Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Sports Ethics and Integrity (MAiSI) 2026–2028
- Omran Aburayya
- Oct 5
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
If you are passionate about promoting fairness, integrity, and ethics in the world of sport, applications are now open for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) in Sports Ethics and Integrity (MAiSI) for the 2026–2028 academic cycle. This prestigious two-year international master’s programme brings together multiple leading European universities to train a new generation of sport integrity experts.
The programme is designed for those who want to influence policy, ensure ethical governance, and foster inclusive, transparent, and fair sporting cultures. Delivered across several European universities, MAiSI combines ethics, law, sociology, philosophy, and sport management to prepare graduates for meaningful careers at the intersection of sport and social responsibility.
🎓 Scholarship Summary
Location: Multiple European countries (Belgium, Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, Greece)
Host Institutions: KU Leuven, Charles University, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, University of Peloponnesus
Study Level: Master’s degree (two years, full-time)
Target Group: Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline who aspire to work in sports administration, ethics, governance, or policy
Fields of Focus: Sports Ethics, Sports Law, Integrity in Sport, Anti-doping, Athlete Welfare, Equality and Inclusion, Paralympic Ethics, Sports Governance, Research Methods
Coverage:
Full tuition fee waiver under the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
Monthly allowance of approximately €1,400
Coverage for tuition, travel, and insurance costs
Duration: 24 months (four semesters)
Application Deadline: Opens 9 October 2025 and closes 1 February 2026 (12:00 AM CET)
Start Date: Autumn 2026
Eligible To: Applicants from all nationalities
Funding Sponsor: European Commission (Erasmus Mundus Programme)
🌎 Scholarship Overview
The MAiSI Erasmus Mundus Master’s is an innovative and multidisciplinary programme focused on creating a new professional profile for the sports sector — one that champions ethical cultures, transparency, compliance, and good governance. It offers both strong theoretical foundations and practical tools to help students identify and address ethical challenges in sports organizations and policymaking environments.
The consortium universities offer complementary expertise: from moral and philosophical foundations of sport to governance, legal frameworks, and social policy. Students gain cross-national perspectives and learn how to translate ethical reasoning into effective decision-making in real-world sporting contexts.
🧭 Mobility Information
The MAiSI programme follows an integrated mobility path, requiring students to study in different European countries over the two years. Each semester is hosted by a different partner institution, ensuring students experience diverse academic traditions, legal systems, and cultural settings relevant to sport ethics.
During Semester One, students begin their studies at KU Leuven in Belgium. Here, they explore foundational subjects such as Sport as a Social Practice, Norms and Values in Sport, Equality and Inclusion, and Moral Psychology of Sport. The semester also includes key courses on Ethical Theories, Anti-Doping and Sports Medicine Ethics, and Sports Law and Integrity Regulation. These modules develop essential frameworks for understanding ethics, law, and governance in modern sport.
In Semester Two, students move to Charles University in Prague, where they deepen their philosophical understanding through the module Sport Values, Fair Play and Integrity. They also study Issues in Disabilities and Paralympic Sports, engaging with rehabilitation, adapted sport, and inclusion ethics. During this period, students also attend a Summer School at the University of Peloponnesus in Olympia, Greece, where they undertake the Research Methods, Knowledge and Competencies module. This summer school is a highlight of the programme, combining research training with immersive learning at the historic birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Semester Three is hosted at either Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona or Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in Germany, depending on the year of entry. This phase focuses on organizational and governance aspects of sport, such as management, ethics in decision-making, and international sports law. Students also begin work on their Master’s thesis — selecting topics, defining research questions, conducting literature reviews, and preparing research ethics applications.
Finally, Semester Four allows students to complete their Master’s thesis at one of the consortium universities most relevant to their chosen specialization. This semester also includes another Summer School in Olympia, featuring the final taught module in Olympic Studies, integrating ethical reflection with historical insights into sport’s cultural heritage.
Throughout the mobility track, students benefit from diverse perspectives, interdisciplinary learning, and exposure to international networks in sports governance and integrity.
🏋🏻♀️ Tracks and Specialisations
While MAiSI does not have fixed study “tracks,” students are able to specialise through their academic choices and thesis focus.
Specialisation areas include:
Sports Law and Governance: Exploring regulation, compliance, and dispute resolution in sport
Ethics and Philosophy of Sport: Examining moral frameworks, justice, fairness, and equality
Paralympic and Disability Studies: Engaging with inclusion, accessibility, and ethical categorisation
Anti-Doping and Sports Medicine Ethics: Analysing fair play, privacy, and athlete rights
Sports Management and Integrity Education: Developing tools for ethical leadership and institutional compliance
The location of a student’s third and fourth semesters — at either UPF (Spain) or JGU (Germany) — often aligns with their chosen specialisation.
🎁 Programme Benefits
Full tuition coverage under the Erasmus Mundus scholarship
€1,400 monthly living stipend
Paid travel, insurance, and administrative costs
Access to a world-class faculty from five leading European universities
Training in ethics, governance, law, and social responsibility in sport
Networking opportunities with international sports organizations and alumni working in global institutions
Immersive mobility experience in several European countries
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Must hold a Bachelor’s degree (any discipline accepted due to the interdisciplinary nature of the programme)
Proof of English proficiency if the previous degree was not taught in English
Strong motivation statement highlighting interest in ethics and sport governance
Relevant academic or professional experience will be an advantage
Two recommendation letters (at least one academic) on official letterhead
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ℹ️ Earns Commission
📝 Application Procedure
Application period: 9 October 2025 – 1 February 2026 (12:00 AM CET)
Application portal: via the official MAiSI website (KU Leuven admissions page)
Required documents:
Bachelor’s degree and official transcripts
Proof of English language proficiency
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Motivation letter / statement of purpose
Two letters of recommendation (at least one academic)
Proof of identity (passport or national ID)
Optional: evidence of relevant experience or publications
🔍Selection Process:
All applications will be reviewed for eligibility, academic excellence, motivation, and language skills. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview. The final selection will be based on combined academic merit, interview performance, and Erasmus Mundus regional allocation criteria.
📆 Key Dates:
Application deadline: 1 February 2026
Interviews: February–March 2026
Results announcement: April 2026
ℹ️ Additional Information
The MAiSI programme is fully funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus Mundus framework. It is supported by several partners, including the Olympic Solidarity and the Chelsea Group.
Graduates join the dynamic MAiSI Alumni Network, which connects experts, policymakers, and practitioners promoting integrity and ethics in global sport. The alumni community is active in international sport federations, Olympic committees, NGOs, and governmental agencies.
For full details, visit the official website: www.maisi-project.eu
