MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy

Overview The Essential information

Gain a competitive edge with our online masters in Sport Management

Taught online from a city with sport in its DNA, our MSc Sport Business Management and Policy course prepares students to meet the demands of this dynamic industry.  

Delivered from our triple accredited Business School (AMBA, EQUIS, AACSB) and designed in conjunction with leading sports bodies you will graduate with the contemporary insights and specialist skills employers need.  

Better still, our online Sports Management masters attracts sport professionals from around the world, helping you build your global network alongside as your expertise. 

Start your application
  • Type
    MSc online
  • Start dates
    January, March, May, July, September and November
  • Length
    2 years part-time
  • Cost per unit
    £930* (Total £11,160)
  • Typical entry requirements
    A UK honours degree (2:2 or above) or an international equivalent, in a related subject OR significant relevant management experience (3 years or more) and/or qualifications in a relevant field

Units Your curriculum topics

Units may typically include:

  • Critical Reading, Writing and Literature Research (15 credits)
  • Sport Policy and Politics (15 credits) 
  • Sport Events Management (15 credits) 
  • Business Analytics (15 credits) 
  • Sports Marketing (15 credits) 
  • Sport Business and Management (15 credits) 
  • International Strategic Management (15 credits) 
  • Sport Law (15 credits) 
  • Critical Perspectives in Entrepreneurship (15 credits) 
  • Methodological Approaches to Research (15 credits) 

Professional Project (30 credits)

This unit requires students to conduct an in-depth research project, giving you the opportunity to demonstrate all you have learned during the online Sports Management masters. You may also have the chance to conduct a piece of real-world research in collaboration with a professional sports organisation.   

Full details of the content within each unit can be found on the MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy unit page. 

APPLY NOW

Entry requirements

To enrol in the course, you will need the following:

  • A UK honours degree (2:2 minimum) or an international equivalent
  • OR significant relevant management experience (3 years or more) and/or qualifications in a relevant field

These typical entry requirements apply to the 2022/23 academic year (1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023) of entry and may be subject to change for the 2023/24 academic year (1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024). Please check back on the website for further details or contact an enrolment advisor on +44 (0)161 880 4721. 

English language requirements: 

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to produce evidence of English language proficiency.

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.

We provide a FREE Pearson English test to all applicants, if required, which can be requested from your enrolment advisor during the application process.

APPLY NOW

Fees and funding Fees and funding

Fees

With our flexible payment options, we have made paying for the masters in Sports Management –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 all usual online payment methods in any currency via our highly secure Flywire payment portal.

Fees for 2022/23 academic year of entry (1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023): 

Unit fee: £930*  

Course fee: £11,160 

Fees for 2023/24 academic year of entry: 

Tuition fees for the 2023/24 academic year of entry (1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024) are still being finalised, please check back on the website for further details or contact an enrolment advisor on +44 (0)161 880 4721. 

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

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).

*Fee based on 15 credits per unit

APPLY NOW

Make an enquiry

Fill in your details below and a member of the team will be in touch
Phone Number *
Calls may be recorded for quality and training purposes.
Your details will be used to supply the information you requested and in accordance with our Privacy Policy which you can see at the bottom of the page.


MSc 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 masters course is one of only a few management programmes taught by a UK institution which focuses solely on sports.

It has been designed in conjunction with our Sports Advisory Board to give you the skills that top employers need. Whether you’re already building your career in sport management or you’re looking to break into the sector, you’ll benefit from the experience of some of the sector’s most well-respected bodies, including Sport England and the Football Foundation.

Over the course of the masters in Sport Management programme, leading academics from our triple accredited business school will help you to develop the expertise that sports organisations require – from events management and sports marketing to data analytics – without needing to travel to study. And unlike other courses from the UK, you will also explore areas such as policy, 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.

Delivered by Manchester Metropolitan’s triple accredited Business School (EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB), the course has flexibility and student support at its heart, giving you the freedom to balance study with your existing work, life and family commitments.

APPLY NOW

Who is the masters in Sport Management for?

Career enhancers

If you want to advance your career in sports management, this course will give you the data analysis, marketing and strategic management skills you need. Designed in conjunction with Man Met’s Sports Advisory Board, our leading academics will help you find your competitive edge and enhance your potential without needing a career break.

