Overview
Kick-start your career in the sports industry with our highly-rated Masters degree in Sport Management.
Attracting students from all over the world, this unique course is designed to meet the sport sector’s need for well-qualified managers who can combine management skills with a specialist knowledge of sport and its unique institutional nature. You’ll learn how to apply your insights to the inherent challenges of sport management – from conducting research into event planning, to advising organisations on the impact of policy changes.
The course is taught by leading experts in the subject, whose research helps to ensure you’re being taught about the most up-to-date industry trends. You’ll also have invaluable opportunities to undertake a period of professional practice with a sporting organisation, either virtually or in person, and be involved in organising a sports event with our industry partners. By the time you graduate, you’ll be well equipped to turn your passion for sport into your profession.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
The objective of our MSc Sport Management is to help you acquire the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills you to need become an effective manager in a range of sport settings. After graduating you’ll be able to:
- identify and evaluate recent changes in sport participation and policies, and their implications for sport management practices;
- apply management theory to the context of managing sport organisations;
- conduct research into sport issues relevant to managing and developing sport organisations and events.
Professional connections
Our course tutors include individuals with experience as directors of National Governing Bodies of Sport, sport managers with wide professional experience and staff who actively consult with international sport organisations. These connections add up to give you a unique insight into real life practice and access to a vast network of industry contacts.
Sport is in our DNA
As Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, we’ve developed an international reputation for delivering sport courses that get results. We bring together leading academics to deliver high-quality teaching in a range of areas and with a focus on your future employability. We’re closely aligned with many sports bodies and have formal links with a growing number of organisations who can help to facilitate your learning. Our campus is also home to the National Swimming Academy, the GB National Tennis Academy and Triathlon Scotland.
If you love sport, you’ll fit right in at the University of Stirling.
Work placements
A period of professional practice (60 hours) is an integral part of this course, where you will have the opportunity to be placed with a local or international organisation.
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Faculty facilities
The University of Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence and we recently invested £20 million in our outstanding sports facilities. We’re consistently ranked among the best universities in the UK for our sports facilities, making Stirling the perfect destination to study sport and the science behind it.
Research overview
The University of Stirling is ranked 1st in Scotland for outputs in Sports and Exercise Sciences (REF 2021), with 80% of our research classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Former students have published articles in well-ranked international journals in the field of sport management, creating some competitive advantage for those who wish to follow an academic career.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second-class Honours degree (2:1 preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall with a Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
Last updated: June 2024
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
Get real experience of working in sport management as you earn a Masters from Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.
To earn your Sport Management Masters you’ll need to complete seven modules and a dissertation. Alternatively, you can graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma by completing limited aspects of the course content.
Modules
Teaching
Management concepts and theories will be taught in lectures, while theory will be applied through case study analysis, discussion with sport management practitioners, seminars and research.
You’ll acquire “softer” management skills such as problem-solving, team-working, leadership, analysis, evaluation and presentation through a range of learning activities essential to becoming an effective manager.
Assessment
The modules are mainly assessed by coursework and designed to encourage you to link theory to professional practice.
Classroom hours
Most modules have face-to-face teaching on campus on a regular basis during the semester. Typical modules include 2-3 hours of face-to-face discussion session per week. You will need to invest additional time in readings to prepare for discussion sessions and to prepare your assignments.
Course director
Key staff
- Dr. Claudio Rocha – Course Director – claudio.rocha@stir.ac.uk
- Robert Kielty – robert.kielty@stir.ac.uk
- Dr. Guy Wilkinson – guy.wilkinson@stir.ac.uk
- Caitlin Rattray – caitlin.rattray@stir.ac.uk
- Dr. David Stevenson – d.m.stevenson2@stir.ac.uk
- Dr. Andrew Jenkin – andrew.jenkin1@stir.ac.uk
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
This Masters will prepare you for a career in sport management with a local authority, commercial organisation or voluntary sports organisation like a governing body of sport. A key benefit of the course is that you will leave with an in-depth knowledge of management that could apply in other sectors too.
96% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2020/21, HESA).
Be the One: Aditya Sankolli
Hear from MSc Sport Management graduate, Aditya, who is making the most of his post-study work visa and his role as a Football Development Coach at Arsenal FC.
Employability skills
The skills you will gain throughout the course will help you with job applications and interview skills, as modules include activities such as: self-discipline and motivation, teamworking, collaboration and networking, creative thinking, and ability to think about alternative and non-traditional solutions for managerial issues.
Enhance your learning with Riipen
The University has a Riipen license for this course. Through this platform, you can work with global companies on real business problems that are assessed and rated. As you complete more challenges, you build a portfolio. This platform can help you boost your skills, gain career clarity, network with potential employers, and find a job you love.
Companies we work with
The University has strong partnerships with a number of national and local sports organisations, including:
- The Scottish Professional Football League
- Scottish Sport Federations
- Active Stirling
- local professional sport organisations
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