Football player wearing a red number 11 shirt

BA (Hons) Sport Business Management

UCAS CODE: N880 (Full-time) or N88F (Foundation Year)
TARIFF: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Location: High Wycombe
  • Duration: Three or Four Years
  • Start Date: September 2023

In the sports business, professional and commercial practices of management, marketing and coaching are inextricably linked. Having a good understanding of one area enhances your knowledge of the other.

Our Sport Business Management programme is ideal if you are interested in developing business knowledge and sport management skills, as you'll cover a mix of global business practices, sustainability, people management, data analysis, finance and marketing skills in a shared first year (Level 4) before being able to further specialise on a particular pathway. We blend these areas to give you an understanding of the sports world and the topical issues affecting us.

Pathways

Our Sport Business Management programme gives you the opportunity to choose your specialism for your future career after your experience of the core curriculum in year one. Rather than having to make your big career decision before you join us, we introduce you to various specialisms and offer you the flexibility to choose the pathway which leads to your chosen career.

Make your application to BA (Hons) Sport Business Management. You'll then choose one of the below pathways after your first year and your final degree award will be the pathway you have chosen.

These pathways are also offered as four-year programmes, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate programme.

Male at desktop holding basketball ball
Sport Business Management

What will I study on this pathway?

If you are looking to kickstart your professional journey in sport, then this Sport Business Management degree provides the perfect opportunity to explore the worlds of sport and business, with the added benefit of gaining a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) degree. You will develop organisational leadership, finance and strategy knowledge, plus an in-depth understanding of key areas of the sports industry such as sport facility operations, events, marketing and the media.

 

You will graduate with BA (Hons) Sport Business Management.

4 staff leaning over a table and looking at various bits of paper and notes
Sport Business Management and Marketing

What will I study on this pathway?

Delve into the exciting and dynamic world of sports marketing with our hands-on Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Institute of Digital Marketing (IDM) accredited degree. From broadcasting, commerce and brand relationships you’ll develop a solid foundation of marketing principles and combine this with an in-depth look at the sports industry and gain the core marketing skills needed to make your mark.

 

You will graduate with BA (Hons) Sport Business Management and Marketing.

Why study this subject?

Sport England estimates that sport and its industry contribute £39 billion to the UK economy as well as making a profound difference to wider UK society. There are a range of opportunities for those with knowledge of business management combined with sport in economic, social and cultural settings. Equally, the diverse and inclusive nature of sport means openings exist for a range of people. Studying a sport business management related degree will equip you with all the sport and business know-how you need to begin your career. It will help you develop decision-making in a range of cultural settings and enhance your profile with a range of sport organisations looking for knowledgeable and qualified individuals.

In the ever-growing sports sector, there is an increased demand for qualified and knowledgeable graduates, who can demonstrate both knowledge and experience of working within the sports industry. We are proud that our courses are industry accredited by professional bodies, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Institute of Digital Marketing (IDM). Graduating with an accredited degree provides you with a qualification that is recognised nationally and internationally, opening doors for you and giving you a competitive advantage.

Studying a degree in this specialist area will allow you to develop sought after leadership and marketing. The courses allow you to develop your ability to make business decisions, alongside qualities such as empathy, problem-solving and creativity, to ensure employability.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

BNU is a vibrant and diverse university that has Student Experience at its heart. We are proud to have a high lecturer to student ratio, ensuring that you receive continual and first-hand support during your studies. Our lecturers are on hand to answer any questions, recommend resources and point you in the right direction making sure you always feel confident and in control of your studies.

Our industry experienced academics work to ensure that the course is delivered in a way that will help you develop personal enterprise, an innovative and curious nature, and entrepreneurial capabilities. We strive to give you opportunities to learn inside and outside of the lecture theatre. You will gain real world experience through working with companies on live projects, which will prepare you to step confidently into your future career and allow you to make valuable industry connections.

For over 15 years BNU has been a leader in developing sport-related degrees and we are proud of our first-class reputation with industry groups. By studying with us you will be able to benefit from our connections and partnerships with public and private sector sport organisations. We are passionate about ensuring you are fully prepared to make your mark once you graduate.

