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Unraveling the secrets of human movement

How do toddlers learn to walk? How can augmented reality help patients with Parkinson’s Disease? How do top athletes get maximum performance out of their muscles? What’s the best training to improve stability and prevent falls among elderly people? As a student in the two-year Research Master Human Movement Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, you will learn how to answer urgent and socially relevant questions while conducting research aimed at unraveling the secrets of human movement through fundamental and applied scientific studies in Sport and Health.

Human movement is essential for understanding how we function, perform and stay healthy, yet it remains one of the most complex and dynamic areas in science. It is shaped by intricate interactions between the body, brain, behaviour and environment, and affects nearly every aspect of daily life. Questions about motor control, physical resilience or recovery after injury, exploring human movement opens the door to deeper scientific insight with direct societal relevance.

You will specialise in one of four scientific domains (biomechanics, movement neuroscience,  psychology, physiology) , while developing advanced research and academic skills that prepare you to address complex questions in application areas such as sports, prevention and health, physical education, and high-demand professions (e.g., police, military). From the start, you are encouraged to connect theoretical insight to real-world impact, laying the foundation for a career in academia, or for contributing to research and development in industry or other non-academic institutions.

VU Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences is ranked No.6 in the world on the Shanghai Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments.

VU Online Master's Event

Thursday 27 November 2025

Discover your Human Movement Sciences Research Master’s programme

This Research Master's is a selective programme, with up to 50 highly motivated students per year.

At the start of the program you choose one of four specialisations — each offering a unique perspective on human movement:

  • Biomechanics in Sports, Exercise, and Health
  • Movement Neuroscience for Health and Rehabilitation
  • Physiology of Human Performance and Health
  • Psychology in Sports, Performance, and Health

During the first year, the programme reflects the vision of contextual learning. You start applying your knowledge from the outset, working on real-world challenges and developing skills that prepare you for your future profession. Your second year is devoted to conducting a research project of your choice. Throughout the programme, you’ll gain hands-on experience across the full empirical scientific research cycle.

Are you also fascinated by the complexity of human movement?

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