University Master’s Degree in Sports Management Barcelona

Introduction

Johan Cruyff Institute and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) collaborate to jointly deliver the University Master’s Degree in Sports Management linked to the Faculty of Economics and Business of the UAB. You can view the UAB rankings at this link

The University Master’s Degree in Sports Management is a 9-month program that examines the most important aspects of management applied to sport. Classes from expert faculty members, who are closely linked to the sports sector, are combined with master classes with exclusive speakers from the world of sport administration and management, outdoor visits (field trips) and study trips that will enrich the experience you’ll have with your classmates and, broaden your network of contacts in the world of sport.

Objectives

The main objective of the University Master’s Degree in Sports Management is to guide you in your development as an integrated sport management professional and train you in the use of management tools to recognize business opportunities, establish strategies, anticipate changes, optimize resources and analyze information with sound judgement.

LEARNING OUTCOMESUpon the completion of the program, you will be able to:

• Understand and apply the strategic and global vision of the sports industry from a business perspective.
• Create market opportunities in sports organizations.
• Use innovative sports marketing practices and effectively execute branding and sponsorship strategies.
• Lead professional teams and obtain the best results.
• Interpret finances and create strategies to finance new projects and companies.
• Optimize the management of sports facilities and events.

Aimed at

The University Master’s Degree in Sports Management is right for you, if:

• You’re an (ex) athlete looking for education and a degree in sport management to give your professional career a boost.
• You’re working in a business environment and want to specialize in the sports industry.
• You wish to complete your education with a Master specializing in the administration and management of sports.
• You’re a working professional who wishes to focus on a career in the sports industry.

People who have completed this Master are currently working in the areas of:

• Sports Competition (professional sports teams and event organizers).
• Governance (sports federations and associations).
• Sports Facilities and Events (championship organizers, sports clubs).
• Community Sports (foundations, government, municipalities).
• Sports Consulting (private business initiatives).
• Marketing and Sponsorship (private and public companies).

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTSThe admission requirements are as follows:

• Hold an official Bachelor’s degree, Licentiate degree, Diploma, Engineering degree, or an equivalent international qualification. If the degree was issued outside the European Union, it must be submitted together with the Hague Apostille.
• Demonstrate an English language proficiency level equivalent to B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Similarly, for the Spanish group, a level of Spanish corresponding to the CEFR B2 level is required.
• Complete the Master’s admission test if the applicant does not hold an official university degree in Business Administration and Management, Economics, Marketing, Tourism, or an equivalent field.
• Following the admission test, and depending on the results obtained, applicants may be required to complete additional preparatory coursework before being admitted to the Master’s program.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Certified copy of the official university degree used for admission to the Master’s program, or a photocopy of the degree together with the original document.
• If the student is required to provide a Hague Apostille, the certified copy must clearly show the Apostille.
• Motivation letter.
• Updated résumé/CV.
• Letter of recommendation (optional)
• Certified copy of the academic transcript, or a photocopy of the transcript together with the original document.
• Photocopy of a valid identification document.
• Two passport-sized photographs.
• Completed enrollment form for the Master’s Degree in Sport Management.

SELECTION CRITERIAThe following evaluation criteria will be applied during the candidate selection process:

• Suitability of the applicant’s profile to the objectives and content of the program. The assessment of the applicant’s suitability will be based on the result obtained in the admission test (if required) and on a personal statement of no more than two pages, in which the applicant will explain their suitability for the Master’s profile and their professional objectives.
• Academic record. This will be assessed in accordance with the academic record evaluation regulations of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).
• Professional experience. Professional experience will be positively valued, especially if such experience has been obtained in the field of Sport Management.
• The content of two letters of recommendation. Particular consideration will be given to one letter from a university professor and another from a professional setting.
• Interview with the Academic Coordination of the Master’s program.

APPLICATION PROCESSApplications must be submitted through the website of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) via the PRE-ENROLLMENT or the button located at the top right of the page. Once on the UAB website, you will find detailed instructions outlining all the steps required to complete your enrollment.

Program

The study plan of the University Master’s Degree in Sports Management consists of 10 compulsory study subjects.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

The program includes visits to sports entities and facilities, guided by staff members, in order to learn more about their management, such as La Masía (FC Barcelona), Estadi Johan Cruyff (FC Barcelona), Spotify Camp Nou (FC Barcelona), Centre d’Alt Rendiment (CAR), RCDE Stadium (RCD Espanyol), Estadi Municipal de Montilivi (Girona FC), Circuit de Catalunya, Johan Cruyff Arena (AFC Ajax), Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, among others.

