Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers about Admissions, programme structure, tuition, internships, studying in Lisbon and what to expect throughout the Professional Master in Football Business.
Admissions & Eligibility
Find answers to the most common questions about eligibility, documents, English proficiency and The FBA Admissions process.
No. Previous experience in football or sports is not required.
The FBA welcomes Applicants from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. Admissions are assessed holistically, taking into account your background, motivation, career objectives, communication skills, readiness and overall fit with the programme.
Applicants should generally hold a university degree. However, Applicants without a completed degree may also be considered based on relevant professional experience.
Around three years of relevant professional experience is typically a useful guideline, although every profile is assessed individually.
Yes. Applicants who are still completing their degree may apply and submit their latest available academic transcript as part of their application.
Applicants should prepare the following:
The Admissions Team will let you know if additional documentation is required for your individual application.
No formal English certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL is required.
As the programme is delivered entirely in English, Applicants must be able to study, communicate and participate effectively in English. English proficiency is assessed as part of the Admissions process.
Applicants whose profile is pre-approved are invited to a single online Admissions interview.
The interview focuses on your background, motivation, career objectives, communication skills and overall fit with the Professional Master in Football Business. A final Admissions decision follows the interview.
Once all required documents have been received, the full Admissions process typically takes between 10 and 15 working days.
Programme & Study Format
Understand the programme structure, online learning format, workload and how the different phases of the FBA journey fit together.
The Professional Master in Football Business is a 12-month blended programme.
It combines online learning, a guaranteed three-month football industry internship and a final on-campus phase in Lisbon.
The FBA has two intakes each year: March and September.
Both intakes follow the same 12-month programme structure.
The programme is organised into four modules:
This blended structure combines academic learning with practical industry exposure and face-to-face collaboration.
Modules 1 and 2 are delivered online through live Zoom sessions, supported by The FBA's dedicated learning platform.
Courses typically include live sessions, readings, assignments and supporting materials, which are released progressively throughout the programme.
Yes. Live online sessions are recorded and made available to Candidates through the learning platform.
However, live participation is strongly encouraged because interaction, discussion and engagement form an important part of the learning experience.
During Modules 1 and 2, Candidates should typically expect to dedicate around 20 hours per week to the programme.
This includes live sessions, readings, assignments, group work and independent study. The workload changes during the internship and on-campus phases.
Networking Week is an in-person FBA experience designed to bring the cohort closer to the football industry and to each other.
Depending on the edition, it may include industry events, professional networking, meetings with football business professionals and activities with the FBA community.
Participation is strongly recommended, although the timing and programme may vary between editions.
Module 4 takes place in the Lisbon region, with the academic phase delivered on campus at Nova SBE in Carcavelos.
This final phase combines face-to-face classes, collaborative work, industry interaction and the Student Business Project.
Internship & Career
Understand how the guaranteed internship works, how placements are matched and how The FBA supports Candidates as they prepare for careers in the football industry.
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 internship is an integrated part of the Professional Master in Football Business and is designed to provide practical professional experience in a real industry environment.
Internship matching takes into account each Candidate's profile, experience, skills, career objectives and the opportunities available within The FBA's industry network.
The objective is to identify an opportunity that provides relevant professional exposure while also responding to the needs of the host organisation.
Candidates can share their interests and career objectives as part of the matching process, and these are taken into account wherever possible.
However, The FBA cannot guarantee a specific organisation, department, role or location. Placements depend on the Candidate's profile and the opportunities available during that internship cycle.
Internship opportunities may be available in different countries and across different parts of the football industry.
The location depends on the opportunities available, the host organisation's requirements and the Candidate's profile. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a degree of geographical flexibility.
Internship compensation is not guaranteed.
Whether a placement is paid or unpaid depends on the host organisation, location, applicable regulations and the specific internship opportunity.
Opportunities vary from one internship cycle to another and can span different functions across the football ecosystem.
Previous placements have included areas such as commercial, sponsorship, partnerships, marketing, business development and finance, among others.
Yes. Career development is integrated throughout the programme rather than beginning only after graduation.
Candidates build industry knowledge, professional exposure and networks through classes, guest speakers, Networking Week, field trips, the internship, the Student Business Project and interactions with The FBA's wider football industry network.
No educational programme can guarantee employment.
Some Candidates secure professional opportunities before graduating, while others do so after completing the programme. Career outcomes depend on factors including profile, performance, previous experience, career objectives, market conditions and available opportunities.
