business school students at long table giving a presentation
Undergraduate BSc (Hons)

Business Management with Sport with Foundation Year

Attendance

Full-time

With placement

Course

Four year

Five year

Next enrolment

September 2025

Introduction

In a nutshell

This course is also available with a professional placement year option.

To apply for this programme with industry placement or study abroad year, search Business Management with Sport with Professional Placement Year on UCAS, or speak to our enquiries team

This foundation year programme will prepare you for your future business studies. You will gain the confidence and abilities needed to continue your education and go on to have a successful career within your chosen industry.

  • Gain a base level of knowledge in business and management
  • Develop your academic and personal skills, preparing you for future studies
  • Study the fundamental principles of business management with sport 

Become industry ready

Our teaching is practical and career-focused, with input from our industry partners, so you'll build the expertise that employers look for. You'll develop personal skills, such as communication and confidence, alongside the practical, including business concepts and the tools and techniques used in the industry.

You’ll look ahead to the technologies that will affect the work of sport business professionals in the future and gain essential digitals skills that will help you go further in the industry, such as: 

  • Google Analytics
  • iDea Bronze Award
  • Microsoft Azure Data, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project, Word and 365
  • Power BI
  • Xero Accounting Software
  • Body swap technology

Our Business Management with Sport undergraduate programme is dual accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), so you know that what you learn is aligned with industry standards.

Your journey starts here

Ready to take the next step? Discover more by attending an Open Day, or speak to our dedicated course enquiries team for further information. 

Placement

options available

Course accreditations

CMI Chartered Management Institute logo

This is for you if...

1.

You want to build a foundation of knowledge ahead of your future studies

2.

You are looking for a business education that prepares you for a future career

3.

You’re new to higher education, want a career change or need support with academic skills

Course details

All about the course

Your foundation year will give you a grounding in business and management, preparing you for your future studies. As you progress into your first, second and third years of study, you will further develop your understanding of business, with a focus on the business of sports and sporting events, developing the skills needed for responsible leadership and strategic thinking.

You will also have access to placement, study abroad year and additional opportunities to develop your real-world skills.

Foundation Year

Foundations of Business

This module will introduce you to key concepts of business and management, looking at what business is (and isn’t). You will be encouraged to draw on real-life examples found in the businesses you use in your every day life. You will develop an understanding of the key functions used within contemporary businesses and learn about the tools and techniques used in business for analysis and planning. 

Academic and Personal Skills

Academic and Personal Skills is delivered with your future in mind. This module takes you through how to get to grips with the technology you need to succeed, as well as using the library, how to reference and how to produce the different styles of academic writing.

It also helps you to develop yourself; you will create a CV, learn how to write a cover letter and find out what your learning style is. The module has guest speakers who share their expert knowledge and experience with you.  All the skills covered in this module will help you to succeed in your chosen degree.

Sustainable Business Development

This module looks at what’s involved in starting up a sustainable business. You will discover what is needed for long term business success. We’ll look at financing and funding, business formation, planning, business ethics and sustainability along with other core aspects of start-ups. You will work closely with industry partners to gain insight into the world of start-ups. If you are interested in starting a business, this module will really help you to discover what is involved. You also gain key knowledge which your degree will build upon.  

Digital Business

This module will explain the importance and key elements of digital business. You will explore how digital business ideas drive technology choices and how those technologies support the development of the business.  

Business Project

This module brings together everything you have learned so far and gives you the opportunity to put your knowledge into practice. Working in teams, you will develop a business idea and take it through the process of setting up a start-up. You will pitch your idea to a panel to secure investment, launch the business and organise an event, with profits donated to a local charity of your choice. Whatever your chosen business discipline, this module allows you to demonstrate and further develop your skills in a real-world context.

Employability for Life

The module aims to acquire and develop an understanding of the employability skills required to succeed in your chosen industry. This is a practical module which will help you create and develop a professional CV and will develop your understanding of the recruitment and selection process. You will learn essential life-long skills to help you succeed in job applications whether they are for part-time work whilst you are a student or for your future graduate career.

Year One

Digital and Business Skills

This module introduces a range of digital tools essential for both academic and professional environments. Core business skills such as management, collaboration and teamwork are central to the module.

You will engage regularly with online platforms to enhance your digital competency, while co-creation tasks offer opportunities for self-reflection and confidence building. Activities include working towards the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (iDEA), completing LinkedIn Learning assessments on Microsoft applications and producing collaborative video content.

