Master of Science in Sport Business Management

Objectives Curriculum Courses From Theory... Careers

IUM Master in International Sport Business Management degree program

Why a MSc in Sport Business Management?

The global multibillion dollar sports industry has experienced, formidable and sustained growth since the 1990s. This phenomenon is due in part to various factors including societal changes (people’s aspirations for a better and healthier lifestyle), the emergence of a culture based on the admiration of modern-day athletic heroes, and the growing importance of sports marketing and TV rights for corporations.

The multiplication of international and national events including Olympic Games, World Championships and alike, generates enormous public attention but also millions of dollars in revenues each year. Opportunities are virtually limitless in the sports industry, however, risks and abuses also exist, such as those brought by doping, excessive gambling, and sport clubs’ disproportionate use of financial debt.

IUM’s MSc in Sport Business Management prepares participants for a variety of positions in the industry. The program equips students with solid skills and competencies but also with the ethical values to become responsible business leaders.

Lacey TU, MSc in Sport Business Management Class of 2013
Operations Manager, Be Fit, Monaco

My experience at the International University of Monaco has helped me shape my professional career and broaden my knowledge of the business world. As a former athlete and registered nurse in the United States, I struggled to find my way when I moved to Monaco 2 years ago. My Bachelor's degree wouldn't transfer over, so I needed to find a new career path. After a year of learning the French language and exploring my options, I began to work for a company called Be Fit Monaco. Be Fit Monaco is a private training facility that focuses on holistic, lifestyle management through individualized nutrition and exercise programs. I fit in perfectly to the team and felt it was a dream come true, but needed to further my education to move up the professional ladder.

The IUM helped me develop my business skills on all levels, including accounting, marketing, leadership, project management and consumer behavior among other things. The practical knowledge and skills taught to me at the IUM serve me on a daily basis. I am able to manage the company financials, planning, marketing strategies and development. I have now moved up the career ladder and am capable of managing the company, while also working on projects for expansion. The professors and staff at the IUM are friendly and accommodating, making the learning experience positive and worthwhile.

I recommend the IUM to anyone looking for a well rounded educational program that they can apply to their careers and daily lives.

master in international sport business management degree program

The Master of Science in Sport Business Management is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of the factors that influence the fast-evolving multibillion dollar sports industry.

In addition, this program in Sports Management has been conceived to provide students with the necessary skills and competencies to become successful global business leaders.

The MSc in Sport Business Management program has three major instructional components: the core courses, the specialized courses, and the professional immersion.

Core Courses

All master students need to complete the core courses. In a series of compulsory courses students examine a broad variety of subjects that will allow them to i) understand the forces that influence the fast-evolving multibillion dollar sports industry, ii) develop concrete managerial skills and competencies, and iii) acquire sports-related skills necessary to take on various career opportunities in this industry. Core courses focus on the theoretical and functional keystones of the sports industry, such as communication, operations, accounting and financial management, and the legal environment.

Specialized Courses

On successful completion of the core courses, master students will choose and enroll in specialized courses to further develop key topics, aspects, or functions of the sports industry. This allows participants to relate certain theoretical aspects of the curriculum to real-world issues and better shape future career goals and directions.

Professional Immersion

The professional immersion module consists of a series of seminars, guest lectures, and field trips and culminates in an internship or a research thesis. More specifically, during the academic year, students will have the opportunity to examine, discuss, or be exposed to contemporary issues and topics through seminars, guest lectures and conferences, firm and educational visits and supervised field projects. These issues and topics will include in particular drug and doping prevention, violence and racism around sport events, sport tourism, action sports, and disabled sports. These events will allow students to engage in constructive dialogues with business practitioners, consultants, or industry experts.

Some of the Courses offered in the
Master of Science in Sport Business Management

Fundamentals of Financial & Managerial Accounting

The course addresses topics including financial control, budget and financial forecasting, working capital, breakeven analysis and sources of financing in a small and closely-held business environment.

Management and Leadership

This course provides an overview of the entire curriculum by familiarizing participants with basic management processes, concepts, techniques, and tools; and presenting the concepts of leadership and global competition. Students will develop an understanding of the critical role management plays in modern business and learn how business functions are linked to form an integrated totality.

Organizational Behavior & Cross-Cultural Management

The course introduces students to the management of human resources in dealing in particular with selection, training, placement, appraisal, compensation, and employee representation in a multicultural environment.

Project Management

The course introduces students to the field of project management as it applies to the Sport Industry. It seeks to impart the knowledge and skills students will need to successfully complete projects within time, budget, scope, and quality constraints. Students will learn to develop project plans that address problems on a case-by-case basis as projects are proposed, and to manage projects through various phases to completion.

Overview of the European Football Industry

The course overviews the legal and regulatory framework and the industry’s main players. In addition, the course discusses various issues including the management of expensive professional teams, merchandising, TV rights and related topics.