Being so close to the business hub in London means there are opportunities for you to complete placements and work experience during your time at BNU. In addition to this we welcome guest speakers from the industry, including alumni, so you can get a real feel for the doors that will be open to you when you graduate, meaning you’ll interact with lots of different people within the sports and business industries.

It is not just about learning in the lecture theatre, we believe there is no substitute for practical, industry experience. There is plenty of opportunity to jump right in thanks to our strong relationships with the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey, Stoke Mandeville Hospital (the birthplace of the Paralympics), pro basketball team - London United, and Reading Ladies Football Club. We are especially proud to be one of the only universities in the UK to focus on disability sport, an area of increasing performance.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers.

What facilities can I use?

In addition to modern classrooms and digital facilities, we have a state-of-the-art gym and our human performance laboratory is home to an indoor, three-lane running track that has 3D motion-capture technology. These facilities enhance athletes’ performance through improved technique, and also assists with injury prevention and rehabilitation. Our lab is equipped for assessing a range of physiological, biomechanical and psychological parameters.

How will I be taught and assessed?

The teaching team fosters an interactive and student-focused teaching style where we blend lectures, workshops, group work, independent study, case studies, live briefs and guest speakers to enhance the learning experience. We aim to provide you with a balance of industry knowledge and experience as well as the underpinning academic theory, meaning you will have important transferable skills making you into a culturally aware, prepared and confident graduate. Our assessments reflect our employer-led course philosophy, they are real world centric with live briefs from businesses and cases that challenge students to produce a tangible result and not simply demonstrate knowledge of a subject. We set a variety of assessments across the three years of the degree including: coursework, reports, essays, presentations and projects.

BA (Hons) Sport Business Management Programme Specification

Two students standing next to each other talking

Open Days

We understand that when it comes to deciding where you’d like to study, there are a lot of things to consider. Come along to our Open Day and discover why BNU could be the place for you. You can find out more about your course, meet the course team, and get all your questions answered.

aerial view of a woman sat at a table making notes next to her laptop

Application Guide

For everything you need to know about applying, check out our Application Guide. You can find useful information for each stage of your application journey – from before you even apply to what to do if you receive an offer, and everything in between.

Large group of students dancing in a nightclub at students' union

Students' Union

At BNU, we believe in putting our students first. That’s why we’re the only university in the UK to offer free access to such a diverse and exciting range of activities through our SU – all to enrich your university experience.

What are the course entry requirements?

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year; find out more.

 

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

This course has Opportunity modules.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers. Find out more.

Sport Business Management Pathway
Sport Business Management and Marketing Pathway

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home, Academic Year 2023 - 2024

£9,250 per year

International

Overseas/International, Academic Year 2023 - 2024

£15,000 per year

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.

You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Questions about fees?

Contact our Enquiries Team:

0330 123 2023

advice@bnu.ac.uk

What are my career prospects?

Your journey with us is more than a degree, we are committed to supporting you to carve out the route to your chosen career and life beyond university. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good business leaders. We could also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more. Our sport business management degrees will help prepare you for a wide range of sport management roles in private, public or charitable areas of the sport industry including:

  • Sport Marketing
  • Sport Media and Communications
  • Sports Events Management
  • Sports Facility Management
  • Sports Entrepreneur
  • Health and Fitness Industry
  • Self-employment in sport business

 

You might also think about a career in community sports trusts and professional sports clubs – the opportunities are endless.

Graduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course like our PGCert Business Leadership or IMBA.

Did you know?

We are one of the Top 10 UK universities mostly likely to produce graduates who go on to own or manage a business (Capital on Tap, 2021), find out more about this excellent news.

Course leader

Andrew Rankin staff profile photo
Andrew Rankin
  • Senior Lecturer
Read full profile
A head shot of a smiling Penny Bradshaw, a BNU lecturer, looking directly into the camera
Penny Bradshaw
  • Senior Lecturer
Read full profile
BA (Hons) Sport Business Management
BA (Hons) Sport Business Management with Foundation Year