10 Best Schools For Sports Management

Having the skills of a sports manager will get you into administrative roles in the sports industry and you could directly or indirectly work with many athletes across different sports. This blog post will guide you on the best schools where you can gain the quality skills of a sports manager.

Sports management is an exciting career that combines your passion for sports with problem-solving skills to help operations in sports organizations flow smoothly. The skills of sports managers are highly required by professional and amateur sports companies so that they can help move their companies forward with their expertise and experience.

If you are passionate about sports but couldn’t get to play probably for one reason or another you don’t have to call it quits just like that. You can still be in the industry but this time working behind the scenes and ensuring everything is flowing just well. Those players you couldn’t play with you can get working with them whether directly or indirectly depending on the position you get.

However, to enter this field or get such a role you have to get professional training by pursuing a degree in sports management. This is a business field that revolves around budgeting, directing, leading, organizing, and planning for sports which is basically like everything that involves running a business. As a sports manager, you will be at the forefront of every sporting event within the organization you work with and this is no easy job.

However, with the right training and discipline, it is an exciting job. A degree in sports management will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in this field. This blog post will equally facilitate your entry into the field as we have discussed some of the best schools for sports management. Through this guide, you can easily find a suitable school where you can pursue and earn a degree as a sports manager.

But before we get into discussing these schools, there are also other helpful guides on our site like the NAIA schools in California that gives scholarships to student-athletes or you can apply for soccer scholarships in the US if you want to play soccer while pursuing an academic degree. Our post on the cheap colleges in North Carolina offers affordable options to earn a degree like sports management without breaking the bank.

Having said that, let’s take a dive into the best schools for sports management and find one that is befitting for you.

best schools for sports management

Best Schools For Sports Management

  • The University of Portsmouth
  • Texas A&M University
  • The University of Western Ontario
  • Wayne State College
  • EU Business School – Barcelona
  • Loughborough University
  • Deakin University
  • The University of Hong Kong
  • The University of Florida
  • The University of Birmingham

1.     The University of Portsmouth

This is a prestigious public university in England rated as Gold in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework which shows the high quality of teaching at the institution. The University of Portsmouth boasts of outstanding teaching, excellent student experience, career support, and dedication to making your stay at the university an unforgettable experience.

The strength of the University of Portsmouth lies in geology, pharmacy, sport science, law, and engineering. It is also ranked no.558 by the US News & World Report for best global universities. It ranks among the best universities in the world where you can earn a degree in sports management. The program is offered at both bachelor’s and master’s levels.

2.     Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University is a top university in the US that has earned a reputation for excellence through high-quality academic programs, expert faculty, and commitment to research. It is ranked no.67 by the US News & World Report for best universities in the US and is known for engineering, technology, and agricultural programs and also for being one of the largest universities in the United States.

Aside from being one of the cheapest medical schools in the US, its program in sports management is among the best in the world. Texas A&M University offers a BS and an MS in Sport Management as well as a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a focus on sports management which prepares students for careers in sports marketing and promotions, sports event planning, and facility management and planning.

3.     The University of Western Ontario

This is a public research university in Canada that ranks 1st in the country and 3rd in the world for sustainable development. UWO is also a preferred institution among international students. Students looking to gain quality sports management skills and experience in Canada may want to put the University of Western Ontario at the top of their list as it ranks among the best in the world.

Sports Management at UWO is a cutting-edge program that combines business, law, organizational psychology, sociology, recreation, sports marketing, tourism, and kinesiology to ensure that students are well-grounded in the field and prepare them for successful careers in the sports industry. Sports management at UWO is offered only in Bachelor’s degree.

4.     Wayne State College

Wayne State College is a prestigious institution of higher learning ranked at no.95 out of 167 regional universities Midwest by the US News & World Report. The college is famous for its academic and research excellence, affordability, friendly atmosphere, and successful graduates.

So, if you are looking for an affordable college to earn a BA or BS in Sports Management, Wayne State College is the place for you. The program also covers topics like Sports Law, Facility Management, Ethics in Sport Management, and Principles of Marketing.

5.     EU Business School – Barcelona

EU Business School is a well-known business school with campuses in Geneva, Barcelona, Munich, and online. It is known for its high-ranking MBA program that is internationally recognized by business experts all over the world. While this may be a business school, it offers a prestigious sports management degree program at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.

The language of instruction for both degree programs is the English language so that it can accommodate as many international students as possible. Of course, international candidates from non-English speaking countries would have to submit proof of English language proficiency like the TOEFL or IELTS as part of their application.

6.     Loughborough University

Loughborough University is one of the top 20 research-intensive universities in the UK known for its excellence in teaching and research. Here, you can pursue either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in sports management and gain expert skills and an understanding of sports marketing, governance, and economics which you can apply in the industry to solve real-world problems.

7.     Deakin University

Deakin University is located in Australia and is popular for its extensive research capabilities which have attracted grants worth millions of dollars to the institution. It is also one of the fastest-growing institutions in the country with a reputation for its diversity and accessibility.

Those looking to pursue a degree in sports management in Australia should put Deakin University at the top of their list as it is the best in the nation that offers the program. The sports management program leads to bachelor’s and master’s degrees with international students getting accepted into any of the degree programs. Deakin’s curriculum for sports management covers topics like sports law, sports marketing, economics, and strategic management.

8.     The University of Hong Kong

The University of Hong Kong is a public research-focused institution in China and the oldest in the nation. It is a prestigious high-ranking university in China and in the whole Asia continent. It ranks at no.21 internationally and 3rd in Asia by the QS World Ranking and 31st internationally and 4th in Asia by Times Higher Education. It is also ranked as the most international university in the world.

If you are an international student looking to pursue a degree in sports management at the University of Hong Kong, your chances of acceptance are very high compared to other universities in Asia. The sports management program here is a bachelor of science degree that is offered part-time and takes 3 years to complete. The language of instruction is English. There is also an advanced diploma in recreation and sports management also part-time, taught in English, and takes 2 years to complete.

9.     The University of Florida

The University of Florida offers a world-class bachelor’s degree in sports management with a curriculum designed to make learners become professionals with skills and expertise that meets the current market demand. The institution itself is a prestigious one in the US and in Florida listed among the top 5 public research universities in the nation by the US News & World Report.

This makes the University of Florida one of the best schools to earn a degree in sports management.

10.  The University of Birmingham

And last but certainly not least the University of Birmingham is one of the best schools for sports management. This is an institution with a reputation among employers for offering career-focused education and training. The reputation of this school will certainly rub off on your sports management degree which will make employers trust you and see you as a highly valuable employee.

At the University of Birmingham, you can earn a career-focused bachelor’s degree in sports management. The program curriculum covers subjects in marketing and communication, planning and performance, management and leadership, and research.

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