Mode of Study
Full-time, Part-timeDuration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-timeStart date
September 2023, January 2024, September 2024, January 2025Overview
If you want an international career working for sporting governing bodies, or delivering events such as the Olympics, Wimbledon, Premier League football, the Indian Premier League, or other elite or mass participation global sporting events, then taking our Master's qualification in sport management will give you the valuable expertise and skills needed to lead, plan and deliver results in the growing sport management industry.
Sports science at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 3rd of all post-1992 universities for research quality
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
The UK is Europe’s leading market for sport and sports tech with sport and physical activity contributing £39 billion to the UK’s economy. The global sports market is expected to reach $707.84 billion in 2026. The UK’s globally renowned sporting events provide many career opportunities. For example, the Premier League is the most watched football league in the world, with matches broadcast to 1 billion homes in 188 countries.
On this MSc Sport Management degree course you'll learn the theory and practice of sport management, build on your knowledge and understanding, and develop your leadership skills within an international sport management context.
Once you graduate, you'll have the transferable tools and skills needed for an international career in sport management, HR and event management.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
Course highlights
- Develop the skills in people management and leadership needed for a successful international career in elite global sport
- Study the worldwide sports business industry, and the principles, practice and governance in management
- Learn from our research with internationally recognised sports organisations such as UEFA, the Rugby Football League (RFL) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
- Take part in a field trips such as our visit to Madrid to experience professional sport management at organisations including Real Madrid Football Club – visits like this are part of the course cost, but vary from year-to-year
- Enjoy access to our outstanding new Ravelin Sports Centre, designed to be one of the UK’s most sustainable sports facilities
- Learn from lecturers who have delivered sport management programmes internationally and who are driven by current practices
- Share your sporting skills with the local community through our coaching and volunteering scheme
Explore MSc Sport Management at Portsmouth
Discover how our MSc Sport Management degree course will give you the expertise and skills you’ll need to lead, plan and thrive in the growing international sport management industry.
Tom Webb: The MSc Sport Management course attracts people from all around the world. It's very competitive to get into the sports industry – the MSc gives you that advantage. The career options that follow from the master's degree are varied, really. So Football Association or the Rugby Football Union or the England and Wales Cricket Board and of course the skills and the understanding they gather within the course is also transferable to other sectors. If you understand the process and principles involved in sports event management, you can understand it both in sport management and in other sectors as well.
Within the course, we look at things like global sports events and also the management aspects associated with operating within those environments. We also look at things like marketing, human resources, professional development within sport management, and that actually involves a field trip where we take students abroad and there'll be activities there related to that module. It's an area in an industry that's evolving rapidly. We're really looking all the time at the evolution of the course really, and how we can support students better, but also giving the best opportunities within that time. I think it gives students a great opportunity of studying a contemporary and growing subject area as well as a rapidly evolving industry.
Studying in Portsmouth for students gives them a great experience and their feedback has always been very positive in terms of what the course offers students and also what Portsmouth and the university offers.
What you'll study on this MSc Sport Management degree course
Full-time
All modules on this MSc Sport Management are core.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Interpret and explain the meaning of financial ratio analysis to make effective diagnosis of the financial health of professional organisations, leagues and competitions.
-
Identify, discuss and analyse different methods of pricing and investment appraisal.
-
Critically analyse the applications of contrasting economic theories and models in professional sport around the world.
-
Evaluate and recommend strategies for the marketing and sale of broadcasting and other media rights relating to professional team sport.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate local sporting events and their potential impact for host cities and communities at a local level.
- Critically appraise professional skills in sport event management.
- Critically analyse the context of sport events and their post-event impacts.
- Critically explore the landscape of sport events management in relation to its global context.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Critically evaluate the current challenges faced by contemporary organisations in the sport industry and the main features of the managerial and business environment within which Human Resource professionals work.
-
Evaluate performance measurement tools for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of demographic, social and technological trends, government policy, legal regulation and globalisation on organisational and Human Resource practice within the sports industry.
-
Critically evaluate the nature of the employment relationship and the functions of the different parties in influencing and managing employment relations within the sports industry.
