MSc Sports Management
Please note: This page is for 2027 entry. Click here for 2026 entry.
| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full-time 2 years part-time |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus |
Streatham and St Luke's, Exeter |
| Typical offer | A minimum 2:2 or equivalent. |
|---|---|
Why study MSc Sports Management at Exeter?
- Explore a wide array of crucial current concepts in Sports Management from a powerful, multi-disciplinary perspective.
- Benefit from our links with external partners such as Exeter Chiefs Rugby Union Club, Exeter City Football Club, Yeovil Town Women’s F.C. and Commando Training Centre Royal Marines.
- Tailor your programme to your career ambitions or academic interests with our range of optional modules spanning business, marketing, entrepreneurship, sport and exercise psychology, and sport and leadership.
- Join our vibrant postgraduate research community and benefit from direct access to the latest research from the Business School and the Department of Public Health & Sport Sciences.
- Gain the expertise needed to pursue a range of careers such as consultancy, management, sport facilities management, international sport development or sport social enterprises.
- Option to study part-time and progress your continuous professional development (CPD) alongside work, or pursue sport while studying as part of Exeter Sport's high-performance teams. Part-time study provides further flexibility for extra-curricular experiences such as committee roles in societies, mentoring, and employability activities to enhance your career potential.
Top 5 in the UK for Sports Science
5th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 and the Complete University Guide 2027
Triple accredited Business School
AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
Top 20 in the world for Sports-related subjects
QS World University Subject Rankings 2026
Top 10 in the UK for Business and Management
9th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and 8th in The Complete University Guide 2027
Entry requirements
Applicants to this programme must have a minimum 2:2 or equivalent in a related discipline.
We do consider all applications where there is evidence of exceptional performance in modules relevant to the programme of study, significant relevant work experience or professional qualifications. Applicants wishing to select optional modules within the Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences must have a foundation in sport and exercise sciences at undergraduate level or equivalent.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.
The required IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile B2.
Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
You will explore strategic management and leadership approaches across a variety of sporting contexts, and learn how to critically consider and appraise their importance to sporting governance and development. We will discuss the role of sport in changing and reacting to societal agendas and the models that support effectual operational governance at a local, national and international level.
You can choose to undertake an academic research-based dissertation or complete a sports management business plan. You’ll also choose from a range of optional modules covering fields such as marketing, consumer behaviour, leadership, sport and exercise psychology, sport and exercise medicine, HRM and innovation management.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules.
You may take optional modules as long as any necessary pre/corequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. SHSM014, SHSM030 and SHSM035 require you to have a foundation in sport and exercise sciences at undergraduate level or equivalent.
Guidance in optional module selection
When selecting module options, you are advised to consider several factors to maximise your learning potential. Ask yourself, ‘what career aspirations do I have?’
Sports background – wishing to develop business and management disciplines
Consider a suite of modules from the Business School which broaden and develop your knowledge and expertise so that you can take your sporting knowledge and skills to a strategic management level, and/or to aid you to start your own business/enterprise.
Sports background - wishing to progress sport, health and wellbeing and exercise science disciplines
Consider modules from the Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences which are progressive and build on your undergraduate course and existing skills in sport and exercise science and related disciplines. The compulsory modules will compliment this through essential underpinning management content.
Business and management background – wishing to develop sport, health and wellbeing and exercise sciences disciplines
Your ability to pursue optional modules within the Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences will be dependent on prior knowledge and skills and would normally require a foundation in sport and exercise sciences at undergraduate level or equivalent.
You should also consider how your optional modules and career aspirations inform your decision to pursue the Academic Dissertation route or the Business Planning route. It is likely that if you wish to pursue the Business Planning route, then more business and management optional modules would be beneficial to help prepare you.
When selecting optional modules, you should also consider the balance in workload from Term 1 and Term 2 as well as whether the module is 15 or 30 credits. The programme is purposely designed to offer flexibility to best fit your individual needs and aspirations.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Sport Management, Leadership and Strategy | 30 | |
| Event Management | 30 | |
| International Sport Policy, Governance and Contemporary Issues | 30 | |
| Sports Management Independent Project | 30 | |
SHSM039: Sport Management, Leadership and Strategy
This module affords you the chance to develop a thorough grounding in strategic management and leadership approaches across a variety of important sporting contexts. You will be able to critically consider these approaches and appraise their importance to both sporting governance and development.
The module is compulsory for the MSc Sports Management and provides you with essential management content to underpin the programme. This module introduces you to the scale, scope and structure of the sports industry and the complex and multi-layered factors which influence operations and so that you are able to develop a strategic perspective and lead in change and invocation.
This module will allow you to explore critically, the scale and scope of an ever-changing sports industry, and the range of internal and external factors which influence management, leadership, and strategy. The module will develop your knowledge and understanding of complex, interconnected socio-cultural, political, and economic principles which drive innovation and change in a range of sporting contexts, within the UK and internationally. You will explore interrelationships between sports management, policy and practice and the needs and challenges of multiple stakeholders from across the public, private (commercial) and charity/voluntary (third) sectors, at the micro and macro level.
SHSM053: Event Management
Every sport, and related organisation, whether in the public (government), private (commercial), voluntary (third) sectors, will be involved in the management and planning of projects /events. Having the skills to plan and implement such activities in professional teams and in collaboration with diverse stakeholders, can enhance your employability for future careers. This module allows you to be part of a 'live' (including remote/online alternatives) event organising committee which will deliver a real sport event or related event/project. You will get to directly experience the impact of your contribution and decision-making upon a range of associated stakeholders through the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a real event/project.
