The German Sport University Cologne, founded in 1947 in Cologne, combines qualified teaching, international research, and world-class sport. It is Germany's only university solely dedicated to the study of sport and exercise. In the Shanghai Ranking's 2020 Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments, the German Sport University Cologne is ranked 17th in the world and 1st in Germany.
Because of its unique subject matter, the German Sport University Cologne stands out in the German and international university competition. Sport serves as a common, overarching point of reference for their research, teaching, continuing education, and consulting activities. In doing so, the institute strives to consistently consider the fact that structural changes in sport, as well as its differentiation and growing health, socio-political, and economic importance, have systematically expanded the range of tasks and fields of application of sports science, necessitating completely new problem solutions from it.
Today, it is an internationally renowned research university with over 6,000 students and modern bachelor's/degree master's programs. The numerous memberships in various networks and organizations attest to their unique interdisciplinary nature and leadership in sports science on a national and international level. The German Sport University combines continuous innovation with a sense of special responsibility to sport and society.
The German Sport University Cologne occupies a unique position in the university landscape due to its unique subject matter. Sport and exercise have always served as a foundation for research and education. The institution has a classic university campus where teaching and research facilities, living space for teachers and students, green spaces, and university-related infrastructures are all concentrated in a small area.