MSc Sports Directorship
Delivered with
Why Sports Directorship
This elite executive postgraduate course is designed to equip sports professionals and leaders with the skills to develop a successful vision and deliver for the long-term success of sports organisations via the prominent role of Sporting Director.
Course Information
Start Dates:
JanuaryDuration:
2 YearsLocation:
DistanceStart Dates:
SeptemberDuration:
2 YearsLocation:
ManchesterWhat you’ll study
Course Overview
The MSc Sports Directorship degree will qualify you for one of the most important roles today in modern global sport, that of Sporting Director, and critically, will provide you with the skills, knowledge and experience to equip you to sit in a strategic leadership role in a sporting organisation.
This two-year part-time course teaches a unique curriculum, tailored to meet the real demands of leading sports organisations.
Course Content
Covering sports leadership, personal development, masterminding innovation and change, sport governance and best practice – alongside a diverse range of hands-on extra-curricular activities – the course provides unrivalled preparation for the role of the sporting director. At the heart of the course is the application of neuroscience.
Taught over two years in four modules plus an applied research project, the course is delivered in a format which allows you to combine study and work in a way that best suits your working life. In year one you will spend nine blocks of two days from September to August on campus and in year two you will spend three blocks of two days from September to November on campus, with project work to be completed in your own time.
Designed to fit both on-campus learning and remote study around your work commitments, the course equips you with all the skills and practical experience needed to become a sports business professional, meaning you can take your next career step with confidence.
Graduate with the MSc Sports Directorship and join an elite group with the ability to apply for the role of a sporting director with a tailored degree under your belt.
Elite seminars
Networking
Guest Speaker sessions
Access to industry
Modules
University Campus of Football Business is an embedded college of the University of East London. All graduates will receive a degree from the University of East London.
The module is designed to help students understand the complexities of leadership issues concerning styles, personalities and decision-making regarding all aspects of what is becoming the defined role of a Sporting Director. The module will investigate current and classic leadership theories and issues in the context of the global sporting environment using research, cases and examples from both the sporting and the broader business world.
30 credits
This module is designed to help strategic leaders in sport explore the features of a high performing sporting organisation. The module will focus on high performing organisations, strategy, culture, and talent management and will investigate what can be learned about high performance from both the sporting and the broader business world in order to overcome challenges.
30 credits
This module will provide students with knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of innovation in the global sports industry context. It will explore the effects of innovation on global organisations, drivers of change, and the challenges of implementing change in the context of high performance sporting organisations in a global economy. Students will develop insight into a range of tools and techniques to develop innovative ways to solve problems. Gaining competitive advantage through analysis of neuroscience and psychology will allow students to consider and apply thinking to new situations in practice.
30 credits
Students will develop a broad knowledge and conceptual base of the foundations of the legal, financial and media issues in the global sporting industry. They will explore the duties of a sporting director with respect to financial, legal and media responsibilities and understand the similarities and differences between the issues confronting contemporary global sporting organisations. Regulatory financial, legal and media frameworks will be explored to support students to operate effectively in the role of the Sporting Director.
30 credits
This module will advance your research and critical thinking skills and support you in applying these to the sport industry and its associated workplace environments. This module aims to prepare you for research, reflective, and evidence-based development, important for your future career and higher study where applicable. The undertaking of an applied project will give you the opportunity to develop your problem-solving skills regarding topical issues in your area of interest, whilst also allowing you to evidence your academic ability and knowledge. By completing this project and consulting with your tutor, you will establish expertise in an applied area of interest, aiming to have real impact on the relevant industry.
60 credits
Campus Location
And Distance learning
Immerse yourself online and in our iconic campus location in Manchester. Designed to fit both on-campus learning and remote study around your work commitments.
Joleon Lescott
UCFB Graduate
Ex-Manchester City and England Footballer
Understanding your
Entry Requirements
University Campus of Football Business is an embedded college of the University of East London. All graduates will receive a degree from the University of East London.
For further information on entry requirements, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@ucfb.com.
It takes an ambitious person to take part in the MSc Sports Directorship. We’re looking for self-starters who possess a combination of skills, experience and the desire to succeed. You may already be working in a sporting environment, for instance in a coaching, medical, finance or marketing role, and looking for the next crucial step in your sporting career. Alternatively, you may be in a business role, and seeking to make the move into sport to use your business skills in a new way.
The course also offers ex-players and sports professionals to acquire the business skills needed to take the step into the position on a sporting director. Many of our delegates spent their youth playing, not studying, and the application process takes that into account. The course is designed to build on existing talents and experience, whilst developing new leading-edge skills that are in demand throughout the sporting community.
Entry onto the course is therefore through a blend of life experience, career and reason for wanting to do the course.
- Strong knowledge in the field of sports management suitable for Postgraduate level academic work.
- Evidence of engagement with professional and academic literature/publications relevant to CPD.
- Ability to manage self-learning and professional duties where applicable.
- Evidence of ability to manage work independently.
- Proven track record of dealing with complex and multidisciplinary issues relevant to their chosen subject area.
If you are unsure whether you meet the entry criteria for this course, or for more information, please email admissions@ucfb.com.
Your Career Starts Here
We strongly encourage you to submit your Postgraduate application well before our September 2025 priority application deadline to allow sufficient time for assessment of application, ensure availability on the course and enrolment in time for the beginning of your studies.
Applications received after this date will only be considered on a case by case basis.
Application Documents
What you’ll need to apply:
Application form.
Evidence of highest academic and/or professional qualifications.
Evidence of relevant experience where required.
500 word personal statement.
Applications made through the flexible entry route may require a course leader review. The course leader will determine whether a professional reference or task is required.
Dan Ashworth
Having a qualification shows me as a potential employer that this candidate is serious about their career. It is vital for all of us to have that mindset, that you want to get better and learn every day.
Guest Speaker
Manchester United Sporting Director
Enhance your
Career Prospects
The MSc Sports Directorship is the first of its kind designed to develop all the personal and commercial attributes you need to become a successful Sporting Director.
The purpose of the course is to develop learners with the knowledge and skillsets required to move into a strategic leadership role at executive level within a sports organisation or sports business.
Get to Know Our
Course Alumni
Joleon Lescott
Former England and Manchester City Defender
Marisa Ewers
Former England and Manchester City Defender
Wes Morgan
Former Leicester City Captain and Premier League Winner
of UCFB graduates are in employment and over two-thirds of them work within the global sports industry
Masterclasses
Learning on the course takes many forms and one which our delegates find very valuable are the Masterclasses. At each taught element of the course (approx every 6 weeks) there is always at least one Masterclass from which to gain knowledge and understanding via the insights and experiences of a range of senior people from the world of sport and business.
VSI Sporting Directors Summit
Every year the VSI Sporting Directors Summit brings together industry experts from across sport to discuss the role of the Sporting Director. Students and graduates on this course have free access to the Summit.
Representatives from Premier League football clubs, Super League rugby, politics, law and business descend to create a lively environment that focuses on executive leadership roles within sport.
Tuition Fee Discount
This discount is open to any UCFB or University of East London Graduate and UCFB Business Partners who has received and accepted an offer to study at postgraduate level with UCFB.
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