Study
Postgraduate
MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy

MSc

Sport Business, Management and Policy

Home to two premiership football teams, the nation’s oldest cricket ground and a renowned velodrome, there’s no better place to study sport business than Manchester.

Course overview

Sport is part of Manchester’s DNA. It’s a big feature of the city’s history, character and economy – it’s also a big part of Manchester Met.

As one of few management courses in the UK focusing solely on sports, we cover topics including sport policy, marketing and business management. Unlike other courses in the country, you’ll also explore areas such as politics, finance and law to understand how they apply to the sports industry.

The latest developments in sport

Everything you learn on this course has been designed in conjunction with our networks within the sports industry. All of our teaching is research-led. The majority of our staff are internationally renowned for their research in sports policy, law, politics, marketing and more. Our tea...

What you need to know

When does the course start?
What is the length of the course?
1 year full-time

2 years part-time
Where will I study this course?
Manchester

Features and benefits

“Studying at Manchester Met has had a massive impact on my personal and professional life. It has equipped me with the skills and attributes to excel in the current jobs market.”
Rituraj
MSc Sport Business Management and Policy

Course information

We want to produce the next generation of sports management professionals. Our course is tailored towards providing you with the knowledge and skills highly sought after by industry employers. Your teaching team include internationally renowned researchers in sport policy, sports law, sports politics, sports marketing and sports business and management – and this expertise feeds into your learning.

We work closely with key industry organisations across the globe, including the likes of UK Sport, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA, as well as the local organising committees of the London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Furthermore, the University maintains strong links to high profile sports clubs and bodies, such as Manchester United FC and Manchester City FC, the National Football Museum, and the English Institute of Sport.

You'll also be joining the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, a large and diverse sporting community that gives you the springboard you need to launch your career.

Rise with Manchester Met

Rise is a programme available to all students at Manchester Met giving you the opportunity to earn practice credits on your degree through employment-enhancing activities. During your studies you can collect points for the activities you engage in and if you engage in enough activity you could receive recognition on your degree transcript.

Postgraduate students can get involved in activities such as project work, workshops, volunteering and certifications. For example, you could gain certifications with the likes of Microsoft, Adobe and the Project Management Institute free of charge. Not only are these fantastic to have on your CV but they are also transferable to a wide range of careers.

All Rise activities are organised according to themes of Digital Capabilities, Self-Effectiveness, Sustainability, Internationalisation, Enterprise and Civics. Completing a number of activities within a certain theme will also earn you micro-accreditations in the form of Digital Badges.

To find out more about what Rise has to offer, visit their website.

Accreditations, awards and endorsements

accreditation

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

The Business School is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This means we are internationally recognised for meeting global standards of excellence in business and management education.

endorsement

Business School Impact System (BSIS)

The BSIS scheme is designed to determine the extent and nature of a business school’s impact upon its local environment. BSIS has given us the tools to capture the enormous added value and impact that our business school brings to businesses and communities.

accreditation

EFMD Quality Improvement System

Our Business School holds the EQUIS accreditation – a leading international system of quality assessment, improvement and accreditation of higher education institutions in management and business administration. By attending an EQUIS accredited institution, students can be confident they are part of a high quality institution.

You’ll study several core units, covering topics such as sport policy and politics, sport marketing and sport business and management. From there you’ll complete your dissertation.

In addition to your core units, you’ll also study international business and emerging markets and sport law as option units. Whilst studying these units is compulsory, the credit-weighting of the units can be substituted for credits gained on the Rise programme in your final transcript.

Please note: The order in which you complete these units will depend on which date you select to start the course (September or January).

Core modules

Sports Marketing

This module explores the two main strands of sports marketing: i) the marketing of sport at both professional and grassroots levels; and ii) marketing through sport, including the use of sports sponsorship as a vehicle for building brands.

Policy and Management of Sports Events

This module encompasses the field of sport policy and management, focusing in particular on the planning, organisation, staging and legacy of sports events.

Sport Policy and Politics

This module encompasses the field of the politics of sports, government involvement in sport and the various sport policies developed and delivered by governments.

International Strategic Management

This module will focus on the application of international business strategy and management theories to the international activities of firms within the global context. The module provides an introduction to key concepts in international business strategy, and explores the connection between international management, multinational strategy, corporate social responsibility, global value chains, strategic alliances, networks, and sustainable development.

Research Methods

This module provides an understanding of the main methodologies used in research. It also provides an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses associated with different research techniques, and the production, meaning and use of data. This module will lead to the development of a research plan and proposal (research problem and methodology) for the dissertation research project.

Sport Business and Management

This module encompasses the field of sport business and management, focusing on and applying mainstream business and management concepts and approaches to the study of sport.

Dissertation Sports

In this module, students are expected to identify, structure, frame and investigate a complex managerial or business issue and produce a substantial written document of their achievements and conclusions.

Option modules

International Business and Emerging Markets

This module examines theoretical aspects of growth and development in order to address how markets emerge. The module will consider the economic development and business environment of selected markets.

Sport Law

This module encompasses the field of sports law, focusing on the impact of domestic, European and transnational laws and legal norms on the playing, governance and consumption of sports and sporting events.

Study and assessment breakdown

Ten credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A masters qualification typically comprises of 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits and an MFA 300 credits. The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning, but it could be:

Study

Full-time 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 80% independent study
Part-time 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 80% independent study

Assessment

Full-time 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination
Part-time 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination

Meet us

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:

Meet us

Taught by experts

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.

Meet your tutors Discover your department

Entry requirements

You'll need a UK honours degree — at least a 2:2 — or international equivalent.

Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification. Accepted English qualifications can be viewed here.

Fees and funding

UK and Channel Island students

Full-time fee: £10,750 per year. 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: £1792 per 30 credits studied. The fee per credit will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (eg no repeat years or breaks in study). The total amount you pay each year may differ based on the number of credits studied.

EU and Non-EU International students

Full-time fee: £22,500 per year. 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: £3750 per 30 credits studied. The fee per credit will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (eg no repeat years or breaks in study). The total amount you pay each year may differ based on the number of credits studied.

Additional information

A masters qualification typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits, and an MFA 300 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of study provided the course is completed in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Additional costs

other costs

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.

Career prospects

We’ve designed this course in conjunction with our networks within the sports industry, to ensure students graduate with the practical skills and knowledge highly sought-after by leading sports employers.

We want to help you understand the complex nature of business and policy to help you achieve employment in your ideal area. Alongside the core subjects that you study, you’ll also gain vital research skills that will be of value to employers.

By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply for roles in a variety of sport business and management, policy and governance specialisms - in the public and private sectors, both in the UK and beyond.

Our careers services

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How to apply

Please contact our course enquiries team.

The application submission deadlines for September 2024 entry are:

International students: Monday 22nd July 2024

UK or Home/ Channel Islands/ IOM students: Applications remain open - deadline to be confirmed

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.

Manchester is your city, be part of it

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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.