Course details
- Part-time: 24 months
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The Online Football Industries MBA (Online FIMBA) is a new, online MBA dedicated to the global football industry. As an MBA programme, it has a real business focus that management positions in football and sports demand.
Wherever you are in the globe, through our Online FIMBA programme, you’ll gain a critical awareness of football issues and the wider sports world, enabling your holistic development as a football or sports executive trained through our triple-accredited Management School.
Our Online FIMBA programme is based on our highly ranked on-campus Football Industries MBA which was established over 25 years ago. Offered part-time over two years, the programme combines the core MBA curriculum created by our world class faculty that includes modules in leadership, managing financial resources and marketing alongside specialist football modules.
The football specific curriculum has been designed by our academic staff from the Centre for Sports Business, a leading hub for sports business research and practice who bring expertise and industry experience from sports analytics, economics, governance and finance.
If you want to kick-start your career in football management or up your game in the sports business, this programme is for you!
Many of our candidates who join the FIMBA come from other sectors but have a lifelong passion and ambition to work in the game or start their new business within the football industry.
Typically, you will have a minimum of 3 years of relevant management/leadership experience in the private or public sector. If you do not hold a degree or the required degree classification, you are welcome to apply. For more information about eligibility, please get in touch with the MBA team at ulmsmba@liverpool.ac.uk.
We’re offering 50% scholarships for candidates starting the programme in January 2025.
Places are limited, so we encourage you to apply to the 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. Find out more about our scholarships today!
Our students come from a wide range of sectors, industries, backgrounds, countries and cultures. Read our campus-based 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.
Our campus based Football Industries MBA features in the top 20 global SportBusiness postgraduate rankings for 2024.
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).
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.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Please note – modules for this course have not yet been finalised and may be subject to change.
This module explores topics in organisational behaviour at the individual, group, and organisational levels. At the individual level, the module looks at individual differences in key attributes that lead to work effectiveness such as personality and motivation. At the group level, the module builds on earlier content to establish how teams function and explores the role of effective leadership in influencing teams. At the organisational level, the module looks at organisational culture and change and consolidates the content by looking at a range of organisations and sectors. The module will offer students several reflection points on their work behaviours on which they will receive targeted feedback.
The aim of this module is to develop a critical understanding of the structure and organisation of football across different international settings. The module will critically examine the relevant concepts, theories, models and structures of professional football leagues and other factors that influence decision-making across the various sectors of the football industries. The module will also examine the role and influences of major stakeholders including football federations, football leagues, football clubs, players and their agents, and consumers. The nature of and changes in the supply of and the demand for football will also be critically examined. Finally, the football economies in developed and emerging markets will be assessed. The use of concepts, theories, and principles from a range of business and management disciplines will underpin the module’s critical assessment of the international football industries.
The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the nature of financial resources available to an organisation; how resources can be managed to add value; how business activities are summarised and the relationships between different activities summarised and predicted; and how the core skills and competencies of an organisation are identified and managed.
Marketing in the Digital Age is a forward-thinking MBA module that puts diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and responsible marketing at the forefront of modern marketing practices. In this transformative journey, we explore the intersection of these critical dimensions with the evolving world of digital marketing. This module empowers students with the knowledge and skills to excel in contemporary marketing. Students will gain insights into the power of inclusive marketing, understand the vital role of sustainability, and embrace responsible marketing practices.
This module introduces students to the ways in which the forces of domestic, European and international law impact upon the sports industries. It considers how the law is a fundamental force in driving the development of regulation in sport internationally and how long-standing practices can be challenged in the courts. Topics covered include: arbitration; employment law; discrimination; competition law; free movement; intellectual property and combating ambush marketing.
The module provides an understanding of the major drivers of the internationalisation of business activities. Based on the understanding gained from lectures, seminars and individual and group research activities throughout the module, students will be able to analyse the strategic implications of internationalisation for organisations and assess how to manage international business activities effectively. The module outlines the main theories and latest research evidence on major issues of international business management and explores key factors that make international business management different from domestic strategies and operations. The application of theoretical models and concepts to practical issues in the management of organisations is central to the module’s objectives. The module provides students with a sound knowledge of not only the theory and evidence on key topics in the internationalisation processes of organisations, but also applies this to how to manage effectively in the context of a complex and evolving international business environment. Examination of the major drivers of evolution of the international business environment (for example, the rise of emerging economies, and economic, technological, political and cultural changes affecting international trade and investment) provides the basis for assessing how organisations may best adjust to the changing patterns of internationalisation. By the end of the module, students will understand how business strategies and operations fit into the fast changing global arena and will have a good appreciation of the strategic challenges and opportunities facing organisations that operate internationally, as well as of implications for their personal careers in an international context.
This module deals with theory, principles and practicalities of managing sustainable sports operations and events. The module covers: operations design, demand forecasting, managing the customer experience, safety and security, event management and broadcasting and logistics.
This module covers the financial aspects of the football business, in particular the operations of clubs and leagues; ownership, investment, debt and insolvency; and the links between financial management and successful strategy. Students are expected to contribute fully to classes, both individually and in groups, and assessed via two assignments.
The objective of this module is to integrate the two fields of innovation and entrepreneurship focusing upon management practice and creating change in a range of sectors. It will approach the analysis of innovation and entrepreneurship by drawing attention to relevant theories and research but placing more emphasis on applying these to practice in a broader context including the private, public and third sector and ways of creating new business models, opportunities, value and change. In particular, the module will examine issues and dilemmas in “doing” innovation and entrepreneurship.
