Olympic Studies

Master of Arts (M.A.)

The main objective of the unique degree programme M.A. Olympic Studies is to provide the students with an interdisciplinary knowledge about the Olympic Movement. International partners from the different cooperating universities teach seminars on sport governance, values and ethics, international relations, athlete representations and media/commercialisation, all closely linked to Olympic Studies.

The advanced studies programme implements a high-level, interdisciplinary curriculum in Olympic Studies aimed at fostering the links between the academic and the Olympic world. The programme awards a Master of Arts in Olympic Studies and is designed to facilitate recruitment of a wide range of participants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. The M.A. Olympic Studies has the official IOC patronage and is supported by the IOC.

Key Facts

Duration

4 semesters

Start of the programme

Every two years

Start of the next intake

September 2027

Workload

120 Credit Points

Application period

October 2026 - February 2027

Qualification

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Language of instruction

english

Costs

5.000 € for two years

Study places

ca. 30 places

Teaching locations

Cologne & Barcelona (Spain)

Study format

Part-time

Partnership & Modules

 

The programme is delivered by a core network of international universities, including the German Sport University Cologne (Germany), Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain), University of Canterbury (New Zealand), Kiel University (Germany), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) and Scottish Centre of Olympic Research and Education (SCORE) at the University of Edinburgh (Scotland).

Participating Countries

Participants' Voices

Career Opportunities and Professional Perspectives

The M.A. Olympic Studies is particularly designed for professionals, athletes and executives working in organised sport, international sport organisations, media, educational institutions, and sport-related agencies who wish to deepen and expand their expertise from an academic and international perspective.

The programme opens career opportunities across various areas of the Olympic Movement and the international sport system – including National Olympic Committees, international federations, sport organisations, media agencies, educational institutions, and the fields of sport policy and sport management.

In addition, the degree qualifies graduates for positions at the intersection of sport, society, education, and communication. The in-depth engagement with Olympic values, international structures, and societal developments strengthens participants’ ability to critically analyse and actively shape complex challenges within the global sport landscape.

Thanks to its international orientation and the strong network of partner universities and the IOC, students also benefit from valuable connections within the international sports community.

10 Years Looking Back

The year 2020 marked a very significant milestone in the trajectory of the M.A. Olympic Studies. This was on account of the programme having been in existence for a whole decade. To celebrate this achievement, the programme coordinators together with the then-Alumni Circle, led by Annett Chojnacki-Bennemann for this initiative, undertook the task of publishing a book outlining our shared journey. Moreover, the book also acts as an informative document that should stimulate further discourse on the programme and Olympic Studies. We hope you enjoy reading the fruits of our labour, which is available in both print and as an e-book below.

IOC Support

In June 2012 former IOC President Jacques Rogge invited Prof. Wassong and Prof. Müller for a meeting to discuss the IOC's support for the M.A. Olympic Studies Programme. Since then, the degree programme has officially the IOC's patronage and is supported by the IOC. In October 2014, Prof. Wassong and Prof. Müller met with the then newly elected IOC President Thomas Bach, who spoke very generously about the structure and the contents of the degree programme. He confirmed the continuing support of the IOC and Olympic Solidarity. This support was reconfirmed in further meetings, lastly in 2022.

Furthermore, Olympic Solidarity has adopted the programme into its 2021/2024 Quadrennial Plan and is financially supporting candidates nominated by their National Olympic Committees.

Any questions?

Director

Deputy director

Student Advisory Service: Guidance and academic advice

  • location_on

    Main Building, first floor

Student Advisory Service: Consultation hours

Phone:

  • Mon - Fri: 9 - 11 am
  • Mon - Thu: 2 - 3 pm

Office:

  • Mon: 9 - 11 am & 2 - 3 am
  • Wed: 9 - 11 am & 2 - 3 am

News