The Football Industries MBA (FIMBA) programme is the original, and still the only, Football Industries MBA. As an MBA programme, it has the real business focus that management positions in modern sports demand.
Focusing on the professionalism and business of the beautiful game, if you want to work in the global football industry — with clubs, governing bodies or related marketing, media and sponsorship companies — this is the programme for you.
The Football Industries MBA features in the top 20 SportBusiness postgraduate rankings for 2024. The core elements of the programme — leadership, strategy, organisations, innovation, international business and the global environment, entrepreneurship and managing financial resources — are delivered in concentrated blocks with a strong emphasis on interactive teaching and learning. The specialist football modules apply business concepts to modern football. You’ll gain a critical awareness of issues in football management, finance and law. Crucially, you’ll receive vocational industry training, including the Becoming a Football Executive module and Sports Operations Management module.
The broader skills you’ll acquire include analysis, problem-solving, creativity and decision-making. The Becoming a Football Executive module will also strengthen your career management skills and hone your interpersonal communication abilities. Based in Liverpool, the football hotbed of the North-west of England, clubs are accessible as laboratories for students to put theory into practice.
If you already hold an MBA or are working in the industry and would like to study the football-specific modules only, we offer a Certificate in Business Administration (Football Industries).
Candidates join our MBA programmes to achieve a number of professional goals. Typically they will have a minimum of 3 years of relevant management experience in the private or public sector.
Students may be planning to:
If you have 3+ years managerial experience, you may be eligible for one of our generous Management School Awards. We’re offering 50% tuition fee discounts for this globally ranked MBA programme for students starting in September 2025.
Places are limited, so we encourage you to apply to the MBA programme early to avoid disappointment. Awards will be assigned on a first-come first-served basis, with applicants to the programme assessed automatically for eligibility.
Our students come from a wide range of sectors, industries, backgrounds, countries and cultures. Read our students’ stories and find out more about why they chose the Management School, highlights of the programme to date, and valuable advice if you’re considering an MBA.
You are invited to attend two study trips to UEFA and FIFA plus a European city destination alongside your fellow MBA candidates. These trips allow you to put theory into practice, offering a deeper understanding of business management in an economic and social context and helping expand your professional network through connecting with sports, business, and our alumni.
For more information, please see the Fees and Funding section below.
MBA top industry leader speaker series
Deepen your understanding of business and football issues through our top industry guest speaker series. Join sessions with industry leaders including Premier and European league football club CEOs and top executives at governing bodies as they share their experiences and insights on topical issues.
The University of Liverpool Management School is one of an elite group of institutions worldwide to hold the gold standard ‘triple-crown’ accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.
AACSB Accreditation Standards require a high quality teaching environment, a commitment to continuous improvement, and curricula responsive to the needs of businesses. This achievement means that the Management School meets specific standards of excellence. It also means it's committed to on-going improvement in delivering high quality education.
AMBA is the highest standard of achievement in postgraduate business education. MBA students and graduates, business schools and employers all recognise it as a gold standard. AMBA's rigorous criteria and assessment process ensure that only programmes that demonstrate the highest standards in teaching, learning and curriculum design; career development and employability; and student, alumni and employer interaction achieve accreditation.
The School is also accredited by EQUIS, which is the leading international system of quality assessment, improvement and accreditation of higher education institutions in management and business administration. Institutions that are accredited by EQUIS must demonstrate not only high general quality in all dimensions of their activities, but also a high degree of internationalisation and corporate connections.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
The 12-month full-time programme consists of 11 compulsory modules and one optional module, followed by a consultancy based project or a dissertation carried out over the summer period following Semester two.
There are six compulsory modules in Semester one. 180 credits are taken in total.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
The 12-month full-time programme consists of 11 compulsory modules and one optional module, followed by a consultancy based project or a dissertation carried out over the summer period following Semester two.
There are five compulsory modules and two optional modules (select one) in Semester two. 180 credits are taken in total.
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| SPORTS OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT (ULMS829) | 10 |
| ADVANCED ANALYTICS FOR BUSINESS (ULMS885) | 10 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Students have the option to complete a consultancy based project or a dissertation carried out over the summer period following semester two.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| DISSERTATION (ULMS706) | 60 |
| CONSULTANCY BASED PROJECT (ULMS823) | 60 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
MBA students are taught in a dedicated, purpose-built teaching space, the Brett Building. Its facilities include state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, a lecture theatre, break-out spaces, and social zones.
In semester one and two, you will take modules totalling 120 credits. The dissertation or consultancy based project completed during the summer period is worth 60 credits and students will be supported by their academic supervisor.
