#1 for sport business in the Australia and Asia-Pacific region
150+ industry links in elite sport organisations
Top 3 business school in Melbourne
Why choose sport business at Deakin
Position yourself for senior leadership opportunities in a rapidly evolving sport sector with Deakin's Executive Graduate Certificate of Sport Business. Over the next decade, Australia will host major international sporting events culminating in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, creating demand for professionals with the strategic capability to lead sport organisations, events and programs through a period of significant growth and transformation.
Designed for managers and executives working in sport and allied industries, this executive-level qualification develops advanced expertise in sport governance, leadership, commercial strategy and stakeholder engagement. Study with the #1 sport business school in Australia and the Asia-Pacific and build the professional networks, industry insight and confidence to take the next step in your sport business career.
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Leadership-ready skills
Develop strategic management capabilities for leadership roles across sport organisations, events and related industries worldwide.
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Industry-connected learning
Gain insight into contemporary sport business challenges through industry-informed learning and global sport industry perspectives.
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Globally accredited business school
Deakin Business School holds AACSB and EQUIS accreditations, recognised internationally as benchmarks of business education quality.
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Pathway to a master's degree
Continue into the Master of Business (Sport Management) to deepen your expertise and expand your global career opportunities.
Connected to industry
Our sport connections shape your learning and provide industry learning opportunities, with more than 150 industry ties, including Netball Victoria, Geelong Football Club, Cricket Australia, Swimming Australia, Tennis Australia, the Victorian Institute of Sport, Sport Australia Hall of Fame, Sportradar and TLA Worldwide.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build advanced capability for strategic and senior roles across sport organisations, professional clubs and leagues, with opportunities spanning commercial operations, governance, marketing and stakeholder engagement.
Commercial manager
Lead commercial strategy, financial performance and business relationships. In sport, you may manage partnerships, contracts, sponsorship activity and revenue opportunities across clubs, leagues or organisations.
- $165k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 9.3%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.1/5
Job satisfaction
Marketing director
Lead marketing strategy to grow audiences, strengthen brands and drive commercial success across sport organisations. Oversee campaigns, partnerships, teams and fan engagement to achieve business goals.
- $170k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 4.3/5
Job satisfaction
Other jobs
- Senior sport manager
- Sponsorship manager
- Sport business strategist
- Sport business analyst
- Communications manager
- Governance adviser
FAQs
The cost of studying at Deakin depends on your degree, units and study load – tuition fees are listed on degree pages under the fees and scholarships tab. Beyond tuition, you will need to budget for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), accommodation, transport, groceries and textbooks. Find out more about the cost of living in Australia, use the Study Australia calculator to estimate living expenses and explore international scholarships which may help to reduce your tuition costs.
Deakin offers a range of merit-based scholarships that can reduce your postgraduate tuition fees by 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% for the duration of your degree. Eligibility varies by scholarship and the degree you choose, but you will automatically be considered for most scholarships when you apply to Deakin. Use the Find a scholarship tool and filter by 'citizenship' to see what is available to you, or explore Australia Awards scholarships if you are from an eligible country.
It depends on the degree and how you study. Graduate certificates typically take six months full time or one year part time. Graduate diplomas usually take one year full time and masters degrees typically take one to two years full time. Recognition of prior learning can reduce your study time. Check the degree page for full details.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for students, with strong legal protections, reliable public services and a multicultural community. In fact, Melbourne is ranked the #4 student city in the world! At Deakin, you will be part of a supportive community, with 24/7 help, dedicated campus security and practical tools to help you feel safe, confident and connected. Deakin’s SafeZone app also connects you directly to campus security and support services if you ever need help. Find out more about studying in Australia.
We value your experience and qualifications. That is why every new degree application at Deakin is assessed for recognition of prior learning (RPL). Through RPL, Deakin can assess your previous study and life experience and may award course credit that could reduce your study duration, as well as the cost of your study. Qualifications from universities and private tertiary institutions worldwide are considered, as is informal learning related to your degree. Use the RPL calculator to see how much credit you may be eligible for.
Deakin offers a wide range of support to help you settle in and succeed throughout your studies – we are ranked the #1 university in Melbourne for student support. You can access 1:1 study support, English language support, career planning help, disability services and free counselling, as well as financial assistance if you need it. On campus, the SafeZone app and 24/7 security services mean help is always within reach. You can explore the full range of support services for international students or start an online chat with a student ambassador before you arrive.
To enrol in a postgraduate degree at Deakin, many degrees require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). Some degrees require higher scores, so check the entry requirements tab on the degree page for details. You may also meet the requirement through recent secondary or university study completed in English, or by demonstrating five or more years of living and working in an English-speaking country. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you do not yet meet the requirement, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) offers pathway programs to help develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Completion of DUELI’s English for Academic Purposes can give you the minimum English language requirements for most Deakin degrees.
Deakin’s postgraduate degrees are designed to advance your career, whether you want to deepen expertise in your field, move into a specialist role or shift direction entirely. All our degrees are shaped by industry partners, so what you learn reflects what employers need now and into the future. We’re proud to be the #1 university in Melbourne for international student graduate employment. With flexible study options and financial support available, Deakin helps you gain the skills, recognition and confidence to reach your next professional goal.
*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 Executive Graduate Certificate of Sport Business?
The Executive Graduate Certificate of Sport Business develops the strategic, commercial and leadership capabilities needed to lead organisations, events and programs in a rapidly evolving sport sector.
Strategic leadership in sport business
Understand sport business leadership
Examine how sport organisations operate across professional, community and commercial environments.
Develop strategic capability
Build expertise in governance, strategy and decision-making to support effective leadership in sport.
Apply industry insight
Analyse contemporary sport business challenges and opportunities to strengthen problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
Course structure
To complete the Executive Graduate Certificate of Sport Business, you must pass 4 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. This course is available part-time only, with students typically studying one to two credit points each study period.
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
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
2 credit point of postgraduate open elective which can be chosen from:
- other postgraduate units offered by the University (subject to eligibility)
- two (2) 0.5 credit point microcredentials (total 1 credit point)
- recommended Sport Management units (see lists below)
Marketing/Commercial Sport Business Focus:
Sport Management and Sport Development:
OR
Up to two (2) Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microunits) equal to 1 credit point
Professional recognition
Deakin Business School holds both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. These prestigious accreditations are awarded to business schools that meet strict standards of quality, academic and professional excellence, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation in their courses, ensuring our graduates are employable worldwide.
What to expect while studying
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
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.
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
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.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin online courses.
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 advanced, discipline-specific knowledge of executive leadership, management and workforce planning within the sport business sector, through the integrated analysis, synthesis and application of theories and practices drawn from business and allied disciplines. |
| Employ advanced written, oral, and visual communication skills to critically interpret, articulate, and disseminate complex and specialist sport industry knowledge to diverse stakeholder groups—including expert and non-expert audiences across government, corporate, and community-to-elite sport settings. |
| Critically employ advanced technical and cognitive skills—including high-level analysis, and evaluation to diagnose complex challenges and generate evidence informed solutions for leadership and decision making to lead sport organisations and the broader sport industry. |
| Analyse and interpret the complex interdependencies within management and leadership systems to formulate innovative, evidence-based strategic solutions that advance both commercial and social outcomes in sport organisations and the broader sport industry. |
- Award granted
- Executive Graduate Certificate of Sport Business
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- M539
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Apply directly through StudyLink Connect. Depending on your location, you may need to apply through a Deakin Authorised Agent, who can support and submit your application.
See our guide to applying to Deakin for application steps and requirements.
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.