100+ hours placement with a sport organisation
#1 provider for sport in Australia
#2 business school in Victoria for career impact
Why choose business (sport management) at Deakin
Make your mark behind the scenes in the fast-growing sport industry with Deakin's Bachelor of Business (Sport Management). Learn to manage the business side of sport through specialised training in sport marketing, finance, management and law, innovation and entrepreneurship, and event and facility management – so you graduate ready to thrive in increasingly professionalised sport environments. You can also build broader business expertise by adding a complementary business major.
Deakin's Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) integrates real industry experience at every stage of your degree. Through partnerships with leading organisations such as the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), Basketball Victoria, Geelong Cats and Netball Victoria, you will access behind-the-scenes learning, professional networking and placement opportunities, including at least 100 hours embedded in a sport organisation so you graduate with genuine industry experience.
-
Industry experience built in
Complete at least 100 hours of placement with a host sporting organisation and apply your skills in real settings.
-
Connected to the sport sector
Access leading sport organisations through our partnerships with the AFL, MCC, Swimming Australia, Geelong Cats and Netball Victoria.
-
World‑leading sport management expertise
Benefit from deep and wide experience in one of the world’s first dedicated sport management programs, taught by academics with strong industry links.
-
Study sport through a business lens
Build skills in sport marketing, finance, management, law, events and facilities, with room to add a business major.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build the commercial, strategic and leadership skills to pursue a career in the sport industry, contributing across professional and community sport organisations, events, facilities and governing bodies.
Events manager
Plan and deliver sport events, managing venues, schedules, budgets, suppliers and staff. Coordinate stakeholders and operations to create safe, engaging experiences for fans and participants.
- $95k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 10.7%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4/5
Job satisfaction
Marketing executive
Deliver campaigns for sport organisations, conducting research, planning campaigns and developing creative, while tracking budgets, reviewing and optimising campaign performance and liaising with clients.
- $85k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 11.4%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4/5
Job satisfaction
Other jobs
- Commercial partnerships manager
- Competitions manager
- Facility manager
- Player agent
- Sport data analyst
- Sport management consultant
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
FAQs
Yes – every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning (WIL) in their degree. Each year, more than 30,000+ students complete a placement or internship with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, EY and the National Australia Bank. You can access WIL through placements, industry projects, field-based experiences, simulations and global programs, helping you apply your skills and graduate with the experience and confidence employers value.
DeakinTALENT is Deakin's award-winning career service, and you can access it for life – not just while you're studying. From personalised career coaching sessions and AI-enhanced resume support to a jobs and internships board with employment opportunities, it’s designed to give you the career management skills and connections you need to stand out. Every Deakin degree is built with input from employers, so your course is designed around real workplace needs, now and into the future.
Entry requirements and the minimum ATAR vary by degree and are detailed on the degree page, but if your ATAR is below the cut-off, you still have options. Use the pathway finder tool to find the opportunities available to you, including associate degrees and Deakin Guaranteed ATAR, which offers eligible students a guaranteed entry score that's on average 10 points below the lowest selection rank. If you don't have an ATAR, Deakin Uni Ready is a free, supported program designed to build your skills and confidence and open doors to degrees in arts, health, science and business. Access programs and equity schemes are also available.
At Deakin, employability isn't an add-on – it's built in. Our degrees are designed with industry input, so your skills are aligned to what employers actually need. Every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning through opportunities such as placements, internships and industry projects, helping you build your professional network and practical experience before you even graduate. It's an approach that works: nine out of 10 Deakin graduates get a job within four to six months of finishing their degree.
Yes. Most eligible undergraduate students are offered a Commonwealth Supported Place meaning the government subsidises part of your tuition fees. If eligible, you can pay your student contribution using a HECS-HELP loan that you only start repaying once your income is above the repayment threshold. Deakin has scholarships that cater to our diverse student community, ranging from $5,000 per year for high ATAR achievers to $10,000 per year for students facing financial or personal hardship. The University also offers support services including financial counselling, budgeting help and access to short-term, interest-free loans to help you stay on track.
Deakin is the #1 Victorian university for student support and that starts the moment you accept your offer. Orientation is designed to help you feel welcome and get to know your community of classmates and teachers from day one. Across all campuses, there's a vibrant student community with clubs, events and opportunities to build real friendships. Deakin offers a range of services to help students stay healthy and safe, including sport and fitness facilities, free counselling, on-campus medical services and around-the-clock security.
