Sport Sciences

​Course Coordination

Maria João Vaz da Cruz Lagoa

​coord.cd@umaia.pt

Description

The Bachelor's Degree in Sports Science aims to train professionals capable of responding to the needs of the sports system, intervening appropriately in the areas of school physical education (Curriculum Enrichment Activities), sports training, physical exercise and health, physical fitness maintenance and physical activity for specific groups (people with disabilities, people with chronic diseases, pregnant women, among others).

The Study Plan consists of two training axes:

1. a common core and
2. an axis of 3 optional courses grouped into areas of intervention with integrated internships:
1. Physical Education Teaching;
2. Sports Training;
3. and Physical Exercise and Health.

The choice by the student, in the 3rd year of the study cycle, of an optional track through the selection of a set of Curricular Units from those three areas, constitutes an innovative approach, as it provides the student with the possibility of participating in the composition of their study plan with a view to self-determination of their future educational and professional path.

Admission exams 2026/2027 *

Holders of a Portuguese secondary education diploma may apply through one of the following options:

OR

* Requires fulfilment of Group B prerequisites (Interpersonal Communication)

Proof of eligibility​

A medical certificate, in accordance with the resolution of the National Commission for Access to Higher Education (CNAES) establishing the prerequisites required for application for enrolment and registration in higher education, to be submitted to the Higher Education Institution that requires it, should the applicant be offered a place there, this being an essential condition for enrolment and registration.​​

Calculation of the Application Score

The calculation of the application score depends on the number of admission exams used in the application:

OR

This degree programme is based on a contemporary and interdisciplinary approach to Sports Science.

The teaching staff comprises lecturers and researchers who are recognised experts in their respective scientific fields, as well as sports professionals and coaches of national and international standing across various sports disciplines (including members of the technical staff of national teams and national championship-winning teams). It is this multidisciplinary group of over 60 lecturers and professionals that fosters the right synergy between professional experience and the most up-to-date scientific evidence, ensuring evidence-based teaching.

The Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Science is accredited by the Centre for Research in Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD). CIDESD, a research and development unit accredited by the Foundation for Science and Technology, was recently rated ‘Excellent’. Students also have the opportunity to apply for Scientific Research Initiation Grants, as part of various research programmes.

Facilities

The Sports Complex (sports hall, fitness centre, specialised studios, football pitch, athletics track, tennis courts, climbing wall and sandpit), built in 2017, complemented by the renovated Centre for Sports Performance and Health Optimisation (exercise laboratory and analytical laboratory), provides and enhances the ideal environment for student training and learning processes.​

Elective Pathways

When registering for the 3rd year of the course, students must rank their three preferred options in order of preference.

Elective Track 1 – Sports Training

• Methodology of Sports Training*
  
• Specific Topics in Sports Training
  
• Work Placement I and II*

* Select a sport; this must be the same across all 3 course units

Elective Track 2 – Physical Exercise and Health

• Methodology of Physical Exercise and Health
• Specific Topics in Physical Exercise and Health
• Work Placement I and II

Elective Track 3 – Physical Education Teaching

• Methodology of Physical Education Teaching
• Specific Topics in Physical Education Teaching
• Work ​Placement​g I and II

The criteria for ranking students for access to the optional pathways presented are as follows:

• Highest number of course units completed up to the previous academic year (including credits with and without a mark).
• Highest number of ECTS credits from modules completed up to the previous academic year (including credits with and without a mark).
• Weigh​ted average (rounded to two decimal places) of the marks obtained in the modules referred to in a) (in accordance with the assessment regulations);
  
• Age, with preference given to the older candidate.
  

Partnership Networks

UMAIA has been consolidating its ​network of partnerships dedicated to the activities of the Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science. Notable among these are local authority bodies dedicated to sport – Maia Municipal Council, Santo Tirso Municipal Council, and Vila Nova de Famalicão Municipal Council. In the gym and fitness centre sector: Solinca Gym, Maiafit, and Parque Health Club. As for sports organisations, the following stand out: the Portuguese Football Federation, FC Porto; Dragon Force; Sport Clube Beira Mar, Vilaverdense Football Club and Moreirense Football Club, and Clube Propaganda de Natação. Notable educational institutions include: Colégio Camões, Colégio da Trofa, Colégio de Gaia, Colégio de Lamas, Colégio de Lourdes, Colégio Novo da Maia, DIDÁXIS: Cooperativa de Ensino-CRL. ​

Activities and Events

Every year, significant activities and events are organised for student development and community outreach, notably the following:

ISMAI DANCE and ISMAI GYM: these are two events organised as part of the Rhythmic Activities and Gymnastics I and II modules respectively, whose main objective is the development of essential skills, the systematisation of the syllabus content and practical application in a real-world context, extending to the wider community;​

 ISMAI DANCE 2025    ISMAI GYM​ 2025   ​​​

The Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Science is accredited by the Centre for Research in Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD). CIDESD, a research and development unit accredited by the Foundation for Science and Technology, was recently rated ‘Excellent’. Students also have the opportunity to apply for Scientific Research Initiation Grants, as part of various research programmes.

​R&D Activities

The course includes with​in its teaching staff all CIDESD researchers working at UMAIA, meaning that R&D activities result from strategic alignment with that research centre. The following projects are currently underway:

Gym4PETIZ - Physical Exercise for Toddlers and Infants in Family (funded by the Portuguese Football Federation);

​​​Gym4PETIZ 

Games4Kids: The main aim of this project/event is to provide primary school pupils at the Levante da Maia School Group with a range of varied physical and sporting activities, through games designed and led by third-year students on the course. “

Creative Physical REPLETE - Education as an experiential transformative learning activity to improve social-emotional skills, fitness levels and health" (PTDC/CED-EDG/0254/2020);

MBP-PE - A school that values students as active elements in the teaching-learning process: Contributions of Models-Based Practices in Physical Education. A cluster-randomised controlled trial and cluster analysis” (funding – Foundation for Science and Technology);

​HOLDAGE – “The Hypotensive Effects of Home-Based Isometric Handgrip Training in Older Adults with Pre-Hypertension and Hypertension" (PTDC/SAU-DES/30646/2017. POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030646 FCT / Compete 2020).​

• Curricular Enrichment Activities in Physical Education (1st cycle of Basic Education);

• Physical Activity or Physical Exercise (Gyms and Local Authorities in the areas of recreation, health, well-being and sports entertainment);
• Adapted Physical Activity (specialised centres for special populations).​
• Sports Management (Public Organisations, Private Sector Organisations, or creation of one's own professional activity);
  

Registry

Course registered at the General Directorate of Higher Education with the number R/A-Ef 134/2012/AL04, of 16 July 2025

Accreditation of the Study Program