Taught course

Sport Management and the Business of Football

Institution
Birkbeck, University of London · Birkbeck Business School
Qualifications
MSc

Entry requirements

Our standard postgraduate entry requirement is a second-class honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university, or an equivalent international qualification.

Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

Months of entry

January, October

Course content

Our MSc Sport Management and the Business of Football is designed to give you the skills and expertise you need to compete in the football industry and related businesses and organisations, by combining specialist teaching about the principles and practice of sport and football business management and economics with general training in management, business organisation, strategy and research methods.

The course covers several key areas, such as governance and regulatory issues, with emphasis on the wider sport and football sectors. It will help you to develop a deeper understanding of management, governance and regulatory issues within the business of sport, and in the business of football in particular.

This course is ideally suited to the needs of executives within a variety of sport and football organisations, such as professional football clubs, sport governing bodies and media organisations. It is also ideal for members of supporters’ organisations, government officials with responsibilities in the sport (specifically football) sectors, as well as people with a general interest in the sport, football and media industries. It is relevant for anyone seeking a broad education that will act as a platform for securing employment in the football industry or related sector.

Highlights

  • A comprehensive review of the theory and practice of the business and management of sport with particular reference to the football industry.
  • Birkbeck is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in teaching, research and consultancy in the broad field of management.
  • Our academic staff are active researchers as well as enthusiastic teachers, and regularly publish cutting-edge articles in the world's leading journals. Visiting speakers include experts from the legal profession, football clubs and football regulatory authorities.
  • We engage in significant collaborative research and have excellent contacts with many public and private sector organisations, professional bodies and researchers at other academic institutions.
  • Linked to Birkbeck's Sport Business Centre, one of the world's leading centres for sport business and football research, teaching, training, consultancy and policy advice.
  • The Birkbeck Women in Sport Scholarship is offered to an excellent and deserving female student.
Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in the football industry, for example in governing bodies, professional football clubs and commercial businesses operating in the football industry such as media companies, sport sponsorship businesses and player agencies. Possible professions include:

  • consultant
  • business/administrative manager
  • customer service manager
  • marketing manager
  • administrator
  • development officer.

See our sport jobs bulletin for details of current vacancies.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Information for international students

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MSc
    part time
    24 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    full time
    12 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Student Advice Service
Email
studentadvice@bbk.ac.uk
Phone
+44 (0)20 3907 0700