FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport

Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?

The time I spent in Europe on the course opened my eyes to how big world sport is as an industry. You can’t ask for anything better to help you grasp the ever-evolving international sports scene than being on the FIFA Master. The structure of the Programme, with a combination of theory lectures from top professors, practical sessions with international sports industry leaders and hands on experience with visits to top sports institutions gave me an insight of what it takes to work in international sport. I went into the course as a very football only orientated administrator but came back as a modern multi-sport and more international manager.

The diversity of the class, with 25 nationalities from every part of the world, gave me a sense of what it means to work, understand, collaborate and succeed in a multicultural environment. That is what international sport is all about. But most importantly was the opportunity to be part of the incredible FIFA Master family. I consider myself lucky to be part of the alumni network which, in my opinion, gives the FIFA Master its biggest edge over other courses. This network gives you a very rare platform to make a lot of friends with people working at the very top of the sports industry across the world and who are always available to interact and offer support at just the click of a button.

What advice would you give to future students on the course?

First and foremost is to remember that, besides the fun you will have, the visits to famous sporting venues and trips across three European countries, it is not a tourism adventure but an academic one. It is a journey to get a Master’s Degree that has been rated the best sports postgraduate programme in Europe for the past nine successive years. That tells you they have standards which one must attain to pass. So, study hard. But also have fun and make every interaction or activity count for the development and growth of your chosen sports career. And of course, the most common bit of advice they will get from every course alumni is don’t try too hard to impress and network with the guest speakers.

Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?

I think that the FIFA Master represented a key factor in my career development. The FIFA Master gave me the tools needed for making choices in my professional career and to work in an international environment. Within the context of my work, I am constantly in touch with National Federations all around the world, the 6 Confederations and various other stakeholders. I believe the FIFA Master contributed a lot in giving me the knowledge and tools which have allowed me to gain an increased understanding of the different facets of the sports industry. Further, the course has allowed me to be able to work and succeed in the different contexts, practices and cultures I am emerged into as part of my role at FIFA. Finally, the FIFA Master has also given me the opportunity to be in contact with people who are critical reference points in my daily job and professional career.

What advice would you give to future students on the course?

The FIFA Master is a once in a lifetime experience, so enjoy the whole year and everything that the course provides you with. Not only the classes, but the social events, the field visits, the time that the guest speakers give to the class. Furthermore, try to spend as much time as possible with your classmates and to have an open and curious mind towards their way of thinking, backgrounds and lived experiences as they can be some of the biggest “teachers” of the master. In addition, you have the opportunity of living in three different cities and countries so try exploring and get emerged into the local culture as well as the opportunities that these cities offer to you.

Finally, the course alumni have an excellent reputation all around the world within the industry so try to engage with not only your classmates and speakers, but also former students too. In the end they will play a key role in your future career and will be helpful references points.