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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Sports and Exercise Therapy under the number 1151523. Who is the Bachelor's programme in Sports and Exercise Therapy recommended for?
The degree programme is aimed at all those who want to take on a responsible role in medical rehabilitation and prevention - especially if you are interested in the treatment and prevention of orthopaedic, internal or neurological diseases through movement. You are also suitable as a career changer if you want to help patients improve physical, mental, and social functions and enjoy working in interdisciplinary teams. Typical target groups are high school graduates, career starters, and professionals in the health and fitness sector who want to expand their area of responsibility.
These are the requirements you must meet for the programme
The following formal admission requirements must be met:
- University entrance qualification through one of the following options:
- General university entrance qualification (A-levels)
- University of Applied Sciences entrance qualification (completion of the theoretical and, if applicable, practical part of the course)
- Completion of a master craftsman's or business management qualification
- Completion of vocational training at a technical college or equivalent professional development qualification
- Conclusion of a training contract with a company affiliated with DHfPG in a cooperative manner (dual study model)
- If you have already completed training as a physiotherapist, a shortened study period is possible
Personally, you should have a strong interest in sports, exercise, and health. Social skills, communication skills, and a willingness to work with patient groups and teams are also important. Experience in the sports, health, or therapy sector is advantageous, but as a career changer, you can also start successfully if you have a confident demeanor, a sense of responsibility, and a willingness to learn.
What content does the Bachelor's programme in Sports and Exercise Therapy convey?
In the dual Bachelor's programme in Sports and Exercise Therapy at the German University for Prevention and Health Management (DHfPG), you will develop solid competencies in exercise science, medical rehabilitation, and prevention. The programme combines natural and health scientific basics with practical knowledge for all areas of care in the healthcare system. You will learn to design and implement biopsychosocial interventions for patients with different indications. In addition to classical exercise science, the following focuses are emphasized:
- Healthcare system and prevention: Introduction to structures, actors, and legal frameworks
- Medical basics: Anatomy, physiology, pathology, and clinical pictures
- Sports and exercise therapy according to ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health)
- Exercise science in theory and practice for various patient groups
- Sports and exercise therapy in orthopaedics, rheumatology, traumatology, in internal diseases, and in neurology
- Development and evaluation of individual exercise concepts
- Teaching health-related knowledge and leading health-promoting activities
Upon completion, you will meet provider qualifications for billable exercise programs in all prevention stages (primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention). Optionally, you can obtain the additional qualification "Sports and Exercise Therapy DVGS" for various indication areas, provided that the practical requirements are met.
How is the structure and process of the study designed?
The study is structured as a dual distance learning programme and lasts a total of seven semesters (42 months). The concept combines self-directed, location-independent learning with on-site phases and practical application in the training company. The key features at a glance:
- You can start your studies at any time
- Combination of distance learning, compact on-site teaching sessions (a total of 73 on-site days), and simultaneous activity in the training company
- Self-directed learning via online platforms (ILIAS E-Campus) and study materials
- Practical integration of study content directly in the business environment
- Graduate as Bachelor of Arts
- Possibility of directly following a consecutive master's degree in "Sports and Exercise Therapy" (under accreditation)
Especially for professionals with completed training as a physiotherapist, the duration of the study can be shortened. After completion and upon proof of the required practical experience, you can apply for the additional qualification "Sports and Exercise Therapy DVGS".
What career opportunities does a degree in Sports and Exercise Therapy open up?
With a bachelor's degree, you are qualified for demanding activities in the medical and preventive healthcare sector. Typical fields of application and tasks are:
- Sports and exercise therapist in outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation facilities
- Collaboration in interdisciplinary rehab teams (e.g. with doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists)
- Development and implementation of indication-specific exercise concepts for orthopaedic, internal, and neurological diseases
- Management of rehabilitation sports groups, exercise-related additional programs, and patient education (e.g. within Disease Management Programs)
- Offer of billable preventive measures through social security carriers
- Teaching health knowledge and promoting an active lifestyle
Typical employers are medical care centres, rehab clinics, physiotherapy practices, hospitals, nursing and senior facilities, health insurance companies, or municipal institutions (schools, companies, clubs), as well as commercial health service providers and fitness studios. With the additional qualification "Sports and Exercise Therapy DVGS," you expand your possibilities, especially in rehabilitation and area-specific prevention management.
