Home Courses Sport BA (Hons) Sport Business Management
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Apply your passion for sport to business mechanisms and management practice

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NC26
3 years full-time
Bishop Otter Campus (Chichester)

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Overview

Understand the core concepts of management in the context of sport

Our three-year, Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)-endorsed BA (Hons) Sport Business Management degree develops your knowledge and the understanding of some of the principal aspects of business and management in sport.

Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) education partner

Explore business and management within sport

By designing strategies, leading projects and creating awareness, you will help to solve the most pressing challenges facing the sport industry and become unmissable to employers.

You will learn the core principles of business and management through a sport lens and apply this knowledge when experiencing real-world environments. A work placement, regular visits to employers and guest lectures by those working in industry complement the expertise of our staff. Graduates of the programme have successfully advanced within sport and mainstream business pathways, demonstrating the transferable skills of the degree.

Learn from people that breathe sport

Our passion is to positively change sport. Our staff have decades of industry experience, undertake globally-recognised research and engage with some of the most important sport organisations nationally and internationally. We breathe sport and have a genuine enthusiasm for sharing this understanding in discussion with our students.

Work with industry practitioners on real projects

As part of the course, you will undertake a work placement module of approximately six weeks. This typically takes place in a sport/leisure organisation, a sports management company, or a sport/community development organisation.

Professional body endorsement

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) endorses our sport business management degree, which means you will receive student membership of CIMSPA and have confidence that this degree is what employers are looking for.

The Course

Grow your curiosity for sport whilst benefitting from insights and expertise in business and management

A passion and curiosity for sport framed through an understanding of business mechanisms and management practice.

Year One

Delve into the core concepts and skills that will underpin your degree. We will introduce you to university life and support you to understand the key features of the sport industry, how and why some people are excluded from sport, how to manage an organisation and its central business systems, the key principles behind marketing, the fundamentals of law for managers, and why sustainability is so crucial.

Year Two

Advance your understanding with content focusing on leadership, finance, project and operations management, and the importance of data. These are woven to a focus on the commercialisation of sport and how we consume sport and physical activity. Afterward there is the opportunity to undertake a sandwich year with an employer or progress straight to year three.

Year Three

Apply your expertise to tackle real-world challenges. The most contemporary and pressing issues affecting sport globally are critiqued so that you know what to encounter and engage with after graduating. The culmination of your knowledge is showcased in a dissertation, whilst your professional skills are honed in a dedicated work placement.

Indicative modules

You will study a selection of core and optional modules during your degree. Each module is worth a particular number of credits and is delivered differently depending on the needs of the module.

This list is indicative and subject to future change.

Select a year

Academic & Professional Skills 1

The module will help you manage the initial transition to a university undergraduate degree programme with a particular focus on your academic and professional skills development.

It will encourage you to reflect on and plan your personal development, with an emphasis on taking responsibility for your learning. It will also focus on valuing the learning to be gained, and the support that can be provided to, your peers.

Two key themes underpin the module: support for the development of academic skills; and focus on the development of personal, interpersonal and team working skills. 

Management and Organisations

This module will give you an introductory knowledge of management and organisational behaviour.

Through exploratory learning around management and organisational topics, you will be encouraged to develop an awareness of your own personal and interpersonal skills and capabilities. In turn, the module aims to foster and stimulate a wider interest for further learning in the subject area.

Marketing Principles and Practice

This introductory module explores the role of marketing in the modern business environment.

You will discover the core tools and concepts of marketing and investigate the marketing principles of the extended services mix, buyer behaviour, segmentation, and market research.

You will explore business aspects such as contemporary society, digital innovations, and disruptive business models.

Sustainability

This module will give you an overview of sustainability and the wider United Nations definition which includes global ethical issues and challengesPrimarily, you will work individually, in pairs or as a trio to develop an understanding of what sustainability is and how this impacts a specific sector/industry

During this module you will develop, and be able to further reflect upon, your own ethical perspectives, and build on your negotiation and influencing skills when presenting your views and answering questions.

The Sports Industry Landscape

In this module you will look at the most important organisations and sectors that contribute to the functioning of sport.

Predominantly UK-focused, the module will give you an understanding of the core actions and ambitions of such organisations, including how they work to influence how sport and physical activity are shaped, developed and consumed.

You will be challenged to critique the effectiveness of notable organisations through an analysis of strategic documents.

Business Information Systems

Within this module, you will explore the relationship of technology and business.

As well as creating an understanding of what an information system (IS) does, you will examine how an IS may influence business structures, assist in the decision-making within an organisation and some of the tools that can be used to improve information handling.

Introductory Law For Managers

This module will introduce you to the subject of how law is relevant to the commercial world. You will further your understanding of the law, so that as a manager you will be able to recognise and contextualize its relevance and application within a commercial context.

