This degree gives you an excellent platform for your dream career working in sport management. With CMI accreditation, recognised degree status from the CIM, and guaranteed work placement hours at a League One football club you will gain a competitive edge in the graduate job market.
We offer an amazing overall student package that prepares you for an exciting career in all areas of Sport Management. You will stand out from the crowd. On this course you will:
You’ll gain guaranteed work placement hours at a professional League One football club - Derby County
Alongside your degree you’ll gain a L5 Diploma in Management and Leadership from the CMI (subject to passing required components). There are no additional costs or assessments for this. We are the only Sport Management undergraduate degree in the country offering this.
Our professional mentoring scheme will inspire and motivate you - you’ll have the opportunity to be supported by a CMI mentor at every stage of your degree
As this degree has recognised degree status by the CIM you gain exemptions from professional marketing qualifications too
Work related learning, live assessment briefs and topical case studies will give you plenty of applied experiences
Once you graduate you’ll be able to use the post-nominal letters FCMGR (Foundation Chartered Manager) after your name to show that you are on the pathway to Chartered Manager status
Top 3for Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism subject area**Includes BA (Hons) Sport Management - The Guardian University Guide 2023
9thin the UK for student satisfaction with teaching - BA (Hons) Sport Management**Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism subject area - The Guardian University Guide 2023
100%of students agreed staff are good at explaining things**BA (Hons) Sport Management - National Student Survey 2022
Programme Accreditation
The Sport Management programme is accredited by the CMI which is dedicated to promoting excellence in management and leadership. Alongside your degree you will gain a CMI L5 Diploma in Management and Leadership (subject to passing required components). The CMI Diploma is the benchmark for full CMI membership and takes you a step towards Chartered Manager status, signalling to prospective employers that you’re equipped for senior sport and business management roles. There is no additional cost, and you won’t need to take extra exams or coursework to achieve this.
Throughout the degree you will have access to CMI networking events, online resources and additional benefits to support your career development and employability.
Recognised Degree Status
This programme is also a CIM recognised degree meaning that the marketing content of the course has been mapped against the CIMs unique professional marking competencies. Graduates will be able to demonstrate the high standards required by those working as marketing professionals in sport. You will gain exemptions from the CIM Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing to advance your career.
Professional Mentoring
The CMI accreditation will open up an extensive network of professional contacts within sport and business management for you. You’ll have the opportunity to be supported by a CMI mentor at every stage of your degree.
Your mentor will be a Chartered Manager or Fellow of the CMI with a wealth of insights and management experience to share with you. They will advise and support you, showing how sport and business management principles can be applied directly in the workplace.
Guaranteed Work Placement
You are guaranteed work placement hours at our professional League One football club Derby County at every stage of your degree. You’ll take learning from the classroom and put it straight into practice in the workplace.
In the first year you’ll experience working in all departments of the club including marketing, commercial, ticketing and community. You’ll also receive an induction including talks from senior managers and departmental heads. In the second year you will specialise in a department of your choice and have the opportunity to work on matchdays including crowd and safety management. In the final year you will have the opportunity to present your research findings ‘Apprentice style’ to senior managers at the club.
Expert Teaching
You will be taught by a highly qualified and experienced team with an impressive track record for teaching, research and broad industry-based experience. The team has extensive contacts in the sport management industry, and you will be able to network with those connections to support your learning and development.
Unique Learning Experiences
Your learning will be enriched by a range of unique learning experiences at every stage of the degree. You’ll plan a one-day sport event at Derby County FC in the first year with the opportunity to ‘play on the Pride Park stadium’ pitch at the end of the season. In the second year you’ll be involved in the planning and delivery of the Derby 10km road race. In the final year you will work with other students to plan your own sport event. There will also be opportunities to work on live assessment briefs with Sporting Communities, Mickleover FC, Pastures Golf Course and Derby Rugby Club.
Relationship with Derby County is key for Jade
Our close relationship with Derby County was key to Jade Shilton choosing to study with us. And our links with the football club have boosted her academic and career progression.