What costs can you expect, and how can you finance your studies?
The monthly tuition fees are 390 euros (until 30.06.2026) or 420 euros (from 01.07.2026). Usually, these fees are covered by the training company. The following financing options are available:
- Employer's assumption of tuition fees (standard in the dual model)
- Access to special funding programs for dual students, such as state subsidies or education funds
- Salary from the parallel company employment
- Tax deductibility of training costs as advertising expenses
Other costs, such as for teaching materials or examinations, are usually already included in the monthly fee. The university supports you in finding funding opportunities and a suitable training company.
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Hi, a higher diploma in Hong Kong in engineering aspect is also meeting the entry requirements for General university entrance qualification?
As this is sport therapy, which is not engineering subject, so is higher diploma in different field also accepted for entry? Thanks.
Hi Fai, for the BA "Sports and Exercise Therapy" at DHfPG, the main requirement is a general university entrance qualification or a comparable qualification. A higher diploma from Hong Kong in engineering might be considered equivalent, but there are a couple of things to note:
The subject area of your diploma does not have to be sports or health — career changers from other fields can apply, if they are motivated and meet the formal educational requirements.
The university has to specifically check if your qualification from Hong Kong is officially recognised as equivalent to the German 'Allgemeine Hochschulreife'.
So, yes: Your higher diploma in engineering might allow you to enter, even if it's not in sports or therapy. However, the final decision is always up to the university’s admissions office.
If you want to be sure, I recommend reaching out directly to DHfPG (German University of Prevention and Health Management) and sending them your diploma and transcripts for review. If you want, I can help you find the right contact or draft a short message for them.
Let me know how you want to proceed or if you have further questions about the course or the application process.
Please help me find the right contact or draft a short message for them. Please please let me know the timeline for finding company and application process.
Hi Fai,
happy to help! Two important things first, then a short message you can send to DHfPG.
Heads-up before anything else: This Bachelor's programme is taught in German, not English. The course page is in English on our portal, but lectures, study materials and exams at DHfPG are all in German. For applicants from abroad this usually means a German language proof (e.g. DSH or TestDaF) is the relevant requirement — not an English test like IELTS/PTE. So before investing time in the document recognition, it's worth checking whether the German language level works for you.
About "finding a company": This is a DUAL study programme. That means enrolment requires more than your school qualification — you also need a training contract with a company affiliated with DHfPG (rehab centre, physiotherapy practice, health/fitness provider, etc.). The studies combine distance learning with on-site phases and practical work in that company. Good news: DHfPG states that they support applicants in finding a suitable training company.
On the timeline: You can start the programme at any time ("enrolment anytime"), so there's no fixed application deadline. But the practical order is usually: (1) check qualification recognition + language requirement, (2) secure a training contract with a partner company, (3) enrol. How long step 2 takes depends heavily on the company search, so we can't give you an exact timeframe — DHfPG can tell you realistically once they know your situation.
One clarification so you know who you're talking to: We're the team behind privathochschulen.net, an independent comparison portal — not DHfPG's admissions office. So the binding decisions (recognition of your Hong Kong higher diploma, language proof, company placement) can only be confirmed by DHfPG directly.
Here's a short message you can send them:
You can reach DHfPG (German University of Prevention and Health Management) here: https://www.dhfpg.de/
If you'd like to compare similar programmes, our study finder might help:
https://www.privathochschulen.net/en/studyfinder
And if you have more questions, you can always reach us here:
https://www.privathochschulen.net/en/questions
Best of luck with your application!