Sport Business Management MSc

Course structure

You will experience a dynamic blend of academic study, research and – through the placement module – hands-on learning. The combination of academic study and practical analysis has been designed to provide greater depth of knowledge and future career success.

Course delivery 

The emphasis of the course is on using a theoretical approach to analyse and evaluate the Sport Business sector. If you are already working in the sector you’ll be able to use your existing knowledge to underpin your studies, whilst if you are a recent graduate there is the opportunity for more supported learning.

All core modules are taught in intensive blocks of two to three days. Depending on the module this could include a combination of university-based teaching, online seminars, tutorial support and webinars. The Professional Enquiry module is a combination of teaching and online tutorials which will support you during an organisational experience or project. Some optional modules will be delivered entirely online and others will be all classroom based.

The flexibility of the teaching method for the Sport Business Management MSc facilitates combining studying for a masters with a professional career. It also means that your commitment to attending the university’s campus may be different from others studying the same course. 

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, we will inform you of any improvements or innovations to the curriculum through our admissions portal.

Syllabus

A distinctive feature of the course is the flexibility and choice of your final project. Guided and supported by your personal supervisor, you have several options available to you. Whether an academic dissertation or an applied piece of research, such as a business or enterprise project, the final project allows you to pursue an area of particular interest and helps you to build knowledge and skills for your future career.

The course will address contemporary issues recognised as the major challenges and opportunities for sport business management. This includes researching the complex relationships between sports business and governing bodies, pressure groups and government agencies, and analysing the mechanisms by which sport generates revenue through TV and media rights, gate receipts, sponsorship and merchandise.

Core management studies involving strategy, marketing, sponsorship, operations management, finance, law and human resources are integrated within various compulsory modules that make up the core of the course. You can study areas of personal interest through two optional modules.

Modules

• Strategic Sport Business Management
• Marketing and Sponsorship for Sports and Events
• Sports in the Global Marketplace
• Professional Enquiry
• Final project

Two from:

• The Law and Regulation of Sport
• Contemporary Issues in Global Sport
• Globalisation, Society and Culture
• Sport for International Development and Peace
• Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development
• Sport Tourism
• Ethical and Social Responsibility: Theory and Application
• Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development
• Digital Marketing Strategies
• Risk and Crisis Management
• Ethnography
• Tourism and International Cooperation
• Human Resource Strategy in Multi-Unit Service Organisations

Please note that the above is an indication of the optional modules available; changes may be made to reflect the latest developments in the international sport business industry.

Modules in focus

Strategic Sport Business Management

This module looks at the major challenges facing sport business management. You learn about the complex relationships between stakeholders and explore how sports businesses generate revenue through television rights, gate receipts, sponsorship and merchandise.

Marketing and Sponsorship for Sports and Events

The aim of this module is to provide an international perspective on strategic marketing and sport sponsorship. You gain a theoretical understanding of the sponsorship management process and learn how to use various marketing and promotion methods.

Ethical and Social Responsibility: Theory and Application

This module introduces you to the moral complexities associated with the sports sector. It also addresses various consumer, business and societal responses to these issues, and considers the ethical challenges faced by sport business managers.

Professional Enquiry

In the first semester of this module, you plan your future career as you reflect on your personal, academic and professional skills and consider opportunities for development. In the second semester, you take a professional work placement with a sport-related organisation such as the Sussex County Cricket Club, Albion in the Community, Neilson Active Holidays or SwimTrek.

Sports in the Global Marketplace

This module explores the global forces that affect sports businesses, particularly in relation to international corporate relationships.

Professional experience

Professional-Based Learning Module

All credit-based postgraduate courses at the School of Sport and Service Management offer the Professional-Based Learning module.

The module offers you an opportunity to undertake practical experience in a work environment and gain invaluable first-hand knowledge. It is designed to help you engage with the process of planning and delivering expertise in practice, and to reflect upon and take steps to improve your academic, personal and professional skills.

In Semester 1 (September–January) you will have classes on CV development, interview skills, target setting, reflective practice and experiential learning, leading to 100 hours of professional experience in Semester 2 (February–June). This experience could take the form of a part-time job, an unpaid internship, a volunteering opportunity in the university or time as a mentee in your chosen industry. You can also take this module as part of a live consultancy in connection with one of your tourism, sport, hospitality or event modules, either in the UK or a School of Sport and Service Management project overseas.

Our school-based Employability Hub will be on hand to assist you in securing an experience that best meets your career goals and aspirations. Professional experience will enhance your practice and academic knowledge, and many of our students have started their careers with their placement organisation.

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included, while studying a course in the School of Sport and Service Management are listed here.

• DBS checks, where required, are included in the fees.
• For all journalism students there are professional body examinations from the National Council for Training of Journalists. The university pays for your first attempt at each examination and this cost of around £400 is included in the course fees. But if you don’t pass an exam you will be responsible for resit fees, at an average cost of £45 per examination.
• UK-based field trips are available in some option modules in the final year. You do not have to take these option modules to complete the degree programme. Where a field trip is present costs are covered but you are expected to make a contribution towards food. Typically this is £50.
• For courses which require a placement, you’ll be expected to pay for your living costs and travel. Physical Education (QTS teacher training) students can claim travel costs to their school placement.
• The school runs a number of day trips which students do not pay for. There may be some food and drink costs and you should budget around £30 per year.
• All work is electronically submitted. You may need to provide a printed copy of your final dissertation. Estimated cost £5 per student in the final year.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

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