The sports industry - a fast-paced, global sector with exciting career possibilities. If you love sport and aspire to work in this dynamic field, our Sports Business Management BA will develop your understanding of the inner workings of the industry and help you to build a comprehensive set of business skills so you can achieve your goals.

Course overview

Develop a thorough understanding of the complexities of the sports industry with our Sports Business Management BA. Build a portfolio of essential and transferable business skills for a variety of sports careers such as sports management, sports marketing or event coordination.

You will explore core topics such as managing sports organisations, examining governance and regulatory frameworks, and understanding the ethics around sportswashing, greenwashing and sponsorship.

Growth areas such as esports, environmental sustainability and women’s sports are studied and you will gain an insight into the intricacies of areas such as sports marketing, sponsorship, consumer behaviour, media relations and researching future trends. You'll develop a broad understanding of the leisure sector, discovering the importance of sport and leisure in society, politics and the economy and examine aspects such as hospitality, tourism and events.

Work placement year

In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are seeking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and an understanding of the workplace. Choosing a work placement year between your second and third year is a fantastic way to gain industry experience. It can provide a valuable insight into what working in a specific area of business is like, and gives you the chance to familiarise yourself with the professional working environment and develop professional networks. A work placement also provides you with the opportunity to apply the theory you have learnt on your degree course.

Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Your future career

95% of Keele students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)

To be part of the growing sports industry and to pursue a successful career you will need skills and experience that set you apart from the competition. This programme offers numerous opportunities to broaden your knowledge and develop a range of transferable skills that are highly valued by employers, enhancing your future career potential. Your critical thinking skills will be sharper, your communication abilities will have improved, you will have gained knowledge about the fundamentals of business and established an entrepreneurial mindset. By enhancing your skills via our Professional and Academic Development Programme, you will grow in confidence and graduate with intellectual, professional, and personal resources to advance to a successful career within the dynamic sports sector.