Master's Degree Programme in "Olympic Studies, Olympic Education, Organization and Management of Olympic Events"

The duration of the programme is three (3) semesters. Students are required to attend two semesters (winter and summer, 9 weeks per semester) of lectures in Greece. The third semester is dedicated to the preparation of the master thesis at the student’s place.

1st Semester: 20th September 2024 - 23 November 2024

2nd Semester: 4th April  2025 - 08th June 2025 (These dates maybe subject to change)

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
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‍Call for Applications is OPEN

The Department of Sports Organization and Management (in Sparta-Greece) of the University of Peloponnese in collaboration with the International Olympic Academy organizes for the Academic year of 2024-2025 the Master’s Degree Programme.

The Master’s Degree Programme in Olympic Studies constitutes an innovation in the Olympic Movement at an international level and is supported by the Olympic Solidarity (International Olympic Committee) with a number of scholarships. The educational programme is based on the three pillars of the Olympic Movement: Education, Sports, and Culture, which constitute the foundation of Olympism and Olympic Pedagogy.

The philosophy of the programme is consistent with the philosophy of the Olympic Movement for the diffusion of the Olympic ideal worldwide, the promotion of knowledge and research in Olympic issues and global participation.

POSTGRADUATE TITLE
The Master’s degree Programme’s title is “Olympic Studies, Olympic Education, Organization and Management of Olympic Events” (MSc).

OBJECTIVES

• The promotion of knowledge and research on issues of Olympic philosophy and Olympic Pedagogy, Olympic Education, organization and management of Olympic Games, Mega events and in general Olympic and sport studies.

• To provide students with specialized knowledge at a postgraduate level on issues related to Olympic Studies as well as the necessary means for their academic, professional or research career.

• To provide a specialized workforce that will organize and direct Olympic and athletic institutions, promote the growth of programmes of Olympic education on an international level and contribute to the creation of a scientific background for the growth and organization of sports.

APPLICATIONS
‍The following categories of students may be admitted to the Master’s Degree Programme: bachelor degree holders from Greek and foreign Higher Educational Institutions, preferably officials of National Olympic Academies, National Olympic Committees, the International Olympic Committee, International Federations, National Federations and EU Committees for Education, Culture and Sport or researchers of Centers for Olympic Studies, Schools of Sports Organization and Management, Physical Education, Journalism, Economic Faculties, Pedagogy  Faculties, Humanities and other Departments, as well as corresponding Departments of recognized institutions of equivalent status in Greece and abroad. The number of students is limited to forty (40).

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DURATION OF PROGRAMME
The duration of the programme is three (3) semesters. Students are required to attend two semesters (winter and summer, 9 weeks per semester) of lectures in Greece. The third semester is dedicated to the preparation of the master thesis at the student’s place.

LOCATION
The programme will take place in Ancient Olympia, in the International Olympic Academy Campus, and in the facilities of the University of Peloponnese in Sparta.

Kindly note that, in both, Ancient Olympia and Sparta students are allocated in twin rooms.

TEACHING PROGRAMME
The presence of the students at all the lectures is mandatory and the submission of module assignments and examinations at the end of each semester as well as the dissertation project at the end of the 3rd semester will determine the success of the participants in this programme.  All lectures are held in English language.

1st Semester  
Mandatory Modules  
1.     The history and philosophy of sport in Antiquity: the birth of sport and its evolution
2.    The modern Olympic Games (revival, historic development of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games - social, political and cultural aspects of the Olympic Games - Olympic Institutions - Olympic Law)
3.    Sport and Ethics – Olympic Philosophy
4.    Olympic Pedagogy I: Development and implementation of Olympic education programmes in schools
5.    Research methods in Social Sciences and Olympic Studies

2nd Semester  
Mandatory Modules  
1.     Olympic Pedagogy II: Development and implementation of Olympic education programmes in schools
2.    Olympic Games and major sports events: Organization and management
3.    Sports marketing and Olympic sponsoring

Optional Modules (Choose 2 from below)  
1.     Olympic Movement and International relations
2.    Integrity in sport
3.    Strategic and operational planning of major sports events
4.    Financial management of sports organizations
5.    Sport policies

3rd semester  
Preparation, submission and presentation of Master’s Thesis.  

TUITION FEES & BOARDING COST
The tuition fees for the programme payable by the students are 5.000,00 Euros (cost per student) for the three semesters. (They are due and payable in three (3) installments, before the beginning of each semester. Additionally, the cost of full boarding at the IOA premises costs 3.500,00 Euros in total for both semesters.                                                                                                  
IOC SCHOLARSHIPS
Students have the possibility to apply through their National Olympic Committees for a scholarship offered by Olympic Solidarity (IOC) for the tuition fees cost. Olympic Solidarity will provide 11 scholarships for the academic year 2024-25.                                  

Please, also note that students have the possibility to apply through their National Olympic Committees for a scholarship offered by Olympic Solidarity (IOC) for the tickets cost and/or for full boarding cost in the IOA premises.
Applicants who are interested may declare it in the application form and contact their National Olympic Committees or National Olympic Academies for further information.

INFORMATION                                                                                      

For any further enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the Master’s Degree programme:

Mrs Vanda Voudouri: +30 210 687 89 52 or master@ioa.org.gr

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April 15th 2024

The following required documents for the application have to be certified and some of them translated as requested below:

- Please fill out Application form 2024-2025 to the Secretariat of the Masters Degree Programme

- Clear photocopy of bachelor degree (or degrees) from Greek or foreign Higher Education Institutions proving full time studies with a duration of at least three years

- An official bachelor degree transcript (grades from all subjects and from all the years of study, including the degree’s grade and stating the date of award)

- Clear photocopy of a certificate that includes the bachelor’s thesis title and its grade (if applicable)

- Clear photocopy of postgraduate studies degree (or degrees)  (if applicable)

- Clear photocopy of any language certificate proving a) good knowledge of English language and b) adequate level of  knowledge in any other language

-  CV – extended curriculum vitae that includes a detailed description of studies,  professional experience, research and/or  scientific work as well as any extracurricular activities

-  Documents supporting the above mentioned professional experience and research activity of the applicant  i.e. copy of publications in scientific journals, copy of any published work etc  (if applicable)

-  Clear photocopy of Passport or ID Card (ID Card only for European Countries)

-  Two recent passport size photographs with adequate identification

-  Certification proving any participation in sports activities, in IOA activities, in seminars on Olympic Education or in any sport event organization (if applicable)

-  A recommendation letter from a University Professor.

-  Other recommendation letters especially from National Olympic Academies or National Olympic Committees or other sport organizations will be taken into consideration

-  Evidence of any other activity that can support the candidate’s application
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Certification of documents
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For Greek applicants:

a) Documents from state institutions

Clear photocopy of the original document or of its genuine stamped copy (the stamp must be clearly visible on the photocopy)

b) Private documents

Clear photocopy of private documents which have been certified by a lawyer or by a civil service (the stamp must be clearly visible on the photocopy)
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For foreign applicants:

Clear photocopies of documents issued by foreign authorities which have been certified by the Apostille certification, by the Greek Embassy/Consulate or by a Greek lawyer are accepted (the stamp must be clearly visible on the photocopy). All other document copies must be certified by an official institution. Certified copies of degrees and transcripts are also accepted if issued by a Higher Education Institution and sent in the Institution’s official stamped and sealed envelopes.