Master of Science in Applied Neurosciences in Sports & Exercise (ANSE) Paderborn University

Courses are held in English (100%).

The international MSc in Applied Neurosciences in Sports & Exercise focuses on neuroscientific aspects of physical activity in sports and health care settings. Academic knowledge and research skills are conveyed within the two major scopes "Sports and Exercise in Neurological and Neurodegenerative Diseases and Injuries" and "Training and Performance Development from a Neuroscientific Perspective". Graduates will explicitly be enabled to pursue careers in related research fields. Moreover, working in applied clinical occupational fields will also be possible. However, we don't set a focus on acquiring manual skills (even though it is important for physiotherapists to enhance their manual skills for clinical practice).
"Sports and Exercise in Neurological and Neurodegenerative Diseases and Injuries" focuses on imparting specific knowledge of the symptoms and syndromes of diseases and injuries within the nervous system (i.e. different types of dementia and epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, concussion). Furthermore, the impact of physical activity in prevention and rehabilitation will be centred in different learning arrangements (literature based, experimental, applied).
"Training and Performance Development from a Neuroscientific Perspective" focuses on imparting specific knowledge of the central nervous activity during training and competition (i.e. mechanisms leading to fatigue, injury, over-training). Furthermore, the impact of appropriately managing exposure and recovery will be centred in different learning arrangements (literature based, experimental, applied).
Gaining methodological competences represents another key area of education.

The programme complies with the increasing demands of professional expertise and scientific work to accomplish the following:

• improve evidence based prevention and rehabilitation of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases and injuries by a differentiated application of the drug "physical activity"
• improve evidence based exposure and recovery management in sports and exercise from a neuroscientific perspective to increase performance and reduce the risk of injuries

The study programme is a full-time study programme that can't be studied online or from abroad.

With the beginning of the first semester, all enrolled students have to be present in Paderborn until 15 November the latest to be able to actively start the study programme.

31 May for international applicants for intake in October of the same year
(21 September for applications from Germany/EU)

The required skills to manage a successful career in the related fields are achieved through a modular structured study programme. This study programme is divided into three successive stages of study within a total of two years of studies. The first semester covers basic aspects of sports neurology and the neuroscience of sports and exercise as well as methodological skills (competences in neuroscientific methods, general research skills). During the second and third semesters, students work in a project-geared period. Students have the opportunity to improve and apply their neuroscientific knowledge in therapy and lab settings, leading to the ability to adequately implement sports and physical activity in these settings as well as strengthening their methodological skills. The main part of the workload is generated through scientific project work (literature based, experimental, and/or conceptual work). In the third semester, students additionally chose two out of three modules to expand their expertise in the fields of programming skills, intercultural communication, and/or a "Studium Generale" (general studies in a chosen field within the courses offered by the university). At the end of the third semester, a four-week internship helps students apply the knowledge they have gained in a practical context (i.e. research oriented or clinical setting). The fourth semester is dedicated to the Master's thesis. Besides neuroscientific knowledge, interdisciplinary elements within the programme enforce the development of personal skills, such as communicating, reporting, and presenting their own work or the work of a group. Project groups, which bring together about 10 students who work on the solution of a scientific problem, will specifically focus on these skills. The topics are typically derived from current research interests and frequently lead many of the students to their Master's theses topics. The group is challenged to organise their own work and to schedule, design, and implement a complete project, which is then presented to the public. The Master's thesis has similar requirements and is typically a single person's work. First of all, the educational concept is designed to enable graduates to appropriately and successfully act in research-oriented fields, and secondly, graduates are prepared to work in clinical professional fields with a strong emphasis on application in common practice.

Students can apply for a semester abroad at international partner universities of Paderborn University (e.g. in Norway, USA, Kenya or South Africa).

An internship of at least four weeks (full-time) has to be completed during the summer break between the second and third semesters or during the winter break between the third and fourth semesters. Programme advisers will assist students with finding an appropriate internship.

No tuition fees

Approx. 280 EUR per semester

Estimation of monthly expenses
Rent: approx. 400 EUR
Health insurance: approx.140 EUR
Food: 350 EUR
Leisure: approx. 150 EUR
Semester fees: 50 EUR per month 
Miscellaneous: about 120 EUR
Sum: approx. 1,210 EUR

Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in sports science, health science, physiotherapy, or neuroscience (or equivalent) with an overall grade of 2.5 or better according to the German grading system. The transcript of the Bachelor's degree should provide evidence of two of the three following ECTS requirements: at least 12 ECTS in Physiology, at least 12 ECTS in Research Methods / Statistics, and 12 ECTS in Bachelor's thesis.

Be aware that all international students have to submit proof of English language proficiency (level C1) with an acknowledged and independent certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL. It is not sufficient to submit a confirmation letter from your university confirming your language skills. Only if you studied in a native speaking country or are a native speaker yourself, there's no need for such independent proof.

Requirements in details:
Knowledge of English at the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Applicants can demonstrate knowledge of English by submitting any of the following (not older than two years):

• a certificate confirming that they have achieved level C1 (TOEFL: 95 (iBT); IELTS: 7 or CAE (Cambridge ESOL); UNIcert III or an equivalent form of proof)
• proof of a Bachelor's degree completely taught in English 
  The last option only counts if you studied in a native speaking country like the USA, Great Britain, Ireland, Canada and Australia as well as in Germany. It is not sufficient to provide a confirmation letter from your university (if you studied in a non-native speaking country such as Pakistan, Iran, Nigeria or else) that confirms your language skills.

German language skills are not mandatory for admission, but strongly recommended if the internship is planned in German facilities. It might then be necessary to communicate, i.e. with patients or athletes in German.

31 May for international applicants for intake in October of the same year
(21 September for applications from Germany/EU)

No

In individual cases students can obtain paid jobs as tutors as well as do technical work or support research projects within one of the research groups of the department.

Students are eligible to apply for a room at the dormitories of the "Studierendenwerk Paderborn" (affiliated with Paderborn University): https://www.studierendenwerk-pb.de/en/housing/ 
As an alternative, students can look for a room or an apartment on the private market. The typical rent is between 350 EUR and 450 EUR per month.

With the DAAD funded project InRegioFIT, Paderborn University is pursuing the goal of providing international students with targeted support throughout their studies and during their transition into the labour market. The project focuses on the specific regional requirements and circumstances in order to optimally prepare international talent for entering the local labour market.

In general, international students have access to all of the university's services, such as academic advising, counselling, etc. We also offer a vibrant international student community, special events and job application training for international students. The International Office offers a lot of support for international students coming to Germany: https://www.uni-paderborn.de/en/studies/international-students.

http://www.uni-paderborn.de

http://www.paderborn.de