Sport and Physical Education
Degree Profile
Course content of the sports degree programme
Do you want to study sport? The degree programme in Sport and Physical Education focuses on human movement and sport. This is a reaction to a social change in which the concept of movement is becoming increasingly important in various fields of application. In this respect, sport is seen as one facet of the overall cultural phenomenon of movement on humanistic, social and scientific levels.
In the sports degree programme, you will deal with movement as well as the theory and practice of sport and other sports science topics. You will learn methods and professional skills through many practical exercises and seminars.
- Sports science
- Sports medicine
- Sports pedagogy and movement pedagogy
- Swimming
- Athletics
- Gymnastics
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Gymnastics
- Dance/Creative movement education
The Student Council Physical Education takes you with them into their daily study routine... (in German)
![[Translate to English:] Sport an der Uni Erfurt studieren](/fileadmin/_processed_/1/3/csm_Thumbnail-sport-studieren-fsr-uni-erfurt_8341dab318.webp)
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attractive career prospects: Careers after studying sports
Our graduates in Sports work in these professional fields and jobs after completing their studies:
- Teaching sport at primary, secondary or vocational schools (with a teaching-related Master's degree programme)
- Commercial leisure sports (e.g. fitness studios, sports facilities)
- Sports associations and clubs (e.g. as a trainer or in the club organisation)
- Personal trainers or club trainers (e.g. individual support, coaching)
- Movement education (e.g. in prevention and rehabilitation)
- Health centres (e.g. as an exercise or health coach)
- Companies in the sports industry (e.g. sporting goods manufacturers, sports marketing)
- Sports journalism (e.g. as an editor or reporter)
- Science & research (e.g. in exercise research or sports medicine)
Structure of the sports degree programme
Structure of the Bachelor's programme at the University of Erfurt
Two-subject Bachelor's programme: major and minor subject
At the University of Erfurt, you always combine two subjects in the Bachelor's degree programme: a major subject and a minor subject (two-subject Bachelor's degree).
The Studium Fundamentale is integrated into the major subject. Additional, possibly non-subject-specific courses enable you to apply what you have learnt in practice and acquire additional key skills.
How long does a sports degree programme take?
- The standard period of study is six semesters (three years).
- flexibility and breadth: you can choose a subject that complements your interests or provides you with further training in a completely new area. This broadens your horizons and creates an interdisciplinary perspective.
- excellent career opportunities: With a minor subject, you acquire additional skills that can give you an advantage on the labour market.
- individual profile building: you develop a personal profile that reflects your interests and strengths.
- new perspectives: you learn how different disciplines work and think, which helps you to solve complex problems from different angles.
Combining Sport and Physical Education
You can choose Sport and Physical Education as a minor subject. It can be combined with all major subjects. Special combination rules apply to the teacher training programme. You can find these under the teaching degree programme.
Popular combinations with the subject Sport and Physical Education:
- Sport and Physical Education with the major subject Primary Education for Physical Education at Primary Schools
- with another subject relevant to the teaching profession for physical education at Secondary Schools
Online tool STUDIMAT
Our online tool STUDIMAT supports you in combining your major and minor subject, taking into account the combination rules of the University of Erfurt.
It offers you the opportunity to look beyond your own subject and engage with exciting, socially relevant topics. You will learn to think and work in an interdisciplinary way – a skill that is becoming increasingly important in today's world.
Why it is worthwhile for you:
- You will broaden your horizons by gaining insights into different subject areas.
- You will develop key skills such as critical thinking and creative problem-solving approaches.
- You will improve your social and communication skills, which will benefit you in your studies and later in your appointment.
- You can contribute and develop your personal interests and values.
Structure of the sports degree programme (minor subject)
How is the sports degree programme structured?
The first two semesters are known as the orientation-phase (o-phase, 1st – 2nd semester). During this time, you can explore the study system, familiarise yourself with the study and examination regulations and test their application. After completing the o-phase, you have the opportunity to change subject if necessary.
After successfully completing this phase, you can move on to the qualification-phase (q-Phase, 3rd – 6th semester). In this phase, you will deepen your knowledge of the course content and set your personal specialisation. The Q-phase ends in the major subject with the completion of your bachelor's thesis.
orientation-phase (1st – 2nd semester)
In the orientation-phase (o-phase), basic knowledge of sports and movement education and sports medicine as well as basic practical sports skills are taught.
Modules:
- Learning and teaching games and movement
- Gymnastics/dance/creative movement education
- Extension sports/combat/team sports
- Natural science, humanities and social science fundamentals
- Training theory and selected topics in sports science
qualification-phase (3rd – 6th semester)
The qualification-phase (q-phase) serves to further develop knowledge, skills and abilities in sport and movement education. It offers opportunities to specialise in sub-areas of sports science as well as in the area of motor-pedagogical basics and sports promotion teaching.
