MSc
International Sports Management and Football Industries
Degree Programme

September 2025 entry

Degree

MSc
UK & US Degree

Location

Leeds, UK

Duration

September – 12 months
2 Years (part-time)

Tuition Fees

UK – £12,500 / £23,500
EU, INT & US – £18,500 / £29,500

Internships

Optional 2-6 months UK / US / International internships

About the programme

About the MSc International Sports Management and Football Industries programme

Our MSc International Sports Management and Football Industries graduate degree programme is designed to provide comprehensive knowledge and skills tailored to the unique aspects of sports industries and with a specific focus on football. For any aspiring professionals in the global sports and football sectors, it’s the perfect programme, developing a deep understanding of management within sports and, more specifically, football industries.

The MSc International Sports Management and Football Industries offers students either:

A standalone master’s programme

The unique opportunity to undertake a master’s programme plus soccer coaching and training as a partnered programme with Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy (RIASA) in Leeds, UK

Join our partnered soccer development programme with RIASA

If you’re passionate about playing soccer, in addition to your MSc study, you have the option to enhance your skills and knowledge by joining our soccer training and coaching programme through our partnership with leading football academy, RIASA, creating the only programme of its kind.

Founded in 2010, the RIASA soccer programme allows student-athletes to experience a professional academy set-up over a nine-month season. As soon as you join our academy, you’ll be thrown into intense training sessions and competitive league fixtures that will help you grow on and off the field. Our soccer training team are highly experienced UEFA A & B licensed coaches, enabling you to develop each time you step on to the pitch.

With courses which are timetabled to maximise your time both in classes and on the field, you will be training, on average, four times each week and competing once or twice every week. Together with a UK/US MSc degree in International Sports Management, it’s great preparation for aspiring soccer players or individuals who want to break into the sporting industry.

About the programme

The MSc International Sports Management and Football Industries is a career development programme where the main emphasis is on leadership through the development of key strategic sports management knowledge and skillsets.

It has been designed to give students the skills and expertise needed to compete in the football industry and related organisations. The MSc International Sport Management and Football Industries equips students with an understanding of operational practices, strategic business dynamics, and the impact of global environments on sports organisations. With a mix of coursework, internships, and research projects, students gain a solid foundation in sports management and football industries, ready to lead in various roles across the sector.

This strong professional orientation to the programme offers the perfect preparation for a career in the global football industry – with clubs, governing bodies or related marketing, media and sponsorship companies – or for further study.

Why study MSc International Sports Management and Football Industries

Gain a broad understanding of sports management with expertise in areas such as sports marketing, branding and sponsorship, sports finance, sport governance and sustainability and talent management, all within the context of football
This programme offers a unique opportunity to combine a master’s degree with a soccer development programme, developing your skills on and off the pitch
Our academic faculty are leaders in their field, with visiting speakers on this programme including experts from the legal profession, football clubs and football regulatory authorities
We have excellent contacts with many public and private sector organisations within sports management and football, creating opportunities for credited internships to enhance your employability after graduation
Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy (RIASA) is an internationally recognised football academy with high standards of coaching and training
Gain two degrees with this programme – UK and US – opening up more opportunities on an international level

What you will study

Students will explore subjects such as Strategic Management, Strategic Marketing, Branding and Sponsorship, Research Methods and Data Analysis, Governance and Sustainability, and Financial Management, among others. The MSc Sports Management and Football Industries graduate programme also offers the flexibility to undertake an internship, providing practical experience in the industry, or to focus on an extended research project, deepening academic insights into sports management.

Students will gain insights into the strategic and business dynamics of sporting organisations, the inter-relatedness of corporate, governmental, and third-sector cultures within the sports sector, and the changing local and global environments in which sports organisations operate.

Contemporary sports management ideas and practices will be examined, developing your skills in critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, and personal development.

The option to do an internship will help you gain practical skills to apply your knowledge and understanding in the workplace, preparing you for a variety of rewarding sports management and football industry roles.

Consisting of 36 US/180 UK credits, the programme is delivered over one academic year of full-time study from September to the end of August.

Programme Specification
Fall Semester PMG 7XXX Strategic Management Course Specification TBC PMG 7XXX Strategic Marketing, Branding, and Sponsorship Course Specification TBC PMG 7XXX Research Methods and Data Analysis Course Specification TBC
Spring Semester PMG 7XXX Governance and Sustainability Course Specification TBC PMG 7XXX Financial Management Course Specification TBC PMG 7XXX Psychology of Performance and Leadership in Sport Course Specification TBC
Summer Semester PMG 7XXX Internship Course Specification TBC PMG 7XXX Professional Research Project Course Specification TBC OR PMG 7XXX Extended Professional Project Course Specification TBC

International Sports Management and Football Industries, (MSc) 2025-26 Specification Document (PDF)

The information above is intended as an example only, featuring course details for the current year of study. In addition to the courses outlined above, there may be open electives. Course content and delivery can be subject to change. For more detailed information on the programme specification, please find more details here.

Teaching & Assessment

Each course typically involves three to four contact hours per week over a 12-week semester, except the Research Project or Extended Research Project in the Summer semester which require self-directed learning with academic supervision, and the internship which requires part-time work placement for two-three months (minimum of 200 hours).

The balance of assessment by examination, practical assessment and assessment by coursework will vary for each programme and will also depend on the optional electives you choose each year and may be subject to change. The methods of assessment can involve the use of term-papers, portfolios of work, quizzes, mid-semester and final exams as well as student presentations and general class discussion. Not every component applies to every course, but most do relate to many of the classes that are offered. Many of our courses involve a site visit or require attendance at a public lecture as well.

