UCFB’s Global Institute of Sport (GIS) offers ground-breaking Master’s degree programmes in the sports industry utilising a global network of industry leaders and elite stadium venues in the UK, US, Canada and Australia. GIS also hosts a world-class executive education portfolio led by VSI Executive Education (VSI), professional qualifications for students, graduates and sports business people, and an Industry Advisory Board packed with leading names in the world of sport.
Navigate this page to discover how our pioneering Master's degrees offer current and aspiring sports professionals the chance to excel in the industry.
Our unique Master's degrees
GIS degrees have been developed by the industry, for the industry with an international academic team that combine experience within industry and academia.
GIS offers current and aspiring sports professionals the chance to excel in the industry with a number of university degrees and specialist programmes spanning leadership, business, and coaching delivered by some of the most experienced and respected practitioners in world sport.
Check out the videos below to meet our experienced academics and hear from students, learn more about specific modules and assessment methods, work experience and career pathways for your chosen degree programme.
The MSc Football Business qualification is designed for those who wish to develop an appreciation of key areas shaping the current landscape of the football industry. The programme provides opportunities to engage in different aspects of football business including areas such as governance and regulation, consumer engagement, operational management and business development.
The MSc Football Business qualification is designed for those who wish to develop an appreciation of key areas shaping the current landscape of the football industry. The programme provides opportunities to engage in different aspects of football business including areas such as governance and regulation, consumer engagement, operational management and business development.
The MSc Football Coaching qualification is designed for those wishing to deepen their understanding of Football Coaching practices. The programme provides opportunities to engage in different aspects of football coaching including areas such as coaching philosophy, tactics and strategies, reflective practice and performance analysis. It is ideal for current professionals working within the Football industry who prefer a more flexible mode of delivery instead of a purely campus based programme.
The MSc Football Coaching (Blended) qualification is designed for those wishing to deepen their understanding of Football Coaching practices. The programme provides opportunities to engage in different aspects of football coaching including areas such as coaching philosophy, tactics and strategies, reflective practice and performance analysis. It is ideal for current professionals working within the Football industry who prefer a more flexible mode of delivery instead of a purely campus based programme.
This programme will take an in-depth look at the numbers that make the game tick, alongside theoretical and practical coaching disciplines. It will enable students to develop a systematic and in-depth understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights for the advanced study of football coaching and analysis.
This programme will take an in-depth look at the numbers that make the game tick, alongside theoretical and practical coaching disciplines. It will enable students to develop a systematic and in-depth understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights for the advanced study of football coaching and analysis.
It is now essential to understand digital viewing trends, social media audiences and how to plan engaging and effective digital media coverage for an ever demanding fan base. The MSc Football Communications & Digital Marketing degree programme is designed for graduates and industry practitioners with a keen interest in football and sport.
It is now essential to understand digital viewing trends, social media audiences and how to plan engaging and effective digital media coverage for an ever demanding fan base. The MSc Football Communications & Digital Marketing (Online) degree programme is designed for graduates and industry practitioners with a keen interest in football and sport.
The Global Institute of Sport's (GIS) unique MSc International Sport Management provides an unparalleled educational and experiential opportunity for aspiring sports leaders. This pioneering programme has been developed as a transformational journey suited for graduates of all disciplines, as well as for current professionals working within various sectors of the sport industry, for example in management, marketing or operations.
The Global Institute of Sport's (GIS) unique MSc International Sport Management (Online) provides an unparalleled educational and experiential opportunity for aspiring sports leaders. This pioneering programme has been developed as a transformational journey suited for graduates of all disciplines, as well as for current professionals working within various sectors of the sport industry, for example in management, marketing or operations.
This programme will give students the necessary tools to understand and explore the performance analysis principles that rule the modern game. You will gain the knowledge of the theory and practice that enables enhanced performance on the pitch as well as in player recruitment.
The MSc Sports Directorship will qualify you for one of the most important roles today in modern global sport, that of Sporting Director, and critically, will provide you with the skills, knowledge and experience to equip you to sit in a strategic leadership role in a sporting organisation. This two-year part-time course teaches a unique curriculum, tailored to meet the real demands of leading sports organisations.
The MSc Player Care in Football has been designed for those who wish to develop a multidisciplinary understanding of elite player care and wellbeing in professional football. Through the programme, students will build a theoretical and practical understanding of player care by engaging with elements of behavioural science, psychology, psychiatry and social sciences with the long-term goal of being able to apply this knowledge at both youth and senior levels.
Delivered by leading experts in the field, students will be exposed to the latest research in the area, as well as a series of real-world scenarios and case studies, developed in conjunction with industry partners.
This degree is designed for graduates and industry practitioners with an interest in sport, and those with a particular interest in, or experience of communications and marketing. The programme covers key themes such as sports marketing, sports media management, sports media content creation, global sports leadership and options including customer relationship management, sports sponsorship, and brand management and contemporary issues in sport.
This degree is designed for graduates and industry practitioners with an interest in sport, and those with a particular interest in, or experience of communications and marketing. The programme covers key themes such as sports marketing, sports media management, sports media content creation, global sports leadership and options including customer relationship management, sports sponsorship, and brand management and contemporary issues in sport.
This programme is ideal for those who already work, or aspire to work, in senior positions within the sports industry, and offers the flexibility to allow participants to gain a Master’s degree qualification around their busy lifestyle.
By having the opportunity to learn from the comfort of their own home, programme participants will be able to gain a further qualification to enhance their career prospects in a format that offers flexible hours and the chance to dictate their own work-life balance to fit around other commitments.
The programme is available through the UCFB Online Hub, which is accessible on mobile devices including tablets, phones and laptops. The UCFB Online Hub also has app which you can download to access the programme content. This means you can truly study while on the go and around your other commitments.
