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A Guide to Sports Management Courses

A cross-disciplinary subject, sports management will allow you to develop and advanced knowledge of the sports industry, as well as the finance, business and management sectors. A degree in sports management will aid your professional development, helping you to take your next step towards a career within a variety of sports organisations. Honing your sports and management skills in an encouraging environment will allow you to gain a holistic perspective of the sports industry, meaning you can tailor your knowledge to your chosen job role.

Coursework

An undergraduate degree in sports management will give you a good foundation of knowledge in the subject area. You will study modules on sports, business, finance, and how these come together. Your skills will be developed in project and people management, as well as budgeting and financial matters.

Your degree will be delivered in a mixture of modes. These will include lectures and seminars, as well as practical sessions. You might be presented with the chance to take a work placement year or module, which will give you the opportunity to apply your skills in a working environment.

Specialisations

Depending on where you choose to study, you may be able to specialise towards the end of your degree. The specialisations that you choose can influence the career in which you choose to work after you have graduated. Common specialisations include:

  • Sports Marketing
  • Sports Business
  • Physical Education
  • Sports Development
  • Management of Sports Clubs

If your degree requires you to write a dissertation in your final year, this will give you an opportunity to further research a favoured area of sports management.

Accreditation and certification

The accreditation of your degree will depend on where you choose to study. Different countries have different accreditation systems. Typically, you can expect to be awarded a Bachelor of Science (BSc), or a Bachelor of Arts (BA).

Depending on your career path after graduation, you may have opportunities to earn extra professional or academic qualifications and certifications.

Timeframe and further studies

Generally, and undergraduate degree will take three to four years to complete. Foundation degrees, diplomas and certificates can last up to two years when studied full-time.

Once you have successfully completed your dance degree, you can choose to either seek employment in your chosen area, or further your studies. Continuation of your studies could be in the form of a postgraduate degree, such as a masters or PhD, or a graduate diploma or certificate.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for a degree in sports management will depend on where you choose to study. Some universities might require you to sit an entrance exam, where others may rely on previous exam results. Some universities may prefer you to have studied certain subjects, and others might consider previous relevant work experience.

You should check each institution to see what entry requirements they have for their sports management programmes.

  • UK – 6.5 IELTS
  • US – 2.5 GPA

Funding your studies

Tuition fees for international students are not fixed. This means that they can vary greatly from institution to institution. You should make sure that you are aware of how much your course will cost you.

You may be eligible for a scholarship or funding. This could be awarded by your institution, or by a separate funding body. For more information, visit our scholarships and funding section.

Career options

Graduates of a sports management degree will find that there are a wide range of careers available to them. If you choose to work in a role directly related to your degree, jobs could include sports development officer, sports venue manager, athlete management, and sports event management. If you choose to work in a role not directly related to your degree, the skills learned throughout your time in higher education will equip you for a wide range of industries and jobs.

Degrees in Sports Management Masters in Sports Management

Highlighted courses in Sports Management

Sports Management UG:Diploma

International Career Institute United Kingdom

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Sport Management with Industrial Year BA (Hons)

University of Derby United Kingdom

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Sports Management MSc

Columbia University, School of Professional Studies United States

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Sports Management BA

EU Business School, Barcelona Spain

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MBA in Sports Management MBA

EU Business School, Munich Germany

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MBA E-Sports Management MBA

IU International University of Applied Sciences Germany

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Sports Management MSc

Hartpury University United Kingdom

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View all courses in Sports Management

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