As digital business becomes increasingly vital, this module equips you with the 21st-century skills needed to succeed in a modern workplace.

Understanding Organisations

This module introduces you to the core functions of business and provides an opportunity to see how they operate in practice. You will gain an understanding of key areas such as people management, accounting, marketing and operations, and how these functions contribute to business success.

The module draws on real-world examples from successful businesses across the Greater Manchester region, including start-ups, family-run firms, large enterprises and multinationals from various sectors. It offers a first insight into what makes businesses thrive and helps you begin to shape your future learning and career journey.

The Sport Event Environment

The Sport Event Environment module will develop students’ understanding and knowledge of the global sport events industry and the module will allow students to explore the strategic importance of sports events from an economic, political, social and cultural lens. Contemporary issues and case studies related to the sport event environment and the sport will be presented, analysed and discussed. The module will also allow students to identify the importance of global sports events stakeholders, partnerships and will consider some of the

Data Analysis for Business

In this module you will be introduced to a variety of data analysis methods, which will be practiced on real world data sets. Regular formative assessment will be set for practice, with timely feedback given to aid learning and personal development.

You will have an opportunity to formulate your own research questions before analysing data to draw reasonable conclusions. The module will predominantly utilise real data and include a mixture of computer-based questions, calculations, interpretation and drawing conclusions.

The Future of Business

What are the opportunities for business in the future? This module begins by establishing a strong understanding of the business context, including core economic principles and the evolving digital environment. You will explore the role of the digital economy and how it is reshaping industries.

Key global challenges will be examined—such as mass digitisation and Industry 4.0, inclusive growth, food security and the climate emergency—alongside the opportunities they present for businesses to develop responsible and sustainable solutions.

Sport Business in Practice

This module is all about practical experience: using a business simulation tool you will have a chance to get into the heart of a sports organisation. Working in a group you will see what it is like to be the decision makers and influence the success of your business. This is hands-on learning which will teach you the fundamental principles you will require for working in the sports industry.

Year Two

Professional Development

This module will enable you to plan and carry out appropriate professional development activities to increase your employability and performance. These include self-presentation, professional networking, project planning and implementation, team working, influencing and multimedia communication. You will gain all the necessary experience required to take advantage of global employment opportunities. 

 

Sport and the Media

The relationship between Sport and the Media is at the heart of the business and commercial value of the global sporting industry. The media impacts on a range of sport businesses, sport organisations or governing bodies and provides opportunities and challenges for serval areas including sport marketing, sponsorship, and engagement with sports consumers. The module will introduce you to emerging and future developments in sport media and provide opportunities to critically analyse the dilemmas of rights holders, the use of multi-digital and social media, as well as strategies to engage consumers and sports sponsors.

Project Management

During this module we take a detailed look at various aspects of Project Management through a variety of means such as lectures and practical seminars informed by research and industrial collaborations. We will focus on theoretical approaches, tools and techniques of planning and controlling projects.

We will discuss project management as an important and integral part of a business whether this is product or service based.

Sport in the Digital World

This module will evaluate the relationship between sport and the media and allows you to critically evaluate the cultural, economic and pollical importance of sport to the global media landscape. You will examine and evaluate the role of sport and its relationship with conceptual issues in both sport and the media.

Live Project in Sport Business

This module is a chance to get hands-on experience inside a real organisation. Working in teams, reflecting your future working environment, you will help one of our partner organisations develop a solution to a current business problem. This is a chance to apply people, project and time management in practice and to see how your solutions can apply in practice. Our employers tell us that experience of live briefs is important to them, and this is your chance to apply the knowledge you have gained on the course in that context.

Optional modules

You will choose one of the following 10 credit module options. 

Business Intelligence and Dashboards

This module introduces a range of analytical methods to support effective management decision-making, applied using real-world data sets. You will learn techniques that can be used across various business contexts, including interpreting market performance, forecasting growth, make-or-buy decisions and optimising scarce resources.


 

Young Enterprise

Students will be introduced to a variety of methods of analysis to inform decision-making which will be practised on real data sets to support a new business venture as part of the Young Enterprise programme. Formative assessment will be set, with timely feedback given to aid learning and personal development.

The decision making techniques introduced in the module can be applied to a wide range of settings, such as interpreting market performance, forecasting growth, make or buy decisions, optimisations of scarce resources, marketing planning etc.

