The FBA Professional Master in Football Business is a 12-month blended programme divided into four modules.
Modules 1 and 2 are delivered online and focus on building a strong foundation across the main areas of football business, while also introducing Candidates to the industry through experiences such as Networking Week.
Module 3 consists of a guaranteed three-month internship within the football industry, giving Candidates the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a professional environment.
Module 4 takes place on campus in Lisbon and combines additional courses, industry interaction, field trips and the development of the Student Business Project.
This blended structure is designed to combine flexibility, academic learning, practical experience and direct industry exposure throughout the year.
The FBA currently offers two intakes per year, starting in March and September.
Both intakes follow the same 12-month programme structure, with Modules 1 and 2 delivered online, followed by the three-month internship in Module 3 and the final on-campus phase in Lisbon during Module 4.
Application deadlines and any Early Bird or scholarship opportunities may vary by intake, so we recommend checking the current Admissions information or speaking with the Admissions Team about the intake that best fits your plans.
To apply for the Professional Master in Football Business, Candidates are currently required to submit:
The Admissions Team will review the documentation and let you know if anything else is required for your individual application.
Yes. Candidates who are still completing their university degree may apply by submitting their latest academic transcript instead of a final degree certificate.
Applications are assessed holistically, so the Admissions Team will also consider your overall academic and professional background, motivation, career objectives, English proficiency and performance during the Admissions interview.
If your degree is still in progress, the Admissions Team can also clarify any requirements that may need to be completed before joining the programme.
The Admissions process is designed to assess each Candidate holistically and understand both their background and their fit with the Professional Master in Football Business.
After submitting your application and the required documents, our Admissions Team will review your profile. If your application is pre-approved, you will be invited to a single online Admissions interview.
During the interview, we look at your academic and professional background, motivation, career objectives, communication skills and overall fit with the programme.
Following the interview, your application is reviewed for a final Admissions decision. The Admissions Team will guide you throughout the process and communicate the outcome directly.
Once we have received all the necessary documents, the application process usually takes between 10-15 working days.
No. Previous experience in football or sports is not required.
Our Candidates come from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, including Business, Marketing, Finance, Law, Hospitality, Technology, International Relations and many others. Many join The FBA specifically to transition their existing skills and experience into the football industry.
Admissions are assessed holistically. We generally look for Candidates who hold a university degree or have relevant professional experience, but we also consider your overall profile, motivation, career objectives, fit with the programme and performance during the Admissions interview.
As the programme is taught entirely in English, Candidates must also be comfortable studying, participating and communicating in English.
No. The FBA does not require Candidates to submit a formal English-language certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL as part of the application.
However, as the entire programme is delivered in English, Candidates must be able to study, communicate and participate confidently in English across live classes, group work, networking activities, interviews and professional environments.
English proficiency is assessed as part of the Admissions process, including through the online interview. The objective is to make sure each Candidate can fully engage with the academic and professional demands of the programme.
If you are unsure about your level, the Admissions Team can help you assess whether your current English is sufficient before you apply.
The Football Business Academy program delivers 60 ECTS credits along 4 Modules, which corresponds approximately between 1’500 and 1’800 hours of education (taking into account also personal work, assignments etc.)
All four modules are part of the Professional Master in Football Business and are designed to be completed as one integrated programme. Individual courses are not offered separately.
Module 3 includes the professional internship. In specific cases, Candidates who are already working within the football industry may be able to complete this phase through their current organisation, subject to approval by The FBA and provided that the experience meets the programme’s learning objectives and internship requirements.
Networking Week is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend taking part as it is one of the key in-person experiences of the programme.
During the week, Candidates have the opportunity to attend a major football industry event, visit clubs and organisations, engage directly with industry professionals and meet their cohort in person.
The experience is designed to complement the online learning during Modules 1 and 2 by providing early exposure to the professional football environment and helping Candidates begin building their network from the start of the programme.
The exact timing and location of Networking Week may vary depending on the football industry event calendar. Accommodation and access to the main business event are included in the tuition fee, while travel to the destination is not included.
Modules 1 and 2 are delivered online through live sessions on Zoom, supported by The FBA’s dedicated Learning Management System.
Candidates have access to course materials, required readings and assignments through the platform, while the live sessions provide the opportunity to interact directly with professors and classmates.
Each course typically includes 5 or 10 sessions, depending on the subject and course structure. Study materials and assignments are released progressively throughout each course.
The online format is designed to provide flexibility while maintaining regular interaction, participation and engagement throughout Modules 1 and 2.