SHSM062: International Sport Policy, Governance and Contemporary Issues
- You will explore models designed to support effectual operational governance and appraise the importance of these frameworks in the delivery and development of sport. This may include the role of local and regional governing bodies, whilst evaluating the importance of oversight at a national and international level. You will also be able to consider the role of sport in a changing world and reacting to societal agendas. The module is compulsory for the MSc Sports Management and develops ideas introduced in the co-requisite module SHSM039 Sport Management, Leadership and Strategy. This module focuses on sports policy structure and governance on a global scale and contemporary factors that influence the sports industry today and for the future. Policy and governance are important subject areas that underpin sports management and industry related practice, and this module will allow you to explore the models and frameworks in place and the contemporary issues which i
SHSM070: Sports Management Independent Project
The Sports Management Independent Project provides you with the flexibility to investigate a topic of personal interest within the sports industry through an academic or industry applied lens. The module offers two pathways: an academic research dissertation or an industry-focused business plan. Both routes require you to design, develop, execute, and present on your selected independent project.
The aim of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to design and complete an independent project that addresses a contemporary challenge or opportunity within the sports industry from either an academic research perspective or an applied business planning perspective. You will investigate a topic of your choice, collecting and analysing relevant data to develop either a dissertation-style research paper or a sports business plan.
Through this module, you will engage critically with core research skills, helping you understand relevant academic and business-related theoretical concepts, methodological approaches, and data‑driven analysis to understand how sports organisations operate, compete, and innovate in domestic and international environments. Whether you pursue the academic or applied pathway, the module challenges you to translate complex sports management issues into well‑reasoned, evidence‑based insights and strategic recommendations and proposals.
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Optional 2 | ||
| International Human Resource Management | 15 | |
| Managing Competitive Strategy | 15 | |
| Leadership and Global Challenges | 15 | |
| Brand Design | 15 | |
| Marketing Strategy | 15 | |
| Entrepreneurship: New Venture Creation | 15 | |
| Service Design and Innovation | 15 | |
| Unlocking Innovation | 15 | |
| Advanced issues in Resourcing, Talent Management and Reward | 15 | |
| Consumer Behaviour in Contemporary Markets | 15 | |
| Research Methods and Analytical Procedures | 15 | |
| Introduction to Sport and Exercise Medicine | 15 | |
| Applied Experience in Sport and Exercise Medicine | 30 | |
I think the Masters will definitely set me apart from others when trying to get into sports management. Many of my peers have studied sports science or business. As I come from a history background, I’m one of the few who hasn’t already been exposed to this area. Applying for jobs in sports management from just doing a history undergraduate would have been intimidating. The Masters has been really refreshing and has improved my confidence and sense of belonging in the sporting world.
I studied history at Exeter for my undergraduate degree. I chose Exeter because not only was it really good for history, but there was a very strong hockey and cricket programme here. After graduation, I was looking to do a Masters in history or potentially a PGCE and train to become a teacher. As I was going through Exeter’s programmes, I saw MSc Sports Management and I thought that it would be a really good way to gain some business knowledge.
Sport takes up most of my social life! I’m part of the performance programme for cricket and play for the Women’s 1s. I also play hockey for the Women’s 4s for BUCS. Playing sport alongside my studies really complements the Masters. I only joined the performance programme for cricket this year, so this paired with learning about sports management has been really interesting.
Evie
MSc Sports Management
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£13,300 full-time; £6,650 part-time
International fees per year:
£28,900 full-time; £14,450 part-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer the University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship for University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship worth 20% of the cost of your first year tuition fees.
Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply.
Teaching and research
Teaching methods
A diverse range of teaching and learning methods are employed on this programme. This combination aims to facilitate interaction, optimise the use of contact time, provide practical experience and allow flexibility through independent study.
Methods include:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Practical laboratory sessions
- Practical clinical sessions
- Group work and discussion
- Independent study
- Applied placement in a performance sports setting
Additional guest lecturers will provide specific applied expertise for some modules.
Tutorial support
Each student is allocated a personal tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies. There is also a postgraduate tutor available to help with further guidance and advice.
Careers
MSc Sports Management offers the expertise needed by graduates looking for jobs in or related to sports industries. You are able to access a huge range of opportunities and support when considering your future career options. After graduating, you might expect to pursue careers in a variety of professions in or related to the sport industries, including consultancy, management, sport facilities management, international sport development or sport social enterprises.
Dedicated careers support
You will receive support from our dedicated Career Zone team, who provide excellent career guidance at all stages of career planning. The Career Zone provides one-on-one support and is home to a wealth of business and industry contacts. Additionally, they host useful training events, workshops and lectures which are designed to further support you in developing your enterprise acumen. Please visit the Career Zone for additional information on their services.
I chose to study MSc Sports Management at Exeter because I am looking to make a career change. Sport is a growing market across the globe, and it has always been my ‘thing’. I follow a lot of sports and I used to play back in my school and college days. It gives me a real adrenaline rush and I aspire to work for a club or a team, or even for a corporate consultancy or sporting company.
I have been working for many years across industries in banks, real estate and healthcare into corporate operations, finance and business development, so coming back to studying is a completely different ball game. The course at Exeter is great because it gives you that leadership edge in the field of study as well as other domains and industries. It teaches you how to be a leader and equips you with the skills to take up leadership roles. Other universities didn’t seem to have such a focus on leadership, so that’s why I picked Exeter.
The course has been very enriching so far and the teaching has been great. The atmosphere at the University is absolutely lovely and I have felt very welcomed and secured which is the most important aspect when an expat or international student joins from a different country and settles down.
Khusrav
MSc Sports Management