Sport and Social Justice

This module will give you an introduction to the principles of social justice in sport. This will include an understanding of equity, participation, diversity, inclusivity and human rights in the context of sport.

You will draw on theories of social science to gain insights as to how the structure, organisation and development of sport works to include and exclude different identities and social categories.

You will also develop your understanding of how sport organisations respond to the needs of a diverse population, and how to think critically about the role of sport and the wider concerns about tackling inequality.

Project Management

This module will introduce you to the world of project management, a subject that is highly sought after in all organisations.

Drawing on the content within the Association of Project Management (APM) Body of Knowledge (Bok), which is the leading association for project management in the UK, you will be provided with a holistic and generic approach to the wide range of skills necessary to manage projects efficiently and effectively.

Key HR Practices

Building upon the Management and Organisations and Introduction to Law modules studied in year one, you will develop your understanding of key concepts, practices and processes for the successful management of people.

This module will outline the following concepts:

  • The theory, key principles and practices of workforce planning and resourcing
  • Managing performance and reward
  • Talent retention

You will also be taught an appreciation of the skills that are needed to manage people within various types of work organisations.

The session learning activities, tasks and literature provide a structure through which to locate these key HR practices. This will be outlined within the context of different organisations and the field of contemporary management from a national and international perspective.

Data driven decision-making

This module will introduce you to the concept of data and market research for making decisions within a business.

The Commercialisation of Sport

This module will allow you to critique the foundations and processes involved with the commercialisation of sport.

Contemporary issues from the UK and around the world are used to demonstrate the benefits and limitations experienced by sport as it develops according to business and commercial principles.

You will be looking at concepts and terms from sport business and sport management which are viewed through social science perspectives to challenge issues of control, exploitation and dominance.

The learning outcome of this module is to help you appreciate the opportunities and constraints of these relationships ahead of your employment in the sports industry landscape. 

The Professional Graduate

This module has been designed to support you in developing a critical understanding of the concept of professionalism and how it relates to being a graduate in the workplace.

A practically-led module that will help you in advancing your career ambitions and plan your development for graduate recruitment, one-year professional placement in year 3 and/or the placement/project in the final year.

The module will also reinforce the importance of developing your employability and encourages continuous reflection on personal and professional development and the development of knowledge, skills and behaviours (competencies) in the workplace.

You will be equipped with the understanding of the value of reflective practice, and how reflection can be used as the basis for meaningful personal and professional development. 

Operations Management

Operations management is about the way organisations produce goods and services and the activities that are directly concerned with production and delivery.

In principle, operations management is very simple. Organisations take a variety of inputs (materials, money and human resource); perform operations (such as manufacturing and service provision) which in turn give outputs (the finished goods and services). In practice, however, the business processes by which this is achieved can become very complex.

This module will provide insight into how organisations effectively manage facilities, assets and resources for the efficient delivery of consistent quality goods and services that meet the needs of their customers.

Consuming Sport and Fitness

This module explores the ways in which sport and fitness are consumed in society today and the patterns of behaviour which have evolved in shaping our beliefs and attitudes and manifest through our lifestyles.

You will gain an insight into the developments of the health and fitness industry with a particular focus on media outlets and the portrayal of sporting and ‘fit’ bodies for the consumer.

It also examines the associated commercialisation of fitness products such as health supplements, performance drinks, fitness programmes, connectivity, tracking and streaming tech in addition to media generated platforms.

During this module, you will plot the role of social media in portraying notions of the ‘ideal’ body for men and women and how this impacts the idea of viewing the body as a ‘project’ to be cultivated.

You will analyse how our bodies become one of the key means by which we are judged by others and how our body projects are key markers of health and happiness.  

Management Accounting for Control

This module will develop your understanding of a range of management accounting techniques and how these can be applied to support decision-making. You will solve problems that require you to demonstrate thoughtful and effective reasoning in proposing solutions to a given set of circumstances.

Research Dissertation

The dissertation project will provide you with the opportunity to research an area of particular interest within an appropriate business, public sector or third sector context.

The dissertation project will enable you to demonstrate the extent to which you have managed the final transition from a tutor-led approach to student-centred learning.

The issue is chosen, investigated and published by you, with the support of a research supervisor. You will demonstrate your capacity for sustained independent thought, learning and critical reflection in a major piece of work.

The subject chosen will normally be concerned with the investigation of one or more management issues within the context of a public or private sector organisation. The study can be set in the context of a client organisation. Alternatively, the focus of the study can involve research across a range of organisations, or of a specific group of people, in relation to a management issue. Whilst the topic might well be one that is of interest, the end product must have findings that are generalisable and capable of broad application.

