Global Sports Management MA

Overview

This two-year, full-time MA prepares you to spot and seize commercial opportunities across the global sports industry and to design and implement both strategic and operational plans. The programme combines academic theory with hands-on practice and places particular emphasis on leadership and communication—skills you'll develop through coursework, presentations and real-world consulting projects. Graduates are suited for diverse roles in clubs and associations, the sporting goods sector, media and licensing, event agencies, or corporate sponsorship departments. If you choose the football elective, you can deepen expertise in the football industry and target positions within clubs, associations and agencies focused on football business.

The course runs across six trimesters and includes core business modules alongside sport-specific topics, an international semester or project option, and a master’s thesis. Teaching is delivered in English, with additional focus on improving students’ language and intercultural competencies to succeed in international business environments. Because internships and local employability in Germany often require German, a minimum B1 level in German is essential for successfully applying to internships and provides a competitive edge in the German job market—students are therefore encouraged to begin German study in their home country before arrival.

Key facts and requirements

• Duration and format: 2 years full-time, organised in six trimesters
• Career paths: clubs and associations, sporting goods industry, media and licensing, event and sponsoring agencies, corporate sponsorship departments; football-specialisation available
• Core modules: Applied Global Strategy; Applied Global Finance; Contemporary Internet Marketing; Risk Management
• Programme-specific modules: Digitalisation in the Sports Business; Global Sports Events; Internationalisation of Sports Strategy and Marketing; Football Club Management and Finance (elective); semester abroad or international project-based study; real-life consulting case; master’s thesis
• Leadership and communication skills: human resources management; academic communication; presentation and rhetoric; business ethics; social competence; cultural awareness; international leadership
• Language of instruction: English (students further develop English proficiency during the programme)
• German language: Minimum B1 German recommended/required to successfully secure internships and to enhance employability in Germany; candidates are strongly advised to take German courses before moving to Germany
• International and practical focus: global university and corporate partnerships, semester abroad options, international student body, experienced faculty with global business experience, company presentations and applied management concepts

Curriculum overview

The full curriculum structure for this Master's programme is published on the programme website. That online page is the authoritative source for the semester-by-semester breakdown, module descriptions, credit (ECTS) allocation, and the officially defined learning outcomes. International applicants should consult it to understand how the course content, workload and assessment are organised before applying.

When you review the curriculum page you will find the programme’s stated learning objectives and how they map to specific modules and assessment types. The site will also clarify practical elements (for example project work or a master’s thesis), elective options, and any industry placements or internships that form part of the degree. If anything is unclear, contact the programme coordinator or the international office for precise details and downloadable documents such as the course catalogue or module handbook.

What to check on the curriculum page (quick checklist)

• Full list of modules and brief descriptions for each
• ECTS credits per module and overall credit requirement for the degree
• Stated learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, competencies)
• Structure by semester and any mandatory versus elective components
• Details on practical components: projects, internships, capstone or thesis
• Assessment methods and grading scheme
• Contact details for the programme coordinator or academic advisor

If you want, I can help locate the specific curriculum page or summarise the module descriptions once you share that webpage or copy the module list.

Graduates are prepared for management and specialist roles across the sports sector, including clubs and associations, the sporting goods industry, media, licensing and event agencies, and sponsoring departments of global corporations. The programme’s focus on strategy, finance, marketing, events and digitalisation equips alumni for positions such as sports manager, event manager, marketing or sponsorship manager, club business analyst, and roles within football business and agency environments.

Because of the practical orientation — internships, company projects and a real-life consulting case — graduates are also well positioned for consultancy roles and international assignments. Leadership and communication training further supports progression into supervisory and strategic management roles within both national and international sports organisations.