Modules:
- Athletics/Swimming*
- Excursions/extension sports
- Basketball/ball school
- Professional practice/natural science, humanities and social science specialisation
- Motorsport pedagogical basics/sports promotion lessons
*You must acquire the German Bronze Lifeguard Badge in the q-phase.
Examination and study regulations, sample curriculum & module catalogue
In the respective examination regulations you will find important information on the study objectives and content, language requirements, the structure of the programme as well as the teaching units and module examinations.
Examination regulations for the minor in Sport and Physical Education 2021 (pdf)
Semester abroad during your studies
Take the opportunity to gain international experience! Thanks to numerous co-operations with foreign universities, you have the opportunity to spend a semester or year abroad during your studies. Such a stay not only broadens your academic horizons, but also strengthens your intercultural and language skills. In preparation, the University of Erfurt offers free language courses at the Language Centre.
The International Office will be happy to help you organise your stay abroad.
Internships during your studies
Study sport as a teaching profession
Option: Become a sports teacher!
Information on the teacher training programme
The teacher training programme is based on the Bachelor's/Master's degree system. The degree is equivalent to the 1st state examination. Following the Master's programme, you complete the preparatory service, which concludes with the 2nd state examination.
Study sport as a teaching profession
If you complete a Master's degree programme in the teaching profession, you will acquire the teaching qualification to teach physical education at the following schools:
- Sports teacher at Primary Schools
- Sports teacher at Secondary Schools
- Sports teacher at Vocational Schools
- Sports teacher at Special Schools
Flyer "Studying for a teaching profession at the University of Erfurt" (pdf)
Study to become a teaching profession for vocational schools
If you would like to teach sport at vocational schools, choose Sport and Physical Education (Sport) as a general education subject on the Master of Education Vocational Schools programme. In the event that you only have the vocational specialisation but not the requirements for a general education subject, you can catch up on the subject-specific basics parallel to the master's programme .
Studying for a teaching profession in Special Needs Pedagogy
If you would like to become a Special Needs Pedagogy teacher, you must choose Special Education and Inclusive Pedagogy as your major subject and Sport and Physical Education as your minor subject in your Bachelor's degree. You will then go on to study the Master of Education Special Education and Inclusive Pedagogy.
Study to become a primary schools teaching profession
If you would like to teach at primary schools, you must choose the major subject Primary Education and the minor subject Sport and Physical Education in your Bachelor's degree. You will then go on to study the Master of Education Primary Schools.
Study to become a secondary schools teaching profession
If you would like to teach at secondary schools, you must choose a subject relevant to the teaching profession as your main subject and Sport and Physical Education as a minor subject in your Bachelor's degree. You will then go on to study the Master of Education secondary schools.
| Major subject (teaching subject) | minor subject (teaching subject) |
|---|---|
| English and American Studies (English) | Sport and Physical Education (Sport) |
| German Studies (German) | Sport and Physical Education (Sport) |
| History (History) | Sport and Physical Education (Sport) |
| Catholic Religion (Catholic Religion) | Sports and Physical Education (Sport) |
| Arts (Arts) | Sports and Physical Education (Sport) |
| Music (Music) | Sports and Physical Education (Sport) |
| Philosophy (Ethics) | Sport and Physical Education (Sport) |
| Religious Studies (Ethics) | Sport and Physical Education (Sport) |
| Economics, Law and Social Sciences (Social Studies) | Sport and Physical Education (Sport) |
| Technology (Crafts/Technology etc.) | Sport and Physical Education (Sport) |
Details about the sports degree programme
After the Bachelor's degree: Master's programmes
Further master's programmes at the University of Erfurt
If you would like to work as a teacher and teach sport after your studies, choose the appropriate master's programme following your bachelor's thesis:
Master of Education Primary Schools
Master of Education Secondary Schools
Master of Education Special Needs Pedagogy and Inclusive Education
Master of Education Vocational Schools
Open Day & Discovery Days
Open Day
Numerous information and counselling services offer you the opportunity to see the study and living conditions in Erfurt for yourself at the Open Day. Get to know the green campus and the beautiful old town centre on guided tours. Information about the programme: Open Day
Discovery Days
Discovery Days at the University of Erfurt mean experiencing "studying up close". Within a week (on as many days as you like) you can attend selected courses (lectures or seminars) and get a taste of campus life. Information and programme: Discovery Days
Order or download information material
Similar degree programmes from the field of study
You may also be interested in these degree programmes
If you would like to combine sport with a teaching profession, why not study for a
Bachelor's programme in Primary Education
Discover further fields of study at the University of Erfurt!
Study sport: These are the requirements
Sports degree programme Requirements
What are the requirements for a sports degree programme?
You need a general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or a subject-specific higher education entrance qualification or comparable previous education for the bachelor's programme in Sports and Physical Education.