-
Critically appraise the role of Human Resource professionals in the development of Human resource policy in response to, internal and external environmental factors, that support organisational performance in the sports industry.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Critically analyse a specific sports market in order to describe and evaluate its scope, nature and plurality in order to identify market opportunities.
-
Plan and conduct effective market analysis exercises for a specific sector of the sports market in order to provide critical advice and guidance to industry professionals.
-
Adopt a critical and effective role in a team of researchers in order to complete market analysis task involving the collection and management of complex information.
-
Deliver a professional presentation demonstrating an expert ability to deliver complex information to an informed audience.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate the current national and international context of sports management, through research informed understanding of leadership, political and social contexts.
- Identify, assess and provide justification for appropriate sport management research topic areas, based on a global understanding of current sport management issues.
- Evaluate and critically appraise global governance structures and the impact of good governance in sport organisations.
- Critically evaluate current research contexts and constructs in sport management, understanding the wider impact of sport management.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically reflect on and evaluate your knowledge, skills, behaviours and experiences that are relevant to the requirements of a postgraduate career.
- Critically analyse career development needs to synthesise a short-term career development plan.
- Critically reflect on and evaluate the recent development of your knowledge, skills, behaviours and experiences that are relevant to the requirements of a postgraduate career.
- Critically analyse further career development needs to synthesise a career development plan incorporating further short, medium and long term career objectives.
Part-time
All modules on this MSc Sport Management are core.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Interpret and explain the meaning of financial ratio analysis to make effective diagnosis of the financial health of professional organisations, leagues and competitions.
-
Identify, discuss and analyse different methods of pricing and investment appraisal.
-
Critically analyse the applications of contrasting economic theories and models in professional sport around the world.
-
Evaluate and recommend strategies for the marketing and sale of broadcasting and other media rights relating to professional team sport.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Critically analyse a specific sports market in order to describe and evaluate its scope, nature and plurality in order to identify market opportunities.
-
Plan and conduct effective market analysis exercises for a specific sector of the sports market in order to provide critical advice and guidance to industry professionals.
-
Adopt a critical and effective role in a team of researchers in order to complete market analysis task involving the collection and management of complex information.
-
Deliver a professional presentation demonstrating an expert ability to deliver complex information to an informed audience.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate the current national and international context of sports management, through research informed understanding of leadership, political and social contexts.
- Identify, assess and provide justification for appropriate sport management research topic areas, based on a global understanding of current sport management issues.
- Evaluate and critically appraise global governance structures and the impact of good governance in sport organisations.
- Critically evaluate current research contexts and constructs in sport management, understanding the wider impact of sport management.
All modules on this MSc Sport Management are core.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate local sporting events and their potential impact for host cities and communities at a local level.
- Critically appraise professional skills in sport event management.
- Critically analyse the context of sport events and their post-event impacts.
- Critically explore the landscape of sport events management in relation to its global context.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Critically evaluate the current challenges faced by contemporary organisations in the sport industry and the main features of the managerial and business environment within which Human Resource professionals work.
-
Evaluate performance measurement tools for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of demographic, social and technological trends, government policy, legal regulation and globalisation on organisational and Human Resource practice within the sports industry.
-
Critically evaluate the nature of the employment relationship and the functions of the different parties in influencing and managing employment relations within the sports industry.
-
Critically appraise the role of Human Resource professionals in the development of Human resource policy in response to, internal and external environmental factors, that support organisational performance in the sports industry.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically reflect on and evaluate your knowledge, skills, behaviours and experiences that are relevant to the requirements of a postgraduate career.
- Critically analyse career development needs to synthesise a short-term career development plan.
- Critically reflect on and evaluate the recent development of your knowledge, skills, behaviours and experiences that are relevant to the requirements of a postgraduate career.
- Critically analyse further career development needs to synthesise a career development plan incorporating further short, medium and long term career objectives.
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.
Facilities
Opening 2022: Our £50m 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.
Careers and opportunities
Careers this Master's prepares you for
This course specifically offers potential for career advancement within the growing sport management sector. It builds on the topics that sport management students will have covered at undergraduate level and introduces overarching themes such as funding, policy and strategy.
Key modules in professional development, strategic leadership and governance have been designed to enhance student's transferable skills enabling some of our graduates to work in senior roles in areas such as human resources and event management.
