Official reactions to the FIFA Master’s number 1 ranking in Europe in 2013

The International Centre for Sport Studies (CIES), FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) and the “FIFA Master” (International Master 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 for the second consecutive year in their May 2013 issue (no 189).

The FIFA Master, which was also named the second best programme in the world by the SportBusiness International 2013 rankings, scored highly in the categories of student satisfaction and the employability of its alumni to beat entries from the UK, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

FIFA General Secretary Mr Jerome Valcke said: “To top these rankings for a second year in a row is a truly magnificent achievement and underlines FIFA’s commitment to develop the game of football across the world, by supporting professionalisation and improving standards in sports administration. I would like to congratulate everyone at CIES for their hard work in developing and consistently delivering a truly world-class “FIFA Master” programme which attracts students of the highest calibre. FIFA and CIES will continue to work together to ensure this Master course remains the best in its field.”

Dino Ruta, Scientific Director at the SDA Bocconi School of Management commented: “The FIFA Master is a top programme because of its uniqueness in the integration of Management, Humanities and Law perspectives. The management module is designed for future leaders in sport that must be capable of blending an in-depth understanding of today's economic situation with a coherent cultural vision for tomorrow. Milano's creative atmosphere, combined with the pragmatic academic legacy of the SDA Bocconi School of Management, provide a unique blend in the moulding of tomorrow's leaders.”

Tony Collins, of DMU's International Centre for Sports History and Culture, added: "It's a fantastic honour for everyone at De Montfort University and it's a tribute to everyone involved here, in Switzerland and Italy.”

He continued: “Our part of the course focuses on the humanities and ethics of sport, and we teach the cultural impact of sport, and look at controversies in games - so there's plenty to talk about!”

“To be ranked as the leading sports management programme in Europe, twice in a row, is a wonderful achievement.” said Vincent Schatzmann, general secretary of the CIES. “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 teachers of the three partner universities of the FIFA Master - De Montfort University in Leicester, SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan and the University of Neuchâtel.”

He added: “We would also 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. Finally, we must also thank FIFA, as without whom this course would not be possible.”

Founded in 2000 by FIFA and the CIES in Neuchâtel, the International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport ("FIFA Master") is a postgraduate course dedicated to all sports (and not only football), which now serves as a benchmark for the training of sports administrators.

During the first twelve editions of the programme, more than 350 graduates from over 80 countries have attended the one-year university course which is jointly delivered by De Montfort University in Leicester (England), SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).

Today, more than 90% of our students work in the sports industry, including for example, FIFA, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the European Rugby Cup (ERC).