Programme
Journey

The FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sports Management consists of at least six modules (management, communication, law, event management, finance, marketing and sponsorship), which combine theoretical education with practical case studies, field visits, and group projects. Some universities offer complementary modules (facilities management, human resources, innovation and new technologies).

These modules are based on a didactic syllabus that each partner university adapts to the economic, social and sporting realities of its country or region. CIES updates module content regularly to take into account recent developments in the world of sport.

Above and beyond the different modules, students are also offered the opportunity to receive teaching from international sports experts from different backgrounds (e.g. FIFA, IOC, continental entities, national federations, clubs, LOC's, sports marketing and communication agencies, sports law firms, etc.). These special sessions and lectures also provide an opportunity to reflect on how these issues can impact on national sport.

  • Introduction to Sports Marketing and Sports Industry
  • The Essentials of Marketing (Marketing Plan and Mix, Branding)
  • Understanding the Consumers (Segmentation, Market Research, Consumer Behaviour)
  • Fan Relationship Model
  • Digital & Social Media for Sports Properties
  • Maximizing the Revenue Model
  • Sponsorship in Practice
  • Servicing Sponsorship (Activations, Ambush Marketing and Brand Protection)
  • Sporting Goods Industry
  • New and Emerging Sport Products (Gaming, Betting, eSports, Women’s Sports

  • Legacy / strategy
  • Bidding process
  • Sustainability and sports events
  • Project Management & Scheduling
  • Organizing Committee & HR / Volunteer Management
  • Venue Planning
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Contingency / Emergency Planning
  • Competition Management
  • Venue Management & Operations
  • Marketing & Media Operations
  • Support Functions & Services
  • Crisis Management (from an operational perspective)
  • Post-Event Debriefing & Evaluation (KPI’s)
  • Knowledge Management & Transfer
  • Implementation of Legacy Plan

  • International and national sport: structures and organisations
  • The legal status of the Athletes
  • Contracts in the field of sport
  • Dispute and litigation resolution in sport
  • Threats to the Integrity of Sports (Doping, Match-Fixing, Illegal Betting)
  • Responsibility of the Sports Manager (Compliance, Civil and Criminal Liability)
  • Legal Aspects of Event Organisation and Management
  • Regulation and legal protection of trademarks

  • Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (From T-Accounts to Financial Statements)
  • Accounting Systems (Transactional Systems and ERP of Sports Organisations)
  • Sports Organizations Financial Statements
  • Analysis and interpretation of financial statements
  • Budgeting (Long-Term and Short-Term Planning)
  • Corporate finance (Capital and Working Capital Management, Forms of Funding)
  • Project Evaluation
  • Sports Organizations Revenue Management

  • Why is communication important? 
  • From corporate world to sports – applying and adapting communication principles
  • Sports organisations and individuals 
  • Communication areas 
  • Organisations and staffing of communication structure 
  • Communication strategy – approach and implementation 
  • Issues Management
  • Crisis communication management 

  • The structure of a sports organisation 
  • Strategic planning 
  • Motivation 
  • Application of motivation theories 
  • The individual decision-making processes 
  • The group and the group decision 
  • The team and teamwork 
  • Meetings 
  • Human resources 
  • Leadership 
  • Conflicts 
  • Negotiation 
  • Organisational changes 

Chosen by each partner university in accordance with its local needs, the format of the FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sports Management allows students to attend academic courses while continuing their professional activities. The partner universities generally adopt one of the following formats:

  • Evening classes
  • Evening + weekend classes
  • Intensive weeks
  • Intensive weekends
  • Mixed classes (onsite classes + online classes)

 

Courses are taught by the academic staff of the university as well as by external specialists. In total, the Programme consists of 150-200 hours of courses and is taught mainly in the local language of the partner universities. CIES complements the teaching with a series of international conferences whose themes are chosen in consultation with the partner universities.

Students are assessed throughout the Programme’s different modules and with a final group project presentation.

Only the students who have complied with the participation and assessment requirements set forth by each partner university may be awarded the diploma/certificate. It is issued by the partner university and co-signed by CIES.

Students are chosen in accordance with a selection procedure which is similar for all the partner universities (see below). However, the FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sports Management seeks to attract a diverse profile of students which correspond to four general profiles:

  • Managers and individuals working or active in the sports world on a professional or amateur basis (ie. international and national federations, continental organisations, NOCs, regional associations, ministries, municipalities, sport-related companies) who are seeking to broaden or refresh their knowledge of sports management and adapt it to the new realities of the world of sport.
  • Current and former athletes.
  • Professionals from all backgrounds (lawyers, economists, journalists, etc.) who wish to diversify, broaden or give a new focus to their professional horizons.
  • Young graduates who wish to complement their existing academic training with a specific qualification in the field of sports management or wish to start a career in the world of sport.

Students are chosen in accordance with a selection procedure which is similar for all the partner universities. To be admitted to the FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sports Management, candidates must:

  • Hold a general university degree and/or show significant professional experience in the field of sport (the degrees required are defined by the applicable rules in each country for university entrance – i.e. bachelor degree, high school diploma, matriculation certificate or equivalent ). In certain countries, established experience in the field of sport can replace an academic background.
  • Attend a compulsory admission interview (face to face or online)  with an academic representative of the partner university and a representative of the FIFA/CIES International University Network.
  • Be involved in the world of sport (activities / projects) and benefit from group work experience.


Please note that there is no age limit.

The cost of the FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sports Management is based on the economic reality of each country. Scholarships may be offered for this curriculum.

For more information, please do not hesitate to directly contact the programme you are interested in.

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