Start dates:
September: UCFB Wembley, UCFB Etihad Campus or Distance (online)
January: Distance (online)
Course length: One year (full-time) and two year (part-time) options available
Priority Application Deadline:
31 August 2023 for September 2023 entry
8 January 2024 for January 2024 entry
Degree overview
This in-depth programme 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. From TV deals to player transfers, football is now a global, multi-billion-pound industry that is in need of more industry specific qualified individuals.
This degree is available at UCFB Wembley, London, which the iconic Wembley Stadium at the heart of its campus. What could be more motivating for a future career in the sports industry than walking into the most famous stadium in the world? Our UCFB Wembley campus enjoys excellent facilities with lecture theatres, seminar rooms, quiet study areas, library and media suites.
This degree is available at our Manchester Campus, a 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.
Our Distance Learing degrees are taught by the same leading industry experts who teach our on-campus degrees with teaching delivered online via our dedicated Online Hub which can be accessed anytime making this a flexible study option that fits around your existing commitments.
Each module typically has 6 live teaching sessions for you to attend, enabling you to interact and collaborate with academics and your peers. These sessions are also recorded.
Click here for our full list of Distance Learning degree FAQs
The football industry is one of many opportunities for budding professionals, and also poses numerous challenges on a personal and business level. Due to the unique nature of the football industry, it is essential to have the knowledge and experience to be able to deal with a range of ever-changing scenarios. This programme will allow students to be aware of the diverse and often unique situations that impact on the football business, as well as recognise best practice and ethical choices.
Teaching locations for this degree include:
In addition to our teaching locations, we also use specialist facilities throughout the academic year as well as additional facilities where required.
The ability to use GIS’s network is great as so many of the staff members and alumni are interconnected to the sporting industry all around the world.
Your Programme Leader
Modules
- Football Fan Engagement
- Football Operations Management
- Football Finance
- Global Sports Leadership
- Applied Professional Project
- Global Sports Consulting and Analysis (Option)
- Sport Law and Governance (Option)
Students will choose one option at the beginning of their course.
The main educational aims of the course are to:
- To unite, inspire and equip the current and future leaders of the global sports industry, with the skills knowledge and network to take the world of sport to continually new heights.
- Develop students’ ability to think critically and creatively about football business.
- Provide opportunities for students to solve complex problems related to the football industry.
- Facilitate opportunities for students to conduct research and enquiry into football business issues.
- Provide opportunities for students to communicate complex ideas and arguments about the football industry.
- Enable students to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience within football business settings.
- Develop awareness of the importance of change within diverse situations impacting upon the football landscape.
- Enable students to believe in bold, passionate leadership with a focus on success.
- Develop students’ ability to develop a diversity of thought, and recognise and apply ethical practices which shape the choices within the football industry.
Delivered across all GIS Master’s programmes to provide a foundation of knowledge of leadership and its application in sport, the Global Sports Leadership module provides a global sporting context to underpin each degree specialism.
Covering fundamental leadership principles including culture, performance analysis, diversity and inclusion, leadership styles and innovation within a contemporary sporting context, this module allows students to develop a broad appreciation of the sports industry and become leaders in their field.
A core aspect of the module is to bring in global leaders from the pitch, the boardroom and the industry to enable student to access and reflect on real life and current industry experiences and insight. Many of the sessions will be shared across multiple GIS degree programmes, allowing students to learn from and network with each other throughout the Global Sports Leadership module.
The Global Institute of Sport is an embedded college of the University of East London. All GIS graduates will receive a degree from the University of East London.
Entry requirements
Applicants should hold a 2:1 honours degree or a recognised overseas equivalent. Applicants may be accepted with a 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) provided that they can otherwise demonstrate a strong profile with 50% or above in their dissertation module.
Professional experience and industry qualifications can be assessed for applicants without the standard entry requirements.
All applicants will be provided with an opportunity to be assessed and to discuss their suitability for the programme with the academic team.
All applicants are also provided with information relating to student services, with whom they can make contact, should they require additional support or advice as well as information related to appropriate bursaries and funds.
Applicants from non-majority English speaking countries will be asked for an English qualification which tests Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing and will be asked to achieve an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each section) or recognised equivalent.
If you are unsure whether you meet the entry criteria for this programme, or whether you require IELTS results, please email mastersenquiries@ucfb.com with a copy of your most recent CV including nationality, visa status if applicable, and undergraduate degree transcripts. Candidates with a strong CV may qualify for a supplementary admissions interview to support their academic application.
International students
GIS cannot currently sponsor non-EU students’ visas.
You will not need a visa to study in the UK if:
- You are a British citizen
- You are a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA) member state or Switzerland
- You have a visa to stay in the UK for another purpose that allows you to study
If you are still unsure whether you would need a visa to study in the UK, or for more information, please contact admissions@ucfb.com. You can also study one of our Online Master's degrees.
