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.
Key information
For:
starting September 2026
UCAS code:
N882
N885
Typical offer:
104-120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent
Showing content for section Overview
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
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 deliver a sports events for a given population. Our past students have supported the Great South Run and worked with organisations like the Hampshire FA
- Gain hands-on project management experience for a sports organisation while developing your problem solving and leadership skills
- Develop and pitch sponsorship deals between a sports property and a brand of your choice
- Get inspired by alumni guest speakers working in the sports industry with the opportunity to receive specialist mentoring
- Opt to do a foundation year with ICP to get uni-ready ahead of this course, then take up a guaranteed place on this full Bachelor's degree when you successfully finish your foundation year
93%
of graduates in work or further study 15 months after this course
(latest HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey)
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
16th
for sports science in the UK
(Guardian University Guide, 2026)
98%
of students were positive about the support provided by teaching staff on this course
(NSS, 2025)
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!
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
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
Clearing 2025 is now closed
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at Portsmouth.
Even if you don't receive the grades you need, we recommend still calling us on 023 9284 8090 as we still may be able to consider you for a course
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2025
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or other information.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or admissions@port.ac.uk
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via portsmouthstudentpad.co.uk
See our accommodation page for more information.
No, it's not too late and you should make your application for student finance as soon as possible. You don't have to wait for your results. You can make your application now and just amend it when you know where you're going to be.
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today – it only takes 30 minutes.
Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements (September 2026 start)
Typical offers for BSc (Hons) Sport Management
- A levels - BBB-BCC
- UCAS points - 104-120 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 - 24
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs – see 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.
Worried about your grades?
If you're not sure you meet the entry requirements, or need some help to get uni-ready, then we offer BSc (Hons) Sport Management with a Foundation Year through our partners at ICP to bring you up to speed. When you successfully finish, you'll get a guaranteed place on BSc (Hons) Sport Management.
Find out more about our foundation years with ICP
Typical offers for BSc (Hons) Sport Management with Foundation Year
- UCAS points - 32 tariff points at A level, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
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 5.5 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.
Please note this foundation year with ICP isn't currently open to EU or International students.
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.
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.
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.
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 Careers and Employability Service to help you find your perfect role.
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.
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.
Read about Eddie's experienceMy 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.
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 30 credits each or two modules worth 45 credits each and one module worth 30 credits.
What you'll study
Foundation year
If you're not sure you meet the entry requirements, or need some help to get uni-ready, then we offer this course with a foundation year to bring you up to speed.
- You'll study with our partners ICP on the University of Portsmouth campus with access to all facilities, support and societies
- When you finish your foundation year successfully, you get a guaranteed place on BSc (Hons) Sport Management
- Get used to how lectures, seminars and tutorials work, so you can move on to your degree ready for success
- Learn how to meet the demands of taking on a bachelor's degree at university
Topics covered include an overview of accounting and financial reporting, basic numerical techniques for accounting, introduction to trading accounts and profit and loss accounts (income statements), understanding the cost of sales, balance sheets, and current assets and liabilities.
You'll recognise the legal aspects and requirements of companies, recall and define the basic principles of contract formation, and become familiar with the content of commercial and consumer contracts, including the use of exclusion clauses. The module will also enable you to define the law regarding the rights of individual employees.
Topics covered include the history and fundamental importance of economics, the demand and supply model, elasticity and its applications, different market structures such as perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly. Additionally, you'll explore the circular flow model involving households, firms, the financial sector, governments, and the foreign sector. The module also covers concepts like the business cycle, unemployment, economic growth, inflation, and international trade.
It also means you understand the value of scholarships, allowing you to move on to postgraduate programs at the University of Portsmouth.
These include approximation and substitution, estimation and percentages, applications of percentages in financial contexts, ratio and proportion, rules of indices, basic algebra, graphs, and quadratic equations.
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
You'll explore how sport shapes society and communities, developing a sociological understanding of participation, identity, inequality, and power. through lectures, workshops, and case studies, you'll examine how clubs, programmes, and policies address challenges such as inclusion, social cohesion, and health inequalities.
By critically analysing these relationships, you'll build strong analytical, evaluation, and communication skills, preparing you for careers in sport management, policy, and community development or for further study in sport and social sciences.
In this module you'll examine how globalisation has transformed the production, consumption, and management of sport, considering the economic, social, and ethical factors that shape the industry.
You'll study the public, nonprofit, and professional sectors of sport to gain insight into management functions such as operations, marketing, finance, human resources, and strategy. through lectures, workshops, practical sessions, and case studies, you will apply theoretical frameworks, analyse sector-specific challenges, and critically evaluate how globalisation affects the structure and reach of the sports industry.
This module will develop your intellectual curiosity and ethical awareness, encouraging you to reflect on social justice issues such as equality, respect, and sustainability in sport. it will also develop your analytical, ethical, and communication skills while giving you insight into employment pathways, preparing you for careers in sport management or further study.
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
You'll learn how hr shapes employment relationships, culture and performance within sport organisations, and how staffing, change and regulation influence growth and sustainability.
Through lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials you'll analyse real workplace problems, apply hr theory, consider workforce planning, conflict resolution and people support.
By the end, you'll present hr recommendations for a sport organisation and collaborate on a group plan to fix a pressing issue, communicating clear, actionable solutions while receiving feedback that strengthens your professional confidence.
In this module you'll learn how operational and facility management work together in sport, integrating concepts from sport and leisure management to plan da-to-day delivery, manage risk and support strategic growth.
Through practical tasks you'll design programme schedules, map staffing needs, embed equality, diversity and inclusion, and apply health and safety frameworks to real scenarios.
