Sport Management
BA (Hons)

Sport has become one of the world’s most lucrative and high-profile business sectors. Choose our pioneering BA (Hons) Sport Management course to launch your career in an industry which never fails to thrill.

• 100% of our BA (Hons) Sport Management students are satisfied with the overall quality of this course, and 90% are satisfied with the assessment and feedback received (National Student Survey 2020)
• Experience working in the industry through placements at Derby County FC, Uttoxeter Race Course, Derby Arena, Team Derby and other sport businesses
• Gain hands-on experience in organising large sporting events – from football and cricket to basketball and half marathons
• Develop in-depth knowledge of sport marketing, media, PR, finance, events, operations and international sport
• Build strategic, leadership and enterprise skills for a successful future in sport management
• Join a sport course which is ahead of the game: ours was the first degree of its kind in the country to guarantee every student a sport business work placement during each year of their studies

Sport and Exercise Science - your questions answered

In the below video, Head of Discipline for Sport and Exercise Science, Andy Hooton, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Derby. You can also watch exclusive subject content by signing up to Derby on Demand.

Sport Management at Derby

Sport is becoming one of the world's most lucrative industries. Prepare to play your part with hands-on experience of organising sporting events and the chance to see the business of sport close up with organisations like our official partner of the course, Derby County Football Club.

This varied sports degree builds your expertise in areas such as sports event management, marketing, media and business development, sport policy and planning, sport finance, and professional development.

Business work placements in each year of study prepare you for a successful future in sport management. You could find yourself attending live press conferences, getting involved with commercial hospitality and retail management, taking part in crowd management on match days, or undertaking consultancy and research projects for clubs.

A sporting career that means business

There is no doubt that sport is big business. Just think of the global appetite for the Olympics or our own Premier League, the multi-million pound sponsorship deals, the unprecedented sums generated by broadcasting rights, and the way sport can generate economic growth in our communities. 

Our BA (Hons) Sport Management is your entrance ticket to this exciting world. You can combine your passion for sport with the business management skills it takes to succeed.

Unique learning experiences

In addition to classroom-based learning, you’ll see the business of sport in close-up, developing your management and leadership prowess in a real-world context.

At every level of study, there is the chance for you to work within a professional environment including Derby County FC, Uttoxeter Race Course, Derby Arena, Team Derby.

You’ll also get involved in delivering sports events nationwide. In the past year alone, our students have assisted in the organisation of Championship and FA Cup football matches, T20 cricket matches, National Basketball League matches and the Derby Half Marathon and 10k races.

Skills to take you far

This is a hugely varied sport degree. We will develop your expertise in areas such as international sport; sports event management; marketing, media and business development; sport policy and planning; sport finance; and professional development.

In just one example, our partnership with Derby County Football Club has seen students get involved with commercial partnerships and sponsorship, corporate hospitality and retail management; take part in crowd management on match days; learn about sophisticated ticketing systems; explore legal and HR issues surrounding staff contracts; and undertake consultancy and research projects on behalf of the club.

Be inspired by the experts

Drawing on our exceptional network of contacts, we offer you the chance to learn from leading industry professionals from around the world – with UK-based guest lectures and masterclasses delivered online from overseas.

Your studies will be engaging and inspirational. An unusual induction week exercise saw our students team up with their counterparts from Derby Business School to take part in a Dragons’ Den style exercise. As part of this three-day challenge, they were able to talk to Derby County FC owner Mel Morris about everything from player recruitment strategy to club finance and commercial issues. 

Sports Scholarships

The University of Derby is a sporting hub for talented athletes and coaches. We have a track record of improving the performance of our University sports clubs and we have created an infrastructure to provide support for talented athletes. We offer a Sports Scholarship programme that aims to help talented student-athletes realise their sporting potential while supporting them through their academic studies. We offer scholarships of up to £6,000 and provide tailored athlete-support packages delivered by an experienced multi-disciplinary Performance Sport team. Two of the Universities most recent successful sports scholars are Charlie Tanfield (World Champion and Commonwealth Cycling gold medallist) and Jack Burnell (European Open Water silver medallist 2016 and Olympian 2016).

