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
UCAS code:
N882
Typical offer:
112-120 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 market local sports events such as the Great South Run and work with organisations like the Hampshire FA
- Have the chance to study abroad, go on overseas field trips and take part in research run by institutions such as UEFA, the FA and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
- Train and coach within our extensive sports facilities, including a 100-station gym, fitness studios, and a new sports centre featuring a ski simulator, climbing wall and 8-lane swimming pool
- Visit international sports facilities and compare them with those in the UK
94%
of graduates in work or further study 15 months after this course
(HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22)
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
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.
How to apply for accommodation
We have a variety of accommodation options, including studios, en-suites, catered, self-catered and private rental options. See how our housing team can help you find a place to call home.
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.
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 2024
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 you may need to send us a portfolio.
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 or call our International Clearing Hotline on +44(0)23 9284 8785.
Entry requirements
BSc (Hons) Sport Management degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels - BBB-BBC
- UCAS points - 112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent. (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels - Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 25
You may need to have studied specific subjects 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 this course with a foundation year to bring you up to speed. When you successfully finish, you'll get a guaranteed place on this course.
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 Graduate Recruitment Consultancy 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 20 credits and one module worth 40 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 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
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
This module is contextualised within the broad sport management industry and covers a range of major events and sports. It's the first and important step in developing your ability to independently challenge and research the sport industry. The delivery of the module will take a number of formats. Basic principles will be introduced using traditional style lectures and these will be developed using workshops, exercises and case studies. You'll also be required to carry out a certain amount of practical work in your own time such as collecting and evaluating information from a variety of sources such as books, academic journals, newspapers and the web.
Community sport is the mass participation base on which the sporting system in the UK is based. As such the aim of this module is to consider the nature and content of the development of sport in the UK. There will be specific attention paid to the use of sport in addressing social, economic, and political agendas at local and national level. In order to fully understand the importance of community sport, you'll study community based interventions which have specific aims and objectives in the local community. The aim of this module is to define and describe relevant concepts related to community sport development in the UK, culminating in an assessment strategy which explains and classify ideas about sport in society. You'll be supported via lectures, seminars, workshops, and group work to develop intellectual curiosity, embrace challenges, as well as explore theoretical concepts through case studies and collaborative learning and discussion.
You'll investigate case studies in a diverse range of real-world settings, enhancing your ability to apply theory to practice across different groups and settings.
Through field-work, you'll collect data from sport participants and investigate how psychology, sociology, and personal traits influence why certain individuals are drawn to sports and physical activities.
Finish equipped with an understanding of how sociology and psychology perceive sports and physical activity, both in society and for individuals.
The teaching and learning strategy is designed to be interactive and participative, where you'll be encouraged to engage in discussions with their peers and the module co-ordinator and be able to provide leadership and to support the success of others. This module allows you to develop an analytical and reflective knowledge and understanding of their subject, think independently, analytically and creatively, and engage imaginatively with new areas of investigation within and across discipline boundaries within Sport Management.
A mix of teaching styles will be utilised to introduce you to the core module content, where you'll be encouraged to be intellectually curious, be informed citizens with a sense of responsibility allied to a commitment to ethical practice and social justice issues, such as equality, respect and sustainability. You'll be provided with the opportunity to explore ideas in more depth and apply theories and academic scholarship to real-life case studies of sport business planning and communicate effectively in a range of different forms and to different audiences. Through real-life business case studies, you'll develop an enterprising spirit, bringing innovation and productivity to the groups and communities to which they belong.
You'll also be encouraged to access and engage in emerging digital technologies, such as 'live' discussion forums, to engender a community of shared practice and understanding of academic scholarship in relation to contemporary real-life sports business marketing and branding examples.
Globalisation has played a pivotal role in reshaping the production and consumption dynamics of sports. The increased interconnectedness of global economies has facilitated faster and more diverse communication between producers and consumers, with the sports sector reaping the advantages. This module explores the evolution of sports as a significant economic and social domain, examining the distinctive characteristics of sports and the influencing factors that impact its production and consumption. It introduces a three-sector model encompassing public, nonprofit, and professional sports, accompanied by a concise overview of the essential aspects of the management environment for sports organisations.
You'll be supported with lectures and workshops and practical sessions in order to explore your understanding of different sectors of sport.
Formative assessment sessions will occur regularly within the module curriculum and will be directly linked to the summative assessments. This module allows you to develop knowledge about the different sectors within the sport industry while understanding how these sectors play a role in the production and consumption of sport. Furthermore, after learning about the different sectors within the sport industry, you'll be able to develop a knowledge base about different kinds of employment opportunities that exist within the sport industry and shall be able to understand the wide variety of skillset needed to work in these sectors.'