Sports leaders

Build on your enthusiasm for sports business management by developing your managerial and leadership abilities. You’ll enhance your career prospects as you gain a recognised qualification from a top business school. Learn to lead the organisations forward and discover various aspects of sport, including the intricates of policy, politics, finance and law.

Career changers

Open new doors to a career in sports business by developing the skills the industry needs. Learn how to utilise your transferable skills and take your passion for sport in a new direction. From sport events management to business analytics, explore the varied aspects of the sports landscape as you decide your career path.

Download our brochure

Online Sports Management masters career prospects

The sports industry holds huge potential. From sporting events to corporate sponsorship deals, it is a never-ending area of opportunity that is continuously growing.

Whether you work for or wish to enter the sports industry, the need to keep up with emerging markets, the depth of data analysis, the media landscape and cultural movements is vital for a successful career in sport.

During our online Sports Management masters, you will cover a wealth of topics, including sports event management, sports law and business analytics. Helping you excel in a career as a Sports Marketer, Facilities Operations Manager, Event Organiser or Sport Policy Manager.

Benefit from our triple accredited business school as you develop skills including adaptability, strategy and leadership. This recognised qualification has been designed in conjunction with Man Met’s Sports Advisory Board and involves input from some of the sector’s most well-respected bodies, including Sport England and the Football Foundation.

Companies where our students have worked:

Adidas

Al Jazeera Media Network

Amazon

Badminton World Federation

Formula One

GKU Sports Management

Greenwich Leisure Limited

International Cricket Council

International Mixed Martial Federation

Korea Taekwondo Association

Liverpool Football Club

Manchester City Football Club

MMA Sports Asia

Proctor & Gamble

Sierra Leone Volleyball Association

Sports for Schools

The Rugby Players Association

Warwickshire Cricket Board

Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club

Studying online

Our online Sport Management masters is designed to work around your work and life commitments. With a recommended study week of around 20 hours (depending on the unit), it can be completed in just two years.  

Study around existing commitments, wherever you are – all you need is a laptop and an internet connection. 

Using our Virtual Learning Environment  you will enjoy a programme of highly interactive live online seminars and presentations and have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of group tasks with your fellow students across the globe.

Continued support will be provided by our Student Success Team who’ll be there to answer any queries you have and help you to get the most – from the moment you enrol to the time you graduate.

The MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy comprises 180 credits. Students are normally expected to study 90 credits per year.

The programme is delivered on a continuous basis and units are scheduled sequentially. The order that units are delivered varies depending on the intake start date, although students will normally start with the Critical Reading, Writing and Literature Research unit. Methodological Approaches to Research and Professional Project will normally be the final units studied. All units are 15-credits with the exception of the 30-credit Professional Project.

Each 15-credit unit will normally be delivered over a 7-week teaching period. Weeks 1 to 6 comprise taught input. Week 7 provides students with an opportunity to consolidate learning before undertaking assessment towards the end of the week. The Professional Project unit is normally 14 weeks. There is normally a one-week Study Break between every unit.

Applications

Applying for the online Sport Management masters:  

All applications are taken through our online applications portal. To get access to the portal please fill in the form on the applications page and we shall send you an email with login details. Once you have access you will be able to upload the following documents and submit your application:

  • Certificate and/or transcripts evidencing your academic and/or professional qualifications eg degree certificate
  • Evidence of English language proficiency for non-native English speakers eg IELTS or free Pearson English test results
  • Your CV
  • A passport photo of yourself
  • A personal statement detailing your motivations for studying your chosen course with Manchester Metropolitan University Global Online.

 

Once submitted we will assess your application and make a decision on whether we can offer you a place on the course. This is usually within five working days of all required documents being uploaded.

APPLY NOW

Overall methods of assessment

  • You will be assessed by coursework.
  • Each unit is assessed by an assignment (typically 3,000 words, or equivalent). The nature of the assignment varies by unit. Examples may include an essay, literature review, learning journal, group project portfolio, research brief, and presentation.
  • The Professional Project will normally take the form of a 10,000-word project-style essay.

 

Study and assessment breakdown 

10 credits equate to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of live seminars, discussion boards and independent study. A Masters qualification typically comprises of 180 credits, a PgDip 120 credits, and a PgCert 60 credits. The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your style of learning, but it could be:

Study 100% independent study; 0% placement

Assessment 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination

Talk to an advisor

This course is delivered by a triple accredited business school

Our business school is triple accredited by EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA. By choosing to complete your masters in Sport Management with us, you are choosing to study at one of the best business schools in the world, internationally recognised for excellence in teaching and research. 