Yes, and it's straightforward. You can transfer to Deakin in a few steps and apply for credit through recognition of prior learning (RPL), so you won't necessarily repeat subjects you've already completed. If you're coming from a TAFE partner, you may get guaranteed entry into second year with guaranteed RPL. Deakin's three-trimester system also means you may be able to start mid-year rather than waiting until March.
Most Deakin courses run across three trimesters per year instead of the traditional two semesters. Trimester 1 begins around March, Trimester 2 around July and Trimester 3 around November, each with roughly 12 weeks of teaching followed by an exam period. This means you can usually start your degree at three different points in the year and have more flexibility to manage your study load. Check the intakes by location section on the course page for details.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Bachelor of Business (Sport Management)?
The Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) combines core business knowledge with specialist sport industry insight. Across three years, you build the commercial, strategic and operational skills needed to work in sport organisations, events, facilities and governing bodies.
Business and sport foundations
Build core business capabilities
Develop foundational knowledge in areas such as accounting, economics, marketing and management while learning how organisations operate and make decisions.
Explore sport industry contexts
Examine how sport organisations function within society and understand the cultural, economic and community impact of sport, locally and globally.
Develop professional awareness
Begin strengthening communication, analytical and teamwork skills while gaining insight into professional expectations across business and sport sectors.
Develop sport management expertise
Sharpen your specialist focus
Study the legal, marketing and performance-related dimensions of sport, building a clearer picture of how organisations manage people, brands, events and competitive environments.
Shape your direction with electives
Use open electives to broaden your perspective, whether that means building another business skill set or exploring a related area that supports your goals in sport.
Connect study with industry practice
Move beyond theory by applying business thinking to sport-specific challenges, preparing for the practical and strategic work expected in professional sporting contexts.
Strategy, innovation and experience
Explore sport leadership and strategy
Examine innovation, entrepreneurship and strategic decision-making within the sport industry and its evolving global landscape.
Gain industry experience
Participate in experience-based or work-integrated learning opportunities that connect your studies with real organisations and professional practice.
Refine your career direction
Complete advanced study and electives that align with your interests while preparing to transition into the sport business workforce.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Business (Sport Management), you must pass 24 credit points.
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.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Business Core Units
Sport Management Core Units
*Unit previously coded MWL101
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
The 8 credit points of open elective units may be selected from:
- A major/minor of your choice^*
- any Level 2 or Level 3 units offered by the University*
- ^^
^recommended: a major or minor(s) from the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Business or Sports Journalism
* subject to availability
^^ recommended elective
What to expect while studying
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.
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.
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.
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more work integrated learning units.
Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.
International Students:
This course includes Work Integrated Learning (WIL) formally registered as part of the course on the CRICOS register. The total work integrated learning hours will differ depending on the WIL unit you choose. For more information about WIL hours, please check the unit information in the handbook or the unit guide.
For information about how WIL units may impact student visa holder work rights, please visit Home Affairs. See 8105 Work limitation.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Demonstrate core knowledge of the elements of management that are unique to sport business through analysis and application of theory from business and allied disciplines in order to provide effective management in sport organisations |
| Develop written, oral and visual communication skills around complex concepts for diverse stakeholders involved in the sport industry including organisations in government and corporate sectors and those involved in delivery of sport at community through to elite settings |
| Select and use a range of digital technologies in appropriate ways to manage and disseminate relevant information to stakeholders in the sport industry |
| Demonstrate the ability to exercise reasoned judgement and reflection in relation to managing in the sport industry |
| Identify and address issues, formulate solutions related to commercial and social improvements in the sport industry and implement efficient strategic and operational outcomes for organisations in the sport industry |
| Demonstrate skills to work independently and take responsibility for continuing professional development |
| Constructively engage in teams to contribute to collaborative outcomes and be able to take on roles towards demonstration of sound management within the sport industry |
| Engage as a professional in the sport industry with the skills that are applicable to a variety of contexts (professional, amateur) and issues (global, social, ethical, cultural) |
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Business (Sport Management)
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
1400514661 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400614661 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)- Deakin code
- M391
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$17,779
for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
The estimated tuition (student contribution) fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your student contribution is determined by the units you enrol in and will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.
Check your eligibility or learn more about CSP or HECS-HELP.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Apply through VTAC
Applications are open. Apply through VTAC if you're:
- currently in Year 12 and applying for Trimester 1 or Semester 1
- applying for multiple undergraduate courses
Need help? Follow our step-by-step undergraduate guide to prepare and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Not sure if you'll meet entry requirements?
Deakin offers a range of pathways into the Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) to suit your background and goals. Explore the pathways finder to see how previous study, diplomas or alternative qualifications can lead you into the course.