Yes, many Candidates are able to continue working during Modules 1 and 2, as these are delivered online. However, Candidates should still expect to dedicate regular time to live sessions, readings, assignments and group work throughout the online phase.
Modules 3 and 4 require greater availability. Module 3 consists of a three-month professional internship, while Module 4 includes two months of on-campus classes and programme activities in Lisbon.
Candidates who are working full-time should therefore plan ahead and consider how their professional commitments can be managed during these later stages of the programme.
If you are already working within the football industry, it may also be possible to complete Module 3 through your current employer, subject to prior approval by The FBA.
During Modules 1 and 2, Candidates should typically expect to dedicate around 20 hours per week to the programme, including live classes and interactions, independent study, readings and assignments.
The exact workload may vary from week to week depending on the courses, deadlines and activities scheduled.
Module 3 follows a different rhythm, as Candidates complete their three-month professional internship, while Module 4 is an intensive on-campus phase in Lisbon that requires greater day-to-day availability.
Candidates who plan to continue working during Modules 1 and 2 should therefore make sure they can consistently allocate sufficient time to participate fully in the programme.
Not for the entire programme. The Professional Master follows a blended structure designed to combine online learning with in-person professional and academic experiences.
Modules 1 and 2 are delivered online, allowing Candidates to participate from their current location, with the exception of in-person experiences such as Networking Week.
Module 3 consists of the three-month professional internship. The location will depend on the opportunity secured, and internships may require Candidates to temporarily relocate.
Module 4 is delivered on campus in Lisbon, where Candidates are expected to be present for the final two-month phase of the programme.
Candidates should therefore plan ahead for the travel, accommodation and living arrangements associated with the in-person stages of the programme.
The Professional Master in Football Business is designed to prepare Candidates for a wide range of career paths across the football industry.
FBA Graduates work across clubs, federations, leagues, governing bodies, agencies, consultancies, brands, technology companies and other organisations within the football ecosystem, in areas such as Marketing, Commercial & Partnerships, Strategy, Operations, Communications, Data & Business Intelligence, Governance and many others.
Career outcomes depend on each Candidate’s background, objectives, performance and the opportunities available in the market, and completing the programme does not guarantee employment.
However, FBA Graduates have consistently achieved strong employment outcomes, with an average 90% employment rate within three months of graduation and 94% employed within twelve months, according to the latest SportBusiness Postgraduate Rankings 2026.
You can explore current graduate roles, organisations and career paths in The FBA’s Graduate Employment Report.
The FBA Professional Master in Football Business is not a state-accredited university degree. It is a professional postgraduate programme awarded by The Football Business Academy.
The programme has been designed specifically for the football industry and is delivered with the involvement of experienced professionals, experts and partner organisations from across the football ecosystem.
Its focus is therefore strongly professional and industry-oriented, combining academic learning with practical experience, direct industry exposure and a guaranteed internship.
Candidates who require a formally state-accredited or university-awarded qualification for a specific academic, professional or regulatory purpose should verify whether the FBA qualification meets those particular requirements before applying.
The programme is taught by a combination of academics and experienced football industry professionals from different areas of the game.
The FBA’s pool of Experts includes professionals working across clubs, governing bodies, consultancies, agencies and other football-related organisations, bringing current industry experience directly into the classroom.
The objective is to combine academic foundations with practical insight into how the football industry operates in different markets, functions and organisational contexts.
The specific Experts involved may vary by course and edition.
The tuition fee covers the full academic programme and the key professional and industry experiences included throughout the year.
This includes:
Candidates should budget separately for travel to Networking Week and Lisbon, as well as accommodation during Module 3 and Module 4, personal living expenses and any other costs related to their individual circumstances.
The Admissions Team can provide further clarification on programme inclusions and expected additional costs before enrolment.
Yes. Selected scholarship opportunities may be available depending on the intake, Candidate profile and active initiatives or partner programmes. Eligibility, availability and the level of financial support can vary, so scholarships are not guaranteed.
The tuition fee for the Professional Master in Football Business is CHF 30,000. Candidates who choose to pay the tuition in full within two weeks of acceptance benefit from a 10% discount, reducing the total tuition fee to CHF 27,000. Flexible instalment options are also available.
We recommend speaking with the Admissions Team to understand which scholarships, discounts or payment options are currently available for your intended intake.
Yes. Every Candidate who successfully progresses through the programme is guaranteed a three-month internship opportunity within the football industry as part of Module 3.
The FBA Partnerships Team works with each Candidate to identify suitable opportunities based on their background, skills, career interests and the availability of host organisations.