Students are required to complete 180 credits to achieve a full MBA.
Subject to meeting specific criteria outlined by the University, students will graduate with a Pass, Merit or Distinction.
Assessment tasks are varied and some may be designed specifically to meet the learning outcomes of a particular programme of study, but students can expect to be assessed via coursework, essay, group work, presentations, case studies, negotiation exercises, reports and examinations. The weighting of individual components will vary from one module to another. All assessment information is included within the module specification.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
The MBA programme is delivered by the triple-accredited University of Liverpool Management School.
Each year our MBA students form lasting friendships and build a supportive global network. The MBA student community meets regularly, following a calendar of social events to make the most of all Liverpool has to offer.
Learn more about the the Football Industries MBA at the University of Liverpool Management School from Dr Babatunde Buraimo.
Learn more about studying an MBA at the University of Liverpool Management School.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
FIMBA is the one and only MBA with a focus on football, worldwide. It provides the who’s who of football industry professionals and lecturers. Giving you the chance to be part of the strongest and most diverse football network.
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Our MBA Career and Leadership Development Programme is designed to enrich your MBA journey by challenging your thinking about your own professional, career and leadership development. Active participation in the Programme will deepen your awareness of yourself, your strengths, motivations and aspirations, and support you in confidently articulating and leveraging your MBA with impact and influence.
In practice, the Career and Professional Development Programme offers:
Networking is a central part of the MBA journey, network with peers, MBA Alumni and Guest Speakers. The Programme enhances professional networking skills both in person and virtually.
Careers support doesn’t end when you graduate from your MBA programme. You are a lifelong member of the MBA community and we encourage you to stay connected and in turn become mentors to the next generation. You will also benefit from access to a wide range of careers and professional development support, advice and webinars up to five years after you’ve graduated.
Some of our most recent graduates are now working in the following football clubs and related organisations:
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.
We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.
You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £26,500
Full-time place, per year - £33,500
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year. Please note, the fee for this course includes one international study trip to a European destination, including accommodation and excursions. The fee does not include any additional costs associated with the trip, such as flights and visa applications. The School cannot guarantee that visa applications connected with the study trip will be successful. Fees will not be refunded to students who do not participate in the international study trip.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
You can pay your tuition fees in instalments.
All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship.
International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a University of Liverpool graduate starting this master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive a loyalty discount of up to £2,500 off your master’s tuition fees.
If you’re an MBA offer holder, with four or more years of professional or managerial experience and a strong academic background, you could be eligible to receive a discount of 50% off your tuition fees.
If you’re a female offer holder for our Football Industries MBA, with three or more years of professional or managerial experience and a strong academic background, you could be eligible to receive 50% off your tuition fees.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate entry requirements | Professional ExperienceMBA Candidates are normally expected to have a minimum of 3 years of substantive managerial experience in the private or public sector. They will have managed budgets/people/projects. QualificationsCandidates will normally be expected to hold a 2:1 Honours degree (which may be in any discipline) from a UK university, or an equivalent professional qualification from a similar non-UK institution. Non-graduates who possess extensive professional experience (more than 5 years) and/or a postgraduate qualification are encouraged to apply. Non Standard Entry Non Standard entry relates to applicants who may not hold a degree or the required degree classification. We would still encourage applications if you have:
Each application is considered on a case by case basis and will include an informal, online interview with the MBA team. The interview is an opportunity to discuss your suitability to MBA programme, your experience and interest in the MBA programme. Applicants should apply via the normal route. For more information on this non-standard entry process, please contact ulmsmba@liverpool.ac.uk. Personal StatementThe personal statement encourages students to write between 100-200 words for each of the following sections:
GMAT ScoreA GMAT score is not a mandatory requirement; however, we do encourage candidates who have undertaken the examination to submit their scores for consideration alongside other criteria during the admissions process. We look for a balanced score across all components of the GMAT and will only accept scores which are still valid (attained within the last 5 years) by the time of entry to the programme. Our institution is listed as University of Liverpool, University of Liverpool Management School and the programme code for the full-time MBA is: ZCC-MW-25 |
| International qualifications |
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements. Completing your Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, means you're guaranteed a place on your chosen course. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | 125 overall, with writing not less than 125, speaking and reading not less than 115, and listening not below 110 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with no component below 59 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 overall, with no skill below 65 |
| PSI Skills for English | B2 Pass with Merit in all bands |
| INDIA Standard XII | National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English. |
| WAEC | C6 or above |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 6.0 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 6.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.0, and no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, for further details.
Discover more about the city and University.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
Last updated 27 March 2025 / / Programme terms and conditions