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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Sport Sciences
Header image Sport Sciences

Sport Sciences

How can you identify the top athletes of the future? How do you optimize athletic performance and prevent injuries? What influence does physical activity have on a child's development?

How do people use vision to control their actions?

The two-year Master's programme is meant for students with a scientific fascination for sport. You will study sports performance and physical activity from multiple perspectives, using theories about cognition, psychology and physiology. This could be sports on a recreational or an athlete level.

As a student of this programme, you will acquire an advanced understanding of issues in the field of sport sciences, both applied and fundamental. You will practice in measuring and analyzing sports performance and gain familiarity with research methods and advanced statistics. Also, you will learn to develop optimal programmes to teach and train sport-related abilities and skills.

The programme is concentrated around four research areas:

  1. Physical activity and cognition in children.
  2. Talent identification and development.
  3. Perception, action and decision making in sports
  4. Performance analysis and optimization in (top)sports and how to prevent injuries.


Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Sport Sciences
Course type
Master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
60682
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Medical Sciences
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Unique MSc Sport Sciences programme in the Netherlands
  • Comprehensive 2-year science-based program with a multidisciplinary approach to studying sport
  • Strong link between fundamental and applied research in sports settings
  • 100% English taught
Programme
  • The programme starts with a specialization course to gain a better understanding of the development, learning and optimization of sport skills and sport performance.

Other compulsory courses are:

  • Philosophy of science and ethics
  • Advanced statistics: deepening one's methodological and statistical knowledge

In addition to the compulsory courses, you have a lot of freedom within the first year to choose your individual study programme (30 EC). You can select internal course units that

An overview of the MSc programme Sport Sciences can be found here: https://www.rug.nl/umcg/education/human-movement-sciences/master/2022-2023-master-spsc.pdf

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
3D-Movement Analysis (5 EC)

BWM176

Development, perception and action in sports and exercise (5 EC)

BWM173

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

BWM160

Motor Control (5 EC, optional)

BWM137

Rehabilitation & Functional Recovery: Practice & patient-oriented research (5 EC, optional)

BWM150

Academic Assignment(s) (5 EC, optional)
Introduction to teaching (mentor system) (5 EC, optional)

BWM440

Master monitor (5 EC)

BWMMO

Advanced Statistics (5 EC)

BWM136

Clinical Mobility Lab (5 EC, optional)

BWM148

Physiology of Training and Exercise (5 EC, optional)

BWM134

Talent and performance optimization (5 EC)

BWM174

Introduction to Dynamical Systems (5 EC, optional)

BWM142

Musculoskeletal modelling and biomechanics (5 EC, optional)

BWM177

Perception and Action (5 EC, optional)

BWM135

Sport and Talent (5 EC, optional)

BWM139

Review article (10 EC)

BWM172

Big data in Sport Sciences and Human Movement Sciences (5 EC)

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 (15 EC), 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

During the first year of the Master's programme in Sport Sciences, you follow specialization course units to gain a better understanding of the development, learning and optimisation of sport skills and sport performance.

Course 1: Development, perception and action in sports and exercise Course 2: Talent and performance optimization

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
Sport, Learning and Performance (specialization)

To explore themes related to Physical activity, sports and cognition; Talent identification & development; Perception, action & decision making; Performance analysis & optimization in sports

More information about this option

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 EducationHanze University Groningen, University of Applied SciencesVia a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC
PhysiotherapyHanze University Groningen, University of Applied SciencesVia a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Occupational TherapyAll Universities of applied sciencesVia a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Human Movement SciencesUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
MedicineUniversity of GroningenVia a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC
DentistryUniversity of GroningenVia a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC
Liberal Arts and SciencesUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC

More information:

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

Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC

Additional requirements:
  • knowledge minimum
  • additional subject
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Human Movement SciencesVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Biomedische WetenschappenAll Research universitiesVia a pre-master
Pharmaceutical SciencesAll Research universitiesVia a pre-master
Psychology (EN)All Research universitiesVia a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC
GezondheidswetenschappenAll Research universitiesVia a pre-master
Psychology (EN)All Research universitiesVia a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Clinical TechnologyUniversity of TwenteVia a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education
  • Bachelor degree in Human Movement Sciences (RUG/VU) – direct admission
  • WO bachelor degree in a related field (see registration procedure)
  • HBO-bachelor degree in a related field (e.g. physiotherapy, occupational therapy, sport studies, human movement technology, MIRT, etc.) (see registration procedure)
other admission requirements

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

Registration procedure

WO-background in a relevant field
The admission board decides whether or not a premaster program is required before the start of the master. You can apply for the master by sending an e-mail with one attachment including the following documents to the secretary of the admission board (studieadviseur-bw umcg.nl)

  • Application form
  • Copy of bachelor degree/proof of enrollment
  • Academic transcripts

HBO-background in a relevant field

For more information about admission with a HBO-background please send an e-mail to the academic advisor.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 July 202301 September 2023
01 July 202401 September 2024
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024

If you have a Bachelor degree in Human Movement Sciences it is also possible to start in February.

For 2024-2025 other application deadlines may apply. Please check the updated deadlines on this website from september 2023.

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

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

Language requirements

ExamMinimum score
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE)C1
IELTS overall band6.5
IELTS listening6
IELTS reading6
IELTS writing6
IELTS speaking6
TOEFL internet based92

Registration procedure

You can find an overview of the documents that are required during the admission procedure below.

  1. A document indicating the name of your qualification in the original language (for example Laurea, Ptychio, Sarjana, Bachelor, Licenciado, 学士 etc)
  2. Academic transcripts (if you have not graduated yet, please also provide us with all list of courses that are not yet on your transcript)
  3. Proof of English proficiency
  4. Passport or ID card
  5. Application form

More information about the steps of the application and admission procedure can be found here .

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 July 202301 September 2023
01 July 202401 September 2024
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024

If you have a Bachelor degree in Human Movement Sciences it is also possible to start in February.

For 2024-2025 other application deadlines may apply. Please check the updated deadlines on this website from september 2023.

Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2023-2024€ 2314full-time
non-EU/EEA2023-2024€ 20700full-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

A Master's degree in Human Movement Sciences is the ticket to an exciting and challenging career. As a graduate, you will have developed a professional and academic attitude that will enable you to work independently and further develop in an area of human movement science. There are many opportunities in the field of movement, health, healthy ageing and lifestyle(s), rehabilitation, and sports. Potential careers include doing research at a university (PhD), in a hospital or in a company, teachi

Job examples

  • Advisor

    Scientific advisor at sport associations or Olympic federation

  • Developer

    Develop training and exercise programs for ergonomic, orthopaedic, or educational institutions

  • Embedded scientist

    Embedded scientist for a professional sport team/club

  • Researcher
  • Teacher/lecturer

    Teacher/Lecturer of sport and exercise courses in Higher Education

  • Policy Officer

    Government employee dealing with sport, health, and welfare policies

Research

Research within the department of Human Movement Sciences

Education and research are intensely connected at 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?

These are some examples of research questions within the master Sport Sciences:

  • Talent in general and in team sports: what is it, how can it be recognized and what are the conditions for optimum development?
  • What influence does physical (in)activity have on a child’s motor and cognitive development?
  • How can we analyse and optimize (match) performance in (team)sports?
  • How can we prevent injuries?

Where?

Student research projects within this domain are conducted within professional sports organizations such as NOC*NSF, sports federations, TNO Sport and professional sports clubs.
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 info 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 HMS/Sport Sciences)
    Email: master-bw umcg.nl
    Telephone: +31(0)50-3616050
  • Academic Advisor Dpt. Of Human Movement Sciences (Information about the content of the study program, 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
Study support

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

Every year (in November and March) you can attend an information session about this programme during the Master's Week of the University of Groningen. If you would like to experience what it is to be a student at our programme, we additionaly can arrange a meet-up with one of our student ambassadors. If you are interested in this, please send an email to n.kompagnie umcg.nl