Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £11,940 for the course
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How long will I study?
2 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2026
Course summary
- Gain knowledge and leadership training tailored for the sports sector.
- Work with world-class sports organisations on live industry-based projects.
- Understand the international scope of sports, preparing for opportunities worldwide.
- Learn from industry experts with extensive research and consultancy experience.
- Gain the connections, skills and credentials to make an impact in sports business.
On this course you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of sports management, from global strategies to marketing, finance, leadership and consultancy. Through hands-on experience, industry-based projects and expert guidance, you'll develop your practical skills and industry connections, preparing you to excel in professional sports business.
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.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
This course provides the theoretical, philosophical and practical underpinnings of sport business management. You’ll also gain a better understanding of the role and function of sport business management graduates – in both the sport and physical activity sector, and the working world at large.
You learn through:
- Lectures, seminars and workshops
- Our virtual learning environment
- Work-based learning experiences, such as placements and field trips
- Practical activities in both simulated and in-situ environments
- Research and industry-relevant projects
Course topics
On this course you’ll improve your employability skills while developing specialist knowledge of the global sports industry. You’ll learn to identify and implement creative solutions for major clients – gaining practical experience through optional industry placements and a sound theoretical grounding from our industry experts.
Key topics you’ll explore include global strategy, marketing, finance, leadership, and management and consultancy.
Course support
- Our high ratio of staff to students means you’ll always be able to receive the support you need on your learning journey. You’ll be supported towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include:
- Access to our student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development.
- Access to our Skills Centre for support with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments and assessment preparation.
- Support and guidance from your course and module leaders, and you’ll have a named academic adviser and employability advisers.
- Access to our central services such as counselling, Library and IT services.
Applied learning
Work placement
You’ll have the opportunity to complete a 12-week work project, receiving support and advice from a mentor in a client 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 a challenging and fulfilling experience.
Recent placements have included Formula 1, Gfinity, the International Olympic Committee, Virtus, FutbolJobs, Sheffield United FC and Sheffield Wednesday FC.
Live projects
You’ll engage in live, industry-based research projects where you work directly with sports organisations – addressing real-world challenges and exploring potential market opportunities. These projects are integral to developing industry-relevant skills, providing practical experience that complements your academic learning.
Field trips
Trips are an important way to support our approach to applied learning. These visits and activities help you see how your learning is applied to real-world situations, and provide an insight into working practice.
Networking opportunities
Your employability is enhanced by the involvement of employers and our industry partners – from the real-world projects you complete to the opportunities to build networks with our industry partners, careers fairs and workshops.
Specialist industry experts deliver guest lectures, sharing context-specific examples of the knowledge, skills and behaviours you’ll need. Furthermore, our ties to various sporting organisations and facilities – both locally and nationally – provide excellent opportunities to gain industry connections as you prepare for your career.
We also have an established and strong graduate network on LinkedIn, which you’ll gain access to once you join the course.
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
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.
Year 1
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.
Final year
Compulsory modules
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:
- Regional, national and international sporting bodies
- Local authority and voluntary sector sport
- Sporting clubs and leagues
- Major venues and facilities
- Event management organisations
- Sports consultancies
- Player-agent organisations
- Sponsorship procurement
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- Arsenal FC
- Formula 1
- The International Paralympic Committee
- Leaders in Sport
- Premier League
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
This course is not open to international students who require a student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a student visa, email our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2026/27 is £11,940 for the course. For part time study the fee will be calculated pro rata each year based on the number of credits studied (£995 for 15 credits or £1,990 for 30 credits).
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.
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.
