Course Summary
Are you passionate about a career in the business and management of sport? This degree provides the opportunity to study and work in the environment of a professional organisation in this sector, thus enhancing your employment opportunities. Delivered in partnership with the University of South Wales, Sheffield United Community College are your local provider of the Sports Business and Management degree which enables learners to gain their university qualifications in a professional football club environment.
The flexible design of this degree allows learners to study alongside existing work commitments. Likewise, there is an opportunity to obtain part-time paid coaching work throughout the duration of their study, leading to potential full-time work upon completion of the course.
Higher Education at Sheffield United Community College
- Mentoring: A member of staff from the club will be assigned to you as a mentor, supporting you with learning materials and organising your placements.
- Extensive placement opportunities: You’ll gain practical experience of working within the sports coaching, fitness, teaching and development industry.
- Studying in the workplace: You will undertake your studies at Bramall Lane. Your lectures will be produced by USW staff, but these will be delivered by qualified tutors at the college.
- Coach education: As part of the degree you will undertake weekly coach development workshops, as well as get the opportunity to complete your FA Level 1, UEFA C and UEFA B Coaching qualifications
- Paid work: there is an opportunity to obtain part-time paid coaching, or club work throughout the duration of their study, leading to potential full-time work upon completion of the course.
- Value-added opportunities: Additional Qualifications, College Trips, Malaga CF tour, Coach Education, Business Conferences, Industry Speakers, career events, College Rewards, and Awards Evening.
- Student finance support: Financial assistance available to help manage your education costs.
Course Details
This degree programme is ideal for those looking for experience and understanding of the world of business and sport to develop as a manager. The course provides a unique learning experience and the opportunity to operate within the live operations of a professional football club. The course will teach you aspects of sports business and management including marketing, managing people and projects, strategy and governance. The course will also develop your leadership and creativity skills with an eye on you becoming future managers and leaders in the sports industry. There will be further opportunities to apply your knowledge with the extensive work-based learning programme provided by your club.
You’ll have support in gaining regular placement opportunities, provided by the Club Mentor and an opportunity to reflect upon your development through termly meetings with an Academic Development Officer. These Officers are employed by the English Football League Trust, but are there to support our students development. The blended learning design of this degree allows you to study alongside existing work commitments. Likewise, there is an opportunity to obtain part-time paid employment throughout the duration of your study, leading to potential full-time work upon completion of the course.
The majority of study-time on the BA (Hons) Sports Business and Management will be delivered at Bramall Lane which puts you heart of business operation at the club. To supplement your degree you will also have the opportunity to complete additional qualifications within business, coaching and leadership that are suited to your own development and career ambitions. During their study students will have numerous opportunities to undertake additional vocational awards and workshops designed to help facilitate their personal and professional development. This includes, tutorial sessions, business conferences, residential trips, European tours, progress meetings. work placement, employability and progress events, as well as numerous trips and rewards.
University of South Wales
You’ll be enrolled as a student at the University of South Wales and have access to a number of learning materials. Your weekly learning hours will be between 6 and 18 depending on the year of study and time of year, with online lectures facilitated within your club’s learning environment. There may also be live tutorials and seminars with USW staff.
Residential Study Visits are hugely popular with students on similar degrees and you’ll attend up to 3 per year. These visits will be based across our suite of University of South Wales Pontypridd Campus’ including our High-Performance Centre USW Sport Park, whilst receiving fully funded accommodation during these teaching blocks.
You’ll have access to an online library, blackboard and other learning materials, and will spend time at the University of South Wales to complete practical teaching. You’ll complete work-based learning that is supported by Mentor at Sheffield United and managed through tutorials and a mentoring programme. The work-based learning programme can be completed within your own club’s projects or with their partners or sponsors.
How Will it be Delivered and Assessed?
You’ll be assessed via a range of methods to ensure you develop a range of different skills. Approximately 80% of the assessment methods are coursework orientated. Assessment methods include written essays and reports, presentations, practical sports management and leadership assessments, work-based learning assessments, posters and leaflets, reflective blogs, team debates, exams (multiple choice and essay style).
