Everything you need to know...
-
What is the fee?
Home: £11,940 for the course
International/EU: £20,700 for the course -
How long will I study?
1 Year
-
Where will I study?
-
When do I start?
September 2026
January 2027
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Course summary
- Study industry-integrated modules in state-of-the-art sport facilities.
- Learn from experts with academic, industry, consultancy and research experience.
- Work on global live briefs, consultancy projects and real-world industry challenges.
- Build your profile through a 12-week project with leading sports organisations.
- Expand your global job prospects through our large LinkedIn community.
You’ll explore the principles of sport business management and how they apply in global contexts. You’ll learn by working with world-class sport organisations while developing the contacts, insights and skills valued across the sport industry. Alongside the credentials and experiences to succeed internationally in a fast-paced industry, you’ll gain the networking opportunities and a strong LinkedIn community to help you further your career.
Accredited by
This course has been awarded 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).
Student satisfaction
This course scored 93% for overall student satisfaction in the Postgraduate Taught Student Satisfaction Survey 2025.
How you learn
On this International Sport Business Management degree, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of the global sports industry while developing the practical skills employers look for. Working on live briefs and real business challenges, you’ll apply theory to practice while creating innovative solutions for major sports organisations. This hands-on experience helps you build the confidence and professional edge to thrive in today’s fast-paced international sport business environment.
You’ll join interactive lectures and practical seminars while applying your knowledge to real-world case studies. Through independent learning you’ll also build your research, critical thinking and communication skills. This blended approach equips you with both the theoretical grounding and the applied experience you’ll need for a successful career.
You learn through:
- interactive lectures
- hands-on seminars
- workshops and group tasks
- research and consultancy projects with major clients
- data and financial analysis
- global industry experience
- independent learning
- our alumni connections
Key themes
You’ll explore the ways sports organisations position themselves in an increasingly global marketplace, using international strategies and marketing to create powerful identities across cultures. With a deeper understanding of why consumers make buying decisions within team sport and the wider sport industry, you’ll learn to tailor experiences that resonate across global audiences. While navigating financial decisions, international growth and partnerships, you’ll elevate customer experiences using data, social platforms and emerging technologies.
The course is strongly focused on work-based learning, leadership, organisational development, sports research and consultancy. Through insight-led decision-making and personal reflection, you’ll learn to cultivate purpose-driven leadership that inspires high performing teams. You’ll balance organisational growth strategies with emotional intelligence and inclusivity – creating environments where athletes, staff and communities thrive.
While gaining valuable experience with our real-world organisations, you’ll build your employability throughout the course. You’ll refine skills at all levels – from data analysis, presentations and report writing to financial decision-making and ethical leadership – preparing you for a successful career in global sports business.
Course support
You’ll experience a range of dedicated support throughout your learning journey, such as:
- specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development
- our Skills Centre with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources to help you to plan and structure your assignments
Leah was one of a group of Sheffield Hallam students who worked at major sporting event, the World Seniors Snooker Championship.
“A personal highlight was when I could hear what was going on behind the scenes and the director giving orders through my earpiece, when the rest of the room was silent during the snooker game. The skills I learned will be crucial for my future career.”
Leah Steel, MSc Sport Business Management
Applied learning
Work-Based Learning Project in Sport
You’ll have the opportunity to complete a 12-week, work-based learning project, receiving support and advice from a mentor in a sport organisation, as well as a member of academic staff. We’ll use our network of local, regional, national and international employers to help you find and secure a challenging and fulfilling experience.
Recent project partners include Formula E, Virtus Sport, SBD, Paris Saint-Germain, Kitlocker, Fallon & Wolf and Courtside.
As part of this project, you’re also able to develop your own sport business by enhancing your entrepreneurial skills.
Live projects
Throughout your modules, you’ll have opportunities to develop industry-based projects and coursework. You’ll also be able to develop your network and build on your consultancy skills through a live project with a sport organisation.
Networking opportunities
The course has plenty of chances to build your network – with superb industry ties and opportunities for work placements and research projects. We also have an established and strong graduate network on LinkedIn, which you’ll gain access to once you join the course.
