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BSc (Hons) Sports Business Management

Studying sports business management at Herts will equip you with practical knowledge for careers in sports and business management. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and partnerships like Watford FC, you will gain real-world experience.

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2nd in the East of England for Sports Science (Complete University Guide, 2023)

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Top 20 in the UK for research quality (Complete University Guide, 2024)

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Gain experience leading and managing sport events

Course overview

If you’re interested in the business potential of the sports industry, then BSc (Hons) Sports Business Management is the course for you. The degree has a strong emphasis on the sports and business management field. It covers key topics such as sports marketing, management, event planning, and finance. You will gain practical experience through industry placements and partnerships, including exclusive opportunities to help enhance your employability.

On this course you will develop your understanding of the business of sport, exploring the sports industry in the UK, as well as from a broader global perspective. You will explore key business concepts and theories, using them to review modern sports businesses and best practice in sports management. Whether you’re thinking about becoming a director within a sports company and/or organisation, managing a leisure centre or sports club at a local, regional or international level, starting your own business, or pursuing a managerial role or educational role, the sports business management course prepares you for a variety of career pathways.

Why choose this course?

The BSc (Hons) Sports Business Management degree at Herts will give you the knowledge and practical experience needed to succeed in a career within the sport business industry.

Gain leadership and entrepreneurial skills: Throughout the sports and business management course, there is a strong emphasis on the leadership and management of sports events, as well as developing the strategic skills you’ll need to be successful in today’s sports industry. You’ll develop your entrepreneurial skills too, so when you graduate, you’ll have a balanced portfolio of knowledge and practical skills which really boosts your employability.

Industry experience: Work experience opportunities are integrated into the course to ensure you gain industry experience as well as a sports business degree. Whatever career you decide to pursue, work-related experience combined with academic study and a focus on communication skills will enhance your prospects.

Learn from experts: You will be taught by highly qualified staff, most with a PhD or other advanced degree, plus research, teaching, or professional experience.

Strong employment prospects: Over 90% of undergraduates in work/study (Graduate Outcomes, 2025)1.

Exclusive opportunity: With our official partnership with Watford FC for the 2024-25 season, you will have exclusive access to a variety of unique career and educational opportunities with this prestigious football club. Find out how you can get involved.

Professional accreditations

Partnership with the the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)

The University of Hertfordshire is in partnership with CIMSPA. As a result, students will be able to register with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) whilst studying with us here at Hertfordshire University. A CIMSPA student membership introduces sports-related students to their sector’s chartered professional body and supports them through their studies to develop skills and improve employability, ready for a smooth transition to the workplace, therefore even sports graduates can benefit.

The specific benefits of having a CIMSPA student membership include:

  • CIMSPA Academy – Access to selected FREE recognised CPD eLearning
  • CIMSPA magazine – Digital access to S&PA Professional
  • S&PA Extra – Monthly digital newsletter counterpart to the CIMSPA magazine
  • Workforce opportunities – Access to graduate work placement, volunteering, internships, and job opportunities
  • Engagement opportunities – Linking to employers with students and providing opportunities through guest lectures
  • CIMSPA Code of Conduct – standards expected of sector professionals

Your future career

Over 90% of undergraduates are in work/study (Graduate Outcomes, 2025)1.

Typical areas of work for sports business management graduates include:

  • event management
  • sports administration
  • leisure centre leadership
  • private sector sport and leisure
  • operating their own business.

Sports graduates may also transfer into related sector graduate schemes within business or local government. After your course, you will be ready for careers in sports management including event management, sports administration and leisure centre leadership, working for private sector sports businesses or developing your own sport-based business model. You could also study at postgraduate level or join a graduate scheme, either in the public or private sector.

See what recent graduates are up to

Player Care Officer at Brentford FC

Meet Cindy. Impressed by Herts' sporting reputation, Cindy came to the University to combine her love of sport with the chance to make a positive impact in her career. She is now a Player Care Officer at Brentford FC.

Combining theory with hands-on experience

Cindy wanted to study a degree that combined her love of sport with the chance to pursue a career that made a positive difference. After visiting campus for the first time, she realised that Herts lecturers genuinely cared about students’ success and wellbeing.

