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FIFA Master International MA in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport

Management, Law and Humanities of Sport MA

This award-winning course is designed to prepare you for the increasingly complex world of sport management, covering all the major issues facing sport and sports organisations.

Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive community. That’s why most of our postgraduate taught students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You will benefit from more regular assessments and feedback, a better study-life balance, and a simplified timetable that provides more time for work, professional development, caring responsibilities, and everything else that's important to you. Our block-taught courses are informed by industry practice, often accredited by professional bodies, and are delivered by passionate and talented academics, who will help you develop the skills to achieve your goals.

Read more about block teaching

Overview

The FIFA Master International MA in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport has grown to become one of the most respected programmes in the world that is focused on developing all-round managers for international sports business. It has been ranked the number one postgraduate sports management course in Europe a record twelve times by SportBusiness.

The course is composed of four distinct modules which are taught across three of Europe’s leading institutions in this specialism, and with overall co-ordination provided by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) in Switzerland.

The first module is taught by the International Centre for Sports History and Culture here at DMU, which is the only centre of its kind in the world. The second module is taught at the SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, one of Europe’s most prestigious business schools. The third module is taught at the Université de Neuchâtel, one of the top law schools in Switzerland.

The fourth and final part of the course also takes place at the University of Neuchâtel, and involves working in small groups on a chosen topic, considering it from all angles, and then preparing and completing a joint project.

Course lecturers are some of the leading authorities in the study of sport and guest lecturers include speakers from top organisations in the world sport. This course has an excellent record of students finding jobs in sports management across leading global sporting organisations such as FIFA, IOC, UEFA, AFC, CAF and F1. The dynamic and thriving alumni association provides a valuable network both during and after the course.

Key features

  • The FIFA Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport was ranked the best sports management course in Europe by SportBusiness in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. It is the first and only course to receive this top award on twelve separate occasions.
  • The course offers excellent opportunities to meet top executives from high-level international sports federations, clubs, agencies and organising committees, enabling you to build your network of contacts, which is key to a successful career in sport.
  • You will learn from an expert and international teaching team, who are all research active in their specific area of specialism.
  • You will benefit from studying at three different European university campuses and from studying with students from more than 20 different countries.
  • The course includes a comprehensive field visit programme to organisations such as the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, AC Milan football club, International Olympic Committee, FIFA and UEFA.
  • Former patrons have included Lord Coe, Alexander Popov, Sir Bobby Charlton, Nawal El Moutawakel and Jonathan Edwards CBE.
  • As a graduate you will becomes a member of the FIFA Master Alumni Association, which provides a diverse and invaluable network of connections to support you in reaching your career goals.

The deadline for applying to the 26th Edition (September 2025 start) of the FIFA Master is midday (12pm) Central European Time on Friday 10 January 2025.

Only complete applications received by this date will be considered by the Scientific Committee.

News stories and case studies

Prestigious FIFA Master course is named number one in Europe for a record 12th time

25th anniversary year begins for Europe's No.1 ranked FIFA Master course at DMU

Icon in the world of sport and education is made a Companion of DMU

Former Kenyan international turns to DMU and the FIFA Master to 'fine tune' her skills and promote women's rights in football

 

More courses like this:

Sport History and Culture MA
Business Management in Sport MSc

DMU has been shortlisted for the Postgraduate Award in the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), as voted for by students.

  • UK
  • EU/International

Duration: One year full-time

Location: Leicester (UK), Milan (Italy) and Neuchâtel (Switzerland)

Start date: September 2025


Fees and funding: Visit the CIES website for full details.

The three partner universities all provide excellent learning resources and research environments, including libraries, specialist workshops and studios. However, you should be aware that sometimes you may incur additional costs associated with your Final Project, which will vary depending on the nature of your research. You are encouraged to consider these as you develop your Final Project proposal, and to discuss what they may be with your supervisor.

Contact us: For more information email Fifamaster.admin@cies.ch or visit the CIES website

Apply with CIES

Find out more from CIES

Duration: One year full-time

Location: Leicester (UK), Milan (Italy) and Neuchâtel (Switzerland)

Start date: September

Fees and funding: Visit the CIES website for full details.

The three partner universities all provide excellent learning resources and research environments, including libraries, specialist workshops and studios. However, you should be aware that sometimes you may incur additional costs associated with your Final Project, which will vary depending on the nature of your research. You are encouraged to consider these as you develop your Final Project proposal, and to discuss what they may be with your supervisor.

