University of Liverpool partners with Sky and Kick It Out to offer scholarships for under-represented ethnic groups

For the third year running, the University of Liverpool Management School will be continuing its partnership with Sky and Kick It Out to deliver four full scholarships to Football Industries MBA (FIMBA) students from under-represented ethnic groups.

In addition to covering the entire cost of the University of Liverpool students’ tuition, Sky, as the premier partner in the football industry, will pair the scholars with influential mentors in the football industry aligned with their individual areas of study.

Scholars also receive mentorship from Sky’s Diversity Advisory Council and, alongside FIMBA students, will benefit from study trips, support from a dedicated MBA career coach and the opportunity to attend the Future Leaders series hosted by top industry guest speakers.

Dr Dan Parnell, Director of Studies for FIMBA said

“It’s great to be working with Sky and Kick It Out again and building on the success of previous years – the Scholarship helps to bring about positive change in the future business of football and gives scholarship holders an opportunity to build the skills needed to meet the demands of working in the global football industry.”  

Sarah Faiz, a 2022 Kick It Out scholar, has highlighted how the scholarship “opened up a level of education that wouldn’t have been accessible otherwise… It was also great knowing I had the extra support of Sky and the mentor I was assigned through the scholarship.” 

The scholarship comes as part of Sky’s three-year partnership with anti-racism organisation Kick It Out, with Sky Sports committed to using its extensive reach and established channels to support the organisation that has been at the forefront of the fight against discrimination in football.

Sky’s collaboration with Kick It Out continues to support their work on a range of initiatives including promoting transparency reporting in football, supporting educational programs in schools and facilitating entry-level talent into the industry.

Kick It Out has highlighted the need for increased off-field representation in football in addition to promoting inclusion in the most senior levels of the football industry – the scholarship forms one of the strategies Sky is supporting to address these challenges.

Fellow 2022 Kick It Out scholar, Yusuf Molade, comments how both “Sky and Kick It Out provided support throughout the programme, including making introductions and giving me the opportunity to appear on Sky Sports News and speak on panels at industry events. FIMBA has provided great insight into the football industry – not only through the modules but also through the high-profile guest speakers we have had.”

FIMBA remains the world’s only football-focused MBA with a key emphasis on business and management within the global football industry. In the 2023 Sports Business Postgraduate Rankings, the Football Industries MBA features as the highest-ranking UK and European MBA programme on the list.

For more information on how to apply, click here or contact the University of Liverpool Management School: ulmsmba@liverpool.ac.uk. The deadline for applications is 28 April 2024. 

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