Renowned for its strong sporting culture, Australia provides an ideal environment to study sports management. Students can immerse themselves in a vibrant sporting community and gain firsthand experience in a country that values and supports sports at all levels, as seen by its achievements across various sports.
Australian universities offer high-quality sports management programs that are well-regarded internationally. These programs provide a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to sports management, covering areas such as sports marketing, event management, sports finance, and athlete management.
If you’re interested in a degree in sports management, read on to learn more about the top Sports Management institutions in Australia down under.
Top Schools Offering Sports Management in Australia
1. University of Queensland
The University of Queensland is one of the leading universities in Australia, and a popular destination for students from around the world. More than 20,700 international students study at its campuses in St Lucia, Gatton, and Herston.
While the university does not offer a degree exclusively in sports management, students can choose the Sports Studies major as part of its Bachelor of Business Management / Arts program.
Graduates of this major have gone on to become leaders working with both state and national sporting teams, global sports organizations, or working in the media and arts, involved in the field of sports management, delivery, and administration.
2. Deakin University
Deakin University is among Australia’s top Sports Management schools. It has very strong programs in sports management at both undergraduate and graduate levels and is recognized globally for being one of the best in the field. It has industry connections with prestigious sporting organizations in the country, such as AFL, Cricket Australia, Netball Victoria, Melbourne Cricket Club, and many others. Students have access to exciting placement opportunities and research collaborations that can connect them with top athletes, sports managers, and administrators.
At the undergraduate level, the university offers a program in Bachelor of Business (Sport Management), which trains students in skills to manage sports organizations, work in community sports, and organize sporting events. Students become familiar with the business aspects of sports and get training in the areas of marketing, finance, management, and law related to sports. The university also has other sports-related programs, offering degrees in Sports Development and Exercise & Sport Science.
At the postgraduate level, Deakin offers a program in Master of Business (Sport Management), which trains students in business and leadership skills necessary to occupy leadership and management positions in the field of sport. For experienced professionals, the university offers an Executive Master of Sport Business program to advance in their careers and make an impact in the sport and allied industries.
3. Edith Cowan University
One of Australia’s top public universities, Edith Cowan University (ECU) offers excellent Sports Management programs in Australia.
At the undergraduate level, the university offers a Bachelor of Sport, Recreation, and Event Management degree, which provides training in not just theoretical knowledge, but also industry-oriented practical skills.
The university also offers a double degree program in Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Sports Science) and Bachelor of Commerce (Sport Business), in which students study these two disciplines concurrently. It is a program best suited for those aspiring to occupy management positions in sports industries.
From 2024, the university has added an offering, an international dual degree program with the University of Portsmouth in the UK in sports business management. Students graduate with a Bachelor of Global Sport Business Management degree from ECU and a BSc (Hons) in Global Sport Management from Portsmouth. They are trained in skills to occupy managerial positions in the globalized industry of sport, gaining valuable international exposure.
4. Griffith University
A relatively young university that opened in 1975, Griffith prides itself on ranking in the top 2 percent of universities in the world. In the field of sports management, Griffith University promises to train students in the specialist knowledge of the sports industry along with the appropriate business skills to manage sports organizations, events, athletes, and more.
The university does not have a degree specific to sports management but offers it as a major that students can choose while pursuing a business degree. At the undergraduate level, Griffith Business School offers a three-year Bachelor of Business program. Pitched as an alternative to traditional business programs, this degree provides skills training and opportunities relevant to the global economy we live in. Students can also choose to continue to an Honours year, where they will be trained in research skills and write a 20,000-word dissertation.
Alternatively, the university’s Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours) is a four-year program that trains students in the complex facets of organizations in the current business environment and allows students to work towards the business specialization of their choice.
Students can also choose to pursue a double degree program, studying another subject along with business such as data science, communication, engineering, and sports development. In the business component, students can specialize in sports management, while also receiving specialized training in a different field of their interest, opening up unique and diverse career opportunities.
At the postgraduate level, the Master of Business is for professionals looking to move to management roles or change careers, as well as current managers who want formal qualifications. Based on their career interests, students can choose to major in the area of their choice, including sports management.
5. Victoria University
Victoria University is a leading public university in Australia, offering programs in sports management at the undergraduate level.
The Bachelor of Sport Management trains students with the skills for a career in the sports, adventure, and physical recreation sphere. In their second year, students can choose to major in Sports & Communities or Outdoor Recreation Leadership.
Apart from this, the university’s Bachelor of Outdoor Leadership is a unique and exciting program designed to train students in the outdoor and recreation fields, including an excellent opportunity for a paid internship with the Outdoor Education Group.
Being among the best Sports Management schools in Australia, Victoria University also offers a double degree program in business and sports management, with its Bachelor of Sport Management/Bachelor of Business designed for students aspiring for a career in sports management and sports business.
FAQs: Sports Management Studies in Australia
Why Should International Students Study Sports Management in Australia?
Australia’s multicultural society offers a diverse and inclusive learning environment, attracting students from around the world. Students can interact with peers from different cultural backgrounds and enhance their cross-cultural communication and teamwork skills, which are essential in the global sports industry.
The country also provides ample opportunities for practical experience and industry connections. Australia hosts many major sporting events, such as the Australian Open, the Melbourne Cup, and the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, offering students the chance to gain valuable hands-on experience. The next decade is exciting for Australia, poised to host some of the biggest sporting events in the world, including the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics in Brisbane.
In conclusion, Australia is home to many top universities that provide excellent sports management programs. With strong industry connections and collaborations, state-of-the-art facilities, and expert faculty members, these programs train students for successful careers in sports management.
Hopefully, this article on the best sports management schools in Australia was helpful. You can also visit the Study In Australia and Available Programs for International Students for more articles and study opportunities in Australia!
About the Author: Hyun Lee
