Sporthochschulen

Sporthochschulen are higher education and research institutions dedicated to sport science, physical education, and related disciplines. The term, used primarily in German-speaking contexts, describes universities or university-level faculties that focus on the scientific study of sport as well as its practice. They train teachers for physical education, coaches, sport managers, therapists, and scientists, and typically award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in fields such as sport science, exercise physiology, biomechanics, psychology, pedagogy, coaching, and sport management.

Some institutions also provide professional programs for physiotherapy or athletic therapy, reflecting a-practice orientation alongside academic study. Sporthochschulen often combine research with applied training, supporting high-performance sport through affiliated centers, laboratories, and coaching resources. They collaborate with national sport federations and clubs to advance talent development, coaching quality, and sport medicine.

They play a distinctive role within the German-speaking higher education landscape, existing as independent institutions or as specialized faculties within larger universities. Notable examples include the Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln (Cologne) in Germany, which has long been associated with sport science research and education, along with similar, regionally focused institutions in Austria and Switzerland. Across the region, Sporthochschulen contribute to national sport development, athletic performance, and international collaboration in research, education, and practice.