BA (Hons) Sports Management

To achieve success at university and in future professional environments, students must develop a range of personal qualities and professional behaviours that underpin academic achievement and employability. This module acts as a key transition point within Higher Education, introducing students to the complex industry and societal contexts that shape the global sport sector.

The module focuses on the development of personal and professional factors relevant to sport-related employment, while building the competencies, confidence, and independence required for effective academic study. Students will be introduced to essential IT systems for academic and professional use, including the effective management of personal files and data. The module develops academic and professional writing skills, with a strong emphasis on report writing, academic conventions, and correct referencing.

Information Research and Data Integration, students will learn how to locate, evaluate, and use information from a range of academic and professional sources. This includes the use of library resources, online databases, journals, and digital discovery tools (e.g. Explore). Emphasis is placed on integrating information and data to produce coherent academic and professional reports.

This module will explore how the contemporary sport industry has embraced several dynamic innovations used in other sectors, helping to transform both its management and administration, steering it in a more professional manner in some aspects of sport, yet not others. Growing revenue has taken on increasing importance, yet some sports still have issues with the media’s monopoly of others. Resistance to change, amateur practices and poor treatment of some players remain within the industry. Students will explore these and other key issues by examining how the core parts of the business (marketing, finance, the media, sponsorship, event management, leadership, and HR) operate. You will analyse the development of sport and governance of both elite and grassroots organisations.

This module aims to introduce students to the principles of marketing through a series of lectures and seminars. The module will provide students with an understanding of marketing models, concepts and theories. Marketing is a business philosophy that places the customer at the heart of all its activities (customer centric) and regards satisfying customer needs and wants for the purpose of building sustainable competitive advantages. Students will explore the application of traditional marketing concepts and evolving technologies which impact the sports industry. In a continually disruptive environment, marketing is all about creating customer value and building profitable customer relationships. It is no different in the world of sport and football.

This module aims to introduce students to the principles of marketing through a series of lectures and seminars. The module will provide students with an understanding of marketing models, concepts and theories. Marketing is a business philosophy that places the customer at the heart of all its activities (customer centric) and regards satisfying customer needs and wants for the purpose of building sustainable competitive advantages. Students will explore the application of traditional marketing concepts and evolving technologies which impact the sports industry. In a continually disruptive environment, marketing is all about creating customer value and building profitable customer relationships. It is no different in the world of sport and football.

This module introduces the role of accounting, internal controls, and auditing within professional sports organisations. It is designed for students working across football (soccer), cricket, rugby, tennis, and other sports, and assumes no prior knowledge of accounting. Students will develop an understanding of how accounting information supports financial management, governance, and decision-making in sports organisations. The module focuses on internal control systems used to reduce financial risk, prevent error and fraud, and safeguard organisational resources. It also introduces the purpose and role of internal and external audits in ensuring the reliability and integrity of financial information. By the end of the module, students will be able to interpret basic accounting information and understand how accounting and audit functions support effective management across the sports industry.

The sports industry does not exist in a vacuum. Rather, it is an environment which cuts across much of wider society, including politics, media, and popular culture. This module, drawing both on historical and contemporary examples, will explore the place of sport within the wider world. The module will aim to develop students’ academic understanding of the growth of sports within wider historical and theoretical frameworks, and how those frameworks continue to shape the present sports and media industries. The module will introduce a wide range of academic concepts, principles and case studies that will equip with a greater understanding and appreciation of the cultural significances of sport, past and present.

This module is designed to enhance students’ professional employability and industry readiness by developing practical career management and self-marketing skills. It focuses on enabling students to articulate their skills, experience, and professional identity effectively across industry-standard platforms and recruitment processes.

Students will engage with contemporary employment practices, employer expectations, and digital professional environments. Through applied workshops and reflective activities, students will develop and refine a professional CV, tailored cover letters, and an online professional profile (e.g. LinkedIn), aligned with their chosen industry sector. The module emphasises self-awareness, critical reflection, and adaptability, equipping students with transferable skills that support career progression, employability, and lifelong learning.

The module supports students to evaluate their existing skill sets, apply theory to practice, and make informed decisions about personal branding and professional communication within competitive employment contexts.

In Sports Event Management and Operations, students will discuss the feasibility of an event concept. The module will explore the different planning stages of an event as well as the role and responsibilities of those organising the event.

Finally, the module will examine the complexity of organising and executing an event in the sports industry which forms the basis of this module. In addition, the module will help students understand how to present an event pitch based on and informed by research.

This module aims to develop a critical understanding of the political and economic contexts in which sport operates, alongside an analysis of the structure and organisation of the global sports industry. It provides students with a higher-level understanding of key business and management principles and examines how these are applied within the sport sector.

The module explores the processes that have contributed to the emergence of sport as a global phenomenon, highlighting its growing significance at political and policy levels across public, private, and voluntary sectors within international economies. As sport has become increasingly globalised and commercially powerful, a range of political, ethical, and economic tensions have emerged.

Students will be equipped with the analytical tools to critically assess these tensions and evaluate their implications for the future development, governance, and management of sport

Sport is one of the most dynamic and emotionally powerful industries in the world. This module explores how organisations within sport including clubs, leagues, governing bodies, brands, sponsors, and event organisers develop and implement effective marketing and sponsorship strategies in an increasingly competitive and digital environment.