Cindy says, 'I enjoyed how practical and applied my course was, and I had opportunities to gain hands-on experience, including on placement, and connect the theory I was being taught to real-life sporting environments.' Her placement was with the academy at Stevenage FC, a team in the third tier of English football based close to Herts.

One of Cindy's favourite memories at Herts was delivering a speech at her graduation, inspiring her peers entering the workforce alongside her. She describes it as 'a proud and unforgettable moment, and the perfect way to close an important chapter in my life.'

Ambition to shape player care nationally

Cindy is now a Player Care Officer at Premier League club Brentford FC, working with their U9 - U16 academy players and supporting the U18s. 'I focus on the holistic development of younger players, helping them grow as footballers and people. This includes life skills education, personal development programmes, safeguarding and wellbeing support.'

She aims to continue developing her player care skills and work in the Premier League to nationally shape academy player care standards.

Outside work, Cindy is passionate about giving back to the community. She hosts netball events, oversees youth activities at her local church, and mentors young people in their personal growth. She explains, 'these experiences keep me grounded and give me fresh perspectives, which feed directly into my job.'

Cindy's advice

Her advice is to 'get involved in as many opportunities as possible, whether that’s placements, volunteering or leadership roles. You'll never know which experience will open the next door.

'Just enjoy the journey and make the most out of the support available at Herts.'

What you'll study

The BSc (Hons) Sports Business Management degree is structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6. These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study. Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each. Throughout the sports business degree, modules are assessed in a variety of ways via coursework, debates, presentations, viva and practical. The type of coursework is varied depending on the module and includes reports, reflections, write up of practicals, portfolios, posters and presentations.

In your first year, you’ll learn the foundations of sports coaching, aspects related to physical activity and sports development, and begin to understand the business sports industry and how it functions. You'll also learn about media and communications in sport as well as how the sport sector operates within a global world. To help you settle into university life, you’ll take a module focused on developing the academic skills you need to be a successful student.

Your second year builds on what you learnt in the first year. You’ll study leadership in sport, management of sport events, global perspectives of sports development, sport finance, and sport marketing and public relations. The module on research methods helps you to understand the principles and methods that underpin sports business management research. You’ll be able to use this to critique and understand the research done in the areas of sports business management. Your sport experience learning module provides you an opportunity to get applied work experience in the sport business management industry. In addition, we also offer optional modules for you to choose from such as process and practice in high-performance sport, exploring sports ethics, or funding for active communities.

In your final year, you’ll be able to develop either your research skills through our research dissertation module or focus on a work experience dissertation within the field of sports business management. You’ll get a personal supervisor to support you with the dissertation option you choose to purse. Here, you’ll design and undertake your own project on a topic relevant to your area of study, and more importantly, it will be aligned to an area that interests you. You’ll also be able to study other modules in the final year, such as creating business strategies for sport, contemporary issues in sport, sport sales and customer service, and professional practice in sports business management. In addition, we also offer optional modules for you to choose from such as behaviour change for physical activity and sport, or insight and evaluation of sport development.

What if I need support?

Throughout your time at the university, you’ll work closely with a personal tutor in order to help develop academic, personal, and vocational skills. This work is supported by the University’s online platform, which provides a location for lecture slides, lecture recordings, module guides, assessment details and discussion forums amongst other things.

Personal Tutors and Supervisor Support
From the first year, students are allocated a Personal Tutor and will have frequent meetings throughout the first year (L4) and into the second year (L5) on all degree programmes we offer. In the final year (L6), students will be aligned with a project supervisor who will support them with their dissertation module(s) and provide overarching guidance.

Academic Support Services (ASU)
You might also want or need extra support during your time with us. Rest assured, no matter what you study, we have got you covered. For help with study skills, including referencing, essay writing and presentations, you will have access to our Academic Support Services (ASU). You can attend workshops, 1-to-1 sessions and online tutorials. Both our Learning Resources Centres (LRCs) run drop-in study skills sessions.

Student Wellbeing
To support you with any emotional, mental health, disability and health-related issues which you may experience throughout your time at university, Herts have Student Wellbeing. All of our services are delivered by trained and experienced staff who take a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that you get the best support possible.

Optional placement year

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd. This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a year in industry, typically between your second and third years of study. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.

