Physical Activity and Health

The international Master's degree in Physical Activity and Health provides graduate students with profound knowledge and experience of successful means of promoting health by physical activity and exercise from an international perspective. This includes:

• conceptualisation of interventional strategies for the promotion of physical activity and public health policies
• implementation of physical activity and health promotion measures within specific settings, e.g. companies and schools, and for specific target groups such as immigrants and older people
• developing and implementing measures for individual physical activity and health promotion programmes for specific people who are prone to certain diseases and health risks, e.g. back pain, osteoporosis
• quality assurance and management of offered physical activity and health promotion measures
• scientific evaluation of offered physical activity and health promotion programmes

Educational organisation

L = Lecture, S = Seminar, E/P = Exercise/Practice

Semester 1: Introduction to Public Health (2.5 ECTS) L+E/P
Semester 1: Introduction to Physical Activity and Public Health (5 ECTS) L+S+E/P
Semester 1: Rehabilitation Science (7.5 ECTS) L+S+E/P
Semester 1: Health Enhancing Exercise I (5 ECTS) S+E/P
Semester 1/2: Basics in Methodology (7.5 ECTS) L+S+E/P
Semester 1/2: Communication and Cooperative Planning (7.5 ECTS) S+E/P
Semester 2: International Public Health (2.5 ECTS) L+E/P
Semester 2: International Physical Activity and Public Health (5 ECTS) L+S+E/P
Semester 2: International Rehabilitation (2.5 ECTS) L+S+E/P
Semester 2: Conceptualisation, Implementation, Evaluation I (5 ECTS) S+E/P
Semester 2/3: International Internship (10 ECTS) Internship+Workshop/Presentation
Semester 2/3: Health Enhancing Exercise II (5 ECTS) L+S+E/P
Semester 3: Public Health Diagnostics (5 ECTS) S+Lab
Semester 3: Diagnostics/Assessment in Rehabilitation and Prevention (5 ECTS) S+Lab
Semester 3/4: Conceptualisation, Implementation, Evaluation II (20 ECTS) Project
Semester 4: Master's thesis (25 ECTS)

Internships

An internship between the second and the third semester should be spent abroad to provide students with a broader spectrum of experience.

Course objectives

The international Master's degree in Physical Activity and Health provides graduate students with profound knowledge and experience of successful means of promoting health by physical activity and exercise from an international perspective. This includes:

• conceptualisation of interventional strategies for the promotion of physical activity and public health policies
• implementation of physical activity and health promotion measures within specific settings, e.g. companies and schools, and for specific target groups such as immigrants and older people
• developing and implementing measures for individual physical activity and health promotion programmes for specific people who are prone to certain diseases and health risks, e.g. back pain, osteoporosis
• quality assurance and management of offered physical activity and health promotion measures
• scientific evaluation of offered physical activity and health promotion programmes

The programme places a strong emphasis on how to conceptualise, implement, and evaluate interventional strategies for the promotion of physical activity through the participation of students in work projects.

Language requirements

For all non-native English speakers, the required English language level is "vantage or upper intermediate" level (B2) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), or an equivalent score in another internationally recognised test.

Academic requirements

The international MA in Physical Activity and Health is open to students with a college or university degree (BA as a minimum requirement). The degree may be in a discipline focusing primarily on health or physical activity (e.g. "Diplom", Master's, or Bachelor's degree in sports science, medicine, health sciences, physiotherapy) from a German or foreign university or college. Alternatively, the degree may be in another discipline (e.g. "Diplom", Master's, or Bachelor's degree in psychology, pedagogy, sociology) with a focus on health or physical activity from a German or foreign university or college, or another comparable degree. The degree should have been awarded with a minimum grade of "good" or equivalent.

Enrolment fees

The contribution to student services currently amounts to 42 EUR per semester. An additional charge of 65 EUR per semester covers the mandatory basic "semester ticket", a transit pass that provides students with unlimited access to public transport in the metropolitan region of Nuremberg from 7pm to 6am on weekdays and at all times at weekends. (For an additional optional charge, the validity of the pass can be extended to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.)

Costs of living

The cost of living can only be approximated very generally, as the needs and living conditions of every student are different.
Rent: 250-600 EUR per month
Health insurance, doctor, medicine: approximately 70 EUR per month
Food: approximately 165 EUR per month
Study materials: approximately 30 EUR per month (depending on the subject)
Transport: minimum 65 EUR per semester
Student services: 42 EUR per semester
For more information, see: http://www.fau.eu/study/prospective-students/financing-your-studies/costs-of-studying
General information on the average cost of living in Germany is available online: http://www.internationale-studierende.de/en/prepare_your_studies/financing/costs_of_living

Job opportunities

Employment as a student assistant at the university is possible. Also, Siemens offers jobs for students.

Funding opportunities within the university

The Central Office for International Affairs offers scholarships from Bavarian state funding to allow highly qualified international students in Master's, "Diplom", and State Exam degree courses to complete their degrees.
http://www.fau.eu/international/international-applicants/bachelors-masters-state-examinations/during-your-studies/scholarships-for-international-students-about-to-graduate/

Arrival support

Assistance provided upon arrival concerning:

• accommodation
• immatriculation
• health insurance
• bank account

Introductory week (prior to start of the winter semester) with information on:

• programme overview
• class schedule
• introduction to research projects of faculty
• library services
• meeting students from senior cohorts
• language classes (German and English)

Services and support for international students

The Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) will provide you with detailed information on all important topics relating to your studies (study courses, subject combinations, application requirements, support with organising your study programme and complying with all assessment/examination requirements) and on settling in at the beginning of the semester (coping with particular difficulties, changing subjects or suspending studies). For more information, see http://www.fau.eu/study/prospective-students/student-advice.
The Career Service of FAU will provide you with information on career opportunities and the specifics of an application procedure in Germany. For information, see: http://www.fau.eu/study/current-students/career-service.
The Student Service Centres (SSC) and student advisers in the faculties will provide you with further advice on your particular course of study. Programme coordinators organise subject-related orientation events and guide you through the entire study period.
The Central Office for International Affairs (RIA) will provide you with detailed information on accommodation, visa issues, and scholarship possibilities. In cooperation with the IBZ, it also organises information events and general orientation courses for first-semester-students.
See: http://www.fau.eu/international/international-applicants.
The Alumni network provides students with many topics and events for professional advancement. See: http://www.fau.eu/alumni.

Accommodation

Erlangen and Nuremberg are attractive cities with a historic flair and modern infrastructure. Therefore, the housing market is quite tight. FAU will do its best to assist new students in finding accommodation.
Student halls in Erlangen and Nuremberg can only provide accommodation for a small number of students. Another option is the private housing market. If you extend your search to neighbouring towns, such as Fürth and Forchheim, your choice of accommodation is much larger and rents are lower, while the well-developed local public transport system ensures that you're never far away from the university. In addition, there is the option to sublet a room, or you can share a flat with other students. This option not only saves you money but also helps you settle in quickly and make friends in your new home. You can find information to help with your housing search on specialised websites and the university's notice boards.
Detailed information on finding accommodation is available at http://www.fau.eu/international/international-applicants/important-information.
If you need further assistance, you can also turn to the Accommodation Service of the Central Office for International Affairs (RIA). E-mail: accommodation@fau.de.