A library-based dissertation may also be acceptable, but it must consider the management implications of the study, and cannot be purely literature-based. Further detailed guidance will be provided in a Dissertation Project Handbook.

You will work remotely on a dissertation project for a specific client. This option aims to give you the opportunity to develop consultancy-type work and manage your own work patterns, or have sufficient work experience gained from a one-year placement or own work experience. This option is mostly self-directed and will require client reviews to support your focus and also the alignment with organisational strategy.

 

Advanced Contemporary Issues in Sport, Exercise and Health

This module will explore a selection of contemporary issues that may have ethical, moral and social justice considerations, in relation to sport, exercise and health.

A range of topic areas will be explored to help you develop an advanced understanding and appreciation of contemporary issues within your chosen field of study.

You will be challenged through a review of case studies, expert knowledge and recently published peer reviewed research to express your judgements and reflect upon your knowledge and experiences.

This module aims to empower you to both formulate and articulate personal opinions and arguments on a topic area in the context of evidence-based research.  

Women in Sport Leadership

This module will give you insight and understanding of women in sport leadership and management roles. Benefitting from expertise and industry practice located at the university.

Critically underpinned by insights from the social sciences, the module is structured according to barriers at the macro, meso and micro levels that women leaders encounter as well as the forms of resistance and change required to overcome them.

You will look at, and critique, the following areas:

  • Gender imbalanced leadership and management of sport
  • Formal and informal cultural procedures and processes that work to constrain women’s opportunities to lead and manage
  • The individual experiences and identities of women leaders in sport

Sport as a Global Product

This module encourages you to critically analyse how commercialised sport is controlled and exploited globally.

The most pressing topics in global sport are selected because these will impact you upon graduating, given the issues will be at the forefront of employer thinking within and beyond the sports industry landscape.

The module is underpinned by insights from social science due to the advanced power relations encompassed within each topic. 

Professional Practice, Work Placement

Compulsory for non-sandwich year students.

This double module provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable experience working in an organisation, or for an organisation, for 270 hours.

You will typically be conducting your Research Dissertation alongside this module, although if you are studying part-time, the module can be undertaken as a stand-alone module.

The primary aim of the module is to enable you, within the context of your work placement, to focus on areas of personal development to enhance your employability skills for your chosen career aspirations and gain both practical and research skills for a deeper knowledge of your subject field.

As part of this module, you will undertake a short work placement.

 

Entrepreneurship

Optional

This module adopts a practical approach to develop your business ideas and writing a one-year business plan. The module focuses on the key aspects needed for business start-up, or going freelance, whether this be on a part-time or full-time basis.

This module ties together learning across business management, including marketing, sales, finance, operations, strategic decision making and internal/external factors.

There will also be plenty of opportunity to learn the key concepts to develop a viable business idea and plan.

Business Strategy

Optional

The module encourages you to think critically and creatively about strategic management from the formation of strategy through to frontline implementation.

Global Business Today

Optional

This module will introduce you to a range of current global issues that organisations need to be aware of to successfully compete and grow in an increasingly competitive global business environment.

This module will be of particular interest if you like to explore what is happening on the world stage and its impact on business. There will be a wide range of current topics each week that focus on how it is a global issue and the challenges different economies, countries and types of organisations are faced with todayA wide range of organisation and country case studies will be analysed to understand some of business’ challenges, opportunities and potential solutions.

Experience

Discover a wide range of excellent sporting facilities that support your learning

Teaching and Assessment

Innovative teaching methods that focus on practice

Smaller class sizes for better learning

You will build your subject knowledge and practical experience through lectures, workshops, and tutorials in small classes, which means our expert teaching staff really get to know you and what support you need.

Study modules that prepare you for your professional career

You will learn to write for a real-life organisation (e.g. a club or business), as well as to work closely with schools, residential care homes, district county councils, sport and health and fitness clubs.

In final year, you are encouraged to undertake a ‘real life’ research project for an organisation in the Sport and Physical Activity sector (e.g. competitor analysis for a business), rather than write a traditional dissertation.

Find supportive staff ready to help you reach your goals

Modules are assessed at every stage of the course, offering cumulative assessment of your progress, which means you can monitor your own progress throughout your degree and look to discuss and plan your development with your lecturers throughout the course.

Where appropriate, special arrangements can be made for students with an identified need/needs.

Assessment

Our course includes a mix of assessments to help you develop a wide range of transferable skills.

You will be assessed by a variety of methods, including:

  • Essays
  • Reports
  • Presentations
  • Business pitches
  • Poster presentations
  • Video blogs
  • Reflective pieces

 

 

Placement Opportunities

Utilise our extensive professional networks to support your learning

You will undertake a work placement module of approximately six weeks. This typically takes place in a sport/leisure organisation, a sports business management company, or a sport/community development organisation.