The approximate percentage of the broad assessment types for the programme, based on 2025/26 entry is as follows.

Core:

Coursework 50%, practical 40% and examination 10%

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for the majority of our postgraduate masters degrees at Richmond are the same, regardless of your chosen study option, excluding some of our MSc level programmes

Academic Entry Requirements

UK first Degree minimum second class honours (2.2)
US Degree with a minimum CGPA of between 2.5 and 3.0
or international equivalent

We understand that not every student is in the same situation, if you have any questions about your qualifications, please get in touch with us [email protected].

English Language Entry Requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of the four components
TOEFL iBT: 92 overall with 21 in Listening, 22 in Reading, 21 in Writing, 23 in Speaking
Pearson Test of English: 65 overall with 60 in each of the four components
Cambridge: 176 overall with 169 in each of the four components

For more information on English Language Requirements visit our How to Apply webpage.

Fees & funding

Postgraduate tuition fees for students starting their programme this academic year can be found in the table below.

Programme Fees (Per Year)
	UK	EU / INT / US
	Fall 2025/Spring 2026	Fall 2025/Spring 2026
MSc International Sports Management and Football Industries	£12,500	£18,500
MSc International Sports Management and Football Industries with RIASA coaching option	£23,500	£29,500

For more information visit our Tuition Fees & Funding webpage.

UK SCHOLARSHIPS

INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

US SCHOLARSHIPS

Careers & Employability

We offer career support and advice through our Careers & Internships Office that will assist and guide you in your study choices to make sure you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Through internships you will gain business acumen, beneficial work experiences and transferable skills which will give you a competitive advantage in a fast-paced working environment. Work while you study across 5 continents through our partners Connect123 and CRCC Asia with destinations in Spain, Argentina, South Africa, China, Japan, Vietnam and Australia.

How to apply

How to apply for MSc International Sports Management and Football Industries

You can apply for Postgraduate study using our online application form.

Whilst most of our courses do not set an exact deadline for applications, you are advised to apply early to secure your place and organise any sponsorship or funding.

Visit our How to Apply webpage for more information regarding Entry Requirements, admissions processes and to start your application.

A person wearing glasses and a light blue shirt stands against a plain, light-colored background, looking directly at the camera.

“The postgraduate degree programme is taught by a core academic team who have significant experience and expertise within a variety of sports management and business subject areas. Students will have the opportunity to develop key knowledge and skills that are essential to future success in the dynamic sports and football industries, and through learning focused on the interrelatedness of corporate, governmental, and third-sector sporting environments will be well-prepared to pursue different career pathways. ”

Dr Colin Howley
Head of Department (RIASA)

What our students say

“From the first time I stepped on campus, I knew the experience would be different to that back home in the US. Football is life over here in the UK and that’s exactly what I wanted to be around.

I was able to train around 4 times a week and travel all around Yorkshire, then Europe and even the world, through football. RIASA took me to places I had never thought about. Riga, Latvia then Kemi, Finland and even Shenzen, China.”

Cole HeardInternational Sports Management (BA)

“Four years ago, I chose RIASA because I was looking for an opportunity to develop as a footballer and continue my education.

Working with and learning from coaches who have experience at such high levels of football has allowed me to develop my game and become a more complete footballer. Along with the coaching, RIASA has provided me with the opportunity to play against very talented oppositions, both here in England and around the world. From playing professional academies of premiership and championship clubs in England to travelling around Europe and even to China.

I have been able to do all of this, the travel, the football, and the training, all while still working on my degree which I was able to complete in four years. Due to the unique structure of RIASA that allows athletes to play and study at the same time without having to sacrifice either along with the incredibly helpful academic and support staff, I was able to complete my degree while still prioritising my football development.

After four years here, I have experienced the world, met great people, become a better footballer, and completed university. It has been an unforgettable experience and am happy that I chose RIASA.”

Ethan KrabbendamInternational Sports Management (BA)

“My time at RIASA has given me the opportunity to not only grow as a player but also as an individual. Moving so far from home and into a completely different culture gives you a great opportunity to grow as an independent person and experience what other areas of the world have to offer.

The training environment here emphasizes the importance of player responsibility. You will get out what you put into the program. On the pitch we have access to great facilities and a highly experienced coaching staff that all come from different backgrounds and experience levels. The staff here are incredibly passionate about what they do and work very hard to provide the best opportunities for their players on and off the pitch.

The opportunities to travel have been immense. In my four years I’ve played all across England as well as Finland, Latvia, Slovakia, and China. This has allowed me to experience different playing styles and levels of competition. Traveling has been the absolute best way to learn about different cultures and gain real world experience.”

Shane KingInternational Sports Management (BA)

Study MSc International Sports Management and Football Industries

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Enhance your employability

Our students have gone on to a range of successful careers in finance, business, media and not-for-profit organisations thanks to the unique teaching experience at Richmond. We spoke to those alumni as well as faculty members and employers about career prospects for future students graduating with a dually accredited liberal arts degree.

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Fees & Funding

Find out all you need to know about university fees and ways in which we can help you financially.

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Careers & Internships

Although optional, the Internship Programme is an important element of our undergraduate and Master’s degrees.

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Download Postgraduate Prospectus

Flick through and download our Postgraduate Prospectus to find out more about the programme, integrated internships & unique career opportunities.

Programme News

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