MASTER'S 2 The Law and Economics of sport

The first qualification in the field of the law and economics of sport created in Europe

University training was the original activity of CDES, launched in 1984, with the creation of the DESS in “Legal and Economic Training for Sports Professions” (Baccalaureate plus 5 years further study), which was the first European postgraduate qualification in the field.

As a result of the fact that the University of Limoges became part of the new European scheme for higher education, this DESS became in 2004 a Master’s Degree, specialising in “The Law, Economics and Management of Sport”¹, whilst remaining at the level of Baccalaureate plus 5 years further study. 

Courses adapted to the specificities of the sector

Following in the tradition of the DESS, the Master’s in “The Law, Economics and Management of Sport” offers legal and economic training adapted to the needs and the particularities of sporting activities. In this way, it is different from most other university postgraduate degrees, whether in the composition of the year groups admitted, or in the organisation and content of the teaching.

Despite some adjustments since its transformation into a Master’s Degree, the structure of this training remains 15 weeks of 3-4 days. Every session is based on a particular subject and combines the knowledge of one or more experts from the CDES, contributions from qualified outside important people (managers, executives from the sporting movement and its environment, legal experts, etc.) and practical case analyses.

A remarkable thing about this training course is that it takes place for two-thirds of the time in centres of French and international sport (CNOSF, professional leagues and federations and the media, etc.) and one-third in Limoges, in the premises of CDES. It therefore makes it possible to apply the results of research at CDES, whilst developing favoured contacts with important managers in the world of sport.

selective recruitment with many career opportunities

The students (basic training) or professionals (vocational training) who are selected for this degree all have in common a dual university (recognised by a minimum of a level of Baccalaureate plus four years further study) and sporting ability, whether as a participant, educator, manager or top-level athlete, etc.. Every year has 15-20 members, chosen from the 150-200 separate applications, depending on the year.

The training provided makes it possible for them afterwards to seek supervisory jobs in sport (federations, leagues and committees, and clubs, etc.), the public administration of sport (State and local authorities, etc.) and the economic environment of sports activities (sports marketing, lawyers and sponsors, etc.).

The specific recruitment, the known quality of training for professional purposes and the inclusion of CDES in the sports sector has enabled more than 80% of the 349 graduate students since 1984 to work in sport.

It’s worth noting that the Association of graduates in the Law and Economics of Sport (ADDES) brings together most former students, which allows CDES to benefit from an exceptionally wide and active national and international network.

1 The full official title of the degree is a Master's in Law-Economics-Management, option in Business and specialising in the Law, Economics and Management of Sport.

tHEY SUPPORT cdes FOR THIS TRAINING COURSE