Applicants should normally have graduated with an overall GPA of 3.0 (UK 2:1 honours degree) or be on course to achieve that score.
Graduates with a GPA of at least 2.5 (UK 2:2 honours degree) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Graduates with a GPA of less than 3.0 and non-graduates with professional experience and industry qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Relevant academic experience in business, marketing or sport is desirable but not essential.
All applications should be accompanied by a personal statement from you, the applicant, your current CV and your degree certificate or degree transcript up to this point.
If you are still studying for your degree, please supply an academic reference from your teaching team and if you are applying based on your professional experience, please supply a reference from your current or most recent line manager.
The language of instruction for all of our postgraduate programmes is English so, if English is not your first language, please provide us with evidence of your highest English language qualification.
Applicants should hold a Bachelor (Honours) degree with Upper Second Class Honours or a Bachelor (Ordinary) degree with 70-75%. Applicants may be accepted with a Bachelor (Honours) degree with Lower Second Class Honours or Bachelor (Ordinary) degree with 60-65% provided they can otherwise demonstrate a strong profile.
Professional experience and industry qualifications can be assessed for applicants without the standard entry requirements.
All applicants should submit a clear and comprehensive personal statement and provide a copy of their CV along with one academic and one professional reference.
Applicants from non-majority English speaking countries will be asked for an English qualification which tests Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing and will be asked to achieve an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each section) or recognised equivalent.
If you are unsure whether you meet the entry criteria for this programme, or whether you require IELTS results, please email mastersenquiries@ucfb.com with a copy of your most recent CV including nationality, visa status if applicable, and undergraduate degree transcripts. Candidates with a strong CV may qualify for a supplementary admissions interview to support their academic application.
Priority Application Deadline - 31 August 2023
We strongly encourage you to submit your Masters application well before our 31 August 2023 priority application deadline (8 January 2024 for courses starting in January) to allow sufficient time for assessment of application, ensure availability on the course and enrolment in time for the beginning of your studies. Applications received after this date will only be considered on a case by case basis.
To apply for this degree, please click here and follow the instructions to complete your application via our Learner Portal.
Relevant documents for EU, UK and international applications:
- Completed and signed application form;
- Personal statement
- Copy of transcripts of highest qualification achieved and English translations (if applicable);
- One academic and one professional reference and English translation (if applicable);
- Copy of proof of English language level e.g. IELTS (if applicable).
Career prospects
The programme has been developed for those with aspirations towards senior management positions within the core functional departments of the football industry, spanning financial and accounting roles or operational roles within football, including the ability to rise to senior managerial roles due to the management aspect of the degree.
Straight from the screens of Norwegian news to GIS in London, Silje Meese recently began her MSc Football Business programme at UCFB Wembley.
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Many students who join UCFB and GIS do so with the aim of gaining the knowledge and experience needed to go on and work at the elite levels of the football industry. For GIS student Marcia Lewis, it’s about aiding her son’s own ambitions within the game.
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Fees
These discounts are open to any UCFB, Buckinghamshire New University and University of East London graduate who has received and accepted an offer to study at postgraduate level with UCFB’s Global Institute of Sport.
- 15% fee tuition discount on all Master's programmes, excluding MSc Sports Directorship
- 15% fee tuition discount on MSc Sports Directorship and CEO of a Sports Organisation
If you’d like to extend your time with us, we’re pleased to offer all GIS graduates:
- 15% fee tuition discount on all Master's programmes, excluding MSc Sports Directorship
- 15% fee tuition discount on MSc Sports Directorship and CEO of a Sports Organisation
We're pleased to offer all UCFB and GIS business partners 15% fee tuition discount on all Undergraduate, Master's programmes.
Visit our dedicated page about fees and student finance.
For part-time courses the tuition fee will be split accordingly per year i.e 50% in year 1 and 50% in year 2 (for a two year programme) as per below table.
| Full-time (one year) | Part-time (two years) | ||
| Home Students |
International Students |
Home Students |
International Students |
| £10,950 | £16,450 | £5,475 | £8,225 |
In some instances, optional Employment & Enrichment activities provided by UCFB may carry an additional cost for participants (e.g. qualifications with external certification such as FA Coaching Badges). Any additional costs will be provided to students in advance of any such sessions running.
GIS has a range of scholarship options to help with the cost of studying and to encourage students to embrace their time at GIS and graduate with more than just their university degree. Click here to learn more.
On top of Wembley Stadium and Etihad Campus, the Global Institute of Sport utilises a network of global stadium venues. Inter Miami CF Stadium, plus Global Hubs at New York’s Red Bull Arena, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Toronto FC’s BMO Field and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) allow students to truly immerse themselves in the world of sport.
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