The Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) is inviting applications for the sixth intake of its internationally recognised Master of Sport Administration (MSA) course, running from September 2018 to June 2019. The course is based in Sochi, host city of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
The previous editions of RIOU’s MSA have attracted about 200 students from nearly 50 countries of the world. The programme targets individuals who already have experience working the Olympic Movement and the wider sport industry. The main purpose of the course is to equip students with cutting-edge strategic and operational management skills needed for managing sports organisations, events and venues in the socio-economic climate of today.
The MSA curriculum is designed by distinguished Russian and international sport management experts and there is a strong focus on the operational components required to stage a technically excellent Olympic Games.
Over the course of 3 semesters (39 weeks), students study five core modules: The Economics of Sport and the Olympics; Governance, Politics and the Olympic Movement; Research Methods for Sport Management; The Business of Sport and the Olympics; Sport Marketing and Communications. The curriculum mixes traditional lectures and seminars with workshops, case studies, cascade learning and other innovative teaching models found in business schools. Instruction is offered in the English and Russian languages.
In 2017 RIOU’s MSA was ranked second best European course and tenth best course in the world by SportBusiness International’s Postgraduate Sports Course Rankings, the only comprehensive guide to university sports management courses. The ranking is based on surveys of graduates on topics such as the standard of teaching and employment opportunities. Other key criteria include the number of students, gender balance, domestic/international student ratio, number of languages of instruction, work placement opportunities and alumni support.
The MSA course lecturers are highly respected Russian and international sports management experts, while guest lecturers include professors from leading universities from over 10 countries, as well as speakers from top organisations in Russian and world sport. Students are offered internships at major international events such as the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix, Sochi 2014 Olympic venues and leading sports industry companies. They can also participate in RIOU’s exchange programmes and study on similar courses at the University of Paris-Sud (France) and Savonia University of Applied Sciences (Finland).
RIOU Rector Professor Lev Belousov said: ‘Our flagship Master of Sport Administration course is among the very best in the sports business education market. This is reflected by influential rankings and wide international recognition. But the most important thing is that all of our graduates have gone on to successful careers working within the Olympic Movement, sports agencies, major Russian and international companies, or running their own businesses. All of them are making the most of their talents and fulfilling their potential within the sports industry’.
RIOU’s MSA course complies with the relevant standards of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, ECTS standards and international qualification requirements.
Applications for RIOU’s MSA programme can be submitted until the end of summer 2018. For further information about the application procedure, admission terms and the MSA programme content, please visit RIOU’s website at: http://www.olympicuniversity.ru/en/web/msa-eng1/to-applicants
