Sport Business Management (BA Hons)

Gain an understanding of the economic, legal, and media issues around sport. This course will prepare you for a career in sports business management.

Blend your passion for sport with business management expertise and real-world leadership skills.

Attendance: Full-Time
Duration: 3 Years
Start date: 21 Sep 2026

As part of this course, you’ll:

• Examine key business areas, including marketing, finance, economics, enterprise, strategy and events management, and their relationship with sport
• Study digital analytics and gain key skills that support today's global businesses
• Learn about the increasing professionalisation of sport and investigate the requirements of governance
• Explore how the changing needs of the consumer have transformed sport into one of the most lucrative industries in the world
• Recognise and seize new and exciting opportunities in broadcasting, licensing and merchandising

Industry links
We work closely with organisations such as Leeds City Council, Leeds Rhinos and the Rugby Football League. The organisations  have offered full-time employment to many of our students following their work placements.

Employability prospects
Each year we host an employability fair where you’ll be able to speak directly with employers from major leading organisations from the world of sports business.

Sport volunteering opportunities
We offer a sport volunteering programme for anyone with an interest in sport. We have numerous opportunities with organisations such as West Yorkshire Sport, Kirklees Active Leisure, the Rugby Football League, Leeds City Council and Camp Leaders USA.

Study abroad
You may also have the chance to travel and study abroad through our exchange programme with partner universities in Australia, America, Canada and Europe.

International recognition
We’ve been ranked in the top 100 institutions in the world for Sports-Related Subjects in QS’s World University Rankings by Subject. QS are an international higher education benchmarking agency.

Modules, teaching, and learning

Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.

Why study the BA (Hons) Sport Business Management course at Leeds Beckett University?

1. 94% of students on BA (Hons) Sport Business Management were positive about the way teaching staff explain things*
2. Work placement opportunities - start building your professional networks and put your learning into practice
3. Sport volunteering opportunities - which have previously included the Olympics, World Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games
4. Placement year option – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience
5. Annual employability fair - connect directly with employers

*National Student Survey 2025

Career Prospects

Gain the expertise to make a real impact in your chosen career and help you create an e-portfolio to impress future employers. Our students have set up their own companies and have gained management positions in high-profile sport businesses and leisure organisations, such as Virgin Active, the RFL, British Cycling and national governing bodies. They have also secured roles at professional sports clubs. including Leeds Rhinos and Yorkshire Golf, and marketing and PR firms Banana Kick and Michael Page.

• Leisure club manager
• Sport development officer
• Stadium manager
• Sports marketing executive

You could choose to complete a placement year, which will enable you to focus on developing your employability skills and experience.