How to break into the soccer industry? Here are three specialized master's that could kick-start your career

TL;DR

• Soccer is the world’s most popular sport, but also has a huge global industry with plenty of job opportunities for the right people

• It’s a competitive industry, but studying a specialized degree can help you forge your own career in soccer

• There are degrees available at the University of Liverpool Management School, Real Madrid Graduate School Universidad Europea, or a three-center collaborative degree between De Montfort University in Leicester, SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan and the University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland
  
  

If playing at the World Cup has long been you dream—but that ship has now sailed—there are other ways you can get involved in the world of elite soccer.

Alongside being the world’s most popular sport, soccer is also a massive global industry. International clubs operate as publicly traded companies and player transfer deals amounting to tens of millions of dollars take place on a regular basis.

So, if you’re wondering how you can launch a career in the soccer business, here are three specialized degree options to consider.

3 Degrees For A Career In The Soccer Business

1. University of Liverpool Management School, Football Industries MBA (FIMBA) 

Billed as the original MBA program dedicated to teaching the commercial side of soccer, the FIMBA is taught in Liverpool: a historic city in the north-west of England that’s home to two legendary clubs that play in the English Premier League.

But while the players at Everton and Liverpool are known for their rivalry on the pitch, the FIMBA teaches students how to navigate the complex world of being a soccer executive.

Modules focus on core management principles including strategy, organizational culture, innovation, entrepreneurship, finance, and leadership. Courses are taught with a focus on how these fundamental business areas are manifest in the world of soccer.

After completing the 12-month full-time curriculum, students graduate with a comprehensive grasp of finance, law, and management. Many go on to launch careers with leading clubs, associations, and sponsors within the soccer business; the school lists alumni destinations including FC Bayern Munich, UEFA, Adidas, and Manchester City FC.

2. Real Madrid Graduate School Universidad Europea, Master in Sports Management 

Real Madrid is one of the biggest clubs on the planet and has won the world’s most prestigious club soccer competition, the UEFA Champions League, a record 15 times.

But Real is also invested in soccer off the pitch, offering those interested in pursuing careers in the soccer business the chance to undertake a nine-month master’s degree in sports management.

The program teaches core areas such as marketing and communication, management skills, and economics. The innovative degree leverages its unique position to provide students with access to leading Real Madrid staff and directors. Teaching is also delivered by professors from Universidad Europea.

Emphasizing a practical approach, the Master’s in Sports Management requires students to complete an internship as part of the curriculum, while extracurricular internships are also encouraged.

Graduates go on to launch careers within soccer, as well as further afield in other sporting environments. Listed alumni destinations include the International Paralympic Committee, Under Armour, and the NBA.

Admissions to the Master’s in Sports Management take place on a rolling basis throughout the year, though successful enrollment depends on the number of positions available.

3. International Center For Sports Studies (CIES), FIFA Master—International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport

While UEFA is the governing body of European soccer, FIFA is the organization that runs the world game.

The association is notably the organizer of the FIFA World Cup, which takes place every four years and is the most prestigious soccer tournament in the world. As such, the FIFA Master is among the best degree programs to enroll in if you’re seeking a career in the business of soccer.

Offered through a collaboration between three European educational institutions—De Montfort University in Leicester, SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan and the University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland—the FIFA Master teaches at the intersection between management, law, and humanities within sports.

As well as teaching key concepts and theories in these key areas, the 10-month curriculum is bolstered by regular practical sessions with top executives and athletes. Students also get to spend four-months at De Montfort, before heading off to study for three-month periods at both SDA Bocconi and the University of Neuchâtel.

This international exposure, paired with the well-regarded brand associated with the degree, gives students a great chance of forging a successful career in the soccer industry. Previous employers include both those within soccer and top organizations from other sports, including FIFA, UEFA, the International Olympic Committee, and Formula 1.