2025/26 entry
BA (Hons) Sport Business
Why study Sport Business at Liverpool John Moores University?
- Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
- Students have the opportunity to carry out business consultancy projects for Liverpool FC, Everton FC, NextGen Sports Agency, County FA and County Sport Partnership.
- Programme renowned for its quality, with staff awards for excellence in teaching, leadership and professional learning.
- Excellent career opportunities in sports management, marketing, sponsorship and other areas of the sports industry
- Real world, authentic teaching and learning methods reflect industry practice.
- Field trips into industry settings are embedded into the programme
- This programme is also available as a Top Up Level 6 entry degree
- Shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Awards 2024 Business School of the Year
About your course
The BA (Hons) Sport Business at Liverpool John Moores University offers you excellent placement opportunities and graduate career prospects in the fast-paced and flourishing sports industry.
This programme is designed to fit industry needs and is facilitated through working partnerships between LJMU staff, students and external employers and subject specialists.
The programme explores a variety of subjects and disciplines including: marketing, entrepreneurship, digital skills, sponsorship and PR, sports management, sports law, sports digital media, sports events, grassroots and elite sport.
Take a look at Sport Business on Instagram to see the latest student field trips, placements and industry guest speakers.
Employability and enterprise are key elements of this programme. As such, you will have access to a range of opportunities to engage in work-related learning so that you can put theory into practice, develop professional networks and increase your graduate skill set.
LJMU has links with over 450 different employers in the North West alone and the Sport Business programme work with these employers to develop work placement and project opportunities across all levels of the degree. The university has partnerships with Liverpool Football Club and Everton Football Club. We are also actively involved with Merseyside County Sport Partnership, National Governing Bodies of Sport and Liverpool City Council.
Our key contacts with local community sports club provide an excellent base for students to learn and develop their sport business skills on a regular basis. We continually liaise and engage at a senior level with the sports business industry to ensure the programme is as cutting-edge as possible.
Live Consultancy Project
Through LJMU's Liverpool Business Clinic, students have a unique opportunity to work on real client briefs with local organisations putting academic theory into real world practice. This live consultancy projects is an optional module to a traditional final-year dissertation.
Sport Business Top-Up
This one year, full time, top-up degree is ideal for students who are completing/already hold a relevant HND, relevant Foundation degree, or Diploma and want to top-up their qualification and boost employment prospects by gaining an honours degree. The Top Up programme joins the Level 6 (3rd year) students on the Sport Business degree.
In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have one of the following: a Foundation Degree with 60% or above in a relevant subject or a relevant HND with overall Merit (240 credits).
"The Sport Business programme played such a big part in my personal and professional development. It gave me outstanding theoretical and practical knowledge, constantly challenged me to do my best work, shaped my career interest, inspired me and provided me with lifelong friends and contacts within the sports industry."
Professional accreditation/links
LJMU is an Accredited Degree Partner of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). The CIM is the leading professional body for marketers and exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing practitioners.
Strong links with industry built up over 30 years ensure that this programme provides cutting-edge marketing theory as well as advanced practical skills relevant to today’s employer needs
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.
Employability
The Sport Business curriculum equips students for employment with industry specific skills that relate to: sports management, project and event management and marketing and sponsorship. Businesses of the 21st Century are placing greater emphasis on the role that technology plays in their day to day operations. Therefore, through the innovative teaching and learning methods utilised on the Sport Business programmes, graduates will be well versed in using digital technologies such as social media networking tools for business.
The role of business in sport continues to develop as the industry evolves across all sectors, from grassroots, to elite, to professional sport. This programme can offer career pathways into a number of different sports organisations, such as: professional football clubs, local and national sports organisations (example Local Authority, County Sport Partnerships) , sport national governing bodies (example Football Association), and sector specific agencies such as marketing or sponsorship. The job roles within these organisations could cover areas such as: sports sponsorship and marketing, public relations, management, digital media technologies, recruitment and human resource management and business development. The programme also actively supports students seeking to start their own business which could start within the three years whilst studying with us and continue upon graduation.
Graduates may also chose to progress to further study such as PGDE/PGCE Initial Teacher Training programmes or other postgraduate courses.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.
One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.
A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. If you wanted to go abroad for a shorter amount of time, you could attend one of our 1-4 week long summer schools.
Our Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all of these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?
Find out more about the opportunities we have available via our Instagram @ljmuglobalopps or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.
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What you will study on this degree
Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Level 4
Core modules
The Business of Sport
20 credits
This module is an introduction to the concepts that surround the sports business and will examine the areas that make up this fast-developing industry. Students will learn both practically and theoretically, explore key agencies and organisations. In addition, students will look historically and explore the possibilities for the future in sport business.
Academic Skills and Digital Literacy
20 credits
To enable students to develop the skills necessary to be effective learners at university and to apply academic and digital skills in the context of their academic studies. To introduce students to aspects of career management.
Sport Management
20 credits
This module is designed to introduce students to the basic management principles in the world of sports and use theory to understand the concept of sport industry.
Marketing, Sponsorship and PR
20 credits
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding both theoretically and through practical scenarios about the role of marketing, sponsorship and PR in the sports business.
Sports Industry Context
20 credits
To provide students with the knowledge and skills to interpret the sports industry and its governance.
Sport Business in Practice
20 credits
This module will allow students to experience, observe and understand professional principles and sport business theory in a sport industry environment.
Level 5
Core modules
Employability Skills
20 credits
To provide students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the graduate employment market. It is designed to provide students with the opportunity to negotiate and deliver on a project with an external host.