Graduates of this course have gone onto roles such as:
- General deputy director
- Operations manager
- Community sports manager
- Head of PR and communications
- Marketing manager
- Chief executive
- Consultant
- Fitness instructor
- Industrial placement coordinator
- Marketing assistant
- Sport lecturer
Graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies such as:
- Rugby Football Union
- Ironman Group
- West Ham United Football Club
- Newcastle United Football Club
- Reading Football Club
- Portsmouth Football Club
- Fulham Football Club
- Norwich Football Club
- Hampshire County Cricket
- Lawn Tennis Association
- Olympic Athletic Centre of Athens
- The Soccer Conclave
- Rugby League World Cup
- TikTok
- Executives in Sport Group
- Hong Kong Darts Federation
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and our Careers and Employability Centre – which you can access for up to 5 years after you graduate.
Career support
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Applied projects with employers
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
Placements and industry connections
There's no formal work placement component of this course, but our regular visiting speakers are industry experts who'll offer their own advice and insights in professional and career development.
In addition to our visit to Madrid and some of the prestigious sporting organisations within the city, our guest speakers and visiting alumni have come from professional bodies and elite sports organisations such as the Dutch Olympic Committee, European Athletics and Formula One Racing.
Some of our students organise work experience and shadowing opportunities through our local partners and professional contacts at organisations such as Portsmouth Football Club.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
Course structure
- We recommend that full-time students allocate 37 hours per week to their studies – equivalent to a full-time job
- We recommend that part-time students allocate around 18 hours per week to their studies – equivalent to a part-time job
- Studies include teaching time (lectures, seminars and tutorials), course work, independent learning and assessments
- On-campus, in-person teaching mostly takes place on Thursdays and Fridays over two teaching blocks (September to January and January to May)
- From May onwards, you'll focus on the development and realisation of your Research Development and Practice project
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Teaching on this course includes:
- lectures
- seminars
- workshops
- tutorials
Support materials will be available in Moodle – our virtual learning environment – but all teaching is on-campus and in-person.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- essays
- industry reports
- reflective accounts
- professional presentations
- projects and portfolios
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 practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching staff
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:
Dr Mike Rayner
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
January start
Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, but they normally run over a longer time period.
January-start courses normally run between 14–18 months, beginning in January and ending in the spring / summer of the following year. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Supporting your learning
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of 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 postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.
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
All our labs and practical spaces are staffed by qualified laboratory support staff. They’ll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help when you do practical research projects.
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
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
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.
The Maths Cafe offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your mathematics skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
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 (September 2023 and January 2024 start)
- Full-time: £8,500
- Part-time: £2,830 in year 1, £5,670 in year 2
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time: £8,500
- Part-time: £2,830 in year 1, £5,670 in year 2
- Full-time: £17,200
- Part-time: £5,730 in year 1, £11,470 in year 2
Tuition fees (September 2024 and January 2025 start)
- Full-time: £10,400
- Part-time: £3,470 in year 1, £6,930 in year 2
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time: £10,400
- Part-time: £3,470 in year 1, £6,930 in year 2
- Full-time: £18,100
- Part-time: £6,030 in year 1, £12,070 in year 2
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
If you're a UK student who achieved a first in your undergraduate degree you may be eligible for a £3,000 University of Portsmouth scholarship.
Sport scholarships of up to £3,000 for student athletes
If you're competing at national standard or above in your sport, you may be eligible for funding. Around 20 student-athletes are awarded bursaries between £500 and £3000 per year.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Discover how you can fund your Master's study at Portsmouth – including loans, scholarships and bursaries – and read our guidance on topics like how to budget, and how to get support if you're disabled or have dependents.
Additional 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. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: Such as photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
September 2023 / January 2024 start
- A second class honours degree in a Sport, Business or Management subject. Alternative qualifications will be considered on a case by case basis.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not 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.
September 2024 / January 2025 start
- A second-class honours degree in a Sport, Business or Management subject. Applicants who hold a non-related degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For those who do not hold a degree or relevant professional qualification, extensive experience together with evidence of scholarly ability will be required.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not 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.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of 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.
Ready to apply?
Standard applications
Start this course in January 2024
Start this course in January 2025
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2022, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
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.