Overview
The global sport industry combines passion with complex commercial, operational and integrity challenges. This MSc develops managers for clubs, federations, agencies, events and sport-tech firms. You will study sport economics, branding and fan engagement, finance and sponsorship, events operations, governance and media rights. The capstone is a strategic initiative for a real or simulated sport organisation assessed by faculty and industry reviewers.
MSc Sports Management is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 18 months, and the credit total is 36. Students move from Sport Industry Economics & Business Models through Sport Industry Economics & Business Models; Sport Marketing, Branding & Fan Engagement; Sport Finance, Sponsorship & Revenue Models; Research Methods in Sport Management; Event Management, Stadium Operations & Safety; Sport Law, Governance & Integrity, and finish on MSc Sports Management Capstone.
Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students diagnose one organisation and carry a decision through to a recommendation. Reading is a case, a short financial extract, and a stakeholder note. The artefact a marker expects is a consulting brief a manager could use.
The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Design commercial and fan-engagement strategies for sport properties Manage events and venue operations to professional safety standards Structure sponsorship and media rights negotiations ethically
Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass.
The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Edinburgh's sporting culture and international online cohort provide dual perspectives: community sport and elite commercial ecosystems. Integrity, inclusion and athlete welfare are core — not electives.
Who This Programme Is For
- ✦Sport industry professionals seeking formal management credentials
- ✦Business graduates entering clubs, agencies or federations
- ✦Event and venue operators advancing to senior roles
- ✦Athletes transitioning into sport business careers
Faculty spotlight
Faculty with club commercial and major-event experience lead case studios; governance specialists cover integrity systems.
Programme Structure & Delivery
Coursework
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Assessment
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
Learning Outcomes
- ✦Design commercial and fan-engagement strategies for sport properties
- ✦Manage events and venue operations to professional safety standards
- ✦Structure sponsorship and media rights negotiations ethically
- ✦Apply governance and integrity frameworks in sport organisations
- ✦Lead inclusive sport development programmes
Career Pathways
- ✦Sport Commercial Manager
- ✦Event Operations Manager
- ✦Club / Federation Strategy Officer
- ✦Sponsorship Manager
- ✦Sport Agency Account Lead
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
Curriculum
Term 1 — Sport Business Core
SPM501Sport Industry Economics & Business Models- SPM501-M1 · Position, rivals, and the choice in front of the organisation — Sport Industry Economics & Business Models
- SPM501-M2 · A financial result and the operational cause — Sport Industry Economics & Business Models
- SPM501-M3 · The decision, the team, resistance, and the plan — Sport Industry Economics & Business Models
- SPM501-M4 · Stakeholders and what they can block — Sport Industry Economics & Business Models
- SPM501-M5 · Ethics and the limit of the recommendation — Sport Industry Economics & Business Models
- SPM501-M6 · A consulting brief: problem, evidence, recommendation, defence — Sport Industry Economics & Business Models
3 creditsSPM502Sport Marketing, Branding & Fan Engagement- SPM502-M1 · Audience, offer, and the evidence for both — Sport Marketing, Branding & Fan Engagement
- SPM502-M2 · Channel choice and what the channel cannot do — Sport Marketing, Branding & Fan Engagement
- SPM502-M3 · Message, proof, and a measure of response — Sport Marketing, Branding & Fan Engagement
- SPM502-M4 · Ethics of persuasion and claims that must not be made — Sport Marketing, Branding & Fan Engagement
- SPM502-M5 · A campaign or content decision with a budget line — Sport Marketing, Branding & Fan Engagement
- SPM502-M6 · A recommendation a client could act on — Sport Marketing, Branding & Fan Engagement
3 creditsSPM503Sport Finance, Sponsorship & Revenue Models- SPM503-M1 · Statements: income, position, and cash — Sport Finance, Sponsorship & Revenue Models
- SPM503-M2 · Recognition, ratios, and what the numbers cannot show — Sport Finance, Sponsorship & Revenue Models
- SPM503-M3 · Cash flows, discount rates, and sensitivity — Sport Finance, Sponsorship & Revenue Models
- SPM503-M4 · Market, credit, and operating risk — Sport Finance, Sponsorship & Revenue Models
- SPM503-M5 · Controls, exceptions, and reporting — Sport Finance, Sponsorship & Revenue Models
- SPM503-M6 · An investment or operating recommendation — Sport Finance, Sponsorship & Revenue Models
3 creditsSPM504Research Methods in Sport Management- SPM504-M1 · Position, rivals, and the choice in front of the organisation — Research Methods in Sport Management
- SPM504-M2 · A financial result and the operational cause — Research Methods in Sport Management
- SPM504-M3 · The decision, the team, resistance, and the plan — Research Methods in Sport Management
- SPM504-M4 · Stakeholders and what they can block — Research Methods in Sport Management
- SPM504-M5 · Ethics and the limit of the recommendation — Research Methods in Sport Management
- SPM504-M6 · A consulting brief: problem, evidence, recommendation, defence — Research Methods in Sport Management
3 creditsTerm 2 — Operations & Leadership
SPM505Event Management, Stadium Operations & Safety- SPM505-M1 · Order, nodes, delay, and a flow map — Event Management, Stadium Operations & Safety
