Course details

Study options

Full-time: 3 years, Part-time: 6 years

UK fee

£9,250 per year (2025/26)

International fee

£TBC per year (2025/26)

UCAS points

96 (September 2025 entry)

UCAS code

6G89

Start date

September

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

If you do not achieve the typical entry points required, you may want to consider studying this course with foundation year.

View with foundation year optionView with foundation year option

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:

Top10for satisfaction with feedback - BA (Hons) Sport ManagementHospitality, Event Management and Tourism subject area - The Guardian University Guide 2024
Top15for student satisfaction with teaching - BA (Hons) Sport ManagementHospitality, Event Management and Tourism subject area - The Guardian University Guide 2024
100%of students agreed they were satisfied with the academic supportBA (Hons) Sport Management - National Student Survey 2024
100%of students agreed staff were good at explaining thingsBA (Hons) Sport Management - National Student Survey 2024
100%of students agreed that staff made the subject engagingBA (Hons) Sport Management - National Student Survey 2024

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 a marketing professional in sport. You will gain exemptions from the CIM Certificate in Professional and 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 during your degree.

Your mentor will be a Chartered Manager or Fellow of the CMI with a wealth of insight 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.  

A staff member from DCFC talking to a student in the tunnel
Two students sitting in the DCFC pitch side seats

Guaranteed Work Placement

You are guaranteed work placement hours at our professional Championship football club Derby County during your degree. You’ll take learning from the classroom and put it straight into practice in the workplace. We will also visit you during your placement to ensure that you are supported throughout the process.

In the first year you’ll experience working in all departments of the football club including marketing, commercial, ticketing and community. You’ll also receive an induction in the Boardroom including talks from senior managers, a behind the scenes tour, a free ticket to a Championship fixture and have a chance to win VIP prizes.

In the second year you'll progress to matchday placements working in marketing/events, ticketing, crowd/safety management, hospitality and partnerships and the community trust. You'll also receive a tour of the outstanding training centre at Moor Farm to learn about how it is managed.

In the final year you'll receive guest lectures from senior managers at Derby County, an onsite assessment centre at the stadium and an Executive Box experience for a Championship fixture. 

The University is also the main shirt sponsor of Derby County Women FC.

Grace Vivian and Jack Webster tell us about their time studying BA (Hons) Sport Management, and how the course's placement opportunities led to graduate employment at Derby County Football 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. Programme Leader, Lee Pridmore, is a CMI Chartered Manager, which is a stand out achievement and shows his dedication to making a positive impact to the future of his students. The team also 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 Play on the Pitch event at Derby County in the first year with the opportunity to win a VIP matchday experience for your group. You'll present your proposals in the Boardroom at the club. 

In the second year you’ll be involved in the planning and delivery of the Derby 10km and produce a Sport England project proposal for Sporting Communities. 

In the final year you will work with other students to plan your own sport event. You'll have access to venues such as ‘The Yard’ at Derby County and Mickleover FC. There will also be an opportunity to work on a live assessment brief with Pastures Golf Course or Derby Rugby Club. You'll present your findings to your chosen organisation.    

A group playing football in the sunset

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.

Find out more about Jade's storyFind out more about Jade's story

"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 School 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. 

Andy Hooton, Head of Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science.

View Sport and Exercise Science - your questions answered! video transcript

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  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.

We have also recently appointed Double Olympic Medallist, Bryan Steel, as the Head Coach for Team Derby Performance Sport Cycling. Bryan is a celebrated figure in the world of cycling, bringing a wealth of experience to his role. The decorated Olympian, who represented Team GB at four Olympic Games from 1992 to 2004, boasts an impressive medal collection. His crowning achievements include a bronze medal in the team pursuit event at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Games in the same discipline. Brian's journey also includes 14 World Championship appearances, where he secured five medals, along with three medals at the Commonwealth Games. With the arrival of Bryan, Performance Sport at the university will work in partnership with HUUB-BCC Race Team to give track and road riders access to an elite pathway during and post higher education. This collaboration opens doors for Team Derby Performance Cycling's athletes, offering a unique opportunity to bridge their academic pursuits with professional cycling aspirations.

Sport programmes at University of Derby

View Sport at Derby video transcript

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Big spaces for big ideas

Kedleston Road offers it all: study in our largest library, relax at Basecamp, train in real-world healthcare settings, and stay active in our state-of-the-art Sports Centre.

Discover your campusDiscover your campus

What you will study

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.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

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.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

Learning in the classroom

Our teaching methods are varied, interactive and engaging. You'll take part in:

Learning in the workplace

Areas of work experience at sporting organisations such as Derby County FC includes:

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), Simon Carnall (Derby County COO), Darryl Eales (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 - Image Embed
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:

Person offering support to a student Person offering support to a student with a laptop Student smiling with tutor Tutor smiling with student and laptop

Helping you reach your full potential

Our Personal Academic Tutoring programme supports your academic journey, helping you achieve your goals and unlock your potential.

Learn more

Who will teach you

Lee Pridmore
Programme leader

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.

View full staff profileView full staff profile

Entry requirements

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points96
A LevelCCC
T LevelPass (C and above)
BTECMMM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

If you're an international student and want to improve your English language skills before you start your course, the Derby English Language Centre's pre-sessional English course can help you. 

Fees and funding

2025/26

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

£1,155 per 20 credit module

International

£TBC per year

N/A

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

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Careers

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 at 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, teachers/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.

Graduate Jack Webster walking in the Pride Park tunnel

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.

Find out how the course was a game changer for their careersFind out how the course was a game changer for their careers
Mark Faghy conducting research in the background, with a man wearing an oxygen mask.

Managing Excellence

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.

Read Mark's storyRead Mark's story

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

Career Support Image

96%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

Top 5
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

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.

Contact us Contact us

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.

Course updates

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.

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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