While the internship itself is guaranteed, The FBA cannot guarantee a specific company, role, department, location or level of compensation.
The objective is to secure the strongest possible match between the Candidate’s profile and the opportunities available within the football industry.
Internship compensation depends on the host organisation, location and applicable local regulations, so some internships may be paid while others may be unpaid.
Because compensation is not guaranteed, Candidates should plan financially for the three-month internship period, including accommodation, travel and living expenses where applicable.
Internship opportunities may be on-site, hybrid or remote, depending on the host organisation and the role available.
Candidates do not choose a specific internship placement directly. Instead, The FBA Partnerships Team works with each Candidate individually to identify suitable opportunities based on factors such as their skills, professional background, career interests, preferred areas of work and, where possible, location preferences.
At the same time, internship opportunities depend on the needs and availability of partner organisations at that particular moment, so The FBA cannot guarantee a specific company, role, department or location.
The objective is to find the strongest possible match between the Candidate’s profile and the opportunities available within the football industry.
Candidates are responsible to find their own accommodation. Although some internship providers can offer help/guidance finding a place, you should allocate a budget to cover this as part of your expenses.
No. Accommodation during Module 4 is not included in the tuition fee.
During the on-campus phase in Lisbon, Candidates are responsible for arranging and covering their own accommodation and living expenses.
The FBA may provide general guidance and recommendations to help Candidates with their search, but accommodation arrangements remain the responsibility of each Candidate.
Rental costs during Module 4 can vary significantly depending on the type of accommodation, location, rental period and time of year.
As a general indication, Candidates should currently expect to budget around €500–700 per month for a room in shared accommodation, while a private studio or one-bedroom apartment in the Carcavelos area may typically cost around €950–1,300+ per month.
These figures are indicative only and may change depending on market conditions and availability. We recommend that Candidates begin their accommodation search early and budget for additional costs such as utilities, deposits and agency or booking fees where applicable.
The FBA may provide general guidance and recommendations, but Candidates are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
Yes. The FBA can provide Candidates with the relevant programme documentation and general guidance to support their visa process where required.
However, visa and immigration requirements depend on factors such as nationality, country of residence, internship location and the specific circumstances of each Candidate. For this reason, Candidates are responsible for confirming the requirements that apply to them directly with the relevant embassy, consulate or immigration authority and for completing their own visa application.
We strongly recommend starting this process as early as possible once your participation in the programme and relevant travel dates are confirmed.
There is no single typical age for an FBA Candidate. Our cohorts bring together recent graduates, early-career professionals and experienced professionals looking to transition into or progress within the football industry.
Many of our Candidates are career switchers, while others join shortly after completing their previous studies or after already gaining experience within football or another industry.
What matters most in Admissions is not age itself, but whether the Candidate has the maturity, motivation, academic or professional background and overall readiness to benefit from the programme and contribute to the cohort.
Each profile is therefore assessed individually as part of our holistic Admissions process.
No. A job offer at the end of the internship is not guaranteed.
The purpose of the internship is to give Candidates meaningful professional experience within the football industry, allowing them to apply what they have learned, understand how organisations operate, and further develop their professional profile.
In some cases, internships may lead to extended opportunities or employment, depending on the Candidate’s performance, the organisation’s needs and the opportunities available at that time.
Regardless of the outcome, the internship is designed to strengthen each Candidate’s industry experience, professional network and understanding of the football ecosystem.
Graduate salaries vary significantly depending on factors such as country, role, level of seniority, organisation, and previous professional experience.
According to the latest SportBusiness Postgraduate Rankings 2026, FBA Graduates report an average salary of approximately $94,000.
This figure should be viewed as a general indication rather than an expected starting salary, as individual outcomes can vary considerably across different career paths and markets.
For a broader view of graduate career progression and employment outcomes, you can also explore The FBA’s Graduate Employment Report.
Yes, this may be possible.
Candidates who are already working within the football industry may be able to complete Module 3 through their current employer, provided that the role, responsibilities and learning experience are aligned with the objectives of the internship.
Any such arrangement must be reviewed and approved by The FBA in advance to ensure that it meets the programme’s academic and professional requirements.
Yes, postponing the internship may be possible in specific circumstances.
Any change to the standard Module 3 timing must be discussed and approved in advance by The FBA’s Partnerships and Operations Teams, taking into account programme scheduling, internship availability and the Candidate’s overall completion requirements.
Candidates should raise any potential need to postpone the internship as early as possible so that the available options can be assessed properly.