By the end, you'll analyse operations and present clear, evidence-based recommendations that improve user experience, efficiency, compliance and sustainability across sport facilities.
On this module you'll complete professional development activities, including an optional work placement, for you to reflect on your impact of your course.
You'll collect feedback and communicate your values to excel your job applications
You'll explore how sport events are conceived, planned and delivered in the 21st century, comparing key concepts and theories and applying them to contemporary scenarios.
You'll practise stakeholder communication and problemsolving, manage health and safety requirements, identify your target audience or client base, and develop employer relevant skills for the sport event industry, so you're ready to contribute to successful events.
You'll learn how sport marketing works in practice by analysing consumer behaviour, segmenting markets, positioning brands, and designing a strategic marketing plan for a product or service you choose.
Through workshops and industry-informed teaching, you'll explore sponsorship in sport by identifying suitable partners, developing activation strategies, and creating persuasive, evidence-based proposals.
You'll pitch as a rights holder in a paired presentation, building confidence in sales and professional communication while developing skills that support progression into commercial roles across the sport industry.
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
You'll learn practical and critical data skills, working with messy, real-world sport and health datasets to clean, explore and model patterns that matter.
Through handson workshops, you'll use contemporary analytics tools to answer questions in athlete performance, public health and sport business operations, and complete tasks that mirror professional practice and feed your assessment.
By the end, you'll translate analysis into action by tailoring context-sensitive recommendations for end users - coaches, athletes, health professionals and sport managers - showing how your insights inform decisions and drive innovation.
In this module you'll learn how digital marketing works in the sport industry, comparing platforms and tools to build strategies that engage fans, promote products and drive commercial results.
Through hands-on workshops in social media, content creation, search engine optimisation and email marketing, you'll plan, run and optimise campaigns using real metrics to evaluate performance.
By the end, you'll design a digital campaign and justify your choices for a specific audience and brand, translating theory into practice and communicating clear, evidence-based recommendations to stakeholders.
In this module you'll learn how economics and finance influence the way sport organisations operate.
Using real datasets you'll test key ideas, examine competitive balance, model demand for sporting events, and explore financial sustainability in clubs and leagues.
Through guided discussions and applied analytics you'll forecast match outcomes, evaluate pricing strategies and investment decisions, and challenge assumptions around crosssubsidisation, corruption and governance.
By the end, you'll communicate clear, evidence-based recommendations to stakeholders and show critical, reflective judgement in your assessments, ready to drive informed decisions in sport organisations.
You'll explore entrepreneurship in the sports industry by working in teams to identify opportunities, develop ideas, and create a viable business model.
Through lectures, seminars, workshops, and case studies, you'll practise creativity, problem-solving, and evidence-based decision-making while reflecting on your entrepreneurial identity, including your creativity, risk tolerance, and leadership potential.
This module will develop your confidence, curiosity, and ability to embrace challenges and seize opportunities that benefit the economy and society.
You'll act as a sport management consultant, tackling a real or simulated brief that blends marketing, finance, operations, hr, law and sportandsociety considerations.
Working in a team you'll develop your own specialism, and use strategic frameworks, case studies and project management tools to analyse complex issues and create clear, evidence-based recommendations.
You'll produce a professional strategic plan or report, receive supervision and feedback, and build the independent thinking, collaboration and communication skills to present confidently.
You'll work with real sport law cases to understand how legal principles are applied in areas such as integrity, safeguarding, liability, technology, and anti-corruption.
You'll learn how to read judgments, interpret regulations, and evaluate evidence to reach clear, well-supported conclusions.
Through workshops and formative tasks, you'll apply legal reasoning to sport management scenarios, draft clear advice or policy, and develop analytical, problem-solving, and professional communication skills valued across the sport industry.
Enrich your intercultural awareness and language skills through a study abroad sandwich year or accelerate your employability through an immersive year-long work placement.
With support identifying a study exchange programme or placement opportunity, you'll take part in overseas study or a work placement and develop skills in autonomy, accountability, language, interpersonal communication, time management, planning, assessment and analysis – while considering the impact of your actions.
As you study abroad or complete your tasks in the workplace, you'll demonstrate a strong level of skill, initiative, independence and performance.
You'll return able to evaluate how study or work placement activities relate to your studies and broader global contexts, presenting a critical evaluation of your professional development.
This is a Connected Degree
We're the only university that gives you the flexibility to choose when to take a work placement. Take it after your 2nd year, before returning to finish your studies. Or after your final year, connecting you into the workplace.
If you're not sure if or when to take your placement, don't worry. You'll have plenty of time to settle into your studies and explore your options before making your choice.
Find out more about Connected Degrees
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.
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 lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes and workshops for about 7–9 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, 3 and 4 but this depends 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.
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
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, our Disability Advice team will give you help, support and advice.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from Student Wellbeing, 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 (September 2026 start)
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,790 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £10,300 a year (including EU Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,900 per year (subject to annual increase)
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £5,760 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
Please note this foundation year with ICP isn't currently open to EU or International students.
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 around £40 a year for photocopying, printing charges, binding and specialist printing - while we try to keep files and content electronic, there may be some paper and printing to be undertaken.
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 – £1,468 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £1,545 a year (including EU Scholarship - may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £3,000 a year (subject to annual increase)
Apply
September 2026 start
To start BSc (Hons) Sport Management in 2026, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – N882
- our institution code – P80
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.
To start BSc (Hons) Sport Management with Foundation Year in 2026, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – N885
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form:
Please note this foundation year with ICP isn't currently open to EU or International students.
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.