Master of Science in Movement and Sports Sciences (Physical Activity, Fitness and Health)

The Movement and Sports Sciences programme offers extensive academic-scientific training. It prepares students to become experts, scientists and professionals who are able to work in various movement- and sports-related professional contexts.

We train you to become:

• a movement specialist who knows how to approach and coach “the human in motion” in a professional and critical-scientific manner;
• a sports scientist who researches the functioning and coaching of “the human in motion” in a critical-scientific manner;
• a professional who knows how to take on individual responsibilities as well as responsibilities in team.

The three main subjects differ in their in-depth and specialised set of course units and two extensive main subject-specific work placements.

If the current social trend related to physical activity and fitness in a health context appeals to you, then our main subject on Physical Activity, Fitness and Health is the right option for you. It focuses on movement coaching of specific target groups as well as fitness coaching, in fitness centres and beyond.

The two-year Master’s programme (60 credits-worth each) is an in-depth continuation of the scientific-academic approach initialised in the Bachelor's programme. The curriculum contains a limited number of general course units in the discipline of movement and sports sciences, main subject-specific course units, minors, and a Master's dissertation. The set of general course units comprises a methodology course unit on the one hand, and a number of specific theoretical course units in the discipline of movement and sports sciences. To a limited extent, these general course units are complemented with physical education in a number of new and current sports disciplines.

The main subject Physical Activity, Fitness and Health contains a choice of two 18-credit minors on Nutrition or on Research. The Research minor is an in-depth academic study of one of the research disciplines in our department. The Nutrition minor is a broadening study of nutrition and dietetics in relation to sports, movement and health.

In addition to the specific professional training, the Master’s programme also offers a number of course units on research methodology, which you need in order to complete your Master's dissertation. The Master's dissertation consists of research you set up, conduct and report in consultation with your supervisor.

In addition to the (domain) Master’s programme described above, you can also choose a Master’s Programme in Teaching (in Dutch: Educatieve Master). This diploma gives access to teacher positions in Physical Education in secondary schools or in higher professional (pedagogic) education. Find out more at www.ugent.be/educatievemaster(in Dutch).

Our Movement and Sports Sciences graduates possess comprehensive academic skills, which enable them to approach and research “humans in motion”, how they function and how they are coached in a critical-scientific manner. In addition, they have extensive expertise to apply this critical-scientific approach to coach “the human in motion” in various sports and movement-related contexts. We also train you to become a professional in the field, who knows how to take on individual responsibilities as well as responsibilities in team, and to communicate appropriately in a broad and multidisciplinary society. Last but not least, the programme has an outspoken social character which makes for strong social skills in our graduates.  Precisely these characteristics combined, so feedback from the professional field has taught us, are our most important asset. Due to this combination of skills our graduates are highly coveted by the professional field, in the sports and movement sector and beyond. With our clearly-defined main subjects, we deliver graduates who are well-prepared for the labour market. Please take a look at the overview of career opportunities below. 

The sports and recreation sector 
There are many job opportunities here:

• sports official, policy offer for municipal sports policy; 
• manager of sports and recreation centres, manager of sports organisations; 
• PhysEd teacher-animator in holiday resorts or large companies; 
• specialized trainer at sports clubs, organisations or schools for professional athletes; 
• self-employed personal trainer, specialised trainer at a fitness centre or an organisation, or catering to specific target groups (e.g. children or senior citizens dealing with overweight);
• management or co-ordinating positions at sports federations;
• medical representative at a pharmaceutical company;
• sports science coach at a sports medical or scientific counselling centre.

The Business World
Our graduates easily find their way into the business world. Many of them end op in (high-end) management positions, within the sports sector and beyond. 

Research
Academic research on sports, movement and health has been on the rise in recent years. Our graduates increasingly choose a research career after obtaining their Master’s degree, which in most cases results in a PhD. A PhD offers a clear added value for certain positions in a company, at university or a university college. 

Please take a look at our leaflet with career opportunities  (in Dutch).