Football Industries MBA ranks in the top 20 of SportsBusiness Postgraduate Rankings

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MBA candidates sat around a table

The University of Liverpool Management School’s (ULMS) Football Industries MBA (FIMBA) programme has climbed 11 places since 2023 and now ranks 1st in the UK and the top 20 in the 2024 SportBusiness Postgraduate Rankings.

The FIMBA programme was established over 25 years ago and remains the only MBA in the world dedicated to football.

In January 2025 ULMS is set to launch its new Online Football Industries MBA (Online FIMBA). Offered part-time over two years, the programme will provide candidates, wherever they are in the globe, with a real business focus that management positions within football and the wider sporting world demand.

In addition, the School’s MSc Sports Business and Management programme is also featured in the SportsBusiness rankings for 2024 as 31 out of 47.

The MSc Sports Business and Management programme launched in 2017, following extensive consultation with senior professionals at regional, national and international sports organizations and consulting practices.

Director of Studies for Football Industries MBA, Christopher Barlow, welcomes the 2024 rankings success: “Breaking into the top 20 is a superb achievement and highlights the huge amount of work done by the FIMBA team and the wider network of alumni and top industry specialists in enabling our MBA candidates to flourish both academically and within the football and sports industry.

“The FIMBA programme is always evolving to meet the ever-changing football and sports industry and this achievement provides an excellent platform as we move forward with both on-campus and online versions of the programme.”

Alumnus Jose Conca (FIMBA 2023), who works at Liverpool Football Club as a Customer Insights Manager, remembers his highlights from the programme:

“The people I've met on the FIMBA have been truly remarkable! Through this journey, I've not only gained knowledge but also invaluable friendships.

“Having the privilege of attending classes conducted by the industry's most prestigious lecturers has been an incredible experience. The class discussions were undeniably the most engaging aspects, where we learned so much.”

The SportBusiness ranking is based on two surveys undertaken by course leaders and alumni who graduated three years before the publication of the rankings.

The scores are calculated by looking at factors such as quality of teaching, student support in finding a job in the industry and the ability to network with industry executives. Other score calculations include employment status, current salary, course leader choice and work placements.