Many leading kinesiology schools worldwide support students throughout their studies and as they prepare for careers. At these schools, students can learn about physical activity, human movement, health, performance, sport, and wellness through classroom study, laboratory work, research, internships, and field experiences. A degree in kinesiology or a closely related field can prepare students for careers or further study in areas such as health care, education, fitness, research, rehabilitation, and sports. In this article, we will be looking at the best schools for kinesiology in the world!
Top Kinesiology Schools in the World
1. California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is a large, urban, comprehensive public university in the California State University system. Its Department of Kinesiology is one of the largest departments in the College of Health and Human Services and offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, and Master of Science degrees.
CSULB’s kinesiology programs allow undergraduates to choose options such as Exercise Science, Fitness, Physical Education – Teacher Education, and Psychology and Leadership. At the graduate level, students can pursue options such as Athletic Training, Curriculum and Instruction in Physical Education, Sport Management, Exercise Science, and Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology.
Through coursework and applied learning, students can build knowledge in movement, fitness, physical education, exercise science, and sport-related fields. Graduate students may pursue advanced study through MA or MS pathways in kinesiology-related areas.
2. University of Florida
The University of Florida (UF) is a major public research university in Gainesville and a member of the Association of American Universities. Its Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology is housed in the College of Health and Human Performance and offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral study in applied physiology and kinesiology.
The Bachelor of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology prepares students for careers in fitness, wellness, research, and health professions, including medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, and physician assistant programs.
Students can also pursue a Master of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, including a human performance concentration, and the APK doctoral program trains students for research in areas such as neurorehabilitation, biomechanics, cardiovascular physiology, movement neuroscience, muscle physiology, and cellular metabolism.
3. University of Calgary
The University of Calgary (UCalgary) is a Canadian research university whose Faculty of Kinesiology offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the study of human movement, health, performance, and sport. The faculty offers two undergraduate degree streams: the Bachelor of Kinesiology and the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, each requiring 40 courses.
UCalgary’s Faculty of Kinesiology is also ranked highly in international sport science rankings; in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for sports-related subjects, the University of Calgary was ranked 15th globally.
Students can develop a broad foundation in kinesiology before building specialized interests. At the graduate level, students may pursue advanced study and research through programs such as the Master of Kinesiology, Master of Science in Kinesiology, and Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology.
4. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of Canada’s leading public research institutions and home to the School of Kinesiology at the Vancouver campus. UBC’s Bachelor of Kinesiology is a 120-credit undergraduate degree covering human movement, health, and behavior through subjects such as biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, motor learning, psychology, and sociology.
UBC’s kinesiology-related programs remain highly ranked: in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for sports-related subjects, UBC’s School of Kinesiology together with UBC Okanagan’s School of Health and Exercise Sciences was ranked 1st in North America and 4th globally.
Undergraduate students can focus their studies through options such as Neuromechanical and Physiological Sciences, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Multidisciplinary Science. At the graduate level, UBC offers MA, MSc, MKin, and PhD study in areas such as biological, behavioral, socio-cultural, coaching science, and clinical kinesiology.
5. University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa (UOttawa) is a public research university and the largest English-French bilingual university in the world. Its School of Human Kinetics in the Faculty of Health Sciences offers five undergraduate programs and one minor, all using multidisciplinary approaches to sport, physical activity, and leisure.
Human kinetics programs at UOttawa help students study human movement, sport, physical activity, and health. The Honours Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics emphasizes biological, anatomical, musculoskeletal, and neuro-motor systems and their relationship to motor performance and physical activity.
At the graduate level, UOttawa offers the Master of Science in Human Kinetics and a PhD in Human Kinetics, allowing students to explore sport, physical activity, and health through research-based study.
6. Rice University
Rice University is a private research university in Houston, Texas. Its Department of Kinesiology is an undergraduate-focused department with two Bachelor of Arts majors: Health Sciences and Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology.
The BA in Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology is a STEM-designated major, and Rice’s Department of Kinesiology states that students complete 42-43 hours of coursework in one of its two major programs as part of the 120 semester hours required for the bachelor’s degree.
7. Columbia University
Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university in New York City. At Teachers College, Columbia University’s Department of Biobehavioral Sciences offers graduate study through the Movement Science and Education program in areas connected to kinesiology, movement science, applied physiology, motor learning and control, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
At the master’s level, the program offers areas of concentration in Applied Exercise Physiology and Motor Learning and Control. At the doctoral level, students can pursue a PhD in Kinesiology, while the EdD in Movement Science includes concentrations such as Applied Exercise Physiology, Motor Learning and Control, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.
FAQs about Studying Kinesiology
What Major is Closest to Kinesiology?
Since kinesiology involves the study of body movement, related majors such as exercise science, physical therapy, health sciences, human kinetics, applied physiology, sports medicine, movement science, and physical education can also be relevant. These fields can prepare students for careers or further study as physical therapists, exercise specialists, health educators, coaches, athletic trainers, personal trainers, researchers, and related professionals.
We hope that this article on the Best Kinesiology Schools in the World was helpful. If you are interested in more information like this, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