Grassroots and Community Sport
20 credits
This module aims to give students an in-depth understanding of how grassroots and community sport is delivered, and the challenges faced within this sport setting.
Entrepreneurship in Sport
20 credits
Develop a new and realistic sport enterprise idea to a point where it would have the potential to set up as a business.
Research Design
20 credits
To enable students to understand, critically analyse and apply a variety of research methodologies and methods.
Sports Media
10 credits
Demonstrate an understanding of the key areas of the sport media industry and the relationships between sport, media and society.
Elite Sport
20 credits
The aim of the module is for students to gain an in-depth understanding of the delivery and development of non-commercial sport at elite level.
Optional Modules
Sport Law
10 credits
This module aims to provide students with a broad understanding of contemporary sport legislation and bodies involved within the regulation, administration and operation of sport. It will also explore the relationship between sport and the law focusing on sports regulation and jurisprudence and their impact on sports delivery and governance.
Sport Events Management
10 credits
This module aims to equip students with the skills needed to prepare, plan and execute a sporting event.
Sandwich Year - Sport, Events and Tourism
120 credits
The aim is to provide students with an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement their programme of study at LJMU. This will give students the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to their programme of study as well as the attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment.
Study Year Abroad - Sport, Events and Tourism
120 credits
The aim is to provide students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU.
Study Semester Abroad - Sport, Events and Tourism
60 credits
The aim is to provide students with a semester of study at an approved overseas partner that will replace one semester of their LJMU programme at level 5.
Level 6
Core modules
Dissertation
40 credits
To rigorously investigate an issue from the sport business industry. To provide students with the experience of conducting primary research.
Applied Sport Business
20 credits
To develop students' knowledge and understanding of the issues and concepts that exist within the sports business. To explore the multifaceted approach to the business that sport has become and the issues and complexities that surround it. To develop practical skills in relation to the core concepts of finance, sponsorship, marketing and technology.
Professional Development in the Sports Industry
20 credits
This module will support students in developing their employability and entrepreneurship skills. It is designed to provide students with an opportunity to respond to an employer's 'live' brief that will address a contemporary issue facing the current sport business industry that their host belongs to.
The Future of Sport Business
20 credits
This module will enable students to develop their critical business mindset by looking at the issues, trends and innovations in the sports industry. Through in-depth analysis and practical engagement, the students will look at ways to exploit this knowledge for future success.
Organisational Management and Leadership in Sport
20 credits
To provide students with knowledge and understanding to analyse and interpret the business environment in order to identify appropriate strategic decisions for a sporting organisation. The module also aims to enable students to critically analyse leadership theories in relation to practice.
Teaching and work-related learning
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
Teaching on the course is via a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, online activities, the use of ICT, work experience and independent learning. Practical and creative experiences both on and off site will help you to make the links between theory and practice.
Work-related Learning
Currently we have sandwich year students spending a salaried year in industry (eg. Decathlon, Gymshark) who have benefited from this type of work-related learning. Work experience is vital to your professional development and will significantly enhance your career prospects. Work-related learning is embedded throughout the whole degree, allowing you to experience different opportunities and roles in the sports industry. By applying what you have learnt on the degree in a range of professional settings, you will develop enhanced skills and experience, adding real value to your CV. Within the curriculum, work-related learning will include:
- Assessments based on real-life organisational problems
- Simulations of workplace activity
- Analysis of employer driven case studies
- Class discussions/simulations within an organisational context
- Innovative and creative thinking to solve organisational problems
- Guest speakers
Support and guidance
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
You will be assigned a Personal Tutor who will be responsible for supporting your academic and personal progress. Through the use of Peer Learning Groups (PLGs), small groups of students will work together and with their tutor to continually build and develop knowledge, personal development and an individual profile.
The University offers a range of support services which can be accessed as and when necessary, including a dedicated Library and Student Support and IT Zones.
Assessment
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
A variety of assessments are used to support student learning and progression. These will include:
- authentic case studies
- reports
- pitches and presentations
- theoretical essays
- reflective portfolios
- project evaluations
- business simulations
- debating
Within all modules, formative feedback is embedded to provide stepping stones for development. A variety of feedback mechanisms are used which include: face-to-face, audio, written, peer and self-feedback.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Tom Fletcher
Programme Leader
Tom is the Principal lecturer / Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Sport Business, BA (Hons) International Tourism Management and BA (Hons) Events Management degree programmes. Tom is a passionate ambassador and advocate for widening participation and access to higher education. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Certified Management and Business Educator (CMBE).
I believe understanding our students and giving them space and opportunities to succeed is at the heart of my teaching ideology. At LJMU, we have the resources and time to be able to see our students grow and excel.
Facilities
What you can expect from your School
The School is based in the Redmonds Building, in the heart of the bustling Mount Pleasant Campus and Liverpool 's growing Knowledge Quarter. The building is home to high quality lecture theatres and seminar rooms, social spaces, a café and a roof terrace with far reaching views of the cityscape and welsh hills. It is only a short walk from LJMU's Aldham Robarts Library, which contains all the resources you will require for your studies, and is open seven days a week.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications: BBC-ABB (112-128)
Qualification requirements
GCSEs and equivalents
A levels
BTECs
Extended Diploma: DMM-DDM
Access awards
Access awards
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.
OCR Cambridge Technical
Extended Diploma: DMM-DDM
Irish awards
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.
T levels
International requirements
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IELTS
6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of the course start date.https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/international-entry-requirements
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.
We are looking for students who are genuinely interested in sport and have the potential to make a difference to the sports industry.
Applicants should be able to communicate effectively both orally and in their written work and possess the self-discipline to manage their time and tasks effectively while at LJMU.
The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.