What a thrill! Home game, the score is tied and only five minutes left until the final whistle—every single fan is biting their nails. The chants get louder, the atmosphere is electrifying and tense. It is exactly such emotional and sincere moments that make sport what it is—regardless of the discipline. But to keep all this machinery running, for example in professional football, a lot of work has to be done in the background. The reason is: Successful teams and their members are always backed by economic structures and management concepts that focus centring on economic and sporting goals. This is exactly where the study programme ‘Sports Science’ with a focus on sports management comes in.
As managers of the future you will be involved in determining the success and orientation of sports businesses, for example, by hiring suitable staff, managing finances, dealing with marketing, and doing public relations work. Due to sport becoming increasingly commercialized and professionalized, business management issues in particular are taking on an ever greater role. This is why at the beginning of your studies you will first learn the basics in sports science as well as in business administration and economics, so that you can later build on this to gain practically relevant management expertise.
Sports economics and management are among the focal points of the degree programme. At the same time, we make you fit for the job market through various practical assignments. We believe in interactive teaching concepts that build a bridge between theory and practice—for example, through case studies, business games or your compulsory internship. After completing your studies, you will be able to carry out management tasks in sports businesses independently, professionally and in a goal-oriented manner.
major subject
Graphic: Sophie BartholomeThe bachelor's degree is the first professional qualification. The standard period of study is six semesters, during which various forms of courses (e.g. lectures, seminars or practical courses) are offered for the individual modules.
A multi-subject bachelor’s programme consists of a major subject with 120 credit points (CP for short; 1 CP = 30 hours for attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations) and a minor subject with 60 CP. You can combine ‘Sports Science’ with any of the minor subjects offered at the University of Jena. However, we recommend combining it with the minor subject ‘Economics and Business Administration’.
The focus of the programme is on courses in sports management and sports economics. In the first two semesters, you will receive a solid theoretical introduction to the basics of sports science from the perspective of the natural sciences, medicine, and social sciences. Through projects modules and a twelve-week internship, you will gain first practical experience. In addition, you will learn the soft skills relevant to your profession, such as leadership and social skills, through advanced courses and business games.
The following table shows the possible structure of your studies in ‘Sports Science – Focus: Sports Management’:
| 1st semester | 2nd semester | 3rd semester | 4th semester | 5th semester | 6th semester |
| Scientific basics fundamentals (8 CP) |
Statistical methods (8 CP) | Specialisation Sports Management (8 CP) |
Internship (20 CP) |
Sports Law (4 CP) |
|
| Social science basics (8 CP) |
Specialisation in Sports Marketing (8 CP) | Sports Practice II (4 CP) |
|||
| Fundamentals of Sports Management (8 CP) | Sports Practice I (4 CP) | Project module (8 CP) |
Bachelor's dissertation (10 CP) | ||
| Research methods (8 CP) | Key qualifications (6 CP) |
||||
| Specialisation in Sports Economics (8 CP) | |||||
Abbreviations: CP = credit points (ECTS) | ECTS credits
More detailed information can be found in the module catalogue for the study programme [in German]External link.
Prof. Dr. Frank Daumann
Image: Arlene KnipperThe concept of the study programme Sports Management is characterized by a strong symbiosis: Theory meets practice; conventional events such as lectures are complemented by innovative business games and case study competitions; contact hours and self-study times are balanced.
Prof. Dr Frank Daumann,
Professor of Sports Economics and Health Economics
Short distances, the modern environment and the well-equipped facilities at the Institute make every athlete's heart beat faster. All combined in one place with a feel-good factor—at Seidelstraße 20.
Areas of employment for graduates
Student talking on phone in office
Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)Graduates who have completed the minor subject ‘Economics’ can continue their studies in the MSc Business Administration (possibly subject to conditions).
A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.
More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.
In order to be admitted to a sports science programme at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, you must provide doctor’s certificate confirming your medical eligibility.
Admission and language requirements for applicants of foreign nationality and without German Abitur: www.uni-jena.de/en/study-orientation-international
Seidelstr. 20
07749 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Bachstraße 18k
07743 Jena
Telephone hours:
Mondays and Fridays (9:00 – 11:00)
Wednesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
The ASPA is primarily responsible for students in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Faculty of Theology.
Postal address:
Akademisches Studien- und Prüfungsamt
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Seidelstr. 20
07749 Jena
University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Office hours:
The Central Student Advisory Service will be closed from 22 December 2025 to 2 January 2026. We will be happy to assist you again from 5 January 2026!
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.
Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).
Video chat: To the video chat – Zoom Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb
University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Opening hours:
Information Desk (UHG; Room E0.65)
Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)
You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.
Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)
Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena
University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link