Master of Business (Sport Management)

Course summary for international students

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Online studies
• Professional recognition
• Fees and charges
• Career opportunities
• Course learning outcomes
• Course rules
• Course structure
• Admission criteria
• Academic requirements
• English language proficiency requirements
• Admissions information
• Credit for prior learning - general
• Alternative exits
• Workload
• Participation requirements
• Mandatory student checks

Course overview

Study at a top 3 business school in Victoria* and prepare  for a leadership role in the dynamic, fast-paced world of sport. Deakin’s Master of Business (Sport Management) is Australia’s leading postgraduate sport management course that will give you the practical skills and industry insights  to lead at elite, semi-elite or recreational levels.

Learn from industry experts and benefit from Deakin’s strong connections with professional organisations such as the Geelong Football Club and the Melbourne Vixens. These strong industry relationships feed directly into the course design and teaching. As a result, you will gain the expertise to deliver on all strategic dimensions of the industry, including marketing, technology and innovation, governance, stadium and event management, as well as participation development.


Are you ready to develop the business skills needed to lead in this multi-billion dollar industry?

With one of strongest sporting sectors in the world, Australians take the business of sport seriously. Underpinning this multi-billion dollar industry are the  professionals who lead, manage and grow sporting organisations across codes and contexts.    Whether your ambition is to drive participation or run elite-level competitions, Deakin will prepare you to turn your passion into a rewarding career.
 
The Master of Business (Sport Management) has a hands-on, career focused learning approach to enable you to build workplace resilience and succeed in the field. Our sport management work-integrated learning opportunities help you combine the concepts you learn with  practical workplace experience, integrating your knowledge as you connect and network with industry professionals.
You will have the opportunity to gain a global perspective on sport management through international consultancy experiences, internships, volunteering placements and study abroad programs – both face-to-face and virtual. 
With options to study at our Melbourne Burwood Campus or online, you can tailor your study experience to fit your commitments. If you choose to study on campus, you will have a home advantage of being in Melbourne – one of the sporting capitals of the world and home to many major sporting events like the Grand Prix, Melbourne Cup and Australian Open. Our location opens the door to potential industry experience at Melbourne’s sports precinct – with opportunities to visit, work or volunteer at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne Park, AAMI Park or the National Sports Museum.

^{*AFR BOSS Best Business Schools 2024}

Online studies

Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.

Professional recognition

Deakin Business School holds both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. These prestigious accreditations are awarded to business schools that meet strict standards of quality, academic and professional excellence, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation in their courses, ensuring our graduates are employable worldwide

Fees and charges

The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook. Learn more about fees and available payment options.

Career opportunities

• sport marketing and sponsorship manager
• sport business consultant or analyst
• club or league operations manager
• athlete development manager
• event and venue operations manager
• sport partnerships and commercial manager
• player agent
• policy and planning adviser (sport and recreation)
• high performance program manager
• community engagement or development officer
• sport public relations or social media manager.

Course learning outcomes

Course rules

To complete the Master of Business (Sport Management), you must pass 8, 12 or 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.

A 16-credit point Master of Business (Sport Management) includes:

• DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
• 10 credit points of core units
• 6 credit points of open elective units.

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

Core units

Open electives

Plus 6 credit points of postgraduate open elective.

Recommended Sport Management elective units:

Open electives can be chosen from a wide range of level 7 study areas across the University, subject to availability and meeting any pre-requisites. Choose open electives to suit your interests, career aspirations or to broaden your academic experience beyond your discipline study area. 

Mix and match Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials) to earn up to 2 credit points towards your degree, subject to eligibility. Any stacking must add up to a whole number to be used for credit. See more information on Stackable short course options.

Admission criteria

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, you may commence this course with admission credit and complete your course in 1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent).

Academic requirements

1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 8 credit points

To be considered for admission to this degree (with 8 credit points of admission credit applied*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

• completion of a bachelor degree (honours) (AQF 8) or higher in a related discipline
• completion of a bachelor degree in a related discipline, and at least two years' of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
• completion of a graduate certificate or graduate diploma or higher in a related discipline.

1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 12 credit points

To be considered for admission to this degree (with 4 credit points of admission credit applied*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

• completion of a bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline
• completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline, and at least two years' of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent).

2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 16 credit points

To be considered for admission to this degree (without admission credit applied*) you will need to meet the following criteria:

• completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline.

Examples of related disciplines include, but not limited to a Bachelor degree in Business or Commerce.

Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to: relevant professional experience that demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of sport management or related fields.

*Recognition of prior learning will still be considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more below.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

• bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
• IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
• other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

Credit for prior learning - general

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning.

You can refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

Alternative exits

Course duration

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Participation requirements

Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.