Top ranking success continues for the FIFA Master 2020

The FIFA Master, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, has been named the No.1 Postgraduate Sports Management course in Europe for a record 8th time in new course rankings published by SportBusiness for 2020. The course was also named No.3 in the world by the same publication.

The announcement maintains the position of the FIFA Master, which covers modules in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, as one of the most respected in the world and follows previous No.1 in Europe rankings in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019.  The ranking assessment criteria included alumni career trajectories, student satisfaction and perception, course intake diversity, analysis of networking opportunities and wider university partnerships. 

Reacting to the latest ranking success, 9th edition graduate Ashley Ehlert, who is from America and is now Legal Director at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) in Switzerland, said, "I did the FIFA Master to gain a better understanding of sports within Europe and the world. The sport model in Europe is very different than the sport model in the USA. I have no doubt that what I learned throughout the FIFA Master is what has allowed me to succeed in my current role". 

Her comments were echoed by Japan's 17th edition graduate Shoko Tsuji who is now Head of Partnership Success at MyCujoo in the Netherlands, which is a global streaming platform founded by another course graduate. She said, "The experience of thinking critically, exchanging ideas and working together with colleagues from different nationalities and backgrounds prepared me for my role today, where I am working across multiple departments in a multicultural environment. The vast network of FIFA Master alumni worldwide has also been a huge asset to me both on a professional and personal level. Knowing that I can reach out to someone from the network to seek advice in any country on any topic is a true privilege".

The FIFA Master, which is delivered in partnership with De Montfort University (United Kingdom), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland), is designed to prepare candidates so they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to make an immediate impact and contribution when they enter the world of international sport. Course alumni are now working in senior positions for some of the biggest organisations in global sport such as FIFA, IOC, UEFA, AFC, CAF, F1 and various leading sporting NGO organisations. 

As the French-DR Congolese Francis Molasoko, who also graduated in 2017 and now works at FIFA in the Member Associations Asia and Oceania department explains, "I sincerely recommend the course to anyone who really wants to work in sports. The academic, and also the human experience, is unique. I found a job in an international sports organisation right after my graduation and I really doubt I would have had the same opportunity without enrolling on the FIFA Master".

Reflecting on the ranking announcement, CIES General Secretary Vincent Schatzmann added; "I am delighted the 2020 SportBusiness rankings continue to recognise the FIFA Master as one of the leading courses in the world today. This latest ranking success acknowledges the hard work of everybody at CIES and also our friends and colleagues at the course academic partner institutions. Further still, it is recognition of our course graduates and the work they do around the world across all sports".

 

Congratulations to everybody connected to the FIFA Master!

 

Organised by CIES in partnership with De Montfort University (United Kingdom), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).

Discover more examples of inspiring FIFA Master alumni career paths by clicking here.