Sport Management MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
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The Sport Management MSc at Coventry Business School aims to provide specialist training for sport business managers who are working in the sector or those who are seeking a professional career in the industry.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Online/Blended

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Up to 2 years, with professional experience

Course code

FBLT024
FBLT025 (with professional experience)

Start date

September 2025
January 2026

At Coventry University, we continuously review the courses we offer to ensure we reflect industry-relevant emerging best practice and technology. As a result, this course is undergoing continuous improvement assessment and will be launched with a renewed curriculum starting in September 2025. Module content and titles will be updated. Course title, learning outcomes and assessments may also change. We expect our new curriculum to be fully updated by January 2025. Please return to this page to see the final course details.


Course overview

The global sports market is seeing prolific growth – and it is now estimated to be worth between $600-700 billion a year to the global economy.

Our course helps you acquire the skills and attributes to become a leader in this dynamic, growing sector, upon successful completion.

  • Aims to prepare you to be a professional sports management practitioner
  • Ranked 5th for overall satisfaction in Business and Management (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2023)
  • Opportunities to gain real world industry experiences with our Professional experience opportunities2. Please see the Professional Experience section of the study section for more details.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

  • Opportunities to do a consultancy project supported by an internship2 during the Project module which could greatly enhance your employability, upon successful completion of this and the course overall.
  • Volunteering opportunities2 (e.g. Aston Villa,Coventry Blaze; ECB/ICC) and opportunity to go on international field trip to Lausanne, the Olympic Capital.
  • Develop your analytical and creative skills, crucial for sound decision making, innovative problem solving and developing flexible business strategies, through the extensive use of examples, case studies, group work and projects.
  • The opportunity to develop management and leadership skills through the study of a module accredited1 by the Chartered Management Institute in your final semester. Please see the Accreditation and Professional Recognition section for further details.
  • Supported by expert staff with experience of the sport sector, as well as having the opportunity to attend numerous guest lectures given by industry professionals throughout the year (subject to availability).
13th in the world

MSc Sports Management

EduUniversal Best Masters & MBA Rankings 2024/25

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

The course currently includes the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accredited module, Leading Strategic Change through Creativity and Innovation. Upon successful completion of the module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost.

Further details can be found on the Professional Development module homepage.

Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is currently ongoing for the relevant modules, but is frequently reviewed and monitored by the CMI through their quality systems.


Memberships

Chartered Association of Business Schools

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, which has a membership of over 120 business schools and higher education providers and supports its members in maintaining high standards of teaching and research. There is currently no intention for this membership to lapse however if it was not to be renewed we would notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

European Foundation for Management Development

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the European Foundation for Management Development, a global membership organisation dedicated to management development, covering over 900 members across 90 countries. Coventry Business School is recognised by the above memberships for the 2024/25 intake. There is currently no intention for this membership to lapse however if it was not to be renewed we would notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Thank you sincerely for the opportunity to deliver my crisis management simulation to your students.

I can honestly say that this year's cohort were tremendous fun to work with - and that the group contained several really first-class budding CEOs!

Neil Doncaster (CEO of the Scottish Professional Football League) - quoted March 2022
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What you'll study

All modules are mandatory, and the semester breakdown below is subject to change. In your final semester, you will also have the opportunity to study a module developed in collaboration with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Global Professional Development – Consultancy which can lead to a professional qualification upon successful completion. Also, in your final semester you will work towards a final project through the Project module, which could see you undertake an internship2 in a host company.

Modules

With professional experience option

The professional experience opportunity2 enables you the opportunity to apply for optional professional experience in semester 1, which, upon successfully securing an opportunity, will extend the duration of your master’s to either 16, 20 or 24 months. The professional experience provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability.

Please note that the optional professional experience modules incur an additional tuition fee, which for 1 semester of professional experience is £1,333.33, for 2 semesters of professional experience is £2,666.67, and for 3 semesters of professional experience is £4,000.

Professional experience may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Professional experience opportunities are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of our Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Find out more about the professional experience option.

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

The teaching on this course is designed to inspire and engage you through a range of techniques which encourage lively, interactive learning, and by drawing on relevant research and professional practice. Methods may include:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Industry visits2
  • Field trips2
  • Individual and group mini-project activities
  • Videos
  • Guest lectures (subject to availability)
  • Peer-assessment
  • Presentation
  • Case study-based learning

These sessions should allow you to critically link theory and practice by utilising and applying frameworks and concepts into complex and realistic situations. The variety of methods will also encourage you to contextualise and reflect on your learning, putting it in perspective with your own experience.