This programme provides students with the opportunity to develop systematic knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of coaching to enhance both individual and team performance. It also equips students with a range of research skills necessary to design and conduct applied research in a sports context. The course is available to study either full-time, over one year, or part-time over two.
Programme participants will evaluate a range of traditional and contemporary models of leadership, and review the core components that underpin expertise in sports coaching. Students will have access to clubs across the football pyramid, as well as first-class teaching, learning and coaching provision from professionals with backgrounds in both academia and professional football.
Students on this programme have access to world-leading performance analysis tools from Hudl, the industry-standard software used by athletes, coaches and clubs across the globe.
This programme provides students with the opportunity to develop systematic knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of coaching to enhance both individual and team performance. It also equips students with a range of research skills necessary to design and conduct applied research in a sports context. The course is available to study either full-time, over one year, or part-time over two.
Programme participants will evaluate a range of traditional and contemporary models of leadership, and review the core components that underpin expertise in sports coaching. Students will have access to clubs across the football pyramid, as well as first-class teaching, learning and coaching provision from professionals with backgrounds in both academia and professional football.
Students on this programme have access to world-leading performance analysis tools from Hudl, the industry-standard software used by athletes, coaches and clubs across the globe.
Our iconic campuses & global hubs
Our state-of-the-art campuses and hubs are located in elite stadium venues in the UK, US, Canada and Australia.
With the iconic Wembley Stadium at its heart, our Wembley campus provides a truly inspiring learning environment with world-class facilities in one of the most exciting cities in the world.
Just a short walk away from the stadium is 1st Way, a vibrant, safe and centrally-located student accommodation and teaching facility in the heart of Wembley. Central London is just a short tube ride away.
UCFB Etihad Campus is our state-of-the-art campus devoted to the football industry in the heart of Manchester – one of the world’s most famous footballing cities with a thriving student population.
With the Etihad Stadium at the heart of the campus, students can live, learn and work at the centre of one of Europe’s most progressive football facilities. With impressive on-site facilities available to aid your studies, including stunning lecture theatres and seminar rooms, student social areas and cafeteria, library, media suite and quiet study zones, it is hard not to be inspired by your surroundings.
Located directly opposite Piccadilly Station and in the heart of Manchester, the UCFB Study Hub @ Picadilly Place is a brand new modern student facility that includes a library, study hub and social space, as well as pastoral and learning support drop-in services.
All GIS students, including those studying online, and alumni have access to UCFB’s global hubs which are located in some of the world’s most exciting sports destinations. Inter Miami CF Stadium, New York’s Red Bull Arena, Atlanta’s brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Toronto FC’s BMO Field and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will all play host to UCFB and GIS around the world, enabling students and graduates to enhance their knowledge and expertise of the international sports industry.
To find out more about our unique global hubs, click here.
Learning online
For those looking to study their degree online, our Online Hub is an easy-to-use platform, available on mobile, tablet and desktop, and designed with working professionals in mind. This allows you the flexibility to study on days of the week and times of the day that accommodate your other commitments within the deadlines of your programme.
In addition to this, the Hub also acts as the primary learning resource for all GIS Online & Blended students.
Click here to learn more about the Online Hub
Learn more about the admissions process, student finance & life at GIS
If you're ready to make an application check out the video below:
For all 2022 GIS masters tuition fees, and information on how to apply for student finance, click here.
GIS Master's Scholarships Programme has been designed to encourage students from all backgrounds and abilities to embrace their time at GIS and graduate with more than just their university degree. These initiatives not only offer students the chance to earn money off their tuition fees, but also gain skills and contacts that will enhance their CV, employment prospects and enhance their overall GIS experience. You can find more here
Download the scholarships hand out here
The Student Services Team is here to support you across a wide range of areas throughout your studies at GIS, offering personal and academic support.
Check out the videos below to hear directly from the team on everything from library services to learning support.
Useful links:
The Students’ Union’s role is to represent GIS students and make your time here as exciting and rewarding as possible. The SU is also responsible for student involvement around each campus, such as planning unforgettable social events and being the student voice and point of contact with senior management.
The Athletic Union enables students to take part in a number of sports during their time here, whether competitive or recreational. We have teams across both campuses for male and female students, including football, rugby, squash and basketball, with more sports being added all the time.
At GIS we are dedicated to maximising the career opportunities of all of our students. In addition to your degree, you will have opportunities to gain industry-relevant work experience, hear from inspirational guest speakers and network with industry professionals around the world.
Accommodation
We have partnered with Unite Students at both the Wembley and Etihad campus to ensure students have access to comfortable and secure accommodation close to both campuses. Arch View House at First Way, Wembley and Mill Point, Manchester, are available for students studying at GIS in 2021/2022.
Unite Students is located in the Arch View House building on First Way, in the heart of Wembley Park regeneration area, home to the world famous football stadium and newly built retail outlet centre. Central London is just a short tube ride away from the property. In addition to student accommodation, teaching, study and social facilities are also located within the building. There will be a range of different room types available at Arch View House to suit your needs, and within the property you will find everything you need to enjoy student life.
In a central Manchester location just 2 minutes from Piccadilly train station, Lambert & Fairfield House offers a wide range of student accommodation. This site contains a variety of study and social spaces, including a cinema, gym, bowling alley, karaoke room and gaming area. It's ideally located for GIS students.
Take the opportunity to download our Master's, Executive Education & Professional Qualifications prospectus and find out more about the Global Institute of Sport!
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UCFB's Global Institute of Sport has developed a profile of pioneering Master's qualifications to enable those working within the industry to drive forward their career, and to provide a gateway for those aspiring to pursue their ambitions of working in the sport.
Postgraduate degrees