Legal Aspects of Business

On this module, you will learn about some of the key aspects of law and how these impact upon business. You will be introduced to the outline of the English Legal System, Contract Law, Employment Law and Company Law. You will develop a critical understanding of legal issues that may arise in business situations and be able to use your knowledge of the law in relevant business practices.

Applied Econometrics

This module aims to equip you with the analytical skills required to handle and analyse business, financial and economic data using basic econometric methods, including simple and multiple linear regression models, inference and hypothesis testing. As part of this module, you will get hands-on experience with the Data Analysis Toolkit within Excel and the Econometric/Statistical software package Stata. You will also undertake an applied empirical project where you are expected to demonstrate your understanding of data analysis and econometric methods.

Business Accounting

You will be introduced to some fundamentals of basic financial and management accounting, learning to understand the content of financial statements and the accountancy practices required to prepare these statements. You will learn to analyse and interpret financial statements and use the data to make informed management decisions. With cost (and its impact on profit) a key factor in an organisation’s success, you will learn to communicate financial information both in writing and speaking.

Contemporary Issues in International Marketing

On this short module, you'll look at the issues affecting current marketing in a global setting and the impact this has on the wider business environment. You'll look at different marketing niches from a social, economic and environmental perspective, considering the importance of minority group affiliations associated with Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+, social inclusion, ethics, sustainability and the marketing-savvy green consumer. You'll also gain an understanding of the ethical, moral and legal requirements that managers must appreciate when engaging in international marketing activities.

Sports Business Finance: Trends and Analysis

The module provides a comprehensive understanding of economic and financial principles as applied to the sports industry. You will analyse contemporary sport issues, financial statements, revenues, costs, demand, pricing strategies and the market structure of the sport industry. The module also covers financial strategies for sport organisations, including business formation, fundraising, maintaining a healthy financial position and expansion strategies. 

Additionally, you will learn about the application of economics and financial management in sport organisations, data-driven decision-making and the role of sport in political and diplomatic issues. You'll gain the knowledge and skills to make sound financial decisions and strategic management in the dynamic and evolving field of sports business.

The Digital Workplace

The digital workplace is here to stay. This module helps you gain an understanding of the application of digital technologies in organisations. You will develop a critical awareness of the relationship between people and the workplaces of the future. You will also explore the issues around implementing a digital strategy.

Internship

A short internship—whether paid or unpaid—offers valuable real-world experience to help you develop and demonstrate your skills. This module allows you to gain academic credit for work that is relevant to your degree and enhances your employability.

The Business School will support and guide you in finding suitable internship opportunities. These may take place during the summer between Level 4 and Level 5, or at other times, provided the required amount of work-based learning is completed. During term time, you will produce a reflective report to demonstrate what you have learned through your internship experience.

Optional Year

Professional Placement

You have the option to do a professional placement year, taking a year in industry to learn in a real-life environment whilst earning a salary and paying no tuition fees.

This is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of and we will help you find out about vacancies and make the right connections with high profile employers through regular events and presentations.

 For more information, please visit the placement and internships page

You have the option to do a professional placement year, taking a year in industry to learn in a real-life environment whilst earning a salary and paying no tuition fees. Learn more about our placement and internship opportunities.

Year Three

Business Ethics and Sustainability

This module equips you with an appreciation and in-depth understanding of the implications of Business Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability within national and international organisations. This module will also develop your knowledge with respect to the importance of the balance between shareholders, stakeholders and the purpose and values of the organisation. It will explore the roles of social and technological innovation in global ethical organisations in order to prepare you for future employability.

Globalisation of Sport

The Globalisation of Sport will allow you to develop a deep understanding of how the sports industry has become a truly global phenomenon. The academic body of knowledge in this field will be backed up with examples of practices and processes which the sport industry currently utilises. You will learn key skills and understanding of the historical, geopolitical, economic, digital and media drivers in sport, as well as the importance of emerging markets and the significance they play in the development of global strategies.

Leadership and Management in Sport Business

This module will help you to develop your leadership skills and prepare you for your future career in the sports industry. You will explore theory, behaviour, people management and leadership within an organisational context, apply this in your specialist context. This is an opportunity to develop the skills you have gained in the early part of your degree and apply them to prepare you for the responsible and authentic leadership that future business requires

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Employers tell us that they are looking for employees with an entrepreneurial mindset.  Or perhaps you're thinking of setting up your own business.