This module enables students to develop the skills and attributes that they will need to succeed in executive careers in the football sector. Students will be provided with the opportunity to apply theory to practice in order to solve practical management problems within the sport business context, through the use of a management simulation. This will enable students to critically reflect on their performance within a high pressure situation. The module will also develop transferable career skills such as self-awareness, football industry analysis, job searching, networking, negotiation, conflict management, personal branding, CV development and personal development planning. Assessment includes a formative report at the beginning of the module, an assessed management simulation and a career development presentation.
Leaders and managers of organisations today face many types of challenges. The essence of strategy is in successfully achieving the appropriate fit between resources and environment in an increasingly dynamic and turbulent world. The aim of the module is to provide the students with a comprehensive overview of strategic analysis, strategy formulation and implementation, and to enable them to develop and implement strategies in their own organisations. The module pays particular emphasis on helping students to understand the environment in which strategising takes place, including the industry and country environment. Furthermore, the module aims to enable students to understand and appreciate the organisational context in which strategic decisions are made. The module takes a critical approach. It draws on insights from a variety of sources and disciplines, including managerial and industry economics, but also behavioural perspectives and organisation theory in order to provide an integrative perspective on strategy.
The module will provide students with insights and advance knowledge of the economics of football. Students will be able to distinguish between conventional industries and the football industry by way of economic theory. Students will explore the economics of a range of core issues including the football players’ and managerial labour markets, the economic design of leagues and the demand for and supply of football across different media. From an analytic perspective, students are not expected to have a prior understanding of statistics, econometric or analytics. However, students will be able to interpret analytical results found in relevant literature and journal articles. Students will engage in data management and analysis and will be able to appreciate the role that statistics, econometrics and analytics (might) have in decision-making within the football industry.
Project (with research methods element)
This module provides the opportunity for students to undertake the MBA Project, a self-managed process of systematic practitioner inquiry, to address a management challenge with the option of working with an organisation. This project enables students to integrate, apply and develop the knowledge and skills that they have acquired during the MBA programme.
Students will be allocated a supervisor for their MBA project who will support their process of independent learning and inquiry. Supervisory contact hours will include feedback on one draft chapter, progress check-ins, and ongoing Q&A.
The course curriculum
Teaching and assessment
The learning, teaching and assessment strategies for all online programmes are aligned with the three University of Liverpool hallmarks of research-connected teaching, active learning and authentic assessment – as well as the three University of Liverpool Graduate attributes of confidence, digital fluency and global citizenship.
You’ll take modules totalling 120 credits, with the dissertation or consultancy based project completed at the end of your studies being worth 60 credits. You’ll be supported by your academic supervisor during the dissertation or consultancy based project.
You’re required to complete 180 credits to achieve a full MBA. Subject to meeting specific criteria outlined by the University, you’ll graduate with a Pass, Merit or Distinction.
How you’ll study
Studying online allows you to study in your own time and from wherever works best for you – whether that is from your home, during your lunch hour or anywhere else you have internet access.
With online FIMBA, you can study in your time and wherever through live and recorded sessions. All our online programmes are delivered through Canvas, the University’s Virtual Learning Environment, enabling you to thrive in a flexible and engaging hybrid approach.
Key features include:
Canvas provides a flexible, engaging learning environment that combines the benefits of online study with the interactivity of traditional classrooms.
Assessments
Online programmes are assessed based on work carried out in the virtual classroom. Reflecting the hallmark of authentic assessment, this may include report writing, reflective practice, research projects, and individual or group presentations that represent the kinds of tasks you would be expected to undertake in a professional setting. There is also one exam (delivered online) within the Managing Financial Resources module.
The weighting of individual components will vary from one module to another. All assessment information is included within the module handbook at the start of each module.
Online learning experience
We will support your online learning experience with high-quality learning materials and resources, which can all be found on Canvas.
Typically, your learning experience will include the following:
On average, you will need to dedicate a minimum of 15-20 hours of study per module, per week.
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.
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.
Dedicated MBA careers support
Whatever your experience as a manager and whatever your professional ambitions, you’ll be supported with your future career planning from the very first week.
FIMBA is at the centre of one of the best existing global networks in the football industry, with alumni working for the top football/sports clubs, governing bodies, media and commercial organisations in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Africa.
Some of our most recent graduates are now working in:
INTERESTED IN HOW OUR ALUMNI HAVE PROGRESSED?
Find out how Mario achieved his long-term goal of becoming a football agent following his graduation from the FIMBA programme in 2016. You can also read more of our alumni stories.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) | |
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Part-time place, per year | £12,975 |
International fees | |
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Part-time place, per year | £16,475 |
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
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 fees and funding.
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.
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The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here
Your qualification | Requirements |
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Postgraduate entry requirements |
Candidates 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. |
International qualifications |
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, you could be eligible for a Pre-Master’s course. This is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. It’s a specialist preparation course for postgraduate study, and when you pass the Pre-Master’s at the required level with good attendance, you’re guaranteed entry to a University of Liverpool master’s degree. |
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.
English language qualification | Requirements |
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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 | 120 overall, with no component below 105 |
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.
Find out the length of Pre-Sessional English course you may require for this degree.
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 8 November 2024 / / Programme terms and conditions