Faculté des Sciences du Sport d'Aix-Marseille Université

What Faculté des Sciences du Sport d'Aix-Marseille Université does

The Faculté des Sciences du Sport (FSS) is a constituent faculty of Aix-Marseille Université, a French public university formed in 2012 from the merger of three predecessor institutions. FSS delivers higher education and applied research in Sciences et Techniques des Activités Physiques et Sportives (STAPS), operating across three teaching sites — Marseille (Luminy, the main campus hosting ~1,650 daily students from Licence 1 through Doctorate), Aubagne (equestrian specialization since 2015), and Gap (mountain sports) — and enrolling 1,800+ students across 16 programs spanning Licence, Master, and Doctorate, including specialized DU/DESU tracks for high-level athletes and internal security competition preparation.

The academic portfolio rests on two research units: the ISM (Institut des Sciences du Mouvement Etienne-Jules Marey, UMR 7287), a joint CNRS-AMU unit of approximately 120 staff investigating mechanical, physiological, neurological, psychological, and sociological determinants of human movement; and MSC (Management Sport Cancer, EA4670), an interdisciplinary oncology-wellness lab. Supporting technology platforms include TechnoSport for performance analysis across elite and pathological movement, and the Centre de Réalité Virtuelle de Méditerranée (CRVM) for immersive behavioral studies, alongside the Automotive Motion Lab OpenLab with Stellantis (founded 2011). Dedicated research chairs with Décathlon (2010) and AG2R-La Mondiale (Active Aging 2.0, 2016) channel industry funding and Applied Research output into graduate employment pathways via the Partners' Club network of 80+ organizations.

Revenue is derived from French Ministry of Higher Education and Research allocations, ministry-set tuition (€170 Licence, €243 Master, €380 Doctorate per year), the CVEC student contribution, apprenticeship tax, institutional diploma fees (e.g., DESU OPPS at €1,200–€3,500), facility rentals, and industry-funded research chairs. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via national platforms (Parcoursup, e-Candidat, Mon Master) for admissions, supplemented by ERASMUS/CIVIS/BCI international mobility and community-driven engagement through campus events and the Partners' Club. Customer segments include domestic and international students, high-level athletes on ministerial lists, and continuing education learners.

Name

Faculté des Sciences du Sport d'Aix-Marseille Université

Legal name

Faculté des Sciences du Sport d'Aix-Marseille Université

Website

https://fss.univ-amu.fr

Company type

Public

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Faculté des Sciences du Sport is a public French university faculty within Aix-Marseille Université that delivers STAPS higher-education degrees (Licence through Doctorate) to 1,800+ students across Marseille, Aubagne, and Gap campuses, supported by the ISM and MSC research laboratories and industry research chairs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education — Sports Sciences (STAPS)

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Referee, Umpire & Coach Education/Certification Academies (MPAKAJAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coach Education, Certification & Clinics (HSADAEAO), Sport-Specific Skills Coaching (e.g., soccer, basketball, tennis) (HSADAEAA), Strength, Conditioning & Speed/Agility Training Facilities (MPAKAJAD), Fitness & Exercise Training Education (Strength, Cardio, Mobility) (EDAAAHAB)

Keywords

• Sports sciences education
• Human movement sciences
• STAPS university programs
• Sports research laboratory
• Higher education degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Marseille

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Higher Education Funding: Core public funding from French Ministry of Higher Education and Research for university operations, teaching, and research activities.
2. Student Tuition Fees: National diploma fees set by Ministry: 170€ for Licence, 243€ for Master, 380€ for Doctorate. Plus CVEC (Contribution Vie Etudiante et Campus) of 95€ for non-scholarship students.
3. Apprenticeship Tax (Taxe d'Apprentissage): Scale portion of apprenticeship tax from employers supporting training programs. Companies may allocate 13% of 0.68% of gross payroll to FSS for student professional integration and quality training.
4. Facility Rental: Rental of amphitheatre, thesis room, classrooms, computer room, student foyer, terrace, and sports facilities (gymnasium, dance hall, courts, weight room, boxing/fitness room, judo room, synthetic fields, climbing wall) to external organizations for professional events.
5. Research Chairs Funding: Chair partnerships with companies (Décathlon-AMU Chair, Stellantis Automotive Motion Lab, AG2R-La Mondiale Active Aging 2.0) providing research funding and collaboration.
6. Continuing Education Fees: Professional degree programs and continuing education with fees varying by program: D.U. Preparation for internal security competitions initial training 920€ / continuing education 2445€; D.E.S.U. OPPS initial 1200€ / continuing education 3500€.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Faculté des Sciences du Sport is a public university faculty delivering STAPS (Sciences et Techniques des Activités Physiques et Sportives) higher education programs from Licence through Doctorate, including four Licence specializations, four Master tracks, Professional Licence GDOSSL, institutional diplomas (DU/DESU), the Cursus Master Ingénierie (CMI), continuing education, and a University Certificate in adapted equestrian activities. Teaching is supported by two research laboratories (ISM UMR 7287 with CNRS, and MSC EA4670) and specialized technology platforms covering sports performance, cancer-management research, virtual reality, and automotive human factors.

