Year of Entry 2026/27
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BSc (Honours)

Sport Business Management

Prepare for a career in the sports industry with our hands-on approach to business management, driven by cutting-edge expertise, global connections and excellent sporting heritage.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: See fees section below
    International/EU: £18,000 per year

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    3 / 4 Years

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    Collegiate Campus

  • Bookmark

    What are the entry requirements?

    112-120 UCAS points

  • Checkmark

    What is the UCAS code?

    C6N2

  • Date

    When do I start?

    September 2026

  • Avatar

    Placement year available?

    Yes


Course summary

  • Gain valuable insights from our experienced experts and international networks
  • Apply your practical skills and knowledge in real-life situations with work placements
  • Use our strong ties with professional teams and organisations to forge industry connections
  • Cultivate leadership and strategic skills to assess and thrive in the sport business arena
  • Gain local and global experience, including with the University of Madrid

The unique advantage of this sports management degree lies in our close association with elite sports clubs, organisations, and leading facilities. You’ll study key business concepts and theories and examine best practices in management to navigate the dynamic sport business landscape. 

You’ll study in an environment that encourages the exploration of new ventures and the development of a strong business mindset. You’ll graduate as a motivated and innovative business leader.

Accredited by
  • Chartered Institute of Marketing (Recognised)

Boost your career with a CIM-recognised sports business management degree. This programme holds a Recognised Degree Status by The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Students are able to take advantage of CIM membership and its benefits and complete modules on any or some of the CIM modules if they wish (please contact CIM for current studying membership and assessment fees).



Engaging teaching

98% of students on this course were satisfied with how often teaching staff made the subject engaging in the 2025 National Student Survey.

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How you learn

Our sports management courses are taught by business experts who are highly experienced in the sporting world. You’ll develop your skills and knowledge through teaching, working and doing – exploring the business of sport from a global perspective, while also delving into the intricacies of the UK sport industry.

You’ll also enhance your digital capability, critical thinking and inclusive approaches that value equality and diversity.

Our hands-on approach to sports management learning includes:

  • Lectures, seminars and workshops 
  • A virtual learning environment (VLE) 
  • Work-based learning experiences
  • Placements
  • Field trips 
  • Practical activities in both simulated and in-situ environments 
  • Independent study 
  • Research opportunities

What does this sports business management degree cover?

You’ll gain the hard and soft skills you will need to succeed in the competitive industry of sports business. You’ll see the importance of effective communication, ethical practices, deep consumer understanding, and a willingness to embrace calculated risks.

While you study you will also enhance your proficiency in technical, supervisory, and managerial aspects of sports business, equipping you for a range of career paths.

You’ll explore theoretical, philosophical, and practical foundations for sports business management – across marketing, finance, leadership, sports event management and enterprise. You’ll graduate with a deep understanding of the sport and physical activity sector and the broader business world.

Career-focused assessment and support for sports management students

This sports business management degree is designed to help you demonstrate your learning outcomes – with authentic assessment activities relating to real-world scenarios, your specific goals and your skills development. Throughout your studies, various individuals will support your learning and target setting – guiding you towards resources for academic, professional and personal development. 

These support roles include: 

  • Course and Module Leaders
  • Your Academic Adviser 
  • Your Student Support Adviser
  • Your Employability Adviser 
  • Central services like counselling, Library and IT

98% of students on this course were satisfied with how well teaching staff supported their learning in the 2025 National Student Survey.

Applied learning

Build your sports management career with practical work placements

There’s a mandatory short placement at the end of your second year. Over a minimum of 120 hours, you will be learning while you work and preparing to progress into employment after you graduate. During your placement, you will have the invaluable opportunity to witness firsthand the practical application of management and business in the industry.

You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement (25 weeks minimum) or multiple placements between your second and final years. This gives you further valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV. 

Past placements have involved working with local councils, national governing bodies such as the English Football Association (the FA), and professional clubs. We also maintain strong connections with local kit equipment manufacturers.

Additionally, there are often chances for you to volunteer in media sports events such as the Olympics, Wimbledon, the Commonwealth Games and the Paralympics.

Explore sports management first-hand on field trips 

On field trips you will discover how your learning is applied first-hand to real-world situations, gaining valuable insight into working practice.

In previous years, students have visited prestigious venues such as Headingley Cricket Ground, Emirates Stadium and Aintree Racecourse.

