New term under way for football studies

UEFA's professional development programme – aimed at benefiting its 53 member national associations and football in general – has resumed, as the European governing body continues to strengthen its links with the academic community.

The UEFA Diploma in Football Management (UEFA DFM) programme has started its second edition, while the UEFA Certificate in Football Management (UEFA CFM) course is heading into its third cycle.

National associations' middle managers derive benefit from the UEFA DFM by getting the chance to enhance their knowledge in key areas of organising football events – such as event and volunteer management, stadiums and security, marketing and media operations.

The aim is that students can apply what they learn in their respective associations, as well as exchange experience with their counterparts, with the result that European football's overall development continues.

This advanced course consists of four online modules plus three face-to-face seminars. Each module addresses an important facet of national football association management and is prepared and run by internationally renowned academic experts. All modules have been developed in close cooperation with UEFA and practitioners in the field to ensure they meet the needs of national association staff.

The UEFA DFM runs over a period of nine months between September and May. The diplomas are issued through the Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration (IDHEAP) at the University of Lausanne. It is the second step in UEFA's three-stage education programme, which starts with the UEFA CFM and builds up to the Executive Master in European Sport Governance (MESGO).

Meanwhile, the UEFA CFM programme is linked to UEFA's Knowledge & Information Sharing Scenario (KISS) and aims to help UEFA's member associations reinforce their knowledge and management of sports, particularly football.

The foundation course comprises nine modules, six of which are done from distance – elearning – while the other three involve face-to-face contact. The UEFA CFM spans a nine-month period from September to May. Certificates are awarded through IDHEAP at the University of Lausanne.

Every module focuses on one central aspect: the organisation of European and world football, strategic and performance management, operational management, event management, marketing and sponsorship, internal and external communication.

Presidents and general secretaries of national associations can recommend up to two members of staff a year as candidates for both the UEFA CFM and the DFM.