EQUIS logo colour   AACSB-logo-colour    MSc in Sport Business, Management and Policy

Study modes

This course is also delivered on campus.

FIND OUT MORE

Meet Michael

Michael, a student on our Online MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy course is currently in his second year of the course while also working as a Performance Coach at Formula One. We caught up with Michael to find out what his experience has been like so far.

Read more
Picture of Michael, MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy Student

Academic expertise

Academic Profile Headshot

Stephen James

Lecturer and Programme Leader, Global Online MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy 

Stephen James joined Manchester Metropolitan University as a Lecturer in 2019 after a 25-year career in the sports industry. 

Stephen built his expertise in strategy, marketing and innovation across various sports sectors, in senior commercial global management roles.  

A former international athlete in track and field, his research interests include the development of sports marketing in the age of social media as well as the heritage and performance of community athletics clubs. 

Academic Profile Headshot

Dr Suzana Matoh

Lecturer in Critical Perspectives in Entrepreneurship, Global Online MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy 

Prior to joining Manchester Metropolitan University, Suzana worked as a Postgraduate Research Fellow in the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds.  

As part of the faculty at Manchester Met’s Business School, Suzana teaches modules at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, focusing on responsible enterprise, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. 

Her research interests include sustainable business models, such as circular business models and sustainable supply chains and she is particularly interested in decision-making and collaboration for business model changes. 

Academic Profile Headshot

Mohamed Genawi

Tutor in International Business Management, Global Online MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy 

Mohamed Genawi holds both a masters degree in International Business Management from the University of Manchester.  

Mohamed is currently working on his PhD – research focusing on ‘the outsourcing decision’, and the outcomes of outsourcing decisions for the human rights of supply chain actors.  

Mohamed has taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate level at Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester, focusing specifically on international business and international business strategy.  

Academic Profile Headshot

Dr Katarina Pijetlovic

Lecturer in Sport Law, Global Online MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy 

Prior to joining Manchester Law School at Manchester Metropolitan University in March 2019, Katarina was a Senior Lecturer at Liverpool Hope University and a Sports Law Module Leader at the University of Liverpool. 

Katarina has also lectured in Sport Law extensively overseas including at the University of Helsinki (where she also completed her PhD), Tallinn Law School in Estonia and on the ISDE Master Programme in International Sports Law in New York. 

Academic Profile Headshot

Dr Xin Shi

Lecturer in Business Analytics, Global Online MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy 

Xin joined Manchester Metropolitan University in 2009 as a Reader in Applied Statistics as part of the Business School. 

Prior to this, he worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher studying evidence-based medicine at the University of Sheffield’s medical school. At the same time, he worked as a Research Assistant in Social Statistics at the University of Manchester. 

His research interests include business analytics, health big data, personalised health management, and life course modelling.  

Our students' feedback

What our students think

Working with students from different industries aids my understanding of the modules and gives me more insight into other organisations.

Michael
Michael
MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy
What our students think

It’s really useful having everything online as it means I can dip in and out of the work as and when I have the time, allowing me a bit more flexibility in trying to manage my studies with a full-time job.

Cameron
Cameron
MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy
What our students think

The course content of the MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy was exactly what I was looking for. The business management units are absolutely crucial to help me learn how sporting organisations are run.

Jack
Jack
MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy

Blogs

Man holding tablet computer in a sports ground

Five reasons to study an online sports management masters with Manchester Metropolitan University

Discover what it takes to stage a successful sporting event in our step-by-step guide to sports event management.

Read more
3 men commentating on a sports event

Sports event management: a step-by-step guide

Discover what it takes to stage a successful sporting event in our step-by-step guide to sports event management.

Read more
Discover five rewarding sports management careers open to graduates, plus information on average salaries, responsibilities and skills needed.

What can I do with a Sport Management degree?

Discover five rewarding sports management careers open to graduates, plus information on average salaries, responsibilities and skills needed.

Read more

Need more information?

Fill in the form at the top of the page and one of our specialist admissions team will be in touch to answer your questions. Or if you would prefer to speak to someone book and appointment and one of our team will call you.

Book a Call Back
Get more information Book an Appointment
Back to top