Sports Agents and Sportsmen Wealth Management

This course is an introduction to the sports agency legal framework and wealth management & financial planning applied to professional athletes.

Sports Contemporary Issues, Sustainability & Ethics

The course introduces students to various topics including the role of state in sport, the rise of the sport betting industry, the evolution of sports law and the use of drugs.

Sports Event and Facility Management

The course is structured in two modules. Event management encompasses the organizational and strategic planning of special events, HR management, event administration, advertising and event logistics. Facility management involves legal and administrative planning, risk management, compulsory competitive tendering, marketing and financial planning. In addition, the course overviews specific management issues in relation to seasonal sports such as winter sports and water sports.

Sports International Governance and Organizations/Geopolitics of Sport

The course provides a general overview of international governance issues and focuses on the functioning of national and international sports federations and organizations.

Sports Legal Environment

The course deals with the main conventions applicable to international sports law, legal management of investments abroad, and international protection of intellectual property within the scope of international business. The course will also clarify advertising and ethical issues in terms of international sports law.

Sports Marketing

The course breaks down in two modules: the first module provides an overview of marketing applied to the sports industry. The second module provides a general overview of techniques implemented to attract and retain sponsors.

Master Thesis

With the guidance of an academic advisor, students will need to identify and write a full proposal prior to carrying a comprehensive study or research on a subject that closely matches the student’s career interests.

Internship

This six-month internship will allow students to get professionally immersed into governmental offices, international organizations, NGOs, public and private institutions, clubs, Olympic movements, international and national sport federations, sports events and facility management businesses and so on, and additionally serves as a spring board for accessing attractive job opportunities. Students will therefore get invaluable concrete exposure to the industry. To satisfy the program’s academic requirements, students will produce a report and make an oral presentation to a professional/academic panel at the end of their internship.

Research Methods

This course provides an in-depth exploration of a topic of special interest or career relevance to the student. Students work closely with an academic advisor to develop a comprehensive research-based thesis and to make an oral presentation of the research results to a professional academic panel. Students will learn to apply relevant theories, laws, and practical techniques in a chosen area; and integrate acquired knowledge, experience, and skills in this process in a trans-disciplinary way. They will demonstrate the ability to approach problematic issues and examine a problem from various perspectives.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and subject to change

...To Practice

At the end of the academic year, students will have the opportunity to engage in a six-month internship and get professionally immersed into local, non-governmental, governmental, or international private organizations.

This work experience can serve as a spring board for accessing attractive job opportunities. IUM and the INSEEC Group have separately developed extended networks that together represent for students invaluable resources for both personal development and career advancement. Alternatively, students may complete a research thesis (on a subject that matches the student’s career interests or one of the program partners) during which they work under the guidance of an academic advisor.

In addition, throughout the academic year, students work in partnership with the Career Services Office as part of IUM’s commitment to helping each student realize his/her career potential. These activities include training for resumé enhancement, marketing techniques, mock interviews, or personal assessment. Career events and services include in particular the Career Days and the preparation and publication of CV books for hundreds of recruiting firms and partners.

Career Opportunities

The MSc in Sport Business Management program prepares participants for career opportunities in a wide range of business functions including sales and marketing, communications (including fund-raising or sponsorship), general management, finance, and operations. As a result, graduates will be prepared to take on international assignments and satisfy the growing needs of the sports industry recruiting institutions, whether public or private.

IUM master in international sport management degree program

IUM master in international sport management degree program

As such, graduates will consider some of the below opportunities:

Sales and Marketing
Communication, Sponsorship, Broadcasting, Sports TV Rights
E-marketing, Management of Information Systems
Management of Event and Sports Facilities
Management of Small & Non-for-profit Organizations, Clubs, and Sports Associations
Sport Agent, Financial Advisory
Human Resource Management, Talent Development and Coaching, and so on

Recruiting institutions and networking

Participants not only benefit from IUM/INSEEC’s networking perspectives but also take advantage of IUM’s location and quality of his faculty. By being located in Monaco, where numerous sports federations are headquartered (e.g. IAAF) and where internationally recognized sport events take place (e.g. Formula One Grand Prix, Herculis Monaco, Champions League, or Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters), students have the opportunity to consider and seize rewarding job offers.

For instance, IUM organizes and hosts throughout the academic year numerous events and training seminars that allow students to meet and interact with recruiters, market themselves and effectively prepare to seize career opportunities (e.g. Career Services).

In addition, already in the classroom, students interact with instructors who often are business consultants, giving them a concrete and inside look at the sports industry.

Lastly, students can explore career opportunities in a wide range of business functions and can connect with a large number of recruiting firms which are part of the IUM/INSEEC Group’s network as shown below: