About Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln
Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln (German Sport University Cologne, known as DSHS or Spoho) is Germany's only university dedicated exclusively to sport and movement science. Founded in 1947 and located in the Sportpark Müngersdorf in western Cologne, it operates across 19 scientific institutes and hosts around 6,000 students from more than 85 countries.
The university covers the full breadth of sports science — from biomechanics, sports medicine, and exercise psychology to sports management, sports history, and elite athletic training. Its central library is the world's largest specialised sports science library, with over 830,000 items. The campus spans approximately 187,000 square metres, including around 61,000 square metres of dedicated sports facilities.
DSHS offers five bachelor's programmes (including teacher training), eight consecutive master's programmes (four in English), and doctoral studies. It maintains 65 international partner universities and is consistently regarded as one of Europe's leading institutions in sports science research.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1947
- Students
- 5,964
- International
- Students from 85+ countries
- Faculties
- 19
Germany's only university exclusively dedicated to sport and movement science (founded 1947)
19 scientific institutes covering biomechanics, sports medicine, psychology, management, history, and more
World's largest specialised sports science library (830,000+ items)
Four English-taught consecutive master's programmes including Sport Management and Human Technology in Sports and Medicine
65 international partner universities; students from 85+ countries
No non-EU tuition surcharge — NRW state policy; only standard semester contribution (~€353/semester)
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
No tuition fees for consecutive bachelor's and master's programmes. All students pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag): WS 2026/27 rate is €353.30 per semester, comprising €110.00 for Kölner Studierendenwerk (student services) and €243.30 for AStA (student union), which includes the Deutschland-Semesterticket (nationwide public transport). Non-EU students are not subject to additional non-EU surcharges — NRW (Nordrhein-Westfalen) does not levy a non-EU tuition fee. Continuing-education master's programmes (Weiterbildungsmaster) carry separate programme fees.
Admission requirements
International applicants need a recognised higher education entrance qualification. For bachelor's programmes, applicants must pass the university's sports aptitude test (Eignungstest); German language proficiency at C1 level is required (DSH-2, TestDaF TDN 4, telc C1 Hochschule, or DSD II). For English-taught master's programmes, TOEFL iBT ≥95, IELTS Academic ≥7.0, or Cambridge C1 is required. For German-taught master's programmes, C1 German proof not older than two years is required. A bachelor's degree certificate and full transcript with certified translations (if not in German or English) are mandatory for master's applications. APS certificate is required for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam as per standard German university admission rules — the university does not waive this. Applications are submitted exclusively via the mySpoho online portal; no paper applications are accepted.
Application deadlines
Bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes (EU/EEA applicants): Winter Semester — 1 June to 15 July; Summer Semester — 1 December to 15 January. Master's programmes for non-EU applicants: 25 April to 31 May (earlier deadline). Language certificates for non-EU master's applicants must be submitted by 31 May; EU applicants by 31 August.
Languages of instruction
German and English. Four of eight consecutive master's programmes are taught fully in English (Sport Management, Human Technology in Sports and Medicine, Psychology in Sport and Exercise, International Sport Development and Politics). Bachelor's and German-taught master's programmes require C1 German.
Campuses & locations
Single campus in western Cologne; ~187,000 m² total area including 61,000 m² of sports facilities, athletics stadium, 50 m competition pool, and gymnastics halls
Living in Nordrhein-Westfalen
Cologne (Köln) is Germany's fourth-largest city with around 1.1 million inhabitants, located in the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen on the Rhine. It is a major student city with several universities and a large international community. DSHS sits in the Müngersdorf district within Cologne's western green belt, close to the city's professional sports infrastructure. The city is well connected by ICE rail to Frankfurt (1 hr), Amsterdam, and Brussels, and has an international airport.
Student life & support
The compact single campus fosters a tight-knit community. Facilities include a 50-metre competition pool with diving hall, athletics stadium with synthetic track, beach volleyball courts (Playa Cologne), and extensive gymnastics and court spaces. The campus cafeteria offers vegan and vegetarian options; additional dining includes a bistro and library café. On-campus student accommodation is available. The university shop (SpohoShop) sells branded and sustainable merchandise. Over 6,000 students from 85+ countries create a strongly international atmosphere, and elite German national athletes train and study alongside regular students.
30
Accredited Programmes
20
Master
10
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
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