Program Overview

Sport Business Management - BA (Hons)

Overview

The global sports market is estimated to be worth over £400 billion and is growing at a significant rate year on year. Over the past decade there has been a huge increase of career opportunities in the global sport sector that require graduates with the skills, attributes and experience to thrive in such a dynamic industry.

What's covered in this course?

This undergraduate course will provide the academic expertise needed to help you develop an exciting professional future. Combining theory and practical application this course will draw heavily from practising sports leaders to cover multiple aspects such as technology and digital innovation, marketing, events, operations, analytics, and crisis & risk management. Internships, placements, project fieldwork and workshops will enable you to start a career the second you begin your university degree.

Professional Placement year

This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

Accredited By

This course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Why Choose Us?

• We have a strong focus on employability and through placement opportunities and our links with local businesses, we aim to ensure you graduate not only with your degree but also with the skills and knowledge needed to embark on your chosen career.
• The STEAMhouse offers amazing opportunities for entrepreneurial students to kick start and build a business. Services available include the Incubator which helps focus and solidify business ideas and the Hatchery which offers support in getting your business off the ground.
• We pride ourselves on being the University for Birmingham and supporting and giving something back to the local business community. We have strong links with local businesses in the city across several industries. These links help us enhance students’ experiences by giving them access to industry experts for guest lectures, exciting placement opportunities and other chances to engage with the business community as a whole.
• We aim to infuse learning with exposure to real-world experiences. We give students the chance to work on real-life projects using industry-standard software and with real-world clients where possible, offering a unique opportunity for students to gain this invaluable experience while they study.
• This course is accredited and meets the high standards of the Chartered Management Institute.

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

• Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points.
• Accelerate offer: 80 UCAS Tariff points.

GCSE and other level 2 requirements

This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications.

A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements

• A Level / AS Level: A Level: 112 UCAS Tariff points / BBC (or equivalent), AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels
• Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 112 UCAS Tariff points
• T Level: Merit overall
• Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3
• OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 112 UCAS Tariff points
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS Tariff points
• WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS Tariff points
• Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
• Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher: 112 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC)
• Welsh Baccalaureate: 112 UCAS Tariff points
• AAT Diploma in Accounting: 112 UCAS Tariff points
• IFS / LIBF in Financial Studies: 112 UCAS Tariff points

International qualifications

• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall.
• EU / International students: Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept.

Fees & How to Apply

UK students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study.
• The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2025
• Mode: Full Time/Part Time
• Duration: 3 Years/5 Years
• Fees: £9,535 in 2025/26 (Full Time), £1590 per 20 credits (Part Time)

International students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study.
• The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2025
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 3 Years
• Fees: £17,690 in 2025/26

Course in Depth

First Year

• Introduction to Sport Business Management (20 credits)
• Managing Teams (20 credits)
• Principles of Marketing (20 credits)
• Managing Events (20 credits)
• Developing your Personal Brand (20 credits)
• Finance for Managers (20 credits)

Second Year

• Big Data, Analytics and Innovation (20 credits)
• Personal Development as a Manager (20 credits)
• Managing Venues (20 credits)
• Culture and Consumer Behaviour in Sport Business (20 credits)
• Methods in Research and Project (20 credits)
• Marketing Communications Planning (20 credits)

Professional Placement (Optional)

• Professional Placement Year (120 credits)

Final Year

• Marketing Strategy and Leadership (20 credits)
• Strategic Management (20 credits)
• Global Sports Law, Policy and CSR (20 credits)
• Extended Business Research Project (40 credits)

Employability

Facilities & Staff

Our Facilities

• We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £400 million on new learning facilities.
• The Curzon Building
• The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms.
• The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector.
• The City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.

Our staff

• Peter Evans
• Dr Russell Cowley
• Dr Richard Oddy

Go Abroad

• Undergraduate students can apply to study on an exchange programme for one semester at one of our partner universities across the globe.
• The opportunity to apply will depend on which course you study.
• The majority of courses offer this in the second semester of your second year.
• You will obtain credits which are recognised by BCU.

Chartered Management Institute

• This course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
• This means that you can achieve the Level 5 CMI Certificate in Management and Leadership alongside your degree.
• The award is conditional on successfully completing the Honours degree programme in the appropriate module areas.