Further reaction to the FIFA Master’s number 1 ranking in Europe

The International Centre for Sport Studies (CIES) and the “FIFA Master” (International MA in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport), academic partners at De Montfort University (UK), SDA Bocconi Business School (Italy) and University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland) were delighted to be ranked as the leading postgraduate sports management course in Europe by SportBusiness International in their May 2012 issue (no 178).

 

CIES President Bertrand Reeb said, “This result is both a reward and an encouragement. A reward for the team of the CIES and its scientific staff, but also for the scientific directors and teachers of the three partner universities of the “FIFA Master”. It is also an encouragement to continually improve our programmes in response to our competitors.”

This is the first time that a comprehensive assessment of sports management education has been undertaken and the CIES is particularly proud that the work of the “FIFA Master” Scientific Committee, academic teaching team, programme co-ordination team and our course alumni has now been officially recognised.

The SportBusiness International survey recorded that we placed 90% of our “FIFA Master” graduates in permanent employment within three months of graduation.

The “FIFA Master” was also among the courses with the highest international student body reflecting a strong global cultural diversity in comparison to the no 1 ranked Ohio University (80% vs. 10%). The “FIFA Master” was also in the top three internationally for the quality of course teaching and extra-curricular support.

CIES Director Professor Denis Oswald said, “I am pleased that the hard work and dedication of the “FIFA Master” academic and administrative team has been independently recognised with this award. To be ranked as the leading sports management programme in Europe is a wonderful achievement. We are very lucky to have such a talented team working to deliver this complex academic programme.  We must also thank FIFA without whom this course would not be possible.”

For FIFA the award was also recognition of their foresight in originally recognising the important bond that exists between sport and education and the need for a professional academic programme.

FIFA General Secretary Mr Jerome Valcke said, “This ranking does not surprise me! As Vice-President of the CIES Foundation Board and Patron of the 11th edition of the “FIFA Master” programme, I can wholeheartedly recommend this Master course to anyone interested in sports management. Here at FIFA, we support the long-term professionalisation of football and sports administration in order to put best practice in place and ensure maximum efficiency in implementing competitions around the globe. So for me, the “FIFA Master” at CIES is THE world-class programme to prepare for exactly this!”

Professor Oswald added, “Finally, but most importantly, I would like to congratulate the work and successes of our alumni who are now working for so many different sporting organisations around the world. They have all helped to make the “FIFA Master” such a global leader in sports business education.”

For the full 14-page feature on the postgraduate sports course sector, including the Postgraduate Sports Course Ranking 2012, see the May issue of SportBusiness International magazine out May 1.

If you are not a subscriber and would like to see the feature, please contact:

Alex Dziekonska

Subscriptions Manager, SportBusiness International

+44 (0) 20 7954 3478

[email protected]

For more information about the Ranking, please contact:

Owen Evans

Events Editor, SportBusiness International

+44 (0) 20 7954 3495

[email protected]