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What does MSA stand for?
The MSA programme offered through the AISTS is classified as a Master of Advanced Studies (in Sports Administration and Technology) in the Swiss university system. Not to be confused with the Bologna Master, the Master of Advanced Studies (MSA) is a continuing education degree, similar to an MBA, that is typically taken in addition to a Bologna Master. In lieu of the prerequisite Bologna Master’s degree, the EPFL may accept students into our program with a 4 year undergraduate degree, if they have years of work experience. The ideal candidate for this course is someone who has an undergraduate degree, a masters and/or work experience, and is interested in developing or strengthening a career in sports management.
What is the benefit of the MSA programme?
The benefit of the MSA starts with having a consistent class "community," where students learn from the varied backgrounds of candidates in addition to the expert lecturers. By attracting experts from within the sports industry to lecture at our programme, in addition to highly renowned professors, the knowledge shared with participants not only comes from the scientific and academic arena, but also from practical experiences. As a result, the MSA blends scientific knowledge with real world understanding to prepare students for the development of a successful career as future leaders in modern sport.
The MSA is aimed at professional individuals wishing to broaden their knowledge in the multi-disciplines applied directly to sport: management, law, sociology, technology and medicine, to get a stronger skill set for their existing or desired career in sport management.
What is the course schedule and can I do this course via correspondence?
From January through July, students will be expected in class in Lausanne. Unfortunately, there is no opportunity to do this course online. After the courses end in July, students can either return to their home country, or stay in the area for the remainder of the year while working on their personal project and completing at least 8 weeks of full time work experience. The work experience or internship portion of the programme is a requirement to fulfill before graduating, but must be secured by the candidate (and can be anywhere in the world). Through continued efforts, partnerships, networking and existing contacts, AISTS does everything in their power to help students find placement for an internship. But, ultimately it is the responsibility of the participant to find an internship.
Do I have to take a language exam if English is not my native language?
AISTS strongly recommends taking the TOEFL (or equivalent) exam to prove English fluency. Candidates MUST BE fluent in English to participate in this course. All classes, coursework, and presentations will be in English. Confirmation of English ability through an exam will prove beneficial for an applicant. TOEFL min scores: 550 paper, 213 Computer, 80 Internet (min. 20 for each section) IELTS min score: 6.5
Is French required?
French is not required, but it is the spoken language in Lausanne, Switzerland. If Masters candidates wish to find work in Switzerland upon completion of the course, then knowledge of French would be most useful and is often required. Participants are recommended to begin studying French upon their acceptance to the programme.
What is tuition and cost of living?
Course fees are 20,000 CHF for the 2010 MSA class. Participants can expect to spend an additional 1,700 CHF per month for living expenses.
Upon acceptance, payments must be made by bank transfer only (checks and credit cards are not accepted) to the EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne as the beneficiary. Note that the payment is for: AISTS - MSA 2010
Name of the bank: Swiss Post, Postfinance
Address : Nordring 8, CH-3030 Berne, Switzerland
Clearing: 09000
SWIFT/BIC: POFICHBEXXX
Account # : CCP 17-611378-1
IBAN NUMBER: CH8909000000176113781
Does AISTS offer financial assistance?
No. AISTS does, though, offer one need based scholarship per year, which covers the course fee, 20,000 CHF, only. A scholarship application can be found on our website. For information on Swiss Government scholarships for foreign students, visit the following website http://www.sbf.admin.ch/htm/themen/bildung/stipendien/eskas_en.html. For information on US Federal Student Aid, use the OPE ID Number 04026300 for the EPFL and visit http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/.
What is the difference between application deadlines?
There are two deadlines for submitting applications. One is typically the beginning of May, the other is mid- August. Application requirements are exactly the same for each deadline. However, AISTS typically fills approximately half of the total number of seats in class after the first deadline. All other wait-listed candidates and new applicants will be evaluated together in August.
Scholarship applicants MUST apply by the first application deadline of May 1. The scholarship will be awarded prior to the second deadline in August.
Can you tell me the class schedule?
Unfortunately, the exact schedule changes each year and therefore one cannot be given as an example. Lecturers, topics and events do change yearly. Candidates can expect to have class Monday through Friday. Times of classes will be from 9-5, 9-3 or 9-12, depending on the module, site visits, and additional project assignments. Maintaining a full time job during the course section from January through July is not possible. The course is comprised of lectures, workshops, and exercises focused on five major disciplines: Management & Economics, Law, Technology, Sociology, and Medicine, plus a transdisciplinary component.