The module provides students with a strategic understanding of how sport marketing differs from traditional marketing, emphasising the unique characteristics of sport products, fan loyalty, live events, and global audiences. Students will examine how data, insight, creativity, and commercial partnerships combine to drive sustainable growth and competitive advantage.

This module develops the advanced communication competencies required to represent sports clubs, teams, and organisations effectively within contemporary media environments. The module moves beyond foundational communication theory to develop applied, analytical, and strategic media engagement skills appropriate for aspiring coaches, performance staff, executives, and player representatives.

Students will critically examine the principles of sports communication and media relations across traditional and digital platforms. The module explores press conference management, interview technique, crisis communication, reputation management, and strategic social media engagement across sports.

Practical learning is central and students will engage in simulated press briefings, post-match interviews, crisis response scenarios, and digital media strategy development, modelled on elite professional standards. Emphasis is placed on clarity of messaging, composure under pressure, ethical communication, and strategic alignment between sporting performance and organisational reputation.

Entrepreneurship is more a state of mind than an actual discipline. It involves the full gamut of business knowledge and skills, commonly taught on business related courses. In this module students will develop a business idea. To realise this idea, students will produce a pitch deck which will be presented to an investment panel. Based on feedback and comments from the panel students will then produce a business plan. There is also an increasing need for innovative and entrepreneurial thinking in a wide range of industries. This practical focused module will therefore also provide students with the skills and knowledge from the world of business underpinned by relevant theories and models to help you succeed in a variety of careers. The ultimate aim of this module is to give students a realistic and viable alternative career opportunity establishing and running your own business.

Studying this module will develop student’s knowledge and appreciation of strategic management in different organisational and environmental settings. Students will learn how strategic thinking and planning is applied within football (grassroots/professional) and sporting ecosystems.

The module will also allow students to critically evaluate how leadership approaches support strategy expectations. The module will provide students with theoretical concepts and relevant tools for undertaking strategic analyses, considering strategic choices and making strategic recommendations for any sports related organisation.

This module aims to provide students with a theoretical and applied understanding of planning, organising and operating live events. Special events in the modern sports, hospitality and entertainment industries take place in a wide variety of arenas and contexts (i.e. different sports/activities such as football, rugby, ultimate fighting championship, event launches, after dinner speaking and awards ceremonies). There are considerable strategic, operational, and logistical elements and potential challenges which must be considered in the planning and delivery process. This module provides students with theoretical knowledge of planning, managing, and delivering events in the global sports industry.

This module explores current global, national, and local issues that are challenging traditional ways of thinking about and delivering sport. Contemporary sports management is an ever-evolving discipline. It requires sports managers to daily appreciate and interact with a diverse array of modern challenges that affect their ability to influence sporting environments. This engaging module will provide you opportunities to critically discuss important topics ranging from the global commercialisation of sport to national issues of social diversity in sports governance. You will explore how technology and innovation is disrupting traditional methods of sports management as well investigating matters of sports leadership and corporate social responsibility. Lectures and seminars will provide you with the opportunity to engage with such important topics through theory presentation, discussion and individual investigation.

This module explores current global, national, and local issues that are challenging traditional ways of thinking about and delivering sport. Contemporary sports management is an ever-evolving discipline. It requires sports managers to daily appreciate and interact with a diverse array of modern challenges that affect their ability to influence sporting environments. This engaging module will provide you opportunities to critically discuss important topics ranging from the global commercialisation of sport to national issues of social diversity in sports governance. You will explore how technology and innovation is disrupting traditional methods of sports management as well investigating matters of sports leadership and corporate social responsibility. Lectures and seminars will provide you with the opportunity to engage with such important topics through theory presentation, discussion and individual investigation.

When working in the dynamic sports industry, it is essential to understand the variety of positions and different roles within the wider sports industry, alongside the array of skills required to succeed in these positions. The module will develop industry insight, leadership skills and other skills required to work in the industry. Students will be exposed to a range of successful sports leaders from our global network of partners and academics, contributing to live case studies.

Students will have the option to apply their knowledge and personal skillset to problem-based learning scenarios in a chosen environment of their own or via attending a GIS global summit.

Students will have the opportunity to attend one of the GIS global summits or virtual summit. The summits aim to promote critical reflection and self-awareness of students’ capabilities, self-knowledge, and skills required to succeed in the global sports industry. The module allows students to take responsibility for their own personal development and effectiveness through the development of a professional skills audit and training plan.

Applicants will be asked to achieve 96 UCAS points under the UCAS point scheme or international equivalent. Professional experience and industry qualifications can be assessed for applicants without the necessary UCAS points.​

Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of their Maths and English Language GCSE (Grade C/4 or above).​

If you’re applying from a country where English is not the majority spoken language, you’ll need to demonstrate your English proficiency. We accept a range of internationally recognised qualifications, with the minimum standard being: IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with no individual component below 5.5, or an equivalent. Accepted qualifications include: IELTS Academic, IELTS for UKVI, TOEFL iBT, Oxford ELLT, PTE Academic, Cambridge IGCSE, ESOL, and IESO.

Oxford ELLT is an English Language Level Test, approved by Global Institute of Sport that can be used as evidence of a candidate’s English language proficiency for international admissions.

We require a minimum ELLT score of 5, with at least 5 in each individual component.