Students have undertaken placements at local businesses and found possibilities to continue after they have graduated. In some instances, they have progressed to become managers and leaders at the head offices of these companies. We pride ourselves on ensuring our students are unmissable to employers and are able and ready to join the workforce upon graduating.

Apply your learning to professional contexts

Through your work placement, you will develop skills that allow you to apply theory and knowledge in an operational sport or business setting. Work placements opportunities will provide you with a strong vocational focus.

Former placements have included:

  • A student completed a placement at Goodwood and saw a gap in recruitment and retention of event volunteers. They did some work on this and proposed a way to increase this.
  • Another student worked at Everyone Active, the local leisure centre, and evaluated outputs to help the organisation get partnership funding.

Dedicated placement coordinator

We have a dedicated placement coordinator who is available to assist students and has a network of contacts in local clubs and schools.

Where do students find placements?

Our students are from all over the UK, with the majority from the South and South East of England, with a few students from overseas. Many students find work placements in their hometowns, as well as local opportunities in Sussex.

We are flexible in encouraging you to approach any leisure or business-related organisation that is relevant to your needs and career aspirations.

Will I need to complete any additional documentation for my placements?

You will need to ensure you have all the necessary documentation in place before you start your placement. Some courses will insist that you complete a DBS check on entry to the course and others will require you to complete a check once you have started. Please check that you have completed all necessary documentation before commencing your placement.

Abi BA (Hons) Sport Business Management

Abi

BA (Hons) Sport Business Management graduate
'As part of the course, I conducted a 210-hour work placement at Westgate Leisure Centre in their Sports Development Team. This was a great opportunity for me to use the skills learnt on the course and apply them to an external organisation. For example, the skills enabled me to plan, organise and deliver many events such as the Chichester Half Marathon and Chichester Triathlon Series. The option of a work placement that the course provides is very beneficial as you gain experience as well as learn new skills which can be utilised within not only the course but post-graduation too.'

Study Abroad

Explore the opportunity to study part of your course abroad

As a student at the University of Chichester, you can explore opportunities to study abroad during your studies as you enrich and broaden your educational experiences.

Students who have undertaken this in the past have found it to be an amazing experience to broaden their horizons, a great opportunity to meet new people, undertake further travelling and immerse themselves within a new culture.

You will be fully supported throughout the process to help find the right destination institution for you and your course. We can take you through everything that you will need to consider, from visas to financial support, to help ensure that you can get the best out of your time studying abroad.

For their study abroad experience, one student went to the University of New Brunswick, Canada and was so influenced by the local culture they focused their dissertation on the marketing of ice hockey in North America.

For further information please email exchange@chi.ac.uk or visit our Study Abroad page.

Careers

Acquire the skills and knowledge required to gain employment within sports industry

Our BA (Hons) Sport Business Management graduates continue onto a variety of career paths, both within and outside of the world of sport.

We have graduates that have progressed into working in PR in Monaco for an ex-F1 World Champion, working for a national cricket association, working with National Governing Bodies, and working at district and council level in sport management.

Career progression options include:

  • Sports facility management
  • Sales and marketing
  • Sports coaching
  • Business management
  • Teaching
  • Sport development
  • Sports management
Rebecca

Rebecca

BA (Hons) Sport Business Management graduate
"The Sport Business Management degree has allowed me to gain a huge range of opportunities in regards to work placements, networking, and interesting subjects. I feel that I have gained valuable skills during the degree that will benefit me throughout my life. It has enabled me to gain stronger opinions and beliefs by opening my mind to a wide range of theories and subjects. I would have never experienced any of these without coming to university."

Further study

You can also progress to other postgraduate level study to continue the development of your knowledge and skills and increase your employability.

University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.

Gifted Athlete Support Programme

Supporting athletes with their studies and sporting ambitions

The University’s Gifted Athlete Support Programme (GASP) helps students combine academic study with sport by offering support to compete at the highest level.

Our student athletes will have access to our experts in sport coaching, exercise physiology, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, performance analysis, sport nutrition, sport psychology, sport therapy or physiotherapy and receive:

  • Financial Support*
  • Fitness Suite at the Tudor Hale Centre for Sport
  • Administrative support from SU Sport
  • GASP branded kit

* Level of financial support dependent upon level of achievement in sport

Course Costs

Course Fees 2024/25

UK fee
£9,250
International fee
£15,840

For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fees page.

For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.

To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.

Entry Requirements

UCAS
104-120
tariff points.
A Levels
BBB - BCC
BTEC
DDM - DMM
GCSEs
4/C or better
or better in both English Language and Maths.
IELTS
6.0 overall
with no element lower than 5.5

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