Can I work in Switzerland on my student visa?
No. The student visa does not substitute as a work visa. However, your student visa will be sufficient to fulfill the 8 week work experience / internship required to get your degree, after which you, or the company hiring you, will need to apply for a work visa.
Where have past students completed internships?
With almost 200 internships completed after the 2008 graduation, the following list is not complete, but offers a significant example of organizations where student internships have been completed:
AC Management
AIBA
AISTS
AISTS - UMVO
AISTS - Women seminar
AISTS + FIS
AISTS + UCI Funding
AISTS + Alinghi
Amateur Fencing Association, Thailand
Asian Football Association
BASPO
Carat Sport - Paris
CERN Sports Club, Switzerland
coach of brother
Compex Medical SA
CSEM
Curling
Dartfish
Deutsche Sport-Marketing German House Athens 2004 & Leipzig Olympic Bid 2012
Director - Fitness Club
Dr Canavan /Queensland
EAA
England - sport / leisure
Entrepreneurial project
EPFL Lab
Ernst & Young
EY Assurance – Plus Assistant for Sports Mandates
Ernst&Young - EVENTS
Ernst&Young - FEDERATIONS
European Golf Association/PGA
fait valoir son stage MEDISPORT 2006
FEI
FIBA
FIH
FIS
FIS media guide
FIS, Thun
Fitness Silhouette (Geneva)
Football BC (Canada)
FS3
Georgia Games 2003
GPS Performance
Grand Chelem -
Grand Chelem Management
GSHC
Harry Winston
IBAF
ICSD (International Committee of Sports for the Deaf)
IIHF
IMG
IMG New York
IOC
IOC – January to December 2009
IOC - Olympic Games Department
IOC study - Deptmt Relationships with NOCs
IOC study: The NOC at the heart of a national and international political sporting system
IOC - Sport department Olympic Games Study Commission Project
Irish Football Association
ITF - Event Department
ITU Triathlon Vancouver Ski de Fond Canada
LHC
London Olympic Bid 2012 Sports and Venue team assistant
Mediaset - Italy
Netherlands NOC
Octagon Bruxelles
Olympic Council Of Asia
PlanetSolar
Polygiro
Previous experience
Saunier Duval
Service cantonal des sports Neuchâtel Marketing, finance, contracts
Sevette Football Club Promotion du Servette FC
Solar Impulse
Sport consulting company in Turkey
Sport for development fundraising
SportAccord/Taekwondo + UEFA
Sport-for-all-Administration Center, China
Startup/Coupe du Monde du Rugby
Swiss Mate
Swiss-Sport Marketing.ch ag
Triathlon USA
TSE Consulting
TSE Consulting, Set up of Sports Management courses in CEE
UCI - Anti-Doping coordinator
UCI - developing cycling green guide
UCI + IOC
UCI Communication department
UCI Event Management. UCI Road Stuttgart
UEFA
UEFA - Legal Department
UEFA New Media
UEFA Champions League 2004 final
UEFA Under-21 2004 final and Euro 2004
UIAA
UNO
USOC
Vancouver Police and Fire Games
Ville de Lausanne ou Tour de Romandie
Viva Basquet' Magazine for Athens Olympic Games
WADA Europe
Worldwide Promotions sarl
WSG in Singapore
WSG Singapore
WTF
WTF-Dartfish
YOG
ZSC Lions Ice Hockey Club
Does AISTS find the required internships/work experience for participants?
While at least 8 weeks of full time work experience in sports management is required to complete the MSA programme, students are responsible for finding their own placement. AISTS will do everything in its power to help students find something suitable to their strengths by utilizing contacts, providing networking opportunities, constantly disseminating opportunities to the class, and setting up partnership agreements with sports organizations requiring internships be offered to the MSA students. Ultimately, though, it is the participant’s responsibility to secure an internship.
If I find full time employment instead of an internship, will this be accepted toward completion of the course?
Absolutely. The requirement is AT LEAST 8 weeks, but ultimately the goal is to secure full time employment, so this would be, of course, a welcome way of fulfilling the internship/work experience requirements.
Where are AISTS alumni currently working?
