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Sport Management MSc

1 year full-time, starting in September 2025

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Enhance your understanding of the business and policy aspects of the fast-evolving sports industry. You’ll explore private, public and voluntary organisations.

This course has been co-developed by our Department for Health and the School of Management, with a strong influence from industry partners from both. This gives you a mix of Bath’s sporting and business expertise, delivered with a real-world focus.

You'll cover the diverse theories and methods relevant to the sports industry. This will develop your ability to assess sports and exercise services and events, and respond to the challenges of this rapidly evolving industry.

Alongside this, you’ll study core management concepts and practices, with a focus on the types of business involved in sport and exercise provision.

You’ll cover key topics such as:

  • marketing and promotions
  • sponsorship
  • entrepreneurship and innovation
  • leadership
  • organisational culture
  • athlete management
  • policy and development
  • research design and analysis

Watch our webinar about this course

Consultancy projects

The consultancy project is an alternative to a dissertation. It’s your chance to work on a project with an external organisation, using the skills and knowledge you’ll gain during your studies.

As part of a group, you’ll conduct appropriate research, analyse data (if necessary) and share your solution as a written report and presentation.

You will benefit from our well-established business connections across the sports industry, both in the UK and overseas.

Students have previously completed their projects with:

  • Aurora For Training and Development
  • Bath Rugby Club
  • Bristol City Football Club
  • Juventus Academy, Shanghai, China
  • Kinetic Foundation
  • Nike (China)
  • Rugby Players Association (RPA)
  • SportWorks
  • UK Sport

Consultancy project numbers are limited each year. You’ll apply for a suitable project with one of our external partners and will receive support from us during this process. If a suitable project can’t be secured, you will complete a dissertation instead.

Please note: consultancy projects were previously named Practice Track projects.

Informed teaching to enhance your learning experience

You’ll learn from experts in sports policy and management, as well as staff in the wider Department for Health and School of Management. Their passion, knowledge and research shape their teaching to enhance your learning experience.

Gain important career skills

The course is designed for both recent graduates of sport or management undergraduate degrees, as well as current practitioners working within the sport, exercise or health sectors.

You’ll develop professional practical skills suited to current careers in the sports management industry, as well as key transferable skills relevant to other career paths and further study.

Graduate prospects

This course will prepare you for a variety of roles across the private, public, and voluntary sectors, such as:

  • sport development officer
  • sport administrator
  • sport agent
  • sport marketer
  • event manager
  • sport consultancy
  • sport entrepreneurship
  • outdoor activities or education manager

Graduates from this course have gone on to work for:

  • Scotland Triathlon
  • Team Bath
  • Royal Yachting Association
  • Theta (sportswear brand)

Others have also chosen to continue their academic study.

‘The knowledge and skills I gained from the Sport Management course will make it easier to look for a job here in China. I feel like I now have the confidence to seek out that dream job.’

Find out about Yuyang's experience studying MSc Sport Management

2025/26 Academic Year

Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 1 year. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2026. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Year 1

Semester 1

Compulsory units

  • Business management

    20 credits

  • Research methods

    10 credits

  • Sport leadership and athlete management

    5 credits

  • Sport marketing and promotional culture

    15 credits

Semester 2

Compulsory units

  • Business management

    Continued

  • Managing sport development

    10 credits

  • Research methods

    Continued

Summer

You’ll complete a dissertation or consultancy project.

Optional units

  • MSc Sport Management dissertation

    30 credits

  • Sport management consultancy project

    30 credits

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.

Learning

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials

Assessment

  • Dissertation
  • Essay
  • Oral presentation
  • Report

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

You are expected to spend approximately 35 hours per week studying, with around 8-10 hours of this being structured classes.

This will be made up of a combination of lectures, seminars, and workshops. You will work as an individual and as part of small groups.

Assessment breakdown

You will experience a balance of different forms of assessment designed to support your professional development. This will include essays, presentations, reports, and a dissertation.

We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities. Read our Disability Service’s pages for information.

Recognition of professional qualifications

As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

‘The Practice Track encouraged me to do this course. I feel like working within a company and getting some hands-on experience will make me more employable.’
— Mia Blazey MSc Sport Management (Graduating year, 2023)

Entry requirements

Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

You should have a bachelor's honours degree or international equivalent, typically a 2:1 or above.

To apply for this course you should have an undergraduate degree in any subject.

You will need to submit a personal statement when you apply which:

*provides evidence of how your academic, professional and personal experiences equip you to meet the demands of the course

*documents and expresses your reasons for wishing to study Sport Management at the University of Bath

*outlines your subsequent and future career intentions and aspirations

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
  • TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Sport Management MSc full-time

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees

See the most recent fees for postgraduate courses.

Extra costs

If you receive an offer, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of £1,000 when you accept to secure your place. This will be deducted from your tuition fee when you register.

If you choose the consultancy project option, you may need to budget for travel expenses and accommodation.

The course also offers field trips. You may be required to contribute towards these.

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying a postgraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. You do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.

Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement.

Application information

  • Course title
    Sport Management
  • Final award
    MSc
  • Mode of study
    Full-time
  • Course code
    TDUHL-MN01
  • Department
    Department for Health
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Home application deadline
    31 August 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full.

  • Overseas application deadline
    31 July 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full. We may consider late applications but if you need a Student Visa to study in the UK, you will need time to apply for and receive your visa to be in the UK by the start of the course.

  • Application eligibility
    Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply
  • Regulator
    The Office for Students (OfS)

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