Football Industries MBA

The Football Industries MBA (FIMBA) was founded 25 years ago, it’s the original, world leading programme tailored to the challenges of the global football industry. As an MBA programme, it has the real business focus that management positions in modern sport 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 MBA programme for you.

Programme duration: 12 months (full-time) on the Liverpool campus  
Programme start: September 2024
Entry requirements: MBA candidates are normally expected to have a minimum of 3 years of substantive managerial experience in the private or public sector, having managing people/projects/budgets. We also consider applicants who may not hold a degree or the required degree classification.

About University of Liverpool Management School, Centre for Sports Business

A member of the prestigious Russell Group of the UK’s leading research universities, the University of Liverpool Management School counts itself among the elite group of schools globally to carry triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. 

The Management School’s Centre for Sports Business is a global centre of excellence for sports and football business taught postgraduate programmes, research and executive education at the University of Liverpool Management School. Our staff are specialists in their areas and conduct cutting-edge research into a range of business, economic and cultural aspects of sport.

Programme Overview 

The Football Industries MBA (FIMBA) was founded 25 years ago - it’s the original, world leading programme tailored to the challenges of the global football industry. The core elements include: leadership, strategy, organisations, innovation, international business and the global environment, entrepreneurship and managing financial resources.  

We create the opportunity and environment for students to connect first hand with guest speakers from the industry through dedicated sessions and networking events. Recent speakers include the director of communications at Liverpool FC, chief executive officers at Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Women in football as well as the vice president of Nielson Sport. A highlight for students is a trip to a European destination that includes site visits and an opportunity to meet industry leaders. Previous trips have included FIFA, UEFA and Atletico Madrid.  

Generous Scholarships 
For 2024 we’re offering scholarships to help cover the cost of MBA tuition fees, including:
→ MBA Excellence Scholarship - up to 75% fee discounts available 
→ Women in Football Scholarship - up to 50% fee discounts available.
→ Latin America Excellence Scholarship - up to 50% fee discounts available

Globally ranked
FIMBA features in the top 35 Global SportBusiness Postgraduate rankings and in the top 15 European courses for 2022.

Specialist football modules
Students gain a critical awareness of issues in football management, finance and law. Crucially, receiving vocational training for the industry, including the Becoming a Football Executive module where students take part in a management game simulation at a local football club. This module helps to develop self-awareness, strategic networking and crisis management skills.  Students also acquire broader skills in analysis, problem solving, creativity and decision-making.Based in Liverpool within the North-West of England, a hotbed for football clubs, organisations and other sports. These organisations are accessible as laboratories for students to put theory into practice. 

Where it takes you
Our alumni are working for the football and sports clubs, governing bodies, media and commercial organisations across the world including:

• Adidas
• Chinese Football Association
• England Netball
• Everton FC
• FC Bayern Munich
• FC Seoul [South Korea]
• Gremio FBPA [Brazil]
• Liverpool FC
• London Lions basketball
• Manchester City FC
• Nike
• Rugby Football Union
• The [English] Football League
• The Premier League
• UEFA
• Women In Football

Read our alumni stories here. 

What our MBA students say

A truly global experience, our students come from across the world to study their MBA.  Some work in sports and want to advance their careers within the industry, others in sectors including finance and consultancy. What they all share is their love and passion for football and sports.  Like Jose who worked as a data scientist in Chile and joined the FIMBA programme in 2022. Read his story here.  

 
Join us at the University of Liverpool Management School and begin your journey of transformation.