premaster program. All students who are eligible and want to start the master have to join the second step, the selection procedure.

Students with a bachelor Human Movement Sciences from the RUG or the VU are directly eligible for the selection procedure. A premaster program is an option for students with a relevant background and who are proficient in Dutch, since the premaster consists of bachelor courses (in Dutch).

Once it is determined that you are eligible (directly or via a premaster), the selection procedure provides a ranking. For 2024/2025 the 40 students with the highest ranking will be selected. Besides, five students who can start a premaster program in September 2024 will be selected, they can start the master in September 2025 after successfully finishing the pre-master program.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 March 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2023-2024€ 2314full-time
non-EU/EEA2023-2024€ 20700full-time
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 24200full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

In a survey we held under graduates we see that 69% had applied for a job, and found one. 16% has chosen to do another master, 13% started with another programme and 3% made some other choise.

Job prospects

After graduation, you can continue your academic career in a PhD trajectory or perform research at health care research institutes. In addition, you can consult at rehabilitation centres, hospitals and specialized care facilities. It is also possible to evaluate and develop ergonomic or orthopaedic products or to develop health and welfare policies for government agencies. With a teacher's certificate you can work as a lecturer in education.

Job examples

  • Developer

    Evaluate and develop ergonomic or orthopedic products in/or outside industry

  • Researcher

    Study for a PhD or perform research at health care research centers

  • Consultant

    Consult at rehabilitation centers, hospitals, or specialized care facilities

  • Teacher/lecturer

    Teacher/Lecturer of health and exercise science in Higher Education

  • Policy Officer

    Develop health and welfare policies for government agencies

Research

Research within the department of Human Movement Sciences

Education and research are intensely connected in the department of Human Movement Sciences. PhD's, master and bachelor students work together in an academic learning community and inspiring environment, playing a pivotal role in our research success.

What kind of research?


There are 2 research domains within the master Human Movement Sciences shown with some examples of research questions:

Healthy Ageing


• Falling in the elderly: predicting individual fall risks and developing preventive exercise programmes
• The relationship between movement and diseases such as dementia, stroke and Parkinson’s disease
• Effects of physical activity and inactivity on cognitive and mental processes (e.g. attention, memory)


Rehabilitation

• Recovery of normal skills levels after a stroke or paraplegia

• Sensorimotor adaptation processes during the rehabilitation of people with an artificial arm or leg or when learning to operate an arm-drive wheelchair

• Children with DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder) and adults who need to relearn motor skills after a stroke or other impairment of the cognitive/sensorimotor system

• Physical fitness, physical activity, fatigue and health related quality of life after burn injury


Where?


Student research projects within this domain are usually conducted on-site in nursing homes and/or geriatric wards of hospitals, residential facilities for the elderly or individual homes. The department of Human Movement Sciences also has great lab facilities to conduct research. There is a large number of lab facilities consisting of laboratories, equipment and software. In 2020, the construction of a completely new Virtual Reality Lab has started. In the coming years, this will be further developed into three different Virtual Reality Laboratories, each with its own specific character.

More info

More information about our research can be found on the UMCG research website!

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact

Contact

  • General Secretariat (Information about staff, research and general questions)
    Email: secretariaat-bw umcg.nl
    Telephone: +31(0)50-3616015
  • Master's Degree Programme Education Desk (information about the master Human Movement Sciences/Sport Sciences)
    Email: master-bw umcg.nl
    Telephone: +31(0)50-3616050
  • Academic Advisor Human Movement Sciences (Information about study programme, admission procedure etc. )
    Email: studieadviseur-bw umcg.nl
    Telephone: +31(0)50 3616061

Study associations

Studiosi Mobilae

Studiosi Mobilae is the study association for (former) students of Human Movement Sciences in Groningen.
The association organizes a variety of interesting activities such as excursions to both domestic and foreign companies and a symposium.
https://www.studiosimobilae.nl/home
Read more
Student profile

Within the domain of movement sciences, it is all about thinking across boundaries. In our labs, we contribute to developing new technologies for monitoring and influencing movement performance and behaviour. We implement these technologies to monitor functions and develop interventions in clinical and everyday settings. Movement scientists are driven to observe, measure, understand, and improve movement. Do you share this curiosity and do you dare to experiment?

During our two-year selective programme, we support you as you acquire new knowledge and skills, and help you to meet scientists and experts in the field. This allows you to build a network around a research topic that interests you, and explore the applications of this research in society. in addition to our close cooperation with the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), we also partner with research, health, and education institutions in the Netherlands and abroad.

Study support

For information about study planning, supervision and support, skills training and individual study advice and schemes, students can consult the study advisor. E-mail: studieadviseur-bw umcg.nl. Appointment via: https://chplaggenmarsch.youcanbook.me/ Phone: (050) 36 16061