Field trips
You’ll have the chance to take part in national and international field trips that expand both your expertise in sport business management and your global network. These experiences allow you to apply your learning in real-world settings – connecting with industry professionals and gaining insights from some of the world’s most exciting sporting events.
Recent trips have included the Madrid Weekender with Events GB, visits to Atlético de Madrid and the Madrid Tennis Open, as well as a trip to Sheffield United Women’s Football Club.
Course leaders and tutors
Ricardo De Sousa
Senior Lecturer in Sport Business Management, Course Leader of MSc Sport Business ManagementStaff profile for Ricardo De Sousa at Sheffield Hallam University
Student success story
Former MSc Sports Business Management student and current Hallam academic Luke Williams worked as part of the press team at the Paris Olympic Games, helping to bring the big moments to a global audience.
“Hallam students get opportunities to work at some of the biggest sporting events all over the world. Previous students have worked at the London Olympics 2012, Sochi Winter Olympics 2014, Rugby World Cup England 2015, Gold Coast 2018, the Champions League Final, Commonwealth Games 2022 and lots more."
Modules studied may differ depending on when you start your course.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course 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 course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Modules studied may differ depending on when you start your course.
Final year
Compulsory modules
This module will develop your understanding of the economic and financial concepts applied to the global sport industry, enabling you to make well informed management decisions within the sport industry. You will learn a variety of topics, concepts, theories and methods including: the mixed economy, determinants of demand, supply and pricing, economic impact of sport events, sources of revenue and costs in sport, analysis and interpretation of financial statements, capital investment appraisal, financial forecasting.
This module develops your knowledge and skills of strategic leadership for international sport organisations. You will explore topics such as corporate strategy, consumer behaviour, the media, marketing, strategic sport event planning, situational analysis and resource and capabilities assessments. This modules prepare you for a career in international strategy and marketing in the global sports industry.
This module develops your leadership and management skills as a professional in working environments influenced by factors such as organisational culture, development and behaviour. Through this module you will learn about management and leadership, organisational behaviour and development, change management, managing diversity, business excellence frameworks and personal and professional development planning. This module provides you with the theoretical and practical knowledge needed as a leader in the global sports industry.
This module develops the knowledge and skills needed to undertake applied research in sport business management and explores a range of professional, contemporary and academic concepts, including research in the sport management context, project planning and management business analytics, data collection, analysis, interpretation and visualisation, and group dynamics. By successfully completing this module, you will develop the skills and competency to deliver consultancy projects in sport and physical activity.
Through this module, you will have the opportunity to work for a sport organisation and complete a piece of independent work that meets the needs of an industry partner, under the guidance of an expert supervisor and workplace mentor.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- business development
- marketing operations
- football operations
- operations executive roles
- commercial partnerships activation
- major sport event management
- international sports strategy
- sport entrepreneurship
- sports entertainment
- higher education academia and research
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- Formula 1 and Formula E
- Derbyshire FA
- Women’s Super League (WSL)
- GB Boxing
- Arsenal Football Club
- Adidas
- Bristol Bears Rugby
- Nielsen
- SportsPro
- World Rugby
- England Athletics
- England Cricket Board (ECB)
- Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club
- Silverstone
Equipment and facilities
You’ll work with world-class digital resources and databases to support your learning, including access to sport-specific case studies developed by academic colleagues around the world.
You’ll join more than 1,500 students at our nationally renowned School of Sport and Physical Activity, learning in cutting-edge facilities such as our £6m sports park and a satellite campus at the English Institute of Sport.
You’ll also get to use an array of study facilities including the Collegiate Campus Library.
360 tour - sports facilities
Learn more about your department
Find out about sports and physical activity at Sheffield Hallam University.
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.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEntry requirements
All students
Applicants should normally have a minimum of a second class honours degree (2.2)
If you do not hold a degree, we may be able to consider you with professional or CPD qualifications, or significant relevant real-world experience. These will be considered on an individual basis.
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
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £11,940 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
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 £20,700 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
Scholarships and financial support
Find information on scholarships, bursaries and postgraduate student loans.
International scholarships up to £3000 ›
Alumni scholarships up to £2000 ›
Postgraduate loans for UK students ›
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.
