Diploma in Sport Management

Undergraduate | 2026

Mode

On Campus

Start date

February

Campus

Adelaide City Campus

Duration

1 year(s) full-time only (no part time option)

Program code

DSPMG

Study as

Full-time only (no part time option)

Indicative annual fees

$22,000

Non-tuition fees

Prerequisite

N/A

Assumed knowledge

N/A

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria and the Statement of Intent.

Secondary education (Year 12)

Completion of a secondary education qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Completion of an award from a registered training organisation (RTO) at Certificate III (AQF level 3) or higher.

Higher education study

Successful completion of at least 6 months full-time study (or equivalent part-time) in a higher education award program.

Work and life experience

Completion of an Adelaide University approved enabling, pathway or bridging program; OR

A competitive result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT); OR

Qualify for special entry

In addition to the entry requirements above, applicants will need to write a 250 word Statement of Intent outlining why they want to study the Diploma in Sport Management, and their career aspirations.

Note:

Please note that entry requirements for this degree are provisional and subject to change.

Why Diploma in Sport Management?

Swap the sidelines for centre field with a diploma that gets you closer to the action.

Learn the business side of sport with our Diploma in Sport Management at Adelaide Football Club (AFC) and Adelaide University. Delivered in partnership with the Adelaide Crows Institute of Sports Business, this one-year program blends classroom learning with real industry experience.

You’ll explore the core principles of sport and recreation, gain insight into how sport organisations operate and build the skills to analyse business decisions in professional settings.

With access to elite facilities and expert mentors at AFC, you’ll develop practical knowledge and build valuable connections in the field, setting you up for a strong start in the world of sport management.

Overview

The Diploma in Sport Management at Adelaide University is your first step into the business of sport. Over one year of study, you'll explore how sport organisations run, learn about marketing, sponsorship and leadership and gain insight into how sport shapes society.

You'll study topics like commercial operations, sport and recreation, management and communication, while also building confidence in using data to inform decisions.

Practical placements with the Adelaide Football Club (AFC) give you hands-on experience and real industry insight. Along the way, you'll strengthen your teamwork, problem-solving and leadership skills.

After graduating you can pursue career opportunities in clubs, community programs, sporting events and business operations.

Key features

Gain knowledge and skills in sport business management.
Access one of two paid graduate internships with Adelaide Football Club (AFC).
Use this diploma as a pathway into a business degree, including our Bachelor of Business majoring in Sport Management.
Learn through a mix of theory and hands-on experience.
Complete work-integrated learning facilitated by AFC.
Study onsite at the AFC, alongside elite athletes and in the sporting club environment.

What you'll learn

The Diploma in Sport Management at Adelaide University offers a dynamic, hands-on introduction to the sport industry.

The Diploma has no ATAR requirements, so you can apply straight from high school or as a mature-age student, with no exam results needed. It’s a flexible entry point for anyone ready to start a career in sport management.

Delivered in partnership with the Adelaide Football Club (AFC), the program combines academic study with over 100 hours of real-world experience. You’ll also get a rare opportunity to work behind the scenes of a professional sporting organisation.

Study topics such as commercial operations, sport and recreation, leadership, marketing and the role of sport in society. Build confidence using data to support business decisions, giving you a competitive edge when seeking a career after graduation.

Courses are designed to give you both a broad overview and deeper insight into key areas of sport management, balancing classroom learning with applied knowledge. Assessments are practical and job-focused, helping you develop communication, problem-solving and analytical skills.

You’ll benefit from classes with strong support from teaching staff, and you'll study onsite at the Adelaide Football Club, surrounded by elite athletes and industry professionals. A dedicated placement gives you a head start in building industry connections while gaining practical know-how.

Each year, two graduates are offered full-time roles at the AFC, providing an exceptional opportunity to transition directly into the workforce.

Graduate with guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Business majoring in Sport Management at Adelaide University, with a year's credit (8 courses). You’ll also be eligible for guaranteed entry and credit for a range of Bachelor of Business programs.

Whether you continue your studies or only complete this diploma, you’ll be prepared to launch a career in sport, backed by industry knowledge and practical experience.

What courses you'll study

Complete 48 units comprising:

48 units for Core courses

Complete 48 units comprising:

6 units from Common core, and
42 units for all Program core

	Course code	Units
Course name An Ethically Rich Life	Course code COREX001	Units 6
Course name Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone	Course code COREX002	Units 6
Course name Igniting Change: Ideas to Action	Course code COREX003	Units 6
Course name Proppa Ways, Future Practice	Course code COREX004	Units 6
Course name Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry	Course code COREX005	Units 6
Course name Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing	Course code COREX006	Units 6

	Course code	Units
Course name Fundamentals of Sport and Recreation	Course code SPOR1000	Units 6
Course name Sport, Health and Wellbeing	Course code SPOR2000	Units 6
Course name Commercial Operations and Marketing in Sport	Course code SPOR2001	Units 6
Course name Sport in Contemporary Society	Course code SPOR2002	Units 6
Course name Sport Practicum 1	Course code SPOR2900	Units 6
Course name Management, Organisations and Leadership	Course code BUSI1002	Units 6
Course name Marketing Principles	Course code MARK1000	Units 6

Course name		Course code	Units
Year 1
Semester 1
	Course name Sport Practicum 1	Course code SPOR2900	Units 6
	Course name Commercial Operations and Marketing in Sport	Course code SPOR2001	Units 6
	Course name Fundamentals of Sport and Recreation	Course code SPOR1000	Units 6
	Course name Sport, Health