You will develop an appreciation for motivation, team building and performance related pay, develop an awareness of the role of management in complex human activity systems, the role of information systems such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and leading edge ticketing software. Finally, in the third year of study, you will be guided to develop your own research in this field to successfully complete your dissertation.

Any sports manager has to be aware of the bottom line, deliver revenue streams and pro¬fits for the organisation, which serve to improve facilities or improve the arena’s environment. Expertise is required in all fi¬elds, you will develop your academic skills alongside practical experiences of negotiation, pitching for business and presenting business plans.

Degree content

Professional sports are central to American culture. Not only is the Super Bowl the  most watched event each year on television, American football fills the top two slots  of most-watched television programmes in the USA each week. College sports in  particular are integral to American culture, with even low league college stadia holding tens of thousands of fans. Interest in American sports in the UK itself is  growing, with the annual NFL International Series being held at Wembley Stadium  since 2007 when the first 40,000 tickets sold out in the first 90 minutes of release.

American Sports Business Management will provide you with a strong business studies foundation and an understanding of the unique challenges and issues facing sports management. Your studies will follow a business and sports framework, providing a context to sports business. The three years of study will develop your business acumen across several disciplines, such as marketing, entrepreneurship and strategic management.  Additionally, you will study a degree pathway of American Sports Management with modules that will develop your ability to successfully work in this field.

Read the benchmark statement for this course

* Subject to validation.

First Year

  • Introductory American Sports Business
  • The Role of Marketing in Business
  • Organisational Behaviour in American Sport
  • Managing Money

Second Year

  • American Culture of Sport
  • Consumer Behaviour in Sports Business
  • Research Methods for Business
  • Elective (1 of 3):
    • Sports PR
    • Digital Marketing
    • Financial Reporting & Management

Third Year

  • Strategic Management
  • Elective (1 of 3):
    • International Finance
    • PR Strategy
    • Brand Management
  • Research Project
  • American Sport Regulation & Law

* Modules listed above may vary depending on changes to the syllabus.

Applications are welcomed from students with a genuine passion and ambition to work in the football and sports industries.

The minimum academic requirement for this degree course is a 240-280 UCAS Tariff point score.

Other minimum requirements

Applicants will normally have achieved one of the following:

  • A minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent
  • International Baccalaureate (minimum of 24 points)
  • A National Diploma or Certificate in an appropriate subject at Distinction level
  • An Advanced GNVQ in an appropriate subject at Distinction level
  • An Access Course: minimum of 60 credits, including at least 45 at Level 3
  • An equivalent level 3 qualification

Applicants should have a strong GCSE profile, including English at Grade C, or equivalent and Maths at Grade C (specifically for Football Business & Finance, Sports Business & Sports Law and Sports Business & Psychology).

Other qualifications, including overseas, may be considered. Applicants for whom English is a second language should have achieved IELTS 6 or equivalent for entry into Level 4.

We also welcome applications from mature students who may not possess the above qualifications but may have relevant experience.

All applicants will be expected to demonstrate a specific interest in their preferred area of study and should have a commitment to engaging with the subject through the academic programme and our complementary curriculum involving high profile guest speakers, master classes and short course opportunities.

Entry with advanced standing

Students are normally expected to start at Level 4, but can be admitted to any level of the course which is considered suitable, after portfolio review and interview, using the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). Under this arrangement, a student may apply to have previous academic credits or other learning or experience taken into consideration. Such applications are considered by the Faculty CATS committee and must be supported by the Academic Department.

The UCFB Bursary

A limited number of bursaries are available for eligible fully enrolled UK students who are progressing to UCFB from a partner college/sixth form, and can be used towards studying costs.

The UCFB bursary amount is not paid to the student directly but is allocated for payment towards studying costs for eligible students.

The UCFB Scholarship Award

A limited number of scholarships will be available for 2015. Information will be announced soon. Contact us on 0843 208 2222 or mail scholarships@ucfb.com to register your interest.