- SPM505-M2 · Demand, capacity, stock, and stock-out — Event Management, Stadium Operations & Safety
- SPM505-M3 · A break in the chain and the response — Event Management, Stadium Operations & Safety
- SPM505-M4 · Cost, time, and who pays for the buffer — Event Management, Stadium Operations & Safety
- SPM505-M5 · One lane, site, or corridor — Event Management, Stadium Operations & Safety
- SPM505-M6 · A change recommendation with cost and risk — Event Management, Stadium Operations & Safety
3 creditsSPM506Sport Law, Governance & Integrity- SPM506-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Sport Law, Governance & Integrity
- SPM506-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Sport Law, Governance & Integrity
- SPM506-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Sport Law, Governance & Integrity
- SPM506-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Sport Law, Governance & Integrity
- SPM506-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Sport Law, Governance & Integrity
- SPM506-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Sport Law, Governance & Integrity
3 creditsSPM507Athlete Pathways, Performance Support Systems- SPM507-M1 · Position, rivals, and the choice in front of the organisation — Athlete Pathways, Performance Support Systems
- SPM507-M2 · A financial result and the operational cause — Athlete Pathways, Performance Support Systems
- SPM507-M3 · The decision, the team, resistance, and the plan — Athlete Pathways, Performance Support Systems
- SPM507-M4 · Stakeholders and what they can block — Athlete Pathways, Performance Support Systems
- SPM507-M5 · Ethics and the limit of the recommendation — Athlete Pathways, Performance Support Systems
- SPM507-M6 · A consulting brief: problem, evidence, recommendation, defence — Athlete Pathways, Performance Support Systems
3 creditsSPM508Media Rights, Digital Content & Global Sport- SPM508-M1 · Audience, offer, and the evidence for both — Media Rights, Digital Content & Global Sport
- SPM508-M2 · Channel choice and what the channel cannot do — Media Rights, Digital Content & Global Sport
- SPM508-M3 · Message, proof, and a measure of response — Media Rights, Digital Content & Global Sport
- SPM508-M4 · Ethics of persuasion and claims that must not be made — Media Rights, Digital Content & Global Sport
- SPM508-M5 · A campaign or content decision with a budget line — Media Rights, Digital Content & Global Sport
- SPM508-M6 · A recommendation a client could act on — Media Rights, Digital Content & Global Sport
3 creditsTerm 3 — Capstone
SPM601Diversity, Inclusion & Sport Development Policy- SPM601-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Diversity, Inclusion & Sport Development Policy
- SPM601-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Diversity, Inclusion & Sport Development Policy
- SPM601-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Diversity, Inclusion & Sport Development Policy
- SPM601-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Diversity, Inclusion & Sport Development Policy
- SPM601-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Diversity, Inclusion & Sport Development Policy
- SPM601-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Diversity, Inclusion & Sport Development Policy
3 creditsSPM602Strategic Leadership in Sport Organisations- SPM602-M1 · Position, rivals, and the choice in front of the organisation — Strategic Leadership in Sport Organisations
- SPM602-M2 · A financial result and the operational cause — Strategic Leadership in Sport Organisations
- SPM602-M3 · The decision, the team, resistance, and the plan — Strategic Leadership in Sport Organisations
- SPM602-M4 · Stakeholders and what they can block — Strategic Leadership in Sport Organisations
- SPM602-M5 · Ethics and the limit of the recommendation — Strategic Leadership in Sport Organisations
- SPM602-M6 · A consulting brief: problem, evidence, recommendation, defence — Strategic Leadership in Sport Organisations
3 creditsSPM603MSc Sports Management Capstone- SPM603-M1 · Position, rivals, and the choice in front of the organisation — MSc Sports Management Capstone
- SPM603-M2 · A financial result and the operational cause — MSc Sports Management Capstone
- SPM603-M3 · The decision, the team, resistance, and the plan — MSc Sports Management Capstone
- SPM603-M4 · Stakeholders and what they can block — MSc Sports Management Capstone
- SPM603-M5 · Ethics and the limit of the recommendation — MSc Sports Management Capstone
- SPM603-M6 · A consulting brief: problem, evidence, recommendation, defence — MSc Sports Management Capstone
6 creditsAdmission requirements
Academic entry
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (minimum 2:2 or GPA 2.5/4.0)
English language
- English proficiency: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 46, or equivalent (waived for prior English-medium study)
Documents
- Statement of Purpose (500 words minimum) outlining your goals and fit for the programme
- Two academic or professional references with contact details
- CV or résumé documenting relevant education and professional experience
Programme questions
How long is the MSc Sports Management?+
The published duration is 18 months. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
Can I study this from my country?+
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
What does it cost?+
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
What are the entry requirements?+
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
How is the programme assessed?+
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Will this award be recognised where I live?+
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Durham University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
How do I apply?+
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@durhm.co.uk.
