FIFA Master Programme renews strategic academic partnership
The FIFA Master – International Master (MA) in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport – has successfully renewed its inter-university Master Agreement, securing the long-term future of one of the world’s leading postgraduate programmes in sports education.
The renewed Agreement, signed in December 2025 by De Montfort University (DMU), SDA Bocconi School of Management, the University of Neuchâtel, and the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), confirms the continued cooperation of the four institutions in delivering a single, integrated interdisciplinary postgraduate degree. Under the Agreement, the International Master (MA) in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport is conferred by De Montfort University as the sole awarding body, based on the FIFA Master Programme implemented in cooperation with SDA Bocconi, the University of Neuchâtel and CIES.
The FIFA Master is a one-year programme combining academic excellence with practical learning through case studies, guest lectures and field visits. Teaching is delivered across three core modules at Europe’s leading universities: Humanities of Sport at DMU (UK), Sport Management at SDA Bocconi (Italy), and Sport Law at the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland), with overall coordination by CIES.
The renewal follows a comprehensive academic revalidation process conducted by DMU as part of its five-year quality assurance cycle. Contributions from all partner institutions ensured continued alignment with the highest academic and governance standards. The Agreement also allows for other universities to contribute to teaching activities, subject to approval by CIES and the Executive Board.
The Master Agreement was formally signed by Professor Katie Normington, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of De Montfort University; Professor Kilian Stoffel, Rector of the University of Neuchâtel; Professor Stefano Caselli, Dean of SDA Bocconi School of Management; and Mr. Pierre Cornu, President of the CIES Foundation Council.
This renewed collaboration reaffirms the FIFA Master’s status as a global benchmark in sports management education and its commitment to developing future leaders for the international sports industry.
We extend our warmest felicitations to the CIES team, led by Prof. Thomas Probst, President of the Scientific Committee of the FIFA Master, and to the dedicated staff at DMU for their sustained efforts in making this renewal a success.
FIFA Master 27th Edition : Apply Now !
FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked Europe's No.1 course a record 13 times by SportBusiness.
Organised by CIES in cooperation with De Montfort University (UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).
"CIES, 30 years of impacting how sport is managed worldwide" & "FIFA Master, 25 years of Excellence in Sport Business Education"