In this module you have the opportunity to undertake an enterprise project for an internal or external sponsor on a topic of common interest.  Alternatively, you can use this opportunity to undertake in-depth research for your own project, for example, a business plan if you are wanting to start up a company after you graduate. The nature of the project will be negotiated by yourself, the module leader and the sponsoring company. 

Consultancy for Sports Business

Consultancy for Sports Business will allow you to learn to understand, source, analyse and make use of business intelligence and sporting data in providing relevant and timely solutions to challenges within the sports industry. You will gain practical experience of the process of innovating, planning and pitching for sports business with clients that operate in the global sports industry and on completion of the module, you will be able to identify organisational problems from an external perspective and select innovative and relevant solutions.

Strategic Management

In this module you will be introduced to a variety of methods of analysis for management decision making, which will be practiced on real data sets aligned to students’ named degree titles. Formative assessment will be set for practice, with timely feedback given to aid learning and personal development.

The decision making techniques introduced in the module can be applied to a wide range of settings, such as interpreting market performance, forecasting growth, make or buy decisions, optimisation of scarce resources.

Choose one of the following 10-credit modules in an area you might be interested in or that you've never tried before. Alternatively, you can secure a short work placement and get credit for it in your results. Choose one from the options below: 

Big Data Analytics

Modern businesses gain valuable insights by applying advanced analytical techniques to large volumes of data. In this module, you will learn a range of established Big Data and analytics methods and explore the value they bring to organisations.

Upon successful completion, you will be able to collect and analyse data to support business decision-making, and apply these techniques within a strategic context—aligning with business goals and enhancing organisational competitive advantage.

Climate Change and Sustainability in Business

Climate change is a fundamental stressor that undermines past development gains and threatens future progress in key areas of human well-being. In the 21st century, the sustainable use of energy is critical, as our reliance on energy for transport, business and heating is both a major driver of climate change and central to its solution. As such, energy and climate change are inextricably linked.

This module provides a multidisciplinary introduction to the key issues surrounding climate change. You will explore the science and policy of climate change, international climate finance, energy policy, business and sustainability, and environmental policy.

Internship

A short internship, whether paid or unpaid, is invaluable for you to develop and demonstrate your skills in the real-world. This modules allows you to gain credits for work you do that is relevant to your degree and contributes to your employability. The Business School will provide support and guidance when you are looking for internship opportunities. This may be done during the summer period between the end of level 5 and the start of level 6 but other opportunities may be possible provided the relevant amount of work-based learning is undertaken. During term time, you will work on a reflective report to demonstrate what you learned during the internship.

Investment Management

This module provides an introduction to the investment environment, focusing on key financial principles and practices. You will explore the concept of risk and how investors can manage it effectively. The module also covers the time value of money, portfolio management and the relationship between risk and return, equipping you with foundational knowledge for informed investment decision-making.


 

Sport Event Management

This module introduces you to the strategic and systematic process of planning and managing sport events. You will explore key managerial issues including project management, logistics, risk management, sustainability, sponsorship and human resources. Learning will take place through case studies, readings, discussions, lectures and assignments.

The module aims to develop your leadership behaviours, enhance your ability to devise risk management solutions and prepare you to address the managerial challenges faced by sport event managers. By the end of the module, you will be equipped to apply event management processes to sport events and effectively manage diverse populations within the context of sport event management.

Technology Innovation

This module develops your understanding of digital technologies and their role in driving digital transformation. You will explore contemporary issues in the field and assess the current and future impact of digital technologies on businesses.

By the end of the module, you will have a critical awareness of the digital industry and will have considered how technology can be applied to solve real-world business challenges. The module is supported by Launch@Salford, the University’s business incubation centre, providing practical insights and opportunities.

International Project

Travel to an overseas destination and be challenged by a local organisation to make fully-supported strategic development plans and make recommendations on how they could improve international business.

You will develop your skills in business analysis and strategic development planning, taking account of cultural differences and unfamiliar markets. You will conduct field research based on the needs of the organisation that has set your brief and the market within which it operates. Your final challenge is to present your findings and strategic development plan to local stakeholders.

Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.

What Will I be Doing?

Through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials, using learning activities such as business simulations, you will develop the practical skills and theoretical knowledge that you'll need when you begin working. Our academics are experts in their field and work closely with industry to ensure that our courses reflect the needs of businesses.

