Business
Postgraduate Diploma in International Football Business
With the football industry evolving into a global, multi-billion-dollar enterprise encompassing everything from TV deals to player transfers, there is a growing demand for professionals with specialised qualifications in this field.
Course Information
Attendance:
Full-timeStart Dates:
SeptemberDuration:
1 yearCourse Overview
Taught from classrooms inside the stunning Lotto Park stadium – home of 34-time Belgian champions RSC Anderlecht – this Postgraduate Diploma is designed for those who wish to develop an appreciation of key areas shaping the current landscape of the football industry. The diploma provides opportunities to engage in different aspects of football business including areas such as football fan engagement, leadership and management, football finance and football operations. From TV deals to player transfers, football is now a global, multi-billion-dollar industry that is in need of more industry-specific qualified individuals.
Course Content
This course provides comprehensive knowledge of the global football business industry. Students will gain insights into how football clubs manage service and product-oriented operations, with a focus on critical assessment. The curriculum addresses the unique logistical challenges faced by football-related organisations and encourages evaluation of these operational issues. Students will also learn about financial forecasting techniques and their applications, developing the ability to critically evaluate these methods. Understanding the influence of global, national, and local factors on communication and marketing strategies. Additionally, students will explore various football and sports frameworks, learning to critically evaluate their applications.
GIS Brussels. Located at the iconic Lotto Park, the home of RSC Anderlecht, our state-of-the-art campus offers unparalleled access to world-class facilities and an immersive stadium learning environment right in the heart of Belgium.
The 22,000 seater stadium will be your home while you study with us, embracing all of the fantastic networking, experiential learning and incredible opportunities to the global sports industry it provides!
Teaching Location
GIS Brussels. Located atΒ the iconicΒ Lotto Park, the home ofΒ RSC Anderlecht, our state-of-the-art campus offers unparalleled access to world-class facilities and an immersive stadium learning environment right in the heart of Belgium.
Modules
This module will explore the importance, variation and motivation which influence football consumer behaviours. You will identify key factors which explore the changing nature of football consumer typologies, including the globalisation of fan engagement and the importance of customer relationship management and data analytics. This module explores and analyses the dynamic nature of football fan engagement and the online and offline tools being used to capture existing and new fans. Finally, the module examines the metrics and insights required to drive the business of football consumption.
This module will explore the importance, variation and motivation which influence football consumer behaviours. You will identify key factors which explore the changing nature of football consumer typologies, including the globalisation of fan engagement and the importance of customer relationship management and data analytics. This module explores and analyses the dynamic nature of football fan engagement and the online and offline tools being used to capture existing and new fans. Finally, the module examines the metrics and insights required to drive the business of football consumption.
This module will introduce you to the importance of finance as a discipline and decision tool in professional football clubs. You who may not have experience of accounting or finance, but want to build an understanding of its growing importance as a core management discipline in the football and sporting industries. In order to work in a management position in the business of football, an appreciation of the underlying financial mechanisms, regulations, and cash flow has become increasingly important. You will learn about the European Football Finance Landscape, and the importance of match day, broadcast and commercial revenue, through to financial regulation, cost management and all aspects of revenue generation. You will consider how existing governance frameworks have evolved, corruption and the function of Boards of Directors. There will be a strong focus on interpreting and monitoring financial outcomes and appraising club financial data, KPIβs and valuations.
This course aims is to support strategic leaders in football explore the features of leading high-performing organisation and professional football clubs. The course will focus on the key skills to run a successful organisation of football club from both the football and the broader sport business world in order to overcome challenges. The course will examine football clubs and organisations, leadership, aims, strategies, culture and talent management.
Course Leaders
Shana Axell-Doyle
Deputy Dean
Thomas Freismuth
Graduate
CEO, The Grow Agency
- Non-EU students will require a valid visa to be able to study.
- Undergraduate degree or international equivalent
- Applicants should have some experience of studying or working in business or sports related areas.
- English language qualifications: 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 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 in each section) or recognised equivalent.
Offers to applicants currently studying an undergraduate degree will be conditional on them going on to achieve the entry requirements on completion of their degree.
Offers can be made to an applicant currently 30 credits or less away from achieving their undergraduate degree, however, the undergraduate award should be obtained within 12 months in order for postgraduate degree to be awarded.
PleaseΒ click hereΒ to download our step-by-step guide which will help navigate you through the 2-part, GIS & VUB, application process.
To apply for this diploma, pleaseΒ click here and follow the instructions to complete your application.
If you require any assistance, please contact us immediately atΒ study@gis.sportΒ and a member of the Future Students Team will be more than happy to help.
- Application form
- Evidence of highest academic and/or professional qualifications
- Evidence of relevant experience, where required
- 500 word personal statement
Applications made through the flexible entry route may require a course leader review. The course leader will determine whether a professional reference or task is required.
Scholarships
The Global Institute of Sport is proud to offer an extensive suite of scholarships to support outstanding students as they embark on their postgraduate study. From scholarships to aid our elite athletes, to attracting aspiring sports leaders, and scholarships which support inclusivity and diversity within the sporting industry, our scholarships are there to support students who want to make a meaningful difference to the future of the sporting world.
We are also excited to introduce theΒ GIS Brussels Global Leadership Scholarship.Β This scholarship is available to candidates from any region around the world who have accepted their offer for theΒ Postgraduate Diploma in International Football Business forΒ the SeptemberΒ 2024 intake.
Career Prospects
This course offersΒ numerous career prospectsΒ within the dynamic and expanding football industry. Graduates can pursue roles in club management, overseeing operations, strategic planning, and marketing for professional football clubs. Additionally, positions in event and matchday management involve organising and managing football events and matches, ensuring smooth logistics and enhancing fan engagement. Careers in football federations and governing bodies, such asΒ FIFAΒ andΒ UEFA, are also viable, with roles in administration, governance, and the implementation of football policies and programs. TheseΒ diverse opportunitiesΒ allow graduates to apply their specialised knowledge and skills in various facets of the football business globally.
99 %
of our postgraduate graduates are either employed or in full-time study
79 %
are working or studying in sport
These discounts are open to any GIS, UCFB, Buckinghamshire New University, Vrije Universiteit Brussel andΒ University of East London graduate who has received and accepted an offer to study at the Global Institute of Sport.
15% fee tuition discount on all Master’s programmes.
