Bachelor of Sport Management

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Integrate conceptual understandings of strategic planning, operational management, staff development, program design, service delivery, performance evaluation, and relevant business principles, with advanced specialist knowledge and managerial know-how within the discipline of sport and active recreation;
2. Critically analyse theoretical and technical knowledge in diverse contexts, and adapt and apply related skills to the effective management of sport and active recreation services;
3. Critically review and apply information with initiative and judgement in order to both anticipate and creatively solve problems related to the management of sport and active recreation services in contemporary settings;
4. Exhibit professional judgement, ethical standards, and social sensitivity by adapting knowledge and managerial skills to make decisions – be it individually or collaboratively – that provide inclusive, sustainable, and culturally relevant sport and active recreation experiences;
5. Communicate a coherent and independent exposition of industry knowledge and operational skills in both oral and written form to a range of audiences;
6. Reflect on personal learning and skills in relation to career goals with a view to implementing creative strategies to promote lifelong learning, and establishing pathways for the attainment of further professional development and vocational training;
7. Apply personal and interpersonal competencies, work-group skills, and leadership abilities to the effective management of sport, exercise, and active recreation enterprises, while also accommodating the divergent and complex cultures of Australia and other regions around the world; and
8. Contribute to the organisation and delivery of sport and active recreation programs with personal accountability, integrity, and social responsibility for outcomes, and do it through dynamic 21st Century work-teams that use resources efficiently, provide high levels of participant satisfaction, and deliver widespread social utility.

After the first year of the course, you can choose between two specialist majors.

Sport & active communities

You’ll explore community sport and its relationship with elite and professional sport. You will learn how it can be managed to optimise participant satisfaction, build sustainable communities, and deliver an overall improvement in economic and social value.

This major also covers team-sport management, gym and exercise program administration, and community-based physical activity programming.

Outdoor recreation leadership

You’ll experience a diverse range of adventure programs. These will provide unique learning situations that help you to build a wide range of skills. For example, more than 90 Outdoor Recreation and Outdoor Education students took part in a rogaining event that tested their navigation and endurance skills.

You’ll learn to plan, organise, and program complex outdoor adventure activities at the highest professional level. You’ll also develop highly valued character traits including integrity, cultural sensitivity, and psychological resilience.

Victoria University is one of Australia's most recognisable sport universities. We have an outstanding reputation in sport, exercise science, health and fitness.

We have gained this name through our extensive offering of sport-related courses and our world-class facilities. Also unique to VU is our significant research and partnerships, as well as our leading academic staff.

We have the largest number of students enrolled in sport courses, and more sports industry partners than any other university. We also have the most graduates working in the sport industry.

VU has strong, unique partnerships with more than 350 local, national and global organisations across the sport, exercise and recreation industries. These partnerships inform the content of our courses and provide joint research opportunities.

Our partnerships provide great opportunities for your career development, including:

• lectures by industry experts
• exciting work placement opportunities
• environments for collaborative learning.

Our partners include:

• Western Bulldogs Football Club
• Australian Institute of Sport
• Victorian Racing Club
• Australian Sports Commission
• Real Madrid Football Club Foundation
• Beijing and German Sports Universities
• Sport Australia Hall of Fame
• National Heart Foundation
• VicHealth
• National Ageing Research Institute
• Football Federation Victoria
• Tennis Australia
• Western Health
• Australian Football League (AFL).

Everything you learn with VU has direct links to the real world. A key part of your studies will be experiencing the true nature of working in a professional sports environment in your industry placements.

You can choose your 70 hour and 140 hour placements based on your personal career aspirations.

We have qualified career specialists with a background in the sports industry who will support you. You’ll gain direct practical experience by taking what you learn in the classroom and applying it in the real world.

These placements will provide you with confidence and a competitive advantage in the workforce.

Placements and cadetships take place with VU partner organisations such as:

• Western Bulldogs Football Club
• Melbourne Storm
• Victorian Institute of Sport.

The Bachelor of Sport Management is the only course in Australia that examines sport management in the context of other disciplines.

This course draws on economics, sociology, psychology, anthropology, finance, geography, philosophy, law, architecture, and history. Taught by highly qualified professionals, these disciplines complement the study of management within the context of sport and recreation.

Our sport-management degree also uniquely blends the study of commercial, community and outdoor sport. Classroom activities are integrated with online learning. Through case studies, practical learning and industry networking, you’ll become confident with both theory and practice.