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Our International Sport Management programme has been created to critically analyse the decisions that drive this profitable global market.

Why Study International Sport Management at Northumbria?

The programme empowers current and future leaders to acquire advanced knowledge and intellectual skills necessary for career progression. It encourages you to develop an understanding and respect for a globalised society with diverse needs. It is suited for those who wish to become a more effective and enterprising manager in a knowledge-based global sports economy.

 

What can I expect from this course?

This Sport Management course balances an inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary approach to study. The programme prides itself on the importance of contemporary theory and practice within its delivery. You will apply models and theories in a critically reflective and creative approach to address real-life industry problems. Additionally, you will also be encouraged to study contemporary practices that promote sustainability. This includes changes being made to facilities, events, campaigns and widening participation across all aspects of the sector.

Within each module of study, you will develop vocationally relevant experience and skills. This includes strategic planning, human resource management, organisational theory and leadership, sport sponsorship, marketing and finance.

 

How will this course prepare me for my career?

The specialised sport focus within this Masters connects you directly to the network of sport regionally, nationally and internationally. The esteemed reputation of the programme has been developed through the unique insight into the global sports industry. This is offered via engagement with various sports organisations within the modules.

Our unique learning and teaching experience enable you to graduate equipped with transferable management skills. This well-rounded knowledge base is very desirable to a variety of postgraduate-level employers.

 

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
1 year Full Time
1 other options available

Department
Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2025

Fees
Fee Information

Modules
Module Information

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Funding and Scholarships

Discover the funding options available to you.

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Alumni Discount

Receive up to £2,470 off your course fees.

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Masters Funding and Scholarships

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The Postgraduate Loan

More about the UK Government Loan.

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Northumbria University offers a wide range of sports masters, hear from our world class academics on the study options available to you.

Our current Sport students provide an overview of what studying Sport at Northumbria is like - whether you want to get involved in management events, using our fantastic sport facilities, or play for a Northumbria Sport team, we have it all.

Entry Requirements Modules Overview Fees, Funding  and Scholarships Study Options

Entry Requirements 2025/26

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, ideally in a sport-related subject, or an academic qualification in a non-sport discipline with a demonstrable interest in sport.

International qualifications

If you have studied a non-UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry 

English Language requirements

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS.  You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2025/26 Entry

Full UK Fee: £11,000

Full International Fee: £19,350



Scholarships and Discounts

Discover More about Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options for UK and International applicants.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

There is a second-year core professional development and practice module and an optional third year continual professional development module that you may choose to participate in, these may incur additional costs. For continual professional development modules, if students choose to travel further than Newcastle for placement/volunteering/continual professional development, then they will bear these travel costs: however, all activities can be completed in Newcastle, costs can vary between approximately £25-£800 per module. In addition, students may choose to undertake additional qualifications, for example coaching qualifications, ISAK course, etc. which can vary between approximately £200 and £700.

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Modules Overview 2025/26

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one

Year one

JG7000 -

Academic Language Skills (ALS) for PG Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation students (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.

More information

SP7000 -

Sport Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn a range of research approaches and data analysis methods applicable to your subject of study as well as a critical understanding of their relative strengths and weaknesses. You will learn how these approaches can be applied in the planning of a methodologically-rigorous and ethically-sound research study.

More information

SP7006 -

SER PG Project (Core,60 Credits)

This module provides you with the opportunity for independent study in an area of relevance to your degree. You are expected to use skills and knowledge acquired in modules as the basis for an in depth investigation of specific issues in the discipline. The aim of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to carry out an extensive, empirical investigation related to a topic of your own choice, where you will develop skills in communication, critical thinking and independent enquiry.

More information

SP7009 -

Sport Professional Practice (Optional,20 Credits)

On Sport Professional Practice you will engage in activities that further your professional development, and enhance your employability as a Northumbria graduate. You will be challenged to apply the knowledge and skills you are learning on your degree programme to real-world contexts. You will select and complete a range of activities aimed at furthering your skills and experience as a practitioner. You will be challenged to develop your own philosophy of support, and to use reflective practice to help your continued professional development.

More information

SP7014 -

International Resource Management for Sport (Core,20 Credits)

In this module you will be provided with the opportunity to develop knowledge, competencies and skills in resource management and planning in an international context. Managing people and finances is the key to successful international sport organisations. ‘International Resource Management for Sport’ allows you to develop your knowledge, skills and competencies in these two key facets of management by focusing both the teaching and the assessment to specific resource issues in sport organisations. You will be considering recent and relevant research articles to supplement practical application which will enhance your employability. Finally, you will benefit from the international context of this module in terms of content, examples and the experiences of your fellow-students.

More information

SP7015 -

The Sport Marketing Process (Core,20 Credits)

In this module you will be provided with the opportunity to develop your knowledge of, and a practical approach towards, the theories and principles of sport marketing. You will develop a critical appreciation of the skills of marketing through the study of industry examples and case studies from the world of sport. You will engage with contemporary theory and research to inform, develop and expand strategic/tactical planning and control techniques in organisational sport marketing. Finally, you will benefit from the international context of this module in terms of content, examples and the experiences of your fellow-students.

More information

SP7023 -

Sponsorship and Strategic Sport Brand Management (Optional,20 Credits)

In this module you will develop knowledge of the key principles and practice relating to strategic sport brand management and sponsorship, presenting an innovative approach that helps you build a framework for the initiation, development, planning, implementation and evaluation of partnerships and communications strategies. The module is underpinned by global examples and case studies to demonstrate the importance and intricacies of sports brands and partnerships from an international perspective, exposing you to many of the modes of practice used to affect the perception of value and behaviour through directed communication in the context of sport. Students will be encouraged to appraise the breadth of current and emerging digital communication platforms, understanding their role in reaching consumers, and they will develop a critical understanding of the essential role sustainability plays in creating successful sports brands.

