Top reasons to choose this course
- Endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
- Sport courses at Brighton have received the 3-star ‘Enhancing’ grade for quality from CIMSPA.
- Work placement opportunities allow you to gain hands-on professional experience and make industry contacts.
- Work on challenges and live projects with our partners throughout your studies.
- Option modules to tailor the course to your interests and career aspirations.
- Extensive on-site sport facilities.
- Guest speakers from industry to add to your learning experience.
- Learn with experts and innovative researchers.
Course structure
You will experience a dynamic blend of academic study, practical application, research and hands-on experience. This balance of knowledge and practical skills is designed to prepare you for career success in this fast-paced and growing industry.
In your first year, you will be introduced to the components of sport business management and the impacts of sports policy, finance and economics on effective sport management.
In your second year, you will develop project management skills and analyse the role of management for the successful organisation of sport.
In the final year, you will investigate the roles of marketing and strategy in sport business management and undertake an extended piece of research.
Year 1
In year 1 you will be responsible for organising the promotion and running of a sports event. This will develop your commercial awareness and business skills.
Year 2
Your second year of study is split into two halves. The first half is about learning the role of sport business management and preparing for your placement, while the second is based in a sport business organisation.
Placements
Spend a year on placement
Gain valuable experience and earn money during an optional placement year following year 2. You’ll return to the final year of your degree with added confidence, additional real-world experience and valuable contacts.
A placement year significantly improves your CV, giving you a distinct advantage over others when applying for jobs and starting your career. It will also help you to develop the softer skills such as communication and teamwork.
Our dedicated Placements and Employability team will support you in getting a placement that aligns with your interests and career ambitions.
They can help with CVs and cover letter writing, applications, online testing and more. Plus, they’ll provide support and guidance when you’re on placement and make sure that everything is going well.
Other placement opportunities
During the second year of your degree, you will undertake an extended work placement through the Personal and Professional Development in Sport Management module. You will spend a minimum of 150 hours working in a sport-related organisation, gaining valuable first-hand experience of the sport and physical activity sector.
You will be supported in sourcing a placement from our extensive list of approved placement providers or you can work with tutors to develop a placement of your own. Once on placement you will have a designated supervisor from the course team, as well as a mentor within the organisation you are placed in.
Our placement programme has been cited as an example of best practice in both national-level and European-wide sport management teaching evaluations (2023 Erasmus+ European-wide review of sport management education provision). It is a core component of your journey towards developing both academic and professional graduate skills.
Many of our students have gone on to secure further work with their placement providers after graduating. In recent years, students have undertaken placements in a variety of sport organisations and performed roles reflecting a range of different managerial responsibilities. Placement organisations have included:
Our students on placement
Daniel Rogers, graduate
My placement host was the Sussex County FA, and the purpose of their job is to equal opportunities in football for everyone.
My overall skill set improved whilst working on placement as I had to improve my confidence and customer service skills to provide the best outcome for the organisation.
The placement was important to me as this employment area is something that I am thinking of going into when I finish university.
Max Martin, graduate
In my placement at the golf club, I took on various roles. Through these roles, I developed customer service skills such as communication, organisation and active listening. I provided responsive, positive and respectful service to all members and staff.
Whilst managing social media, it allowed me to showcase the club’s positive work environment and services, and increase its visibility in the area. I created content to promote the club’s offerings and grow its online presence with a character the club can lead on when I’m no longer there.
Final year
Your final year of study is based around the strategic implications of sport business management, including the investigation of marketing and strategy. You will have the opportunity to conduct research on a topic of your choice based on the experience gained during your placement.
Facilities for learning
As a Brighton student you’ll use our extensive sport facilities at Falmer which include:
- dance and spin studios
- five outdoor grass football pitches
- full-size floodlit synthetic turf pitch
- floodlit non-slip netball and tennis courts
- indoor swimming pool
- large fitness suite
- outdoor grass rugby pitch
- sports hall with netball, volleyball, basketball and badminton courts, and cricket nets
- strength and conditioning suite
- tennis and badminton courts.
You’ll be able to see the facilities when you visit us and learn more by checking out our Falmer campus information.
Sport at Brighton
Sport Brighton
Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you’ll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition.
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Sports scholarships
Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.
Find out about sport scholarships.
Brighton Cricket Academy
Develop your cricketing skills in the UK’s largest indoor cricket facility alongside studying for a degree. Whether you can already play or you’re new to the game offers the opportunity to train with top coaches in our world-class training environment.
Find out about the Brighton Cricket Academy.