Contact us: For more information email Fifamaster.admin@cies.ch or visit the CIES website

Apply with CIES

Find out more from CIES

Entry criteria

Typical entry requirements 

You should have a good honours degree or equivalent and a high level of fluency in written and spoken English. You are expected to have at least two to three years’ work experience. Please visit the CIES website for full details of the entry criteria.

CIES

A proven interest or involvement in sport, previous professional experience, good motivation and reason for doing the course, and an international outlook will also be taken into consideration. For more information go to cies.ch 

Structure and assessment

 

Course modules

Teaching and assessments

 

Modules

The FIFA Master is based on four distinct modules, which are undertaken at three of Europe’s leading institutions.

The first module is taught within the ICSHC at DMU. It focuses on the history of sport, its ethics and its sociology. You will examine the origins and development of sport and investigate the lessons that the past can teach today’s sports administrators.

The second module is taught in Italy at the SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, one of Europe's most prestigious business schools. This module focuses on management of sport and includes topics such as sport organisation and governance, strategy, sport finance, sport strategic and operational marketing, sport event management, business planning and sport leadership.

The third module is taught at the Université de Neuchâtel, whose Law Faculty is one of the best in Switzerland. It looks at topics such as the legal aspects of the private sector of sport, the legal status of the sports person, legal aspects of sport and health, sport business and law, and methods of dispute resolution.

The fourth, and final part of the course, also takes place in Neuchâtel. It involves working in small groups on a chosen topic, considering it from all angles then preparing and completing a project which is then published and presented to sports industry representatives.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

 

Overview

You will normally attend around 25 hours of timetabled taught sessions including lectures, seminars and workshops each week, and be expected to undertake at least 10 hours of independent study each week. The Final Project group dissertation will be predominantly self-directed study (including meetings with your supervisor) during which you can expect to undertake 35 hours of independent study each week

Assessment is carried out in a variety of ways, including written exams, oral exams, project work and group presentations. The final assessment is a group project. Depending on the institution, the exams either take place on fixed dates throughout the module, or they are all taken at the end of the module. You must pass all modules of the course to graduate.

 

 

Facilities and features

Placements

Library and learning zones

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including the Virtual Learning Environment, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘DMU Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

 

Campus Centre

The home of  De Montfort Students' Union, (DSU) our Campus Centre offers a welcoming and lively hub for student life. Conveniently located at the heart of campus, it includes a convenience store, a Subway and a Starbucks. Here you can find the DSU-owned charitable accommodation service Sulets and DSU’s shop, SUpplies, selling art supplies, stationery and clothing, and printing and binding services. The building is also home to the DSU officer team. 

 

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities DMU Careers Team
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Expertise

The module of the course based in Leicester is taught by some of the leading figures in the study of sports history.

The Leicester Co-Scientific Directors are: 

Professor Martin Polley – author of Moving the Goalposts: A History of Sport and Society in Britain Since 1945 and The British Olympics: Britain’s Olympic Heritage 1612-2012

Professor Pierre Lanfranchi – author of Moving with the Ball: The Migration of Professional Footballers and 100 Years of Football: The FIFA Centennial Book

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Networking

Through guest speakers, study visits and project assignments, the course offers ample opportunities to meet top executives from high-level international sports federations, clubs, agencies and organising committees, enabling you to build up your own network of contacts, which is key to a successful career in sport.

Graduate Alex Proctor-Pearson said: “The course is unique. The exposure and insight into international sports organisations through the numerous guest speakers is the course’s strongest asset in my view".

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Graduate careers

The international focus of the course makes it suitable for people who are internationally mobile with an interest in global management. The course is committed to supporting and guiding you in your career search, through the identification of potential placement opportunities and the promotion of the CIES International MA in the sports job market. 

Previous alumni who studied at DMU have been inspirational figures in their chosen line of sport and include former Manchester United FC midfielder ace Park Ji-sung and Emma Twigg, New Zealand double Olympian and World Championship sculler. In addition there has been Sanaa Darawsha, who was the first female Arab Muslim referee to officiate in the Israeli football league, and Eduardo Tavares, who was previously responsible for Chelsea FC’s loan players – such as Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount – and who went on to help the West London club qualify for the 2020 UEFA Champions League.

Graduates from this course also enter careers in non-profit organisations, charities and sports development work to help minorities and people in areas normally deprived of sport.

Take your next steps

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