Some examples:
ABB (Asea Brown Boven Ltd.)
AIBA
AISTS
Alem International
Architecture Company
Bahrain Football Association
Burson-Marsteller
Canadian Olympic Committee (Ottawa)
Canadian Olympic Committee (Toronto)
Caterpillar
Chinese National Olympic Committee
Coaching Track and Field
Compagnie Financière Tradition
Dartfish
Dentsu India
EGA
EKS India
EPFL
European Athletics
European Union of Football Associations
Extreme Sports Co. L.L.C
Faction Skis
Federal Office of Sports Macolin
FIBA
FIFA
FIS
Gillette Group International
GPS Performance
Grand Chelem Management SA
GSM
Gymnaestrada 2011
Historikerkanzlei
Insight Communications Limited
International Baseball Federation
International Gymnastics Federation
International Ice Hockey Federation
International Olympic Committee
International School of Geneva
ICSD (International Committee of Sports for the Deaf)
IOC - Museum
IOC - Olympic Solidarity
ISE-Hospitality
Leysin American School
LGT - Swiss Trust Company
Lion's Executive Services - Legal Dept.
Luxury Timepiece Int. SA (Gucci)
Manager Athleticum Meyrin-Genève
Nigerian Football Association
Polyclinique Médicale Universitaire
Procter & Gamble
ProZone South Africa
Reef - Lugano
Richmond Oval
Solar Impulse
Stade de Geneve
SUI08 Sport Units of Innovation
Sunshine Coast Sports Medicine Clinic
Swiss Curling Association
Swiss Cycling
Swiss Federal Office of Sport
Swiss Timing
Swiss Triathlon Federation
UCI
UCI Anti-doping Dept
UEFA
UEFA - Media Technologies
Unihockeyshop.ch
WADA Europe
World Food Programme
Zenith
How many credits, via the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) does the MSA correspond with?
The MSA has 60 ECTS credits broken down per course module as follows :
- Law 8 ECTS
- Sociology 8 ECTS
- Technology 8 ECTS
- Medicine 8 ECTS
- Management 8 ECTS
- Trans-disciplinary courses 8 ECTS
- Team project, Personal Project, Internship 12 ECTS
Will successful completion of the MSA prepare me for entry into a PhD programme?
Most PhD programmes have specific requirements depending upon the degree and line of study. The MSA aims to give students general knowledge across many disciplines, whereas someone on a PhD track is often very specialized in their area of expertise and study. It is best to contact PhD programmes of interest, to determine their particular requirements as the MSA is not meant to be a substitute for a Bologna Master.
How do I apply?
The application package is located online at http://www.aists.org/en/application-fees/application-package.html. Applications must include:
two passport-size pictures; a motivation letter; a Curriculum Vitae – Résumé; two letters of recommendation (in English); certified (signed and stamped by the University) copies of your University degree and grades (transcripts) in French or English; for non-native English speakers, a GMAT test, or a language test by an approved institution (i.e. TOEFL or IELTS).
Your application must be physically mailed to the following address and cannot be sent via email:AISTS
Scientific Park PSE-C
1015 Lausanne
Switzerland
What is a "Certified Copy of your Diploma?"
As noted in the application package, a certified copy of you undergraduate diploma is required. This means the copy of your diploma must be stamped by your university. Your original diploma must be brought with you to Switzerland and shown at the EPFL the first day of class.
Who should write my recommendation letters? How many are required?
Your must submit at least 2 recommendation letters with your application. These letters should be addressed to the AISTS and can be included in the general application, or sent directly to our offices. Letters can be written by a previous employer or a professor and should be in English.
What is the average age of accepted candidates?
The average age of participants is approximately 30 years. Candidates have an average of 6 years work experience before attending the programme.
How many applications do you receive each year?
We receive over 100 applications and accept between 30 and 40 candidates each year. Candidates come from a variety of professional backgrounds, not exclusive to the sports industry, but all have a great passion for sports. Some applicants are looking to change their career path to enter the sports industry, others are looking to advance their current careers in sports management. Applicants are chosen based on their past work experience, past sport experience, educational background, motivation, references, and English fluency.
Do I receive health insurance through the programme?
AISTS does not provide health insurance to participating candidates. It is highly recommended that participants extend their existing health insurance to Switzerland and should contact their insurance agent directly upon acceptance.
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