All courses are in English.
15 August for the following winter semester
The current course of studies does not have to be finished at the time of application.
The main focus of the Master's and PhD programme is the acquisition of research-based and occupational skills for professions in the field of exercise, prevention, and rehabilitation. The programme is divided into clinical applications for patients as well as for recreational and high-performance athletes. Emphasis is laid on a theoretical, methodological, and experimental academic (scientific) education.
The scientific curriculum encompasses the effects of physical activity in disease prevention and rehabilitation, with the focus on exercise physiology and physical therapy.
The practical education entails collaborations with hospitals, in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation clinics as well as with the regional Olympic Sports Centre, and the university where care is provided for athletes and students.
The study programme in "Clinical Exercise Science" is a combined Master's/PhD programme. In the first common year, students will be taught in foundational and intermediate modules. They will learn about scientific methods and evaluation as well as exercise in prevention and rehabilitation. Furthermore, students will train their skills in practical project planning, application of methods and data collection in their own projects. After the third semester, students will decide whether they want to finish their Master's degree or start with the PhD part of the study. Then students will advance their knowledge in scientific qualification and applied methods.
The first part of the programme begins each winter semester and involves the Master's and PhD students in a combined first year. Students receive academic and methodological education in "Scientific Methods and Evaluation". Other specific topics are taught in the "Exercise in Prevention and Rehabilitation" and "Applied Methods" modules.
In the second part of the programme, which begins in the fourth semester, the Master's programme is concluded with the Master's thesis. Alternatively, a three-year PhD programme can commence during or after the third semester, beginning with the "Scientific Qualification" and "Applied Methods" advanced modules.
The Master's programme is a two-year full-time course of study (120 CP). The PhD programme is a four-year full-time course of study (240 CP).
No tuition is charged for studying at the University of Potsdam (with the exception of a few continuing education courses). There is only an administrative fee of currently 316 EUR. This semester contribution includes a semester ticket entitling you to free use of public transport all over Brandenburg and Berlin.
The average monthly living expenditures of students at the University of Potsdam are 935 EUR, but this can vary between 600 and 1,100 EUR, largely depending on accommodation. A more detailed list of the average monthly expenditures of our students can be found here.
A university degree in a subject essential for the Master’s degree programme, such as prevention and rehabilitation in sports and medicine, sports sciences, health sciences (e.g., BA in sports therapy and prevention, BA/BSc in sports and health in prevention and therapy; BA/BSc in clinical health science; BA/BSc in physiotherapy) with at least 180 credit points of coursework, at least half of which demonstrably dealt with scientific methodology and clinical exercise science. University degrees in related subjects can be recognised if they are equivalent or comparable. Methodological competencies in the field of clinical sports and training sciences and/or clinical exercise science as evidenced by the completion of relevant modules amounting to at least 90 credit points.
Applicants who are not native speakers of English must provide evidence of English language skills that corresponds at least to the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The required English language skills are to be evidenced by the following: UNIcert-III, TOEFL (iBT: at least 95 points), Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (at least a grade of B), IELTS (at least a score of 7.0 in all modules), or a degree certificate from an English-language degree programme.
No knowledge of German is required.
15 August for the following winter semester
The current course of studies does not have to be finished at the time of application.
Please submit your application via the University Admissions Portal.
Job opportunities for students alongside their studies are numerous. Depending on personal and professional skills, students can find jobs in the service sector (e.g. in restaurants, supermarkets, cinemas, museums, theatres, etc.) or work as student research assistants at the University of Potsdam or at one of the many non-university research institutions located in the area. Berlin, the capital city of Germany, is located just around the corner, and students can also find jobs there. Please see this website for further information.
There are several student dormitories in Potsdam. These are administered exclusively by Potsdam's Association for Student Affairs ("Studentenwerk Potsdam"). You can apply for a room in one of these dormitories if you are under the age of 30. If you are a Master's student, you can only apply if the degree at the University of Potsdam is your first Master's programme. Additionally, there are also a few private dormitories in Potsdam, to which these conditions do not apply. However, many students prefer to find an apartment in Potsdam or Berlin, which they often share with fellow students. The housing market is very tight, so please start looking for an accommodation as early as possible.
For information on how to register for a dorm room or find accommodation elsewhere, please click here.
The Career Service of the University of Potsdam supports students and graduates who want to actively shape their careers. The aim is to ensure comprehensive career orientation and to provide opportunities for the development of professional skills. The Career Service offers workshops, seminars, and individual counselling. There are information pages on a wide range of occupational fields as well as a database of internships and jobs. Many of the services are also available in English.
Study coordinator, supervisors
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