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BSc (Hons) Sport Business Management

Learn to succeed in the ever-expanding sport business. This course is for those who are passionate about sport and want to develop the management, business and leadership skills required for career success in sports-related businesses.

Crowd milling outside the Olympic Stadium in London

Develop your own network across a range of sports and business sectors

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Full-time Part-time

Entry requirements

Three A-levels at grades CCC or above

Or BTEC triple grades MMM or above

Or Access 23-45 D/M with min 6D

And GCSE English Language at grade 4 or grade C or above

Applicants with other qualifications and/or experience will be considered on an individual basis. A DBS check is required.

UCAS points 96

UCAS code SBM1

UCAS institution code P63

Duration Three years full-time or up to six years part-time

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Course Summary

Our BSc (Hons) Sport Business Management is unique in being the only degree in the country to have dual industry accreditation and endorsement from both the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

These accreditations recognise its excellence, both for careers in sport and the wider business sector. It is for those who are passionate about sport and want to develop the management, business and leadership skills required for career success in this expanding and varied sector.

Sport is a truly global and fast-moving industry. BSc (Hons) Sport Business Management reflects its diversity by focusing upon developing both your knowledge of the wider landscape and crucial employability skills. On this course, you'll examine fundamental business skills and apply them to the sports industry. These include management, leadership, strategy, marketing, human resources, finance, events, and entrepreneurship.

Our work with a range of local and regional partners will provide regular opportunities to put your learning into real-life practice. Opportunities include field trips, project development, the delivery of events, and an integrated year-long placement; you'll be developing a valuable network of industry contacts whilst you study and learn.

Why this course at Marjon?

High quality research-led teaching by expert tutors from both our Schools of Business and Sport

We work with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport & Physical Activity (CIMSPA) giving students opportunities with businesses and sports organisations and build their contacts

We work with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) giving students connections to industry experts

Strong industry connections create opportunities for innovative, real-life project working and assessments

Enrichment activities such as field trips and delivering events for professional and public organisations

We develop opportunities for all people through inclusive practice in sport and business, with equality of opportunity regardless of background

Modules for this course

Course Snapshot

“ During the first year you will learn the principles of business management within the sports industry. You will also learn about people management, finance and marketing in business. The second year teaches you the skills around sport events management, sport governance and innovation in sport. In the third year you will learn about sport development and how strategic management applies to the sports industry. You’ll also engage with employability in sport and learn how to further enhance your CV for your future career.”
Phil Brown - Course Leader

1st Year

Introduction to sport business management

Explore your personal and professional aspirations and engage in development planning to achieve these. We'll look at where you want to be when you graduate and how to get you there and get you up-to-speed with academic and study skills to enable you to hit the ground running.

Foundations in sport development

You’ll explore sport development from community to elite level, learning how sport and football contribute to wider society issues, such as inclusion, health and physical activity. You'll gain a Street Games Activator qualification and visit the London Olympic Park.

Introduction to accounting and finance

You will identify the main users of financial information, the characteristics that make accounting useful and examine how businesses are structured.

Introduction to people management

A broad overview of human resource management developing your knowledge of human resource management processes and practices, for example, recruitment selection, performance management and training and development. You will also develop a range of skills including team working, conflict resolution and leadership.

Introduction to the management of sport

We'll explain the principles of business management as applied to the sport industry. As the sport sector continues to grow as do the requirements to manage so you'll study the operation of sport organisations spanning marketing, accounting and economics, communications and public relations, human resources, performance and strategic and event management.

Organisations in sport, physical activity and physical education

Learn about the main organisations that shape the sport delivery system in UK and international sport. You'll explore the blurring boundaries of public, profit and non-profit sectors and the need to create partnerships.

2nd Year

Sport marketing

We'll explain the principles of marketing as applied to the sport industry. The focus is on creating demand for sport, market segmentation techniques, sponsorship, licensing and marketing for sport participation.

Engaging in employability: sport business managment

You’ll spend up to 100 hours working in the sports industry. You can shape the placement to meet your area of interest. This is an excellent module to build your professional network and explore career ideas.

