FIFA Master Shapes the World of Sport

For the seventh consecutive year and the eleventh time in its history, the FIFA Master in Management, Law, and Humanities of Sport (FIFA Master) maintains its position as the top-ranked program in Europe and the fourth in the world, according to the SportBusiness Postgraduate Course Rankings. SportBusiness is the leading international provider of information, data, analysis, and consultancy for the sports industry. This achievement underscores the quality of the educational initiative that began in 2001, anticipating the evolving needs of a continually changing industry. This positive news coincides with the opening of registrations for the 25th edition, scheduled to start in September 2024.

The FIFA Master is a program organized by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) to promote advanced and multidisciplinary education in the field of sports. It is delivered by three partner universities, each specializing in a different area: SDA Bocconi (Management Module), De Montfort University in Leicester, UK (Humanities), and the University of Neuchatel in Switzerland (Law). Holding the top position in the rankings consistently since 2017 is a significant accomplishment for one of SDA Bocconi's most important offerings, supported by the faculty and research of the Sport & Entertainment Knowledge Center. For more information about the FIFA Master, click this link.

SportBusiness used various criteria to compile the rankings, including career outcomes after graduation, student satisfaction, course participant diversity, networking opportunities analysis, the utility of skills acquired during the course for current employment positions, and partnerships among different universities.

The 24th edition of the Master commenced on September 18th in Leicester, with 26 students representing over 20 different countries. It increasingly serves as a benchmark for postgraduate education for those looking to pursue an international career in the field of sports. The Management Module at SDA Bocconi, taking place from January to March, covers the following courses: Foundations of Sport Management, Sport HR & People Management, Sport Finance, Sport Strategic Planning, Sport Marketing, Sport Event Management, and Sport Innovation.

Dino Ruta, the scientific director of the Management Module and the head of the Sport & Entertainment Knowledge Center at SDA Bocconi, commented on this significant achievement: "The FIFA Master is a successful program that finds its uniqueness in its multidisciplinarity. A modern leader must be able to integrate managerial elements with legal aspects, but, most importantly, connect them to a strong set of values and social aspects that sports possess. FIFA Master alumni learn to make informed, strategic, and forward-thinking decisions that generate an impact not only in sports but in the broader economy, considering the influence that athletes and sports events have on all of us."

Vincent Schatzmann, the Secretary-General of CIES, added, "The new rankings once again demonstrate that our work on the FIFA Master and with our partner universities continues to move in the right direction for our students, providing them with the necessary foundations to build a successful career in the international sports business."

The International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) is an independent research center located in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. It was established in 1995 as a foundation involving the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the University of Neuchâtel, and the City and State of Neuchâtel.

As of early October, registrations are open for the 25th Edition (2024-2025), with a deadline of January 12, 2024. You can apply for the Master using this link.

SDA Bocconi School of Management is proud to be among the founders of an international educational initiative like the FIFA Master and to have achieved this important recognition, in collaboration with CIES and partner universities.

SDA Bocconi School of Management