FIFA Master – International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sports

The FIFA Master - International Master in  Sports Management, Law and Humanities was recently ranked as the #1 Postgraduate Sport Management course in Europe for a record-break fourteenth time in the influential 2026 SportBusiness rankings. In addition, the course has been named as the #2 in the world.

The impact of the FIFA Master reaches across all continents and nations, with over 90% of our 700+ FIFA Master graduates, and who represent 120+ nationalities - now working in the sports industry, organisations such as FIFA, IOC, UEFA, AFC, CAF, FIBA, FIVB, FEI and TEAM Marketing and various leading sporting NGO's. 

Organised by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) in partnership with De Montfort University in Leicester (UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland), the FIFA Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport was created to promote management education within the sports world. It has grown to become a top graduate programme developing all-round managers who can cope with the increasingly complex world of sport.

The FIFA Master combines a truly international and multi-disciplinary approach and this outstanding achievement demonstrates the quality of our graduates and the education they receive during their studies.

➡️ THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE 28th EDITION (2027-2028) OF THE FIFA MASTER IS NOW OPEN.

The FIFA Master seeks to attract a diverse profile of applicants, those who exhibit a variety of skills and accomplishments, backgrounds, cultures, and nationalities, but a wide range of personal interests and professional ambitions.

A unique programme

The FIFA Master takes its graduates on a unique journey through three different European countries to study sport. Three distinguished universities in the UK, Italy and Switzerland, which are among Europe's most sports-oriented countries, have come together to provide a one-year programme that combines top-class academic teaching and practical case studies supplemented by guest lecturers and field visits.

The course focuses on three key and inter-related aspects of sport: Humanities, Management and Law of Sport. The Final Project, fourth and final part of the course, is a research element which involves working in small groups on a chosen topic, considering it from all angles, and then preparing and presenting it to an academic and sports industry audience.

Developing unique people

The FIFA Master offers a dynamic international learning environment with around 25 different nationalities represented in each class of approximately 30 postgraduates selected each year. 

The international multi-disciplinary approach provides postgraduates with the opportunity to learn a broad range of subjects and develop their analytical skills to better cope with the fast-changing trends in the sports industry.

For a unique industry

The FIFA Master offers a unique opportunity to meet top executives from high-level international sports federations, clubs, agencies and organising committees, enabling students to build up their own network of contacts - one of the keys to a successful career in sport. 

On top of these opportunities, each graduate also becomes a member of the FIFA Master Alumni Association (FMA). The FMA plays a crucial role in connecting all alumni of the FIFA Master, helping to maintain lifelong bonds between graduates.

Criteria for Applying 

All prospective candidates must: 

• Have completed a full course of university study in any discipline and successfully obtained a degree by the application date. 

• Have an excellent command of English, TOEFL minimum score of 100 (internet-based test or IELTS minimum score of 7 (or demonstrate a level of proficiency). 

• Have previous work experience. 

• Have an international outlook. 

• Be able to demonstrate an active level of involvement/interest in sport (not just as a participant but in the administration/management of sport). 

• Be motivated and determined to succeed. 

• Be flexible and able to meet the challenges of the course. 

• Have extensive general knowledge and cultural awareness. 

• Be able to work in a group (group work is a key part of the course). 

• Optional: submit score from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or GRE. 

Failure to fulfil any of the above criteria will mean that your application will not be taken into consideration.

Many thanks for your interest in our FIFA Master - International Master in  Sports Management, Law and Humanities, ranked #1 Postgraduate Sport Management course in #Europe 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 in the influential SportBusiness Postgradute rankings.   

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