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Sport Management BSc (Hons)

Turn your passion for sport into a career in sport management. Access fantastic facilities and learn from academics with industry experience.

University of Portsmouth Connected Degree - 3 year course with 4th year placement

Key information

UCAS code:

N882

Typical offer:

112-120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent

See full entry requirements
Study mode and duration
Start date

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Overview

Devise marketing campaigns for top sports brands. Manage community schemes that inspire the next generation to love sport. Organise sponsorship strategies for international sporting events.

On this BSc (Hons) Sport Management degree, you'll study sport in a global context and turn your passion for sport into a career.

Sports science at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 3rd of all post-1992 universities for research quality

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

Read more about our amazing sports science research

Course highlights

  • Learn from industry experts with experience in delivering community sports programmes and gain practical skills in everything from events management to entrepreneurship
  • Plan and market local sports events such as the Great South Run and work with organisations like the Hampshire FA
  • Have the chance to study abroad, go on overseas field trips and take part in research run by institutions such as UEFA, the FA and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
  • Train and coach within our extensive sports facilities, including a 100-station gym, fitness studios, and a new sports centre featuring a ski simulator, climbing wall and 8-lane swimming pool
  • Visit international sports facilities and compare them with those in the UK

90%

Graduates in work or further study

(HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey conducted in 2019)

Recognised by:

This course is in the top 10 for Tourism, Transport, Travel and Heritage Studies in the Complete University Guide League Tables 2022.

I love the way my course holds a sense of togetherness amongst the students and the faculty. It has truly been an experience of a lifetime!

Mishgahn Omer, BSc (Hons) Sport Management

Explore BSc (Hons) Sport Management at Portsmouth

Find out more about our BSc (Hons) Sport Management degree course, including the placement and career opportunities that will help you turn your passion for sport into a career.

Kieren McEwan: Sports management at the University of Portsmouth is quite an all encompassing course, and it's been specifically designed to fit with the needs of industry. They can be certain that the course is fit for purpose in terms of knowledge, skills, techniques and all the soft business skills which will allow you to flourish out in industry. 

At the University of Portsmouth, we have lots of facilities which are geared towards improving and enhancing your educational experience. 

We have a number of placement opportunities. First of all, we have an optional sandwich here. Now the sandwich here sits either between year two and year three or there is an option to take the sandwich year after your final year of study. It enhances the opportunities for people to have a really strong career after graduation. 

In the past, we've gone to Barcelona and we've looked at the Olympic facilities. It's invaluable for the students and brings the learning to life. 

There's lots of opportunities and lots of scope to take your career in a number of different directions. That could be teaching, sports marketing, strategic planning in a national governing body, but also into other areas of industry where the skills and knowledge that you would develop will be highly prized. 

I always say that Portsmouth is a wonderful place to be a student. I would say that because I'm a graduate here. I make my life here because I enjoy the city so much. It's an incredibly welcoming city, and the university itself has the potential to offer you a brilliant experience in terms of your learning. 

Contact information

Admissions

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

Contact Admissions

Entry requirements

Note that up until March 2022 the name of this course was BSc (Hons) Sports Management and Development.

BSc (Hons) Sport Management degree entry requirements

Typical offers

  • A levels - BBB-BBC
  • UCAS points - 112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent. (calculate your UCAS points)
  • T-levels - Merit
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
  • International Baccalaureate - 25

You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.

English language requirements

  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications.

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

We look at more than just your grades

While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.

Explore more about how we make your offer

If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to join this course after you successfully complete a foundation year.

Your facilities

Ravelin Sports Centre

Train and play in one of the UK's greenest sports centres, including an 8-lane swimming pool, virtual skiing, climbing wall and more.
Corporate member laughing with colleagues
Learn more

Outdoor Sport

Indoor and outdoor spaces to train, including football, rugby, tennis, basketball, cricket, netball, badminton, volleyball, squash, table tennis and futsal courts and pitches.
Students playing football
Learn more

Careers and opportunities

On this course, you'll explore sport’s role in society and how sports management and development can make sport accessible to all, yet the business skills you'll gain will prepare you for a wide range of careers.   

When you graduate, you'll be ready to apply corporate, management, financial and marketing knowledge to an exciting career within the sports industry, or any other sector that interests you.

90% of our graduates find work within a year of completing this course, so you can feel confident that what you learn will set you up for the world of work.

What jobs can you do with a degree in sport management?

Our graduates have gone on to roles such as:

  • sports development officer
  • sports marketing executive
  • data analyst
  • sponsorship executive
  • football coach
  • sports agent
  • event manager
  • strategy manager
  • PE teacher

Others have entered more diverse areas of employment, such as sports law, local government, strategic leadership, consultancy and the charity sector.

Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

Student exercising

Leadership and development

You'll have the chance to work with our local community to encourage cultural and social development through sports coaching and volunteering.

Build invaluable experience within institutions such as clubs, schools and charities.

Learn more

Placement year

Either before or following your third year, you can opt for a work placement year to gain valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. 

Placements give you the opportunity to apply what you've learnt so far in a real workplace, boosting your employability and making you attractive to employers after graduation.