Core modules
You'll assess, evaluate and plan for changing needs and demands within sports and leisure activities.
Build your skills in strategic planning, programming, recruitment, retention, management of operations, finance and information, and marketing.
With global case analyses, you'll explore theory and reflect on engagement in research activity, highlighting areas of strength and weakness within global operational and facility management.
Explore research planning, underpinning philosophy, ethical considerations, research methods, data analyses and qualitative and quantitative approaches.
As you prepare for your own research project, you'll gain an understanding of the research principles and practices taught in your final year.
As part of this module, you'll be provided with the staff research projects you can select from for your final year project.
You'll gain crucial insider knowledge direct from industry leaders to see how sales get done and explore the full sales process while considering how it's applied to key revenue streams in sport.
You'll formulate real strategic marketing plans for sports products and services.
With a blend of theory and real-world practice, you'll be able to analyse marketing strategies and think strategically.
Gain the practical toolkit and confidence to succeed in the sports commercial sector.
Gain enhanced skills in the sport event management industry as you learn the practicalities behind designing and developing a sport event.
Optional modules
Students will study a wide range of legal sources including elements of criminal and civil law, together with institutional frameworks and dispute resolution systems. Students will learn actively using contemporary and relevant historic sports law issues over a wide range of sporting disciplines.
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
The module takes an applied approach, focussing on contemporary issues within the sports industry through the lens of economics, finance and governance. Topics covered include: Competitive balance in sporting contests, demand for live events, cross subsidisation between leagues, match outcome forecasting, financial sustainability, return on investment, streams of income, corruption, and governance.
The sports industry is complex with many disciplines such as operational management, strategic management, sports events, marketing, and economics and finance. These disciplines pose challenges for managers and human resource professionals. Consequently, the aim of this module is to understand the components of human resources and the affect of employment relationships on the future growth and sustainability of sports organisations.
Every sports organisation face their own challenges within their business whether that be linked to staffing, organisational structure, or a changing landscape. This module will provide knowledge of human resources and prepare you for future employment by applying theoretical concepts to solve problems within a sport organisation. Through lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials, you'll develop your knowledge on key areas of human resources and be presented with problems that happen within work organisations. For your assessment, you'll be required to work within a group to develop and propose a plan to rectify an issue, with a short time frame. This will replicate situations that arise in the workforce and require a quick solution to support the business and the people working within the organisation. Formative assessment will prepare you for the summative assessment through creating a proposal and presenting it to your peers and providing feedback.
Assess entrepreneurial opportunities and develop a business model as part of a venture creation project, working as part of a team.
Produce creative solutions that benefit the economy and society as you reflect on your personal entrepreneurial skills and emerging identity, considering entrepreneurship as a career option.
As a growing sector of the global economy the sports industry presents businesses, governments, national governing bodies and not for profit organisations with significant opportunities. However, in unlocking the potential of sport, professionals working within the industry have to be able to demonstrate strategic vision and leadership coupled with the ability to work innovatively with others to solve issues and be reactive to an evolving market. This module aims to draw on all elements of prior study within the programme and allow your to demonstrate your ability to show strategic leadership and innovative and collaborative team working.
Split into two component parts, the module will firstly address the principles of strategic management and leadership and critically examine the global context and current challenges within the private, public and not-for-profit sectors when applied to sport. You'll also have an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of your personal and professional characteristics and how you can work with others to develop strong working relationships and successful teams to address strategic issues.
In the second part of the module you'll complete a strategic planning exercise in the field of sport management, under supervision from a subject expert and a mentor within industry. This will be a summation not just of this module but also of the prior studies that you have completed up to this point. You'll be supported with lectures and workshops and practical sessions in order to explore theoretical concepts and academic scholarship. Theory will also be grounded in real-life experience of collaborative team building, leadership in order to achieve strategic goals.
Building on your studies and previous employability work, you'll hone your employability skills, prepare to enter professional employment and apply for professional roles.
You’ll revise your career action plan and identify the key outcomes and goals for your desired career.
Through a series of tutorials and action learning sets, you'll engage in self-directed career enhancing activities, develop organisational and communication skills, gain relevant experience towards your future career and develop an awareness of industry based professional practice.
You'll critically reflect on progress through professional development models, advancing your employability.
As part of this module, you'll take part in peer support exercises, strengthening your ability to apply course knowledge and apply theory to professional practice.
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 tutorials, lectures, seminars and practical classes and workshops for about 27 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
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, 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.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,200 per year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Costs breakdown
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £1,385 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £2,875 a year (subject to annual increase)
Apply
Ready to apply?
To start this course in 2025, 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.
Looking for this course with a foundation year?
Take a look at BSc (Hons) Sport Management with Foundation Year
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.