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

The FIFA Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport was recently ranked as the #1 Postgraduate Sport Management course in Europe for a record thirteenth time in the influential 2025 SportBusiness rankings. The FIFA Master combines a truly international and multi-disciplinary approach.

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.

Every year, the FIFA Master class - approximatively 30 postgraduates from 25 different nationalities – embarks on a unique journey throughout Europe to study sport. Three distinguished universities in England, Italy and Switzerland, which are among Europe's most sports oriented countries, have come together to provide a one year full-time 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.

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, AFC, FIBA and various leading sporting NGO's. 

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.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE 27th EDITION (2026-2027) OF THE FIFA MASTER IS NOW OPEN

Please note that the deadline for applying to the 27th Edition (2026-2027) of the FIFA Master is midday (12pm) Central European Time on Friday, 9 January 2026.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in ALL sports and from ANY academic background. Only complete applications received by this date will be considered by the Scientific Committee.

The selection process will take around 3-4 months. Accepted candidates will begin their course studies in September 2026.

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