DEGREE

• University Master’s Degree* in Sports Management from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

The price of the program does not include the administrative fee for the issuance of the Official Master’s diploma (€218.15 in 2026). As it is an official degree, this can take between 12 and 24 months. Once you have requested it, the UAB Academic Management Service will give you a provisional diploma certificate valid for all purposes until you receive the official diploma.

*Here you can read about the differences between Specific Master’s Degrees and University Master’s Degrees.

Learning model

The University Master’s Degree in Sports Management puts you at the center of your education. You will enjoy learning based on a learning-by-doing methodology. We encourage collaborative work and transfer the content to specific situations in sport management (connective teaching methodologies and social constructivism). Our expert faculty staff will guide you in the learning process, providing high quality training with the flexibility of online study.

The Johan Cruyff Institute uses a learning environment rich in educational tools to foster a model based on the interaction between the student, the group and the teacher.

BENEFITS

• Learning 3.0: flexible schedules, different learning environments and technologies.
• World-class faculty: interaction with expert faculty and industry professionals.
• Collaborative tools, teamwork, communication and debate.
• Sports-industry oriented: training that brings you closer to the business side of the sports industry.
• Learning from experience: designed for professional improvement.

Faculty

The University Master’s Degree in Sports Management combines a core of university professors with teaching and research experience, and a set of experts professionally active in their areas and connected to companies and institutions in the sector.

Guest lecturers by recognized professionals in their field are also included, with the aim of bringing an added value to the Master and enriching the program.

Student services

GRANTSOn the grants page of UAB’ website you will find information on financial support, grants, competitions, prizes and subsidies for the university community. The site includes details of financial support offered by UAB and by other institutions that may be of interest for students.

VIRTUAL CAMPUS/WEB FACILITATED PROGRAMMEAs a student of the University Master’s Degree in Sports Management, you will have exclusive access to the learning platform which allows you to monitor your academic progress 24 hours a day, from anywhere in the world. The virtual campus offers a collaborative environment between teachers and students for sharing e-mails, chats, books, articles, case studies, simulations, experiences, websites, blogs and a video library. You will have a wide range of tools at your disposal to make your learning experience interactive, rewarding and complete.

NETWORKING & ALUMNI CRUYFF INSTITUTEJohan Cruyff Institute offers students, alumni, faculty and members of our network the opportunity to connect and collaborate, to share their passion for sports and their professional expertise.

The Alumni Cruyff Institute provides a means of interconnection that will enable the whole community not only to re-establish contact with fellow students, but also to create new links with people from the sports sector throughout the whole network who can offer new experiences and initiatives to keep growing in the profession.

The platform has been designed so you can comfortably navigate through the various areas and enjoy the offers that most interest or adapt to the needs of alumni at any given time. In the Learning Area, you will find resources that will allow you to keep up with the latest trends in the sector, participate in our webinars or access pre-recorded academic sessions, as well as many other resources.

The Alumni Cruyff Institute platform’s Networking section provides a meeting point for alumni to get in touch, share experiences, network, discuss ideas and create positive synergies for the benefit of all. Those who play in this ‘League’ will enjoy the Cruyff Alumni Club, where all Alumni members (organized by center) will have at their disposal numerous academic and leisure activities and events organized in the different countries.

In a later stage, the Alumni Cruyff Institute will offer platform members support in managing their professional development through the Career Services section (job offers and internships). There will also soon be the Cruyff Alumni Shop, an online store where you can purchase official Johan Cruyff Institute products exclusively.

UAB STUDENTAll students of the University Master’s Degree in Sports Management can benefit from the services offered by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona at the Bellaterra Campus, including among many others:

• Employment opportunities and advisory service: Treball Campus
• Impulse program for entrepreneurs: UAB Emprèn
• Language services and teaching: Servei de Llengües, UAB Idiomes
• High-level sports facilities
• Library network
• Service to the disability program
• Publishing services
• On campus accommodation

Venue

Classes are delivered at Johan Cruyff Institute Barcelona campus: Av. del Tibidabo, 15, 08022, Barcelona, Spain.

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