Product overview

The Faculty of Sports Sciences (FSS) of Aix-Marseille University offers a comprehensive educational portfolio organized as a platform of interconnected programs. The core offerings include four STAPS Licence specializations (APAS, EM, ESPM, MS), professional licences, four Master tracks (APAS, EOPS, IEAP, MS), and doctoral programs through the ED SMH. Institutional diplomas (DU/DESU) include OPPS, High-Level Athlete Performance, and Internal Security Preparation. The Marseille site serves as the main campus with delocalized sections in Gap (mountain sports) and Aubagne (equestrian activities), supported by two research laboratories (ISM and MSC) and specialized technology platforms including TechnoSport and the CRMV Virtual Reality Center. The institution also offers continuing education and unique offerings like the Cursus Master Ingénierie and the Certificat Universitaire AEAMA for adapted equestrian activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ISM (Institut des Sciences du Mouvement Etienne-Jules Marey): Joint Research Unit (UMR 7287) associating Aix-Marseille University and CNRS. Research themes concern the mechanical, physiological, neurological, psychological and sociological determinants of human motricity.
• MSC (Management Sport Cancer)
• TechnoSport
• CRMV (Centre de Réalité Virtuelle de Méditerranée)
• ISM
• Active Aging 2.0 Chair
• Automotive Motion Lab Chair
• Décathlon-AMU Chair

Products and services

• STAPS Licence — Adapted Physical Activity and Health (APAS) Three-year national Licence (Bachelor) program training students to supervise adapted physical activities (APA) for people with specific needs in perspectives of health prevention, rehabilitation or integration. Includes equestrian specialization at Aubagne site.
• STAPS Licence — Education and Motor Skills (EM) Three-year national Licence (Bachelor) preparing students for teaching of physical, sports and artistic activities in educational and school settings, including Teacher of Colleges/High Schools and Teacher of Schools tracks.
• STAPS Licence — Sport Ergonomics and Motor Performance (ESPM) Three-year national Licence (Bachelor) for participation in innovation, creation and/or optimization of behaviors, services or products at human-machine, human-equipment, human-environment and human-society interfaces.
• STAPS Licence — Sport Management (MS) Three-year national Licence (Bachelor) training students for management and development functions in public and private sports organizations.
• Professional Licence — GDOSSL (Gestion des organisations, des services sportifs et de loisirs) Professional degree combining service-organization management skills with knowledge of outdoor sports activities, mainly mountain-based. Delivered at the Gap antenna as 'Métiers de la montagne'.
• Master STAPS — Adapted Physical Activity and Health (APAS) Two-year national Master program focused on adapted physical activities and health, with a multidisciplinary research-led approach.
• Master STAPS — Training and Optimization of Sports Performance (EOPS) Two-year national Master program studying physical performance through multidisciplinary knowledge, including training science and high-level sports optimization.
• Master STAPS — Engineering and Ergonomics of Physical Activities (IEAP) Two-year national Master training students for positions as R&D engineers, ergonomists and human factors managers in companies dealing with human movement.
• Master STAPS — Sport Management (MS) Two-year national Master preparing students for strategic, commercial and operational management positions in sports organizations.
• Cursus Master Ingénierie (CMI) Unique Master's engineering track in France, offered jointly with Polytech and the Faculty of Sciences, providing an integrated engineering pathway anchored in sports sciences research.
• D.E.S.U. Optimization of Physical Performance in Sport (OPPS) University institutional diploma focused on optimization of physical performance in sport. Initial training €1,200; continuing education €3,500.
• D.U. Performance and Career of the High Level Athlete University diploma addressing performance and career development for high-level athletes on ministerial lists, supporting academic progression alongside elite sport careers.
• D.U. Preparation for Internal Security Competitions University diploma preparing students for competitive examinations in internal security (Gendarmerie and National Police). Initial training €920 (+€92 if not previously registered at AMU); continuing education €2,445.
• Certificat Universitaire Activités Équestres Adaptées (CU AEAMA) University certificate covering adapted equestrian activities and animal mediation, focusing on ethology and interventions with the APA-S public. Delivered at the Aubagne branch.
• Continuing Education Programs Continuing education offerings for job seekers, employees, RSA beneficiaries, and self-employed professionals, including VAP/VAE validation and CPF, professional transition or training plan financing pathways.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85%+ professional integration rate for graduates within 18 months
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• AG2R-La MondialecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Active Aging 2.0 Chair supported by AG2R-La Mondiale and OIR of South Region. Multidisciplinary project (neuroscience, physiology, psychology, engineering) bringing together research laboratories (ISM, I2ML, COMETE), start-ups (Axyn, Age-Impulse, Prolexia), Sport-Health Centre (SMUC), geriatric and sports medicine department (Aubagne Hospital). Jean Jacques Temprado is Head of Active Aging 2.0 Chair.
• Stellantis (formerly PSA/Stellantis)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Automotive Motion Lab OpenLab created in 2011 in Marseille. Joint research structure in Human Motion Sciences applied to automobile. Studies interaction of humans with vehicles to improve realism of driving simulators and contribute to development of new driving assistance systems. Tanguy Marqueste is Head of the Automotive Motion Lab chair.
• DécathlonflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Décathlon-AMU Chair signed in 2010 based on fundamental research in human-sports equipment interaction. In conjunction with Decathlon SportsLab R&D teams, enables better understanding of human being in motion to improve design rules for innovative sports products. Students benefit from professional interventions and internship/hiring opportunities.
• Olympique de MarseilleminorOthersProfessional football club partner listed on FSS partners' club page. Part of extensive network of sports organizations supporting faculty training programs.
• ISM Laboratory (CNRS/Aix-Marseille University)coreTechnology or IntegrationInstitut des Sciences du Mouvement Etienne-Jules Marey UMR 7287. Joint Research Unit associating AMU and CNRS through Institut des Sciences Biologiques (INSB) as main institute, and secondary institutes (INSIS, INS2I, INSHS). About 120 staff. Research on mechanical, physiological, neurological, psychological, sociological determinants of motricity. Directed by Martine Pithioux.
• MSC Laboratory (Management Sport Cancer)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEA4670 conducting collaborative multidisciplinary research reinforcing link between research and social demand in oncology. Objective: improve health and well-being of patients undergoing treatment and/or in remission. Directed by Pr Patrice Viens, Deputy Director Pr Pierre Dantin.
• Cercle des Nageurs de Marseille (CNM)minorOthersMajor swimming club in Marseille. Listed as partner supporting faculty training and student integration.
• Université Franco-Italienne (CIVIS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean University Alliance CIVIS providing international mobility opportunities for students. FSS participates in exchange programs through this framework.
• Start-ups (Axyn, Age-Impulse, Prolexia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStart-up companies collaborating with Active Aging 2.0 Chair in research and innovation projects in aging and Silver Economy.
• Aubagne HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeriatric and sports medicine department collaborating with Active Aging 2.0 Chair for research on aging and exercise.
• Ecole Doctorale Sciences du Mouvement HumaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoctoral school providing mandatory training for thesis defense. Three objectives: professional integration, mastery of analysis/modeling tools, scientific multidisciplinary openness. Head: Gilles Montagne.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• UFR STAPS Université Paris-Saclay: Large French public university STAPS faculty offering the same Licence/Master/Doctorate STAPS architecture with significant research output in human movement sciences and partnerships with major French industry players.
• UFR STAPS Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1: Major French STAPS faculty combining sport sciences teaching with research laboratories (LIBM, CRNH) focused on human performance, biomechanics and physiology; comparable scope and institutional positioning to FSS.
• UFR STAPS Université de Montpellier: Direct French public university STAPS faculty in the same southern region, offering Licence-to-Doctorate programs with research labs in human movement and sports sciences; most direct comparable by structure, scope and student profile.
• UFR STAPS Université de Strasbourg: French public STAPS faculty with similar Licence/Master/Doctorate offerings in sport sciences and associated research units in biomechanics and human movement; directly comparable by program structure.
• Université de Lausanne - ISSUL (Institut des Sciences du Sport): Swiss public university faculty of sport sciences offering BSc, MSc and doctoral programs with multidisciplinary human-movement research labs; comparable European peer with strong research output in sports sciences.
• Sorbonne Université - UFR STAPS: Paris-based French STAPS faculty of a major research university, offering similar STAPS Licence/Master programs with associated human-movement research labs; directly comparable structure and mission.
• Université de Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UFR STAPS): French public STAPS faculty with comparable structure across Licence, Master and Doctorate levels and associated human-movement research laboratories; directly comparable French university peer.

Broad incumbents

• INSEP (Institut National du Sport, de l'Expertise et de la Performance): France's flagship national elite-sport institute, providing high-level athlete training alongside academic and research programs; broader than FSS in mission but overlaps in performance optimization and elite-athlete support.
• German Sport University Cologne (Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln): Europe's largest sport sciences university with comprehensive Licence-to-Doctorate programs plus seven research institutes; broader and larger than FSS but operates on the same academic-research-and-elite-sport model.

Regional players

• CREPS PACA (Centre de Ressources, d'Expertise et de Performance Sportives) Aix-en-Provence: Regional sports training center located in same Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region; offers athlete training, coach certification, and continuing education in sports — overlaps with FSS continuing-education and high-level athlete pathways.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfr-fr.facebook.com/pages/category/Community-College/STAPS-Aubagne-Facult%C3%A9-des-sciences-du-sport-413093252384294
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/facult%C3%A9-des-sciences-du-sport-d-aix-marseille-universit%C3%A9

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Faculté des Sciences du Sport d'Aix-Marseille Université