Technical University of Munich

Overview

The PhD programme in Sport and Health Sciences at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) is designed to foster innovative doctoral research in the fields of sport science, health, and movement-related studies. This research-oriented programme allows you to collaborate closely with academic supervisors, leading to the completion of original research and the attainment of a doctoral degree.

• Degree awarded: PhD (doctoral degree)
• Academic focus: Sport science, health sciences, movement-related research
• Delivery: Research-based doctoral study with supervision
• Credits: Structured around doctoral regulations rather than a fixed taught-course ECTS plan
• Language of instruction: English and/or German, depending on the research group
• Application: Adheres to TUM doctoral application procedures and the availability of supervisors/projects

What you'll study

The PhD programme emphasizes research, allowing you to create a personalized study plan in collaboration with your supervisors. Alongside your research, you will typically engage in structured doctoral activities such as academic training and presentations.

Research areas (examples):

• Bio- and muscle mechanics in sport
• Sport physiology and performance diagnostics
• Epidemiology and health-related research
• Sport psychology and behaviour/movement-related actions
• Sport and movement pedagogy, teaching and learning
• Management and communication topics in sport and health-care markets
• Doping prevention and integrity in sport

Typical doctoral components:

• Supervised research project with a defined research question and methodology
• Regular progress meetings with your supervisory team
• Academic training in responsible research practices and subject-specific courses
• Publication and dissemination activities, including conference presentations
• Doctoral thesis submission following TUM doctoral regulations

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

• Applicants must possess a university degree from a recognized higher education institution that is deemed equivalent to a German master’s degree.
• Equivalence assessment is conducted by the dean of the degree-awarding institution. Conditional admission may be granted if full equivalence is not established.
• Securing a suitable supervisor and aligning a research topic with departmental expertise are essential for admission.

English requirements

If your previous degree was not taught in English, proof of English proficiency is mandatory. The programme accepts various proficiency tests, including:

• TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 88
• PTE Academic: Minimum score of 65
• IELTS (overall): Minimum score of 6.5

Other documents (commonly required)

• Completed application form and CV
• Copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Motivation statement and/or research proposal
• Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
• Letters of recommendation (if required by the doctoral procedure)

Career prospects

Graduates of the Sport and Health Sciences PhD programme are well-equipped for a variety of career paths in academia, research institutions, and the sports and health sectors. The rigorous training and research experience gained during the programme prepare students for roles such as university professors, researchers, health consultants, and industry specialists in sport and health-related fields.