Join Team Derby

If you enjoy a challenge and would like to make the most of your own sporting passion and prowess, you could become involved with Team Derby which is the focal point for the University’s sporting community. It encompasses all aspects of sport, including courses, numerous sports clubs, the Athletics Union and sport development activities. You can also take part in the national BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) competitions.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You’ll learn through traditional lectures, seminars, and tutorial frameworks, combined with on-the-job learning in work placement opportunities, field based sessions, and assessments through DCFC and other professional sport organisations. You’ll benefit from international guest lecturers via online communication, UK-based guest lectures, independent study, group consultancy work for industry and ongoing professional development activities.

Areas of study include:

• Marketing, Media and PR: Work within live sports events for sports organisations including Derby County (DCFC), Derby Arena and Uttoxeter Race Course with the eyes of the international media and national journalists in attendance, learn how press releases and social media campaigns are created and sent out to the public working side by side with marketing professionals from our partner organisations
• Sport Sponsorship: From selling stadium naming rights to commercial partnerships for billboard branding, you will learn and experience first-hand about the number one form of income generation in sport – sponsorship
• Event Management: From working on a match day supporting the DCFC staff to help 30,000 people enjoy the game, to working as part of the event team to deliver the Derby half marathon with Sporting Futures or setting up the stage for the National Basketball League.  Event management is a key role in sport and you will be at the heart of it in Derby
• Talent Management: Professional athletes careers can be short lived, and the role of a sport management team and sports agents is an essential one to guide the pathway to success.  Learn first hand about the role that a sports agent plays in working on areas such as contracts, negotiation, endorsements and networking
• Ticketing and data management: Learn about how organisations such as DCFC use a unique ticketing system that works out the price of a ticket based on the opposition, time of year, pre-season ticket sales, season ticket sales and the day of the week. The price of the ticket will change as the date of the fixture draws closer and you’ll learn about how and why this system is in place
• Research and presentations: Students will get the opportunity to work on real-life consultancy and research projects on behalf of DCFC. More importantly, rather than presenting back to the lecturer you’ll get the opportunity to sit in the DCFC board room and present face to face to the club’s senior management team

How you're assessed

You will be assessed using a range of methods, including coursework, exams, group work, online discussions, presentations, and case studies. Regular feedback is provided to support assessments and develop a greater understanding of what you need to work in the sports industry.

September 2021 typical entry requirements

Alternative entry qualifications:

• BTEC - DDM
• Pass Access to HE Diploma - 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15 Merit: 24 Pass: 6

An Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service certificate cleared by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this once you have applied. More information.

2021/22 Fees (August 2021 - July 2022)

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

As a BA (Hons) Sport Management graduate, you can progress to a wide range of roles within professional sports clubs – such as marketing executive, facility manager, social media manager, commercial sponsorship manager or sport event manager.

You could also seek a business management career in broader fields including  the events industry with concerts and festivals. In addition, there is the potential to progress to postgraduate study or teacher training with a focus on sport or business.

Enhance your employability in sport at the University of Derby

What our partners say

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

The information below is correct for entry in the academic year September 2020 - August 2021 only. Entry for future academic years may be subject to change.

Included in your fees

• To welcome you to our team, you’ll receive a University of Derby, Sport and Exercise Science t-shirt 
• If a DBS check is needed for the purposes of a module or programme related work placement, this is included in your fee if done via the University
• We will contribute to or pay the full cost of additional qualifications which are arranged by us. For other additional qualifications you’re interested in, we may contribute to or fund these but this is at the Sport department’s discretion

Mandatory costs not included in your fees

• If not already owned, formal business attire is required for your placements - approximate cost is between £50-£200
• Two bound copies of your Independent Study (dissertation) - approximate cost is £12
• Travel to placements - Derby County, iPro stadium - cost varies depending on method of transport and location

Optional costs not included in your fees

• Recommended Books - costs will vary depending on your choice
• You may wish to undertake additional qualifications as part of your studies, costs will vary depending on your choice

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

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