MSc in Sport Business, Management and Policy

From clothing and memorabilia to sponsorship deals and media rights, the sports industry is a booming market. As the sector expands, new commercial opportunities are opening globally for those with the drive, passion and knowledge to succeed.

Our Global Online sports management master’s programme is one of only a few management programmes taught by a UK institution which focuses solely on sports.

With content that’s grounded in the real world of sport, you will benefit from the experience of some of the sectors biggest brands, including Sport England and FIFA. Over the course of the programme, leading academics will help you to develop the expertise that sports organisations require - from sport policy and sports marketing to data analytics. Unlike other courses in the country, you will also explore areas such as politics, finance and law to understand how they apply to the sports industry and give you the confidence you need to take your career to the next level.

Global Online has been designed to make studying and balancing other commitments as straightforward as possible, from our easy three-step enrolment process to flexible fee payment. You will have the freedom to study wherever and whenever - all you need is a laptop and an internet connection. You will also be accompanied by a cohort of similarly determined peers from across the world, from various different backgrounds, keen to share their knowledge and experience and root not only for their success - but yours too.

• Learn from some of sports' biggest brands: Benefit from the knowledge of an Advisory Board that’s made up of professionals from Sport England, the Football Foundation and more. Members not only support academics with the design of course content, they regularly deliver guest lectures too. Our research-active academics also hold strong connections with UK Sport, FIFA, the International Olympic Committee, Rugby Football Union, the organising committee for the Qatar 2022 World Cup and more. They’ll help you to develop the knowledge and skills highly sought after by industry employers.
  
  
• Hone your management skills at a globally accredited institution: this postgraduate sports programme is delivered by Manchester Metropolitan Business School, which is placed among the world’s elite according to AACSB for its degree programmes, research, business engagement and innovation. This will help to distinguish you from the competition when it comes to your next career move.
  
  
• Study your way: From an easy application process, the opportunity to begin your studies at three different entry points in the year and the choice to pay per unit you study, we’re here to do everything we can to help you achieve your goals without taking a career break. Our Virtual Learning Environment has been expertly designed to help you study when and where it suits you best.
  
  
• Grow your worldwide professional network: Whether it’s through our optional annual Executive Conference or live online seminars with tutors and peers, you will regularly collaborate with other students around the globe, making invaluable industry connections that can open doors now or in the future.

• Be supported every step of the way: We pride ourselves on our students’ study experience. As a Global Online student, you will be assigned a dedicated Student Success Advisor who’ll be there to cheer you on from the sidelines and help you to get the most from your time with us.

Our online master’s in Sport Business, Management and Policy is designed to work around your work and life commitments. It can be completed within two years at a pace that suits you, with a recommended study week of up to 15 hours.

You’ll study in a Virtual Learning Environment that has been designed with the latest pedagogical research at its heart. It will encourage you to develop independent thought, reflect on your own work and engage with your fellow students across the globe. You will enjoy a programme of highly interactive live online seminars and presentations, have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of group tasks that are aimed at developing your transferable skills and receive personalised feedback from your tutors, all at a time that suits you best.

There are three intakes annually for this course, with programmes starting in January, May and September.

Typical units of study may include*:

• Critical Perspectives in Entrepreneurship (15 credits)
• Sport Policy and Politics (15 credits)
• Sport Events Management (15 credits)
• Business Analytics (15 credits)
• Sport Marketing (15 credits)
• Sport Business Management (15 credits)
• International Strategic Management (15 credits)
• Sport Law (15 credits)
• Research Methods for Sport (15 credits)
• Critical Literature Review (15 credits)

Research Project (30 credits)

The credits are earned with a research project, giving you the opportunity to demonstrate all you have learned during the course. You may also have the chance to conduct a piece of real-word research in collaboration with a professional sports organisation.

^{*Please note, these modules and their timings may be subject to change.}

All programme units are designed and taught by academics who have a wealth of experience in the sports business and management industry.

Your programme leads are:

Professor Jonathan Grix

Jonathan is a global leader in the field of Sports Policy and Politics and, as Professor in Sports Policy, he leads the Social Science study of Sport at Man Met. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles in the areas of Sports Governance, Sport Politics and Policy, and his latest research monographs include: ‘Sport under Communism. Behind the East German “Miracle”’ (co-authored with Mike Dennis, Palgrave, 2012) and ‘Sport Politics: An Introduction (Palgrave, 2016)’.

Jonathan has also written a popular book on the foundations of research, which has been used by thousands of students to undertake their projects (3rd edition, 2018) and he is the Chair of the Political Studies Association’s Specialist Group, Sport Politics, and the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics.

Dr Nicolas Scelles

Dr Scelles achieved his PhD in Sports Economics from the Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Caen, France in 2009. His research focuses on the economics of professional football, with his expertise more specifically looking at competitive balance and intensity.

He has also achieved a Master of Research in Sports Economics (2006); Master of Science in Sport Management (2005) and a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a speciality in Business Management (2004).

He has published extensively in international academic journals and is regularly invited as a speaker at international conferences.

With our flexible payment options, regional subsidies and discounts, we have made paying for your course, and your professional development, as easy as possible.

We offer you the option to pay unit by unit, pay the full fees upfront or pay via a sponsor. No matter what payment option you choose, we accept payment online in any currency via our secure portal, Flywire.

To be eligible for this course, you will need to have:

• A good UK honours degree (minimum 2:2) or an international equivalent in a related subject

OR

• Proven significant professional experience (3 years or more) and/or qualifications in a relevant field.

English language requirements: 

Applicants whose first language is not English (and whose first degree was not taught in English) are required to produce evidence of English language proficiency. We provide a FREE Pearson English test to all applicants if required.

Read more about our English requirements.

If you’re applying with non-UK qualifications, you can find further information for international students on our international website.

Unit fee: £1,083*

Programme fee: £13,000

We are currently offering a 10% Early Bird Discount to eligible professionals joining this programme.

Apply and pay your first installment by 29 March for May intake. To find out if you are eligible, please contact our enrollment team.

We offer a subsidised fee to students from certain countries:  

Unit fee: £916*

Programme fee: £11,000

Click here to see the full list of eligible countries.

*Fee based on 15 credits per unit  

For more information on our payment structures and financing your degree, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.