Sheffield Hallam has developed a strong and collaborative partnership with the University of Madrid, enabling students to benefit from an enriching international experience. Through this close tie-up, there is an opportunity to take a field trip to Madrid.

Learn from experienced professionals in guest lectures 

You’ll hear from specialist sports industry experts who share context-specific examples of the knowledge, skills and behaviours you will need for your career ahead.

Previous students have heard from influential guest speakers at UEFA, Arsenal FC, England Hockey and England Cricket.

Networking opportunities 

Your employability is enhanced by the involvement of employers and industry partners – from the real-world projects you complete to the opportunities to build networks at careers fairs and workshops. 

Our global networks really set us apart and give you the upper hand in a career field that truly is international. From our University of Madrid link-up to the chance to volunteer at global sporting events, you will create invaluable connections with individuals and organisations around the world.

On top of this, students have the opportunity to participate in numerous events, such as SportsPro Media Hackathon, a weekend-long event where groups of students come together to create and pitch new solutions, products or businesses that have a positive impact on the world.

Course leaders and tutors

Vicky Norman
Vicky Norman
Senior Lecturer in Sport Business Management

I have worked in the sports industry for the last 11 years, before that completing my undergrad at Sheffield Hallam

Becky Ashworth
Becky Ashworth
Senior Lecturer, Course Leader of BSc Sport Business Management

Lecturer

Graduate View

BSc (Hons) Sports Business Management graduate Ellis is promoting and advancing women's football, striving to elevate the sport's profile and create more opportunities for female athletes, as the general manager of Blackburn Rovers Women's Football Club

Modules

Important notice: The structure of our sports management degree is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory, and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery, and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the sport management courses and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Year 2

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment

Elective modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Year 3

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment

Elective modules

Module
Credits
Assessment


Future careers

With a sports business management degree, you can enter a career in:  

  • International, regional and national sporting bodies 
  • Professional sports clubs and leagues  
  • Major venue and facility management 
  • Major events and event management 
  • Sport consultancy 
  • Social media, sponsorship and marketing 

Previous sports management graduates have gone on to work for: 

  • Professional sports club (Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Arsenal FC, Nottingham Forest FC, Everton FC) 
  • National sport governing bodies (England Cricket, The FA, Netball England) 
  • Sport brands (Adidas, Kitlocker, Sportfive, Raab, DAZN) 
  • Sport media (Sky Sports, SportsPro Media, EA Games) 
  • Business graduate roles (M&S, Enterprise, Aldi) 
  • Major sport events (Commonwealth Games, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, England Golf)

Equipment and facilities

On this course, you will work with world-class digital resources and databases to support your learning, including access to sport-specific cases developed by academic colleagues around the world.

You will be part of more than 1,500 students at our nationally renowned Academy of Sport and Physical Activity and get to learn in cutting-edge facilities, including our £6m sports park and a satellite campus at the English Institute of Sport.

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Entry requirements

All students

UCAS points

  • 112-120

From at least two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. We do not accept General Studies. For example:

  • BBC-BBB at A Level including relevant subject(s).
  • DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
  • Merit overall from T level qualification.
  • A combination of qualifications including relevant subject(s) which may include AS levels or EPQ.

GCSE

  • English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
  • Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents*

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

  • Access to HE Diploma. Normally we require 15 of the level 3 credits to be graded at merit.

You also need to demonstrate an ability to

  •  study academic subjects at degree level
  •  debate topics and issues
  •  draw on conclusions from written material
  •  study independently as well as a member of a group
  • use computers and technology associated with contemporary teaching, learning and assessment methods
  • successfully complete a range of assignments including researched essays and practical examinations

This is normally achieved by completing academic study at level three or above in the last four years.

* GCSE English and mathematics equivalent

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent.

We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions or disabilities you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the course requirements and take part without disadvantage. You can contact our University student support staff and explore any issues you may have.

 

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Fees and funding

Home students

Tuition fees for 2026/27 are not yet confirmed. Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £18,000 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)

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Financial support for home/EU students

How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.

Learn more

Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Sport and Physical Activity (PDF, 269.2KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

Where will I study?

You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Collegiate campus

Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.

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Location

Collegiate Crescent
Sheffield
S10 2BP

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How do I apply?

Apply now via UCAS

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

Rated Gold in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and graduate outcomes

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Academy

Join more than 1,500 students at our nationally-renowned Academy of Sport and Physical Activity

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Facilities

Learn in cutting-edge sports facilities, including our £6m sports park and a satellite campus at the English Institute of Sport

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