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study


Teaching contact hours

We set out below the typical teaching contact hours that you will receive on this course. In addition to the contact hours below, we offer the opportunity to attend additional optional sessions, such as guest lectures (subject to availability), or to meet with staff during their advice and feedback hours.

In your first and second semester, you will have around 12 contact hours of teaching a week. The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

In addition, you will be expected to undertake roughly 20 hours of self-directed studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities etc.

A strong emphasis is placed on the Project module in your final semester and therefore total teaching contact hours may be reduced.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

  • One formal examination
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Marketing proposal
  • Sports centre simulation
  • Grant bid writing

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

Those studying the Sport Management MSc have had the opportunity of international field trips in the past. Visits and talks have included international sports organisations such as FIBA, WADA, FEI, visits of the Olympic Study Centre and Olympic Museum, as well as participation in sports industry networking events. We have also provided the unique opportunity to attend The Spot, a unique event, based in the Olympic Capital – Lausanne, allowing you to network with influential individuals within the national and international sporting world2.

The Sport Management department at Coventry University is also proactive in seeking new international opportunities to help develop its courses. For example, in 2020 we signed a strategic partnership with the Asian Electronic Sports Federation, to provide opportunities for our students in the dynamic and growing sector of esports, through potential international experiences and through embedded esports expertise in modules.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

The course is subject to the general university admission procedures and access policies.

Accepted applicants will normally hold an honours undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2) in a relevant academic discipline.

Applications from candidates with relevant experience are encouraged and will be considered on an individual basis.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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The course is subject to the general university admission procedures and access policies.

Accepted applicants will normally hold an honours undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2) in a relevant academic discipline. Applicants with a degree in another discipline may be admitted after consideration on a case-by-case basis.

Applications from candidates with relevant experience are encouraged and will be considered on an individual basis.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international pre-master's. Upon successful completion our International Pre-Master's - Business will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this postgraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component area

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

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £11,200 | £15,200 (with prof. experience) per year
Request fee information
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £11,200 | £15,200 (with prof. experience) per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £20,050 | £24,050 (with prof. experience) per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £20,050 | £24,050 (with prof. experience) per year
Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

During your studies with us, you have access to several innovative learning spaces4.

DigiComm Lab Seating Area

DigiComm Lab

Designed to build creative minds, the DigiComm Lab is currently equipped with the latest industry-standard marketing and advertising software and devices to support your creative development.

 

 

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Business Simulation Suite

Coventry Business School's Business Simulation Suite utilises the latest business simulation software to give you the opportunity to improve your business skills.

 

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Talent Team

Our dedicated Talent Team can assist you in applying for work placements, graduate level jobs and offer skills development workshops. They also aim to organise networking events to introduce you to potential employers and industry contacts2.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

  • Evidence a systematic in-depth understanding of the development, characteristics, issues and influences relevant to sport management locally, nationally and globally.
  • Review and analyse the key socio-cultural, political, economic, technological, ethical and environmental factors that shape the sport sector regionally, nationally and internationally.
  • Demonstrate the power of critical inquiry, logical thought, creative imagination and independent judgement to support ethical and responsible decision making and research.
  • Demonstrate skills relating to communication, entrepreneurship, teamwork, project planning, intercultural competence and responsibility for individual learning.
  • Evaluate and select innovative technologies to plan, design, execute, and evaluate a range of sport management-related activities.
  • Work independently to solve complex problems and undertake research, reaching informed decisions and critically reviewing them by drawing on the latest development in disciplinary knowledge.
  • Develop the capacity to manage your personal continuous learning and development, thus becoming a ‘reflective’ sport management professional and future leader within the sector.

As well as the opportunity to apply for an internship2 in the regular course as part of the Project module and the option to extend the course with professional experience (please see the Professional experience section in the Overview section on this page for further details), employability is supported by practical and applied activities such as industry visits, guest speakers and the use of innovative assessments that put a strong emphasis on employability and industry engagement2.

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates have secured exciting and rewarding positions in a wide variety of marketing areas such as brand management, creative advertising development, working with the leading organisations worldwide such as Airbus, Millward Brown, Silverstone and many others.


How to apply