Event management in sport and physical activity

You'll learn the skills for sports event management considering small scale, major, and mega events. To get hands on experience you'll manage two small scale events, one with the Plymouth Schools Partnership and another where small groups of students will form event teams and work in partnership with an industry client to deliver a sports event.

Research and critical enquiry in sport

You will develop your academic and applied research and evaluation skills. This will be developed through small case study projects. You'll develop research skills to ready you for your research project in the third year.

People management for enterprise

You'll learn how business owners confidently manage their employees and what makes a creative and productive workforce. Work in teams to discover your most effective working styles and explore people management structures.

Accounting and finance for enterprise

You'll explore how accounting and finance procedures differ for small to medium sized businesses. What sources of funding might be available for your business ideas and how can you access them?

3rd Year

Honours project

You will select a topic you are interested in that relates to your Sport Business Management degree and develop and execute a project as agreed with your tutor. You are expected to source and synthesize relevant academic literature and apply relevant theoretical concepts. You may collect primary data, and you will interpret and analyse key findings. You will share your project via a written report and presentation.

Business reality

Put all of the theory examined on the course into practice through either setting up and running your own business for the semester or undertaking a placement with an employer. You will hone your presentation skills through delivering a pitch to a panel of local business people about your business ideas.

Strategic sport development

Explore the principles of strategic management as applied to the sport industry. Focus on the strategic analysis of the sport business environment, strategy formulation and implementation for sport organisations.

Leadership, management and mentoring in sport

You'll explore effective leadership in sport and develop your own leadership practice. You'll learn and apply a variety of perspectives on leadership theory, understanding of what makes a good leader across a number of contexts. Gain a critical understanding of the links between individual characteristics, leadership styles, and organisational performance.

Graduate employability in sport

We work with industry partners to take you through the recruitment journey, from reviewing job adverts, to enhancing your CV, and to job interviews with industry employers. You'll leave us feeling career-rea

Reflective business portfolio

You'll reflect on your learning journey on the degree and produce a business portfolio that details your achievements so far, which is a useful addition to your CV. Identify your skills portfolio and provide evidence of your knowledge and understanding.

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This course is perfect if you’re curious about

How can sport participation be increased?

Under what conditions is sport a good investment for the government?

What are the legacies of mega-events such as the Olympic Games or smaller community events?

How has sport become a global business?

What is the role of sport business in local communities?

How can persistent problems such as doping, violence and corruption be addressed by sports governance agencies?

What might you become?

Career options include, business development manager, events and facilities manager, sports agency, marketing officer, as well as wider sports management and administration roles. You'll develop leadership and management skills which are highly transferable across the sports industry and beyond.

You could develop and run your own business. You can develop your own business ideas through entrepreneurship modules with the support of Marjon Business School and through industry contacts.

In association with:

Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport & Physical Activity (CIMSPA)

CIMSPA have certified that this course meets the professional standards set by employers in the physical activity and fitness sector.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

CMI is the leading body in the UK for leadership and management. You'll earn their Level 5 qualification in Management and Leadership alongside your degree, at no extra cost to you and requiring no additional assessments.

How you’ll be taught and assessed?

How will you be taught?

Includes lectures, seminars, practical activities, tutorials and workshops. You'll be taught by expert tutors from both the School of Sport, Health and Wellbeing and Marjon Business School.

How will you be assessed?

Includes essays, reports, presentations and assessed practical activities within industry settings.

Dr Phil Brown

Course leader

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Phil has over 20 years’ experience working in the sports industry. He has led a number of community and school based sports development projects as well as a national free swimming pilot for Sport England and the NHS. Phil has an excellent network within the sports industry. Phil supports the UK Sport Development Network (UKSDN) and works locally with Active Devon, Plymouth YMCA, Plymouth City Council Sports Development Unit, Plymouth Argyle Community Trust, Devon FA, and Plymouth Schools Sport Partnership.

Fees and funding

Fees UK students: £9,250 per annum

Fees for International students: £12,500 per annum

This fee covers your tuition and access to course-specific equipment and facilities, as well associated services including access to the library, study skills support, IT support, student support and wellbeing services and membership of the Student Union. There may be additional costs by course.