Module Overview:
Year 1
Your first year will provide you with the underpinning theory and practice of sports business and management. You will gain knowledge of how sport is organised, delivered and managed at a variety of levels, and you will have the opportunity to lead sports activities and events. Understanding fundamental principles of how to recruit people to sport and how to keep them there are crucial at this level. You will learn how sports businesses are led and how their finances are managed. This knowledge will help to inform your work-based learning experience. You will also have the opportunity to undertake additional education and qualifications to boost your CV.
- Managing Sport (20 credits)
- Academic Research and Study Skills (20 credits)
- Promotion and Marketing in Sport (20 credits)
- Introduction to Sports Business Principles (20 credits)
- Introduction to Sports Finance (20 credits)
- Reflection on Learning in the Workplace (20 credits)
Year 2
You will develop the skills and knowledge gained in year one around understanding business and management principles, and approaches to recruiting and retaining people in sport. You will enhance your breadth of knowledge by studying digital marketing, human resource management and business analytics. This knowledge is then applied during a placement module, allowing you to put your ideas and knowledge into practice. The applied nature of these modules mean you would often be completing assessments that are being delivered in the real-world. This may be the creation of a new enterprise or business opportunity, leading a marketing campaign or managing a team of Community Coaches.
- Enterprise in Sport (20 credits)
- Project Operations Management (20 credits)
- Sport Placement (20 credits)
- Sports Business Analytics (20 credits)
- Human Resource Management in Sport (20 credits)
- Digital Marketing and PR in Sport (20 credits)
Year 3
You will consolidate your knowledge and understanding of key sports business and management principles, whilst challenging their application through your extensive work-based learning experiences. The particular highlight during this year will be your Applied Professional Project where you’ll conduct a research or management project, based upon the topics covered through the degree and in your club. Your understanding of the management of sport will be challenged through learning sports policy, law and governance. You’ll also develop further as a leader in sport, through enhancing your leadership and management skills.
- Applied Professional Project (40 credits)
- Strategic Sports Development (20 credits)
- Leadership in Sport (20 credits)
- Business Insight for Sports Managers (20 credits)
- Policy, Law and Governance in Sport (20 credits)
Combine Your Degree with the U23s Football Programme
As a student on the Sports Coaching or Sports Business degree, you can optionally take part in the Sheffield United Futures: U23s Football Programme alongside your studies. The programme offers two flexible routes: Competitive (for players aiming to progress into higher-level football) or Social (for those who want to train and play while focusing on their studies). Either way, you’ll benefit from professional-style training, matches, and specialist support – all while completing your Higher Education qualification. It’s a unique way to develop both your football and professional skills simultaneously, keeping multiple pathways open for your future career.
For more information on what this optional programme could look like, click here.
Entry Requirements
Typical A-Level Offer:
- BCC (this is equivalent to 104 UCAS tariff points).
Typical BTEC Offer:
- BTEC Extended Diploma; Distinction / Merit / Merit (this is equivalent to 112 UCAS tariff points).
Additional Requirements:
GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at Grade 4 or above, but consideration is given to individual circumstances
Your Next Steps
Graduates from this degree could gain employment at professional football clubs, club community organisations, national governing bodies, sports marketing agencies, hospitality industry, business management, logistics, digital marketing, advertising, sports business development, sport and leisure management, administrative roles, facility management, sponsorship and human resources, commercials management and sports entrepreneurship.
Additional Information
https://www.southwales.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-sports-business-and-management
Apply Today
If you are interested in any of our college courses, please fill out the expression of interest form here.
A member of the team will then be in touch to acknowledge your college interest and to provide further details around the next steps.
We will then contact you again at various points throughout the academic year to inform you of upcoming open evening and taster session events, as well as to arrange your pre-course interviews.
Find Out More
For more information about our BA (Hons) Sports Business and Management course, please contact Joe at
Joe.Lancashire@sufc-community.co.uk