With 152 Olympic champions Hungary has a potential for training and education. The Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (called TF in Hungarian) which is now part of the Semmelweis University is one of the two officially sponsored European training sites of the International Olympic Committee.

TF is the only Hungarian higher educational institution specialized in sport sciences and it has more than 75 years of experience and excellence. It was founded as an independent institution. Due to the reorganization of Hungarian higher education in 2000 the Hungarian University of Physical Education was merged with the Semmelweis Medical University.

The Campus of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences is located in the central Buda side of the capital. The educational facilities comprise of training halls, sport fields and a swimming pool. Within the campus there is a dormitory where international students can be accommodated, as well. Adjacent to the PE campus you can find the central Sport Hospital in Hungary.

Academic Programs in English

Parallel to the Hungarian programs the Faculty offers accredited degree programs in English giving the opportunity to international students to study and complete their studies in an international environment. The first program, which was introduced in English, was the Physical Education Program in 1993 that was followed three years later by Human Kinesiology.

Physical Education and/or Coaching B.Sc. Program

Physical Education and/or Coaching, a major, is a 3-year program (6 semesters) which awards Bachelor of Science Degree (B.Sc.) in Physical Education and/or Coaching followed by the 2-year Physical Education Master Degree Program after complete accreditation received.

The curriculum parallels the standard of most European Physical Education and Coaching programs. Within the full time courses students study natural, social and sport science, the technical and tactical features of various sports and their training methods with the appropriate theoretical background.

Graduates will be introduced to the basic principles of the human body function in childhood and adult age in physical education and in sport. In addition during 6 semesters, student will also participate and gain much valued experience in recreation and sport camps.

Students are required to take several examinations at the end of the course, to prepare a thesis which must be defended in front of an examination board.

Studies are finished with a Comprehensive State Exam.

Fields of Study

General Studies:       History of Sport, Pedagogy, Psychology, History of Philosophy, Sociology, Management, Informatics and Hungarian Language/Terminology.

Specific Studies:      Biomechanics, Anatomy -- Functional Anatomy, Physiology -- Sport Physiology, Health Sciences, Adapted Physical Education, Theory of Physical Education, Theory and Methodology of Training, Motor Learning, Sport Pedagogy, Sport Psychology, Sport Sociology, Research Methods, Biochemistry, Nutrition, Teaching Technology, Theory of Education and Theory of Sport Games.

Practical Studies:    Theory and Practice of Sport in Track and Field, Gymnastics, Sport Games, Tennis, Swimming, Combat Sports, Water Sports, Winter Sports, Dance, Aerobics, Recreation Training, Strength Training.

Human Kinesiology B.Sc. Program

Human Kinesiology is a 3-year program (6 semesters) which awards Bachelor of Science Degree (B.Sc.) in Human Kinesiology followed by the 2-year Master Degree Program after complete accreditation received. This program is designed to provide students with basic education in human movement sciences.

Graduates, according to the core curriculum, will acquire knowledge in movement and sport sciences, in health and some specified medical sciences. They will be able to analyze and apply the principles of human movement structure, as well as to collect and analyze scientific data of different movement activities and study their effects on human body and health.

Human Kinesiology deals with regulations and executions of human movements with motor learning, including brain functions, characteristics of mobility of disabled patients and persons needing prevention of health breakdown or those needing rehabilitation after injuries. Graduates will study scientific methods and how to write publications in the field of applied movement and sport sciences.

Education is closely associated with anatomy and physiology of movement system, pathology and patophysiology of movement disorders, physical activity and health of elderly, prevention of metabolic diseases including diabetes, rehabilitation of sport injuries, orthopedic and cardiopulmonary disorders.

Therefore, the qualifications can be used in medical and sport-orientated research laboratories, sport clubs, medical and rehabilitation clinics and higher education departments. Major fields in employment aimed at the preservation of health, prevention of diseases and restoration of health and rehabilitation of patients with chronic diseases by means of specified movement programs. Commercial areas are expanding: health tourism, fitness – wellness - health centers, insurance companies, industry dealing with technologies alleviating handicap mobility up to robotics.

Fields of Study

General Studies:       History of Sport, History of Philosophy, Ethics, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biophysics, Informatics, Legal Studies, Hungarian Language Terminology, Theory of Science.

Specific Studies:      Sociology, Psychology, Motor Learning, Mental Training, Biochemistry, Laboratory Diagnostics, Anatomy, Functional Anatomy, Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Human Biology and Anthropology, Health Science, Sport Injuries, Biometry, Research Methods, Biomechanics, Movement Simulation, Nutrition, Human Genetics, Physiotherapy, Massage, Theory of Training, Adapted Physical Education, Life Cycles, Human Technology.

Practical Studies:    Conditioning, Aerobics, Folk Dance, School Games, Swimming, Track and Field, Ball Games, Tennis.

Medical Related Subjects:  Movement specialists in preventive health care and rehabilitation, in cardiopulmonary and metabolic diseases, sport injuries, orthopedics and traumatology.

Within the preventive health care, physical activity for elderly and prevention of overweight and obesity are the specializations. Health preservation in the fitness--wellness--health centres, health and movement specialists in insurance and other commercial fields are also on the list.

SPECIALIZATION (B.SC.) IN KINESIOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO, LONDON, CANADA

The Joint Program with the University of Western Ontario allows Human Kinesiology students from Semmelweis University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences to transfer into the third year of the Honours Specialization in Kinesiology at the University of Western Ontario Canada. Students who successfully complete four semesters at the Semmelweis University and four semesters at the University of Western Ontario will receive the Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Western Ontario.

Intensive Program - International Coaching Course

The International Coaching Course (ICC) is an intensive, 3 month intermediate level course organized by the Institute of Coaching and Sport Education unit of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Science of Semmelweis University. The Course provides coaches with a systematic way to improve their knowledge and skills in the theoretical, technical and practical aspects of coaching. The course content has been carefully selected to meet the needs of coaches working generally with young, developing athletes as well as with advanced athletes of elite sport. This course in English is only offered in Budapest supported by the International Olympic Committee. The Fall Course begins in mid-September, the Spring Course in mid-March.