Research shows that over 70% of employers prefer students with work experience, which is why we believe work placements are career gold. Our Careers and Employment service are here to support you explore your options and make valuable contacts for your future career.

You’ll pay no tuition fee for this year and won’t need to worry about the details of your placement until your second year of study.

Study Abroad offers the opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd. This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a year in industry, typically between your second and third years of study. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.

Research shows that over 70% of employers prefer students with work experience, which is why we believe work placements are career gold. Our Careers and Employment service are here to support you explore your options and make valuable contacts for your future career.

You’ll pay no tuition fee for this year and won’t need to worry about the details of your placement until your second year of study.

Find out more about work placements

Study Abroad offers the opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Find out more about study abroad options

Where you'll study

Your main campus is de Havilland Campus. You will share this campus with students from business, law, sport, and education subjects. The student housing is close to our Sports Village which includes a gym, swimming pool and climbing wall. You can get breakfast, lunch, or dinner in our on-campus restaurant or bar on days you don’t feel like cooking. You can also use the common room to play pool, video games or just to hang out with friends.  Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.

You will have access to some of the best University sports facilities in the UK. You’ll benefit from our brand new multi-million-pound Institute of Sport Building based at the de Havilland campus and will be able to join our on-campus Sports Village. Facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a 12m high climbing wall and a 110+ station gym. The gym has both strength and cardio equipment, such as rowing machines, cable stations and a free weights area. Facilities also include match-quality courts, sports halls and new generation astro pitches and so much more. There is also a smaller 24-hour gym on the College Lane campus.

Whether you’re interested in sport on a competitive or casual level, there is something for you. There are opportunities for students to participate, compete and represent us in a wide variety of sports. We are also one of the few universities with an Active Students and Staff programme. This means we offer free sports and exercise sessions to all our students and staff. This is something you can tap into as a participant or possibly also as a facilitator.

Who you'll learn from

You will be taught by our team of academics, experienced in sports business management. Additionally, you will have access to an academic support team, a well-being team, and a personal tutor who will help you navigate university learning and living. Working together, your teaching and support team is committed to assisting you in realising and achieving your full potential.

How we support our students

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible.

We offer a range of support services, from childcare to counselling, ensuring that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying, having fun, and have the support you need.

Entry requirements

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.

Ready to apply?

UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK
Start date Study typeApply
September 2026Full timeApply via UCAS
Full time with placement yearApply via UCAS
Full time with study abroad yearApply via UCAS
Part timeApply with Herts
September 2027Full timeApply via UCAS
Full time with placement yearApply via UCAS
Full time with study abroad yearApply via UCAS
Part timeApply with Herts

International and EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Fees and funding

At Herts, we’re dedicated to providing world-class teaching supported by industry-level facilities and incredible social spaces. We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to higher education, and we strive to keep both our standard and additional costs as low as possible.

Study typeFees
UK studentsFull time£9,790 for the 2026/2027 academic year
Part time£1,190 per 15 credits for the 2026/2027 academic year
EU studentsFull time£17,450 for the 2026/2027 academic year
Part time£2,180 per 15 credits for the 2026/2027 academic year
International studentsFull time£17,450 for the 2026/2027 academic year
Part time£2,180 per 15 credits for the 2026/2027 academic year

Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

Scholarships, grants  and bursaries

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship, grant or bursary to support your studies.

Disabled Students' Allowance

The Disabled Students’ Allowance can cover any study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability.

Student loans

Find out about securing a student loan, from how much you could be eligible for to when you need to start making repayments.

Accommodation costs

We offer a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

Additional course fees

Read more about additional fees in the Programme Specification.

More about the course

Programme specifications
BSc (Hons) Sports Business Management - Full Time - Sem A Download PDF
BSc (Hons) Sports Business Management with a Year Abroad - Full Time - Sem A Download PDF
BSc (Hons) Sports Business Management - Part Time - Sem A Download PDF
BSc (Hons) Sports Business Management with a Year Abroad - Full time, Sem A Download PDF
Additional information

Applications open to international and EU students

Yes

Course length

Full Time, 3 YearsPart Time, 6 YearsSandwich, 4 Years

Not ready to apply?