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Qualify professionally for one of the most respected and in-demand roles in sport.
Sport business is a multi-billion-pound, competitive global industry, and it’s growing. The demand has never been higher for professionals with a grounding in strategy, commercial acumen and leadership skills.
If you’re an ex-player or sports management professional, we’ll give you the business skills to reach your...
2 years part-time
Kate“My journey on the course has been brilliant. Not only have I learnt about myself, but I’ve also developed an understanding of how business and sport function, as well as the role a Sport Director can play. I would recommend the course to anyone who would like to develop the knowledge and skills needed to manage a sport business successfully.”
MSD student and Professional Cricketer
The course blends best practice and insight from the worlds of sport and business.
Designed to fit around your existing work commitments, the MSD equips sports and business professionals with all the skills and practical experience needed to take their next career step with confidence.
This programme will take you through an interdisciplinary learning journey via engaging sessions that blend academic rigour and expert insight with practical tools and models that help a sporting director to deliver success.
Manchester Met Business School has top-level connections in the sports world and is perfectly positioned to bring fascinating and informative guest speakers to share their experiences with you throughout the course.
The course combines expert content delivery from the Business School teaching team with guest speakers who draw on their own specialist expertise of national and international business and sports community, in a workshop environment. This will include sharing best practice in the form of case studies in leadership, operations, team performance, innovation, change and governance.
When you graduate from the MSD you will become part of an elite alumni, with access to a network of sporting contacts. To view a selection of our current a former students, please visit our student page.
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Business School Impact System (BSIS)
EFMD Quality Improvement System
Whether you've already made your decision about what you want to study, or you're just considering whether postgraduate study is right for you, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about postgraduate student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.
It takes a special type of person to participate in the Master of Sport Directorship. We're looking for self-starters who possess a rare combination of skills, experience and ambition which provides the foundation for the role of Sports Director.
You may already be working in a sporting environment, for instance: in a medical, coaching, finance or marketing role, and looking for the next crucial step in your sporting career. The role of Sports Director is appealing because you recognise it's the way forward in the modern game.
Alternatively, you may already be in a business role and seeking to make the move into sport. If you are looking to use your business skills in a new way, the Master of Sport Directorship is ideally suited to help you adapt your talents.
In addition, this course offers ex-players and sports professionals currently in management a means to acquire the business skills needed to take the step into the position of Sports Director.
To view a selection of our current and former students, please visit our student page.
Part-time fee: £19,500. Year 1 £6,500, Year 2 £13,000. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Part-time fee: £23,000. Year 1 £7,668, Year 2 £15,336. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study). Self-funding international students will be eligible for our International PGT Scholarship worth £3,500 thus reducing the total fees payable to £19,500. This is offered as a discount off tuition fees with £1,167 deducted in year 1 and £2,333 deducted in year 2. See our International Scholarships page for more information including terms and conditions.
Optional estimate: £400
All of the books required for the course are available from the library. The University also has PC labs and a laptop loan service. However, many students choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop and up to £100 each year for books and printing.
We want to help you step up to the boardroom and prepare for the world of business. Working closely with the industry, we prepare students to think innovatively and manage people effectively.
After you graduate, you’ll be qualified for the position of Sporting Director. For many of our students, this means a promotion or a move into a more senior role within a sporting organisation.
The skills you develop will help you become a strategic leader in organisations that harbour human performance at the forefront of their company values.
There are many areas of sports that are looking for skilled directors to take their teams and businesses to the next level – from football and rugby, to athletics and F1.
MASTER OF SPORT DIRECTORSHIP (MSD)
Hear from Olivia and Dane as they reflect on their student journey on the Master of Sport Directorship.
If you're interested in finding out more about the course, please get in touch.
Applicants who meet the course entry requirements should email [email protected] to find out more about the course and how to apply.
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for
Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education
in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
framework can be found at
officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.