UCFB’s Global Institute of Sport to open first North American campus
UCFB’s Global Institute of Sport (GIS) is delighted to announce that it will open its first North American campus in 2021 in South Florida.
Set to deliver degrees in the US from June 2021, GIS’ first non-UK campus will be based at the Inter Miami CF Stadium – home of Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF whose ownership group is composed of former England captain David Beckham, Jorge and Jose Mas as well as Marcelo Claure and Masayoshi Son.
The first programme to be taught at the GIS Inter Miami CF Stadium Campus will be the MSc Sports Directorship, delivered in partnership with VSI Executive Education.
GIS is the Master’s arm of University Campus of Football Business (UCFB), whose existing campus locations in London and Manchester are home to 2,500 students and include Wembley and Etihad stadiums.
As well as delivering the new programme in Florida, UCFB and GIS students and alumni will also have the chance to visit Miami and South Florida as part of the Global Summit Series. Students already have the option to attend summits in the US in New York and Atlanta at the Red Bull Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium respectively, as well as Toronto’s BMO Field and the Melbourne Cricket Ground. These annual events allow students to learn from the biggest and best minds in each country’s sports industry.
GIS Chairman Brendan Flood commented: “This is truly a landmark moment for GIS and education in North America. Our students already enjoy great access to the North American sports market, but never have they had a permanent place to call ‘home’ and study away from the UK.”
Flood, who’s a director at Burnley FC and co-founder of MLS side Orlando City SC, added: “You only have to look at the name of the Inter Miami franchise, its brand identity, the city it represents and the people that run the organisation to know that this is a partnership that will excite our students, football fans and those who aspire to work at its senior levels around the world.
“We believe that between us we’ll be able to offer students incredible knowledge sharing from both sides of the Atlantic, bringing together learnings from the world’s most successful sports league – the Premier League – and the world’s leading sports nation.”
GIS will be announcing several further football and sports degrees to be delivered in Miami soon, as well offering students study abroad opportunities between the city and the UK. Students will also be to take advantage of internship opportunities and guest speakers sessions thanks to the collaboration between GIS and Inter Miami CF.
Inter Miami’s Managing Owner Jorge Mas, said: “This is an exciting, innovative project with GIS that allows us to deepen South Florida’s position as a global leader in sports business and education, and to continue expanding our international network in the process. Our facilities were built with flexibility in mind to serve as long-term economic drivers attracting more business, international competitions and tourism to our communities.
“Students can expect a warm South Florida welcome and find out why this city is one of the world’s great sporting destinations and sports business hubs.”
University Campus of Football Business (UCFB) is a world first in higher education, offering undergraduate university degrees in the football and sports industry. UCFB provides an exceptional environment to live and learn in, with state-of-the-art facilities in two inspirational campuses in London and Manchester, which have the iconic Wembley and Etihad stadiums at their heart. Over 90% of graduates are in employment within six months of graduating, with two thirds of those working within the football and sports industry.
The UCAS deadline to apply for a place at UCFB is Friday 15th January 2021, click here to find out more.
UCFB University Directory on Careers in Sport