General information on admission requirements (studying without A-levels)
Sports aptitude test
Special admission requirements apply for the sports degree programme. Aptitude is checked by means of an aptitude test. Proof of successful participation is part of your application to the University of Erfurt.
Information on the sports aptitude test
Proof that you have passed the aptitude test is valid for one year. Aptitude tests successfully completed at other universities can be recognised by the examination board if they are equivalent. A medical expert report certifying fitness for sport, which must not be older than one year, must be submitted for admission.
Language requirements
Without admission restrictions (studying without NC)
Sports aptitude test on 3 July 2026
To be admitted to the sports degree programme, you must successfully complete the aptitude test. This will take place on 3 July 2026. Registration for the sports test is possible until 28 June 2026. Further information on the sports test can be found on the sports aptitude test website.
That's how it works... Sports aptitude test at the University of Erfurt (in German)
![[Translate to English:] Sport Eignungsprüfung](/fileadmin/_processed_/3/b/csm_Thumbnail-Eignungspruefung-Sport-Erfurt_0510f5429a.webp)
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Minimum requirements & instructional videos
Athletics
Apparatus gymnastics
| Action |
|---|
| Floor (mandatory) |
| then there is a choice between: |
| high bar and |
| uneven bars (women)/high bars (men) |
Floor exercise tutorial
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Stretching tutorial
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uneven bars tutorial
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Tutorial parallel bars
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Sports games
The application of basic attacking and defensive skills as well as situational behaviour in attack and defence must be demonstrated.
Basketball tutorial
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Volleyball tutorial
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Handball tutorial
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Football tutorial
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Experience reports and evaluations of the sports degree programme
I learnt many new forms and types of movement from my courses last semester. I was able to get to know and try out games in particular, which are often very uncomplicated, fun and really trendy. I was also able to learn and understand basic theoretical knowledge about the human body and how it moves , which enabled me to train specific muscle groups in future lessons. So my realisation: sport broadens your horizons and creates new friendships.
High level of cohesion between students. Practical courses are taught by mostly fair and highly qualified university lecturers. Pleasant balance between theoretical and practical courses. Many options within the modules and additional qualifications.
The sports degree programme at the University of Erfurt has a large practical component and a very interesting theoretical component. The university lecturers in particular are very friendly and try to make studying easier for the most part, so you can really look forward to the courses. Nevertheless, it is very demanding. You should prepare well in the various sports so that you meet the standards. In addition, you can choose the order in which you take the course content.
Show moreBenjamin's career aspirations are clear: he wants to become a regular school teacher become a regular school teacher. But even though he has learnt to love Erfurt, he is still drawn back to his home in southern Thuringia after his studies. We spoke to him about his path into the teaching profession and also found out what his subjects have in common with his hobby.
Application for the two-subject Bachelor's programme:
The Bachelor's degree programme in Sport and Physical Education is admission-free (without NC). Successful participation in the aptitude test and a medical expert report are required for the application. Please register for the aptitude test in good time.
Application for two admission-free subjects
If you combine the Sport and Physical Education course (without NC) with another admission-free subject (without NC), you can enrol directly from 1 May to 15 September via the University of Erfurt's application portal. Please enclose a copy of your aptitude certificate with your application for enrolment/matriculation and registration.
Application for at least one subject with restricted admission
If you wish to combine the Sport and Physical Education degree programme (without NC) with a subject with restricted admission (with NC) , please submit your application from 1 May to 15 July via the following link. The letter of aptitude can be submitted later if necessary.
Timetable: Aptitude test, application and matriculation and registration
Start application period
You can now apply for the Sport and Physical Education degree programme. Please note the two-subject Bachelor's degree and choose another degree programme as your main subject.
Open Day
On this day, the University of Erfurt will be presenting its degree programmes on campus. Why don't you come and visit us and get to know us!
Application deadline for sports aptitude test
Please register for the aptitude test in advance. You will need the aptitude test for your application.
Date of sports aptitude test
Successful participation in the sports aptitude test is required for admission to the sports degree programme. Please upload the positive decision with your application.
Application deadline for major subject with restricted admission
If your major is subject to admission restrictions (with NC), you can submit your application by 15 July. Good luck!
Application deadline for open-admission major subject
If your main subject is open admission (without NC), you can enrol directly by 15 September.
Subject advice and counselling
Would you like to talk to students of sport and movement education? Write to them or follow them on Facebook and Instagram!
- fssport@uni-erfurt.de
- Facebook: FSR Sport
- Instagram: FSR Sport
Downloads
Flyer "Studying at the University of Erfurt" (pdf)
Flyer "Course catalogue of the University of Erfurt" (pdf)
Flyer "Bachelor's programme in Physical Education" (pdf)
Flyer "Sport aptitude test" (pdf)
What inspires me about my degree programme...
Laura has combined Technology with Sports and Movement Education .
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