MSc High-Performance Sport Saarland University

The international Master of Science High-Performance Sport is hosted by the Institute of Sport Science and the Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine at Saarland University in Saarbrücken (Germany). It aims to qualify sports scientists for jobs in professional and performance-oriented sports and academic positions that deal with questions of relevance for high-performance athletes.

The international MSc High-Performance Sport wants to improve the scientific approach to elite sports, in particular, by offering courses in advanced research methods and statistics as well as perspectives from different sports science disciplines. Graduates have the opportunity to gain sport and discipline-specific knowledge as well as experience that is important for future appointments in sports science support and/or academia. They will be educated in international methods of elite training, performance analysis and exercise physiology, international sports structures, talent identification/development programmes as well as strategies for international communication and leadership in elite sports, among other topics.

The Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine and the Institute of Sport Science provide an excellent infrastructure for research and practice in the elite sport environment. As both institutes are located next to the Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland Olympic Training Centre and the Saarland Sports Federation (LSVS), close collaborations have been established, earning the title "Sport Campus". Besides teaching and research, both institutes provide sports science and medical support to all athletes at the Olympic Training Centre. These services include (but are not limited to) eligibility screening, training management and scheduling as well as performance analysis. This close collaboration offers students a sports scientific and medical education with a strong emphasis on practical relevance. As such, some collaborations are organised with local/national athletes and coaches to prepare students for a variety of jobs within elite sports.

This international Master's programme has a regular duration of four semesters in which 120 credit points (CP) must be gained. The programme is accredited as a full-time, on-site degree and has a limited number of participants. At present, 20 spots are available, and the intake is usually once a year in the German winter semester (October to March). Students can apply with an undergraduate degree in sports science or related fields.

The degree is divided into the compulsory area "General Aspects: Methods and Basics" (20 CP), "Specific Aspects of Elite Sport" (65 CP) and the “High-Performance Sport” elective units. Modules within “General Aspects: Methods and Basics” include advanced courses on research design and analysis, statistics, organisation and quality assessment. The compulsory modules of the “Specific Aspects of Elite Sport” include the following core topics:

• Medicine and physiology in elite sports
• Biomechanics and motor control
• Training and competition in elite sports
• Social issues in elite sports
• Developing the elite athlete

Additionally, we provide recommendations for elective courses that will help complement the core themes of the Master’s degree, specific to each student’s interests. This structure provides students with a broad knowledge of relevant disciplines within elite sports. Additionally, it offers the opportunity to focus on specific areas that are important for the students' individual careers.

Erasmus collaborations are established with the University of Groningen (the Netherlands), the Université de La Réunion (France), and Reykjavik University (Iceland). Besides these Erasmus opportunities, Saarland University has several international partnerships within and outside of Europe.

Internships are not mandatory, but they are highly recommended. The Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine and the Institute of Sport Science provide an excellent infrastructure for research and practice in the elite sport environment. As both institutes are located next to the Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland Olympic Training Centre and the Saarland Sports Federation (LSVS), close collaborations have been established, earning the title of "Sport Campus". Besides teaching and research, both institutes provide sports science and medical support to all athletes at the Olympic Training Centre. As such, regular internship options are available (German language proficiency is recommended).

Requirements for enrolment in the MSc in High-Performance Sport are:

• Completion of an undergraduate degree in sports science or a related field
• Proof of eligibility through an above-average final grade (at least 2.5 in the German grading system or Grade B according to ECTS). International degrees will be verified for equivalence according to KMK ("Kultusministerkonferenz" – Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs) regulations. Grades will be transferred into the German grading system via the modified Bavarian formula.

Currently 394.30 EUR per semester (https://www.uni-saarland.de/en/study/organisation/fees/semester-fee.html)

The Welcome Center at Saarland University provides information on working and living in Saarbrücken. For more information, please visit their website: https://www.uni-saarland.de/en/global/welcome-center/living-working.html

Cost of Living: https://www.uni-saarland.de/en/global/welcome-center/preparing/financing/cost-of-living.html

Student counselling is available via the programme coordinator and/or general university counselling to help students find employment. As many employment opportunities in Germany require German language proficiency, we recommend the language courses offered by the university.

A career advisory service is provided by the university. It is highly recommended that interested students contact the degree coordinator in advance for counselling to ensure that courses and internships will complement their individual careers.

Compared to other countries, students at German universities do not receive accommodation on enrolment. International students have the opportunity to either rent a room in a student residence or find a private accommodation (single apartment or shared flats). Student accommodation provides either fully furnished rooms with shared bathrooms and kitchens or single/shared apartments with a bathroom and a small kitchen. More details about accommodation and the application forms are available on the university website. Please note that the university only provides a limited number of student residences, which are usually very popular. Therefore, applications for a room or apartment have to be completed and sent back to the university by 15 July to be considered for the following winter semester. Prices for student rooms range between 170 and 265 EUR per month. Private accommodation is also available and can be found online.