"The three years that I spent studying this course were amazing. After graduating, I started my first full-time job as a Racing Sales Executive with Uttoxeter Racecourse, as I had already completed a placement there during my studies. I now work for Porsche Club GB as a Digital Executive and I’m responsible for all social content for their events. I always knew I wanted to work in motorsports but without this course, I would never have been able to achieve it." Becky Tarling, Sport Management Graduate
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.
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 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 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.
Undergraduate Open Days
The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.
Our teaching methods are varied, interactive and engaging. You'll take part in:
Formal lectures
Tutor-led and student led seminars
One to one and small group tutorials
Live assessment briefs
Self-directed study
Optional internship opportunities
Learning in the workplace
Areas of work experience at sporting organisations such as Derby County FC includes:
Marketing, Media and PR: You will work as part of live sport events for Derby County FC with the eyes of national journalists in attendance. You’ll learn how press releases and social media campaigns are created and sent out to the public whilst working alongside marketing professionals
Sport Sponsorship: From selling stadium naming rights to commercial partnerships, you’ll learn and experience first hand the number one form of income generation in sport – sponsorship
Event Management: You will work on matchdays supporting Derby County staff to help 30,000 spectators to enjoy the game safely. You’ll also work as part of the community department organising and delivering the Derby 10km. Event management is a key role in sport, and you will be at the heart of it in Derby
Talent Management: Professional athletic careers are short-lived, and the role of a sport management team and agents is essential in guiding the pathway to success. Learn first-hand the role a sport agent plays in working on areas such as player contracts, negotiation, endorsements and networking
Ticketing and Data Management: Learn how Derby County use a unique ticketing system that determines 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. You’ll learn about this system and how data management underpins the club’s approach to ticketing
Research and Presentations: Students will get the opportunity to work on real-world research and consultancy projects on behalf of Derby County. More importantly, rather than presenting to your tutor you’ll get the opportunity to sit in the executive boardroom at the club and present your findings to the senior executives at the club
We also have a diverse range of guest speakers to inspire you and share their stories. Previously we have had Stephen Pearce (Derby County CEO), Darryl Eales (Chairperson Solihull Moors FC), Dr. Cham Kang (Managing Director Qinesis) and Don Amott (Leisure Business Owner & University of Derby Honorand).
Industrial Placement Year
You can choose to take a placement year between year two and three of your degree, which can enhance your employability and improve your prospects post-graduation. We can help you find a placement and provide support during your year in industry. One example was a student who completed a placement year at Adidas, completed their studies and returned to the company full-time on graduation.
Charlene Sharp, BA (Hons) Sport Management graduate
How you're assessed
Our assessment strategy has been informed by employers, the CMI and the CIM. We assess you on the sort of tasks that you might undertake in the workplace. There are therefore no formal examinations on the programme. We sometimes assess you as an individual and at other times you will be working as part of a group. Your assignments could include:
Business reports
Presentations including sales pitches
Research projects
Live assessment briefs
Design of digital materials including websites, videos and/or blogs
Computer based assessments
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Lee is the leader of the BA (Hons) Sport Management programme. He has over 15 years experience of leading modules, programmes and other roles in the discipline area of sport at the University of Derby.
Your qualifications and experience will equip you for a rewarding career in sport and/or business management. They will also identify you as having the potential for promotion to senior management positions and as someone who can work to high ethical standards. Careers include marketing, media, finance, human resource management, sport sponsorship, event management, ticketing, and data management.
Former graduates of the programme have gone on to work as a range of sport organisations including Football League Clubs, Adidas, Porsche and Gulliver’s Sport Travels for example. Others have become business consultants, sport development officers, education managers or event organisers. Some even plan to work in sport management overseas including the NFL, NBA or MLB. Some students go on to use the entrepreneurial skills gained during their degree to set up their own business.
Graduates working at Derby County Football Club
We hear from five Sport Management graduates whose placements were just the start of their time at DCFC.
When Mark Faghy first arrived in Derby as a teenage undergraduate, he stated proudly that his goal was to become manager of the England football team. Now he is a respected research academic leading an international collaboration in the fight against Covid. And his students are helping.
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.
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 provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
Included in your fees
To welcome you to our team, you’ll receive a University of Derby, Sport and Exercise Science t-shirt
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
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
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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