We use different assessment techniques in different modules and try to ensure all assessments reflect the types of work you will do after graduating. This may include portfolio work, multiple choice questions, group reports and problem-solving questions.

For further information about teaching and assessment, please speak to our dedicated course enquiries team.

Frequently asked questions

What is a sports business management degree?

A sports business management degree combines principles of business management with specialised knowledge of sports operations, marketing and finance. Students learn about sports marketing, business skills, sport event management, project management and consultancy for sports business.

What jobs can you do with a sports business degree?

A sports business management degree opens up various career opportunities in the sports industry, including:

  • Sports Marketing Manager
  • Event Coordinator
  • Sports Agent
  • Sales Manager
  • Facilities Manager
  • Partnerships Coordinator

Is Business Management with Sport a good degree?

A business management with sport degree is a good choice if you have a passion for sports, an interest in business and wish to land a role within the sports business sector. This degree can provide you with valuable skills in strategic planning, marketing analysis and leadership, which are highly sought after in various industries.

Meet Ethan

"I decided to study a BSc Business Management with Sport at Salford as I believed in the University’s recent growth. I felt that studying this course would give me the appropriate tools to succeed in my career.

The course features lecturers and guest speakers who have worked in industry and are equipped with quality examples and advice from their careers. This has given me great insight into how the industry is run. During my time at Salford, I’ve also been able to improve my resource management and project management skills. Teamwork has also been a staple of a substantial amount of our assessments, therefore developing the need to manage and work with other students to complete these assessments on time and to a high standard.".

Sport business in Greater Manchester

Sport is at the heart of all that is Greater Manchester. It influences and impacts on many business sectors, and provides world-class facilities and sporting venues that deliver a superior experience for any sports consumer. Of all the cultural, historical and industrial impacts Greater Manchester has had on the world, it is sport that has really put the region on the map in many different ways across different sporting disciplines.

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

A postgraduate degree is a great option if you want to take your knowledge and skills to the next level. Salford graduates and alumni also receive a fee discount.

A Business Management with Sport graduate could continue their studies at postgraduate level in areas such as:

A taste of what you could become

a business manager

an entrepreneur

a business analyst

a risk manager

and more...

Career Links

Studying Business Management with Sport at Salford Business School will open opportunities in a wide variety of career paths, and by completing a professional placement year, you can enhance your skills, confidence and employability.

We work with a wide range of employers to support our students, helping them to develop their skills and access internships, placements and graduate jobs. Employers we have worked with previously include PwC, EY, Bank of New York Mellon, Beevers & Struthers, the NHS and Salford City Council.  

Requirements

What you need to know

This course isn’t suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in studying a foundation year, please visit our International Foundation Year course page.

Applicant profile

You might be a school leaver looking to better prepare for academic life or perhaps you didn’t get the grades you needed. You might also be a returning student, having taken a break from studies and looking to regain your confidence in academic processes. Whatever your situation, our foundation year programmes help learners gain the skills, understanding and confidence needed to progress to further studies. 

Standard entry requirements

GCSE

Maths and English at grade C or grade 4 or above (applicants who do not have the equivalent of grade C or above, GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English will be considered on a case by case basis).

You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.

UCAS Tariff points

64 UCAS tariff points

A Level

64 UCAS tariff points from A Levels or equivalent

T Level

Pass – D or E

BTEC National Diploma

MPP in any subject

Access to HE

Pass Level 3 with 64 points

Scottish Highers

64 points

Irish Leaving Certificate

64 points

Alternative entry requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

How much?

Your tuition fees are regulated by the UK government who has proposed changes to tuition fees for UK students studying in England from 1 August 2025. The fee stated reflects this proposed change, but remains subject to parliamentary approval. Your tuition fees may increase in your first and each subsequent year of your programme to the maximum amount permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year.

Type of study Year Fees
Full-time home 2025/26 £5,760 for Foundation Year and £9,535 for subsequent years.
Full-time home 2026/27 £5,760 for Foundation Year and £9,535 for subsequent years.

Additional costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Apply now

All set? Let's apply!

Still have some questions? Register for one of our Undergraduate Open Days or contact us:

By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545

Additional UCAS Information

Business Management with Sport – UCAS Course ID – N2C6
Business Management with Sport with Professional Placement Year - UCAS Course ID – NN89

Enrolment dates

September 2025

September 2026

Student information

Terms and conditions

UCAS information

Course ID N2C7

Institution S03