You can work for a company or organisation here in the UK or overseas – some of our graduates have gone as far afield as Mwanza in Tanzania.

Or, you could go independent by setting up and running your own business with other students.

Whichever route you choose, you'll receive support and guidance. Our specialist team of Science and Health Careers advisors can help you with finding a work placement and improving your employability skills. They'll provide you with a database of placement vacancies, support with your job search – including help with applications and interviews – and support throughout your placement year.

Potential roles

Previous students have taken placement roles such as:

  • basketball development manager
  • sports marketing manager
  • sales, marketing and social media intern
  • sport leader and event leader

Potential destinations

They've completed placements at organisations including:

  • Access Sport
  • Decathlon UK
  • The Great Run Company
  • Active Communities Network

Study abroad

You’ll have the chance to do an overseas field trip to experience sports management in other communities and cultures.

Previous students have travelled to Barcelona to carry out their own research projects, on areas including urban sport, Olympic legacy, and the impact of tourism and city infrastructure.

You'll also have the option to study abroad for a year in Europe, South Asia, Canada or North America.

This is a fantastic opportunity to explore a new destination and study as an international student at a partner university in another part of the world. Many of our students describe their time spent studying abroad as truly unforgettable, as well as an excellent way to stand out to future employers. 

Edward Koppoe

My time on a study abroad scheme with Brock University in Canada was incredible. I know this term gets thrown around quite a lot but it’s 100% true for me: this was a life changing opportunity.

Eddie Koppoe, BSc (Hons) Sports Management and Development

Read about Eddie's experience

Modules

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.

What you'll study

Core modules in this year include:

  • Introduction to Sport, Business and Management – 40 credits
  • Psychosocial Perspectives on the Management of Sport and Physical Activity – 40 credits
  • Theories in Sport, Business and Management – 40 credits

There are no optional modules in this year.

Core modules in this year include:

  • Operational Management in Sport – 20 credits
  • Preparing Research, Innovation or Enterprise Projects – 20 credits
  • Professional Development in Sport Management – 20 credits
  • Sport Event Management – 20 credits
  • Sales and Marketing in Sport – 20 credits

Optional modules in this year include:

  • Modern Foreign Language (Institution-wide Language Programme) – 20 credits
  • Sports Law – 20 credits

Core modules in this year include:

  • Economics and Finance of Sport – 20 credits
  • Project – 40 credits
  • Strategic Management in Sport – 20 credits
  • Sport Entrepreneurship and Business Venturing – 20 credits
  • Work-Based Learning For Sport Management – 20 credits

There are no optional modules in this year.

On this course, you can choose an optional placement year between your 2nd and 3rd year of studies or after your 3rd year.

During the study abroad placement year, you'll experience life at a university in another country. Alternatively, you can spend a year developing your experience in industry in the UK or abroad with the work placement year.

We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your situation and ambitions. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.

 

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Teaching

Teaching methods on this course include:

  • formal lectures
  • seminars
  • workshops
  • tutorials
  • practical experiences

We work closely with local partners, such as the Portsmouth School Sport Partnership and Portsmouth City Council Leisure Services, to make sure what you learn on the course is current and relevant.

How you're assessed

You’ll be assessed through:

  • examinations
  • essays and reports
  • projects, portfolios and case studies
  • practical demonstrations
  • oral assessments through presentations or discussion groups

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

Teaching staff profiles

These are some of the expert staff who’ll teach you on this degree course.

Kieren McEwan Portrait

Dr Kieren McEwan

Senior Lecturer

Kieren.McEwan@port.ac.uk

School of Sport, Health, and Exercise Science

Faculty of Science and Health

PhD Supervisor

Read more
Michael Rayner Portrait

Dr Mike Rayner

Interim Head of School

Mike.Rayner@port.ac.uk

School of Sport, Health, and Exercise Science

Faculty of Science and Health

PhD Supervisor

Read more
Helen Mary Laura Symons Portrait

Dr Helen Symons

Senior Lecturer

helen.symons@port.ac.uk

School of Sport, Health, and Exercise Science

Faculty of Science and Health

PhD Supervisor

Read more

How you'll spend your time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies.  As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A typical week

In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as tutorials, lectures, seminars and practical classes and workshops for about 27 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.

Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends.

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

See term dates

Supporting you

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Types of support

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.

You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.

They can help with:

  • improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
  • understanding and using assignment feedback
  • managing your time and workload
  • revision and exam techniques

As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

  • academic writing
  • note taking
  • time management
  • critical thinking
  • presentation skills
  • referencing
  • working in groups
  • revision, memory and exam techniques

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.

They'll help you to

  • discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
  • liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
  • access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
  • liaise with external services

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

​Course costs and funding

Tuition fees

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £17,200 per year (subject to annual increase)

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Costs breakdown

Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.

You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.

You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.

We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.

 

If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.

If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £1,385 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £2,875  a year (subject to annual increase)

Apply

How to apply

To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

  • the UCAS course code – N882
  • our institution code – P80

 Apply now through UCAS

 

If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.

You can also sign up to an Open Day to:

  • Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
  • Speak with lecturers and chat with our students 
  • Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join

If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.

Applying from outside the UK

As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things. 

You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

Find out what additional information you need in our international students section

If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.