According to the 2026 SportBusiness Postgraduate Rankings, 94% of FBA graduates were employed within 12 months.
Employment outcomes reflect the combination of specialised football business education, practical industry experience, professional exposure and the individual efforts of each graduate.
Tuition, Scholarships & Costs
Find answers about tuition, discounts, payment options, scholarships and the additional costs to consider before enrolling.
The standard tuition fee for the Professional Master in Football Business is CHF 30,000.
Applicants may also be eligible for tuition reductions, scholarships or payment options depending on the applicable conditions and intake.
Yes. Applicants who pay the full tuition fee within two weeks of acceptance receive a 10% full-payment discount.
This reduces the standard tuition fee from CHF 30,000 to CHF 27,000.
Yes. The FBA offers flexible instalment plans for Applicants who prefer to distribute the tuition fee across multiple payments.
The applicable schedule is confirmed as part of the Admissions and enrolment process.
Yes. The FBA offers selected scholarship opportunities, although availability may depend on the intake, Applicant profile and specific initiatives or partnerships.
Scholarships are limited and are not guaranteed. Each opportunity may have its own eligibility criteria, award level, application window and selection process.
Applicants can also explore Early Bird tuition reductions, the 10% full-payment discount and flexible instalment options.
Yes. Applicants for the March 2027 and September 2027 intakes who apply by 31 October 2026 currently receive a 10% Early Bird tuition reduction.
This reduces tuition from CHF 30,000 to CHF 27,000.
Applicants who also pay the full tuition fee within two weeks of acceptance can combine the two reductions, bringing the total tuition fee to CHF 24,000.
Tuition includes the academic programme and a range of programme-related experiences and services, including:
Applicants should budget separately for costs that are not included in tuition. These may include:
Actual expenses will vary depending on location, accommodation choices and individual circumstances.
Tuition payments can be made through Flywire, bank transfer or Bitcoin.
The relevant payment instructions are provided during the enrolment process according to the selected payment option.
You can review the latest information on our dedicated Tuition Fees & Payment Options and Scholarships pages.
Lisbon, Accommodation & Visas
Find practical information about Module 4, accommodation, travel and visa planning.
Module 4 is the final on-campus phase of the programme and lasts approximately two months.
During this period, Candidates attend face-to-face classes, work collaboratively with their cohort, participate in industry-related activities and complete the final academic phase of the programme.
Module 4 is delivered at the Nova School of Business & Economics campus in Carcavelos, on the Lisbon–Cascais coast.
No. Candidates are responsible for arranging and paying for their own accommodation during Module 4.
We recommend starting the accommodation search early, particularly for options in Carcavelos or areas with convenient transport connections to the Nova SBE campus.
As an indicative reference, Candidates may expect approximately:
These figures are indicative only. Actual prices depend on location, property type, availability and booking period, and may not include utilities, deposits or other fees.
No. Candidates should budget separately for travel to and from Lisbon, Module 4 accommodation, personal living expenses and other individual costs.
Scheduled transportation connected to programme field trips is included where specified as part of the programme.
Visa and immigration requirements depend on your nationality, country of residence, internship location and individual circumstances.
The FBA can provide relevant programme documentation and general guidance where appropriate, but Candidates are responsible for confirming their individual requirements with the relevant embassy, consulate or immigration authority and for completing any required application process.
The FBA does not prescribe a specific visa type because the appropriate immigration route depends on each Candidate's nationality, residence, travel plans and individual circumstances.
Candidates should always confirm the applicable requirements directly with the relevant embassy, consulate or immigration authority before making arrangements.
Potentially, yes. Module 3 internship opportunities may be located in different countries, and any applicable requirements will depend on the placement location, Candidate nationality and local immigration or employment rules.
Candidates remain responsible for ensuring that they meet any immigration or administrative requirements associated with their individual placement.
Qualification & Recognition
Understand the academic framework and professional positioning of the Professional Master in Football Business.
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.)
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.
Applicants 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.
Courses are delivered by football industry professionals and subject-matter experts with practical experience across different areas of the football business ecosystem.
Many combine their involvement with The FBA with active roles in the industry, allowing Candidates to learn not only from academic frameworks, but also from current professional practice, real industry challenges and first-hand experience.
The academic programme is also complemented by guest speakers, master classes and interactions with professionals from The FBA's international industry network.
Need More Information?
If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, our Admissions Team can help you understand the programme, application process and next steps.