The Institute of Sport Science is characterised in its teaching and research by its integrative and application-oriented orientation with a focus on social and behavioural sciences. While the Bachelor's programme teaches the basics of sport science in a broad thematic way, the consecutive Master's programme in Sport Science enables specialisation in Health Promotion, Sport Management or Teaching & Learning.

In research, a problem-oriented strategy is pursued that focuses on the phenomena of sport in its entire breadth and whose implementation is supported by excellent personnel and equipment research facilities. The academic exchange in sport science is promoted by the international doctroal programme "Interdisciplinary Sport Science" and the interdisciplinary colloquium "Bernese Talks on Sport Science" ("Berner Gespräche zur Sportwissenschaft") organised by the Institute.