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What are the term dates and what is the over-all course structure?
The programme begins in mid September and finishes in the middle of July the following year. The exact term dates, which invariably change from one year to the next, will be communicated to you at a later date. However, the basic structure is as follows:
| September to mid-December: | Humanities module & Exams & Final Project Methodology |
| Early January to late March: | Management module & Exams |
| Early April to mid-June: | Law module & Exams |
| Mid-June to mid-July: | Final Project Group work |
| Mid-July: | FIFA Master Conference & Graduation |
What form does the teaching take / How many hours will I need to study?
In general, there are between 5 and 8 hours of official teaching mainly from Monday to Friday in a mix of lectures and seminars/workshops. You are expected to prepare for lectures and seminars by reading your course notes and generally reading around the subjects (suggested 2/3 hours of further reading each day). Bibliographies for each module will be supplied to accepted students. In addition to the lectures and seminars/workshops, guest speakers from the industry are frequently invited to talk to you about their role, their company and their experiences.
How will I be examined?
The exams take a different format in each establishment: they can either be oral exams, multiple-choice, essay-type questions or group presentations. The exam marks of each of the three modules count for 25% of the over-all grade and the final group project for the remaining 25%.
For more information on this, please consult Programme/Exams.
Who awards the official degree certificate?
The degree programme is a fully validated De Montfort University academic course under the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.A separate informal congratulatory certificate of participation from FIFA and CIES is signed by the presidents of these two establishments.
Can I/should I learn another language during the course?
Language knowledge is always considered in a positive light and knowing more than just English can only be a benefit to you (for example: it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain work in an international federation with only English. Most federations require fluency in at least two languages). However, it is not obligatory. Information on language schools and courses can be found at each of the three universities and numbers permitting, SDA Bocconi and Neuchâtel may be able to facilitate contact with teachers of Italian and/or French language courses.
Can I work whilst I am studying?
The course is intense so we strongly advise you not to try and work and study at the same time and, indeed, if you require a visa/permit to live and study in the 3 countries, such visas/permits generally preclude the possibility of working.
Who are the teaching staff?
The teaching staff include the main professors and doctors at each of the three universities as well as many specialised practitioners in sport. A full list of who teaches in each of the modules will be given at the beginning of each module along with the precise course programme. Suffice it to say, that the professors are among the best in their field and you will have the opportunity to meet some well-known personalities from the sporting world!
Do I need a laptop?
Computer rooms are available in each university. However, you may find that these facilities and/or their opening hours are not adequate for your purposes. So, while it is not essential, it certainly would be very useful especially when it comes to the Final Project. The course directors generally do not allow the use of laptops during lectures and seminars.
Internet access and wireless access is widely available at the three partner universities. You will be provided with the access information at the start of each module.
Where do I live whilst I am studying?
Each university propose different type's of accommodation. This is usually in basic student-type residences (mostly with private bed/study room and shared bathroom and kitchen facilities)- the facilities are inevitably variable from city to city. This type of accommodation is suitable for individuals only. The costs vary from city to city, Neuchâtel being the most expensive.
I wish to come with my partner/family? Is this possible?
It is possible, but more difficult. Each university will find accommodation for individual students only. If you wish to come with your partner/family, then each university would supply you with accommodation listings for you to find your own accommodation. This may not be easy in Milan and Neuchâtel if you do not speak Italian and French. You may also find that you miss out on some of the exchange of ideas, closeness of the group, socialising, etc. if you do not live with the other students. Nevertheless, one or two students each year so far have opted to live with their partner for some or all of the course.
Do I need a visa or residence permit?
It is your responsibility to check whether you require a visa for entry into the UK, Italy and Switzerland, by checking with the British, Italian and Swiss embassies or consulates in your own country. You should do this immediately upon acceptance of a place on the course, since the process can sometimes take quite a long time. If you require a visa or several visas, you should try, wherever possible, to obtain it/them in your home country: there are inhibitive laws which make it very difficult, if not impossible, for you to obtain a visa when you are in another country if you are not a resident of that country and the status of residency usually only comes after at least 6 months.
In Switzerland, all non-Swiss nationals residing in Switzerland for longer than 3 months – which is the case of all FIFA Master students - also require a residence permit. In your case, this will be a student permit which allows you to study and reside, but not to work. The CIES will help you with this process once you arrive in Switzerland.
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