Life at GIS: Students Share Their Favourite Experiences

Choosing to study with us at the Global Institute of Sport is choosing to immerse yourself in the exciting and fast-paced world of sport.

Students will have the chance to visit iconic sporting venues, learn from industry-leading lecturers, and network with sports professionals around the world, providing the perfect setting to experience the industry first-hand.

But what do students themselves think makes studying at GIS special?

To answer this, we asked GIS students and graduates to share their favourite moments and highlights, offering a first-hand look at life at GIS, told by those who have lived it.

What I Learned…

As much as we emphasise real-world experience out in the industry, classroom learning is just as important. To find out what students gained most from this time, we asked them about their favourite modules.

Julia Hess: MSc Football Business Graduate

“My favourite module was definitely Football Operations. I found it particularly interesting because it focused on the practical side of running a football club and showed how many different departments and processes need to work together behind the scenes to make matchdays and an entire season run smoothly.”

“What I enjoyed most was analysing real operational challenges and developing our own ideas on how these could be implemented within a football club. For me, this combination of business thinking, operational insight and working with real club scenarios made Football Operations the most engaging module.”

Paige Sutherland: MSc International Sport Management Student

“Modules on event management and leadership have been particularly transformative—they align directly with my day-to-day work. Guest lectures from industry professionals and case studies on major events have given me a bigger-picture view of stakeholder management and innovation.”

Ben Davis: MSc Performance Analysis in Football Student

“The Applied Football Match Analysis module has stood out the most because it gave me the foundation in understanding different software platforms and how to effectively use both video and data to provide meaningful insights.

“The module I probably enjoyed the most was Talent Identification and Recruitment, as that’s an area I could potentially see myself progressing into in the future. I found the process of profiling players, identifying strengths and weaknesses and understanding recruitment strategies interesting.”

Where I Went…

With hubs in four continents and eight countries, students can base themselves all around the world as they study. But where were some of their favourite places to visit?

Craig Bowker: MSc Coaching and Analysis Graduate

“My final experience as a GIS student was the incredible Miami Global Summit—a week that has left me with lifelong memories.”

“The summit offered unparalleled opportunities to network and engage with major figures from the MLS, MLB, and NBA, as well as guest speakers from Concacaf. Hosted by Inter Miami at their world-class Fort Lauderdale facility, it reaffirmed that choosing GIS over other courses was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Julia Hess: MSc Football Business Graduate

“My personal highlight was visiting Wembley Stadium for the first time. Wembley is such an iconic place and the birthplace of football, a stadium that represents so much history within the sport. I had never had the opportunity to visit Wembley before, so finally being there felt both emotional and incredibly impressive. Experiencing this moment with GIS and knowing that I will return there again for my graduation made it even more meaningful.”

Who I Met…

“Everyone I speak to talks about how important networking is,” former Manchester City centre-back Joleon Lescott told GIS.

From meeting fellow aspiring professionals in the classroom to connecting with established industry leaders, networking is a key part of the GIS experience, giving students opportunities to share ideas, debate perspectives and build relationships that could mold their careers.

Tobias van Deijck: MSc Football Business Graduate

“Hosting the England National Team [as part of Tobias’ role with Miami FC] was a great experience for me personally. I was able to see how a prestigious national team operates logistically in the lead up to the game all the way to how they operated on game day. Everyone from the England staff was extremely helpful and approachable.”

Nathan Edlington: MSc International Sport Management Graduate

“Having a smaller cohort size at the summits made the experience much more personal and the value of each day more concentrated. I felt like I really got to know some fellow GIS students (some of whom I still keep in touch with) and spent invaluable time with leaders in professional sports organisations that are very relevant to me.“

Mattheiu Struyf: Postgraduate Diploma in International Football Business

“The best moment of my career was when I met the agent of Mesut Ozil [Dr Erkut Sogut]. I had difficulty reaching him, but with resilience I was able to reach the CEO of his agency, and the next week we were planning a call, developed the relationship, and had the chance to meet.”

“The highlight of my experience at GIS Summits in Miami was meeting the speakers and individuals already established in the sports industry. To me, that has indirectly opened doors and has given me a chance to work with some really cool people.”

Article by Zakaria Anani