More information

SP7024 -

International Sport Event Management (Optional,20 Credits)

You will experience a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials, which will be supplemented with independent study tasks through the provision of reading and case studies. Tasks will be undertaken and then reviewed in the following session. These sessions are supported by the Electronic Learning Platform (eLP) where you can review key ideas from lectures and seminars. Together, the combination of independent study tasks and taught sessions will help you develop conceptual knowledge of international resource management and its application.

More information

SP7028 -

Strategic Sport Policy, Governance and Leadership (Core,20 Credits)

This module locates sport in a socio-political context. To facilitate a broad understanding of sport policy it considers the economic, social, and cultural importance of sport in contemporary society. You will develop a critical view of governance in, and between, organisations across key parts of the sector, including federations, events, and business. This will include comparing governance design archetypes in relation to organisational values, structure, and capacity. You will learn how sport governance differs from other sectors, considering the concepts of authority, autonomy, and legitimacy. Leadership as individual, leader centric and/or collective behaviour, understood as interactions and networks of relationships that shift and change over time is explored. Overall, the module encourages students to engage with the ‘sociological imagination’ to explore issues, tensions, and contradictions surrounding the process, role, position and outcomes synthesised across sport; policy, governance and leadership.

More information

Modules Overview 2026/27

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one

Year one

JG7000 -

Academic Language Skills (ALS) for PG Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation students (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.

More information

SP7000 -

Sport Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn a range of research approaches and data analysis methods applicable to your subject of study as well as a critical understanding of their relative strengths and weaknesses. You will learn how these approaches can be applied in the planning of a methodologically-rigorous and ethically-sound research study.

More information

SP7006 -

SER PG Project (Core,60 Credits)

This module provides you with the opportunity for independent study in an area of relevance to your degree. You are expected to use skills and knowledge acquired in modules as the basis for an in depth investigation of specific issues in the discipline. The aim of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to carry out an extensive, empirical investigation related to a topic of your own choice, where you will develop skills in communication, critical thinking and independent enquiry.

More information

SP7009 -

Sport Professional Practice (Optional,20 Credits)

On Sport Professional Practice you will engage in activities that further your professional development, and enhance your employability as a Northumbria graduate. You will be challenged to apply the knowledge and skills you are learning on your degree programme to real-world contexts. You will select and complete a range of activities aimed at furthering your skills and experience as a practitioner. You will be challenged to develop your own philosophy of support, and to use reflective practice to help your continued professional development.

More information

SP7014 -

International Resource Management for Sport (Core,20 Credits)

In this module you will be provided with the opportunity to develop knowledge, competencies and skills in resource management and planning in an international context. Managing people and finances is the key to successful international sport organisations. ‘International Resource Management for Sport’ allows you to develop your knowledge, skills and competencies in these two key facets of management by focusing both the teaching and the assessment to specific resource issues in sport organisations. You will be considering recent and relevant research articles to supplement practical application which will enhance your employability. Finally, you will benefit from the international context of this module in terms of content, examples and the experiences of your fellow-students.

More information

SP7015 -

The Sport Marketing Process (Core,20 Credits)

In this module you will be provided with the opportunity to develop your knowledge of, and a practical approach towards, the theories and principles of sport marketing. You will develop a critical appreciation of the skills of marketing through the study of industry examples and case studies from the world of sport. You will engage with contemporary theory and research to inform, develop and expand strategic/tactical planning and control techniques in organisational sport marketing. Finally, you will benefit from the international context of this module in terms of content, examples and the experiences of your fellow-students.

More information

SP7023 -

Sponsorship and Strategic Sport Brand Management (Optional,20 Credits)

In this module you will develop knowledge of the key principles and practice relating to strategic sport brand management and sponsorship, presenting an innovative approach that helps you build a framework for the initiation, development, planning, implementation and evaluation of partnerships and communications strategies. The module is underpinned by global examples and case studies to demonstrate the importance and intricacies of sports brands and partnerships from an international perspective, exposing you to many of the modes of practice used to affect the perception of value and behaviour through directed communication in the context of sport. Students will be encouraged to appraise the breadth of current and emerging digital communication platforms, understanding their role in reaching consumers, and they will develop a critical understanding of the essential role sustainability plays in creating successful sports brands.

More information

SP7024 -

International Sport Event Management (Optional,20 Credits)

You will experience a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials, which will be supplemented with independent study tasks through the provision of reading and case studies. Tasks will be undertaken and then reviewed in the following session. These sessions are supported by the Electronic Learning Platform (eLP) where you can review key ideas from lectures and seminars. Together, the combination of independent study tasks and taught sessions will help you develop conceptual knowledge of international resource management and its application.

More information

SP7028 -

Strategic Sport Policy, Governance and Leadership (Core,20 Credits)

This module locates sport in a socio-political context. To facilitate a broad understanding of sport policy it considers the economic, social, and cultural importance of sport in contemporary society. You will develop a critical view of governance in, and between, organisations across key parts of the sector, including federations, events, and business. This will include comparing governance design archetypes in relation to organisational values, structure, and capacity. You will learn how sport governance differs from other sectors, considering the concepts of authority, autonomy, and legitimacy. Leadership as individual, leader centric and/or collective behaviour, understood as interactions and networks of relationships that shift and change over time is explored. Overall, the module encourages students to engage with the ‘sociological imagination’ to explore issues, tensions, and contradictions surrounding the process, role, position and outcomes synthesised across sport; policy, governance and leadership.

More information

Study Options

The following alternative study options are available for this course:

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.

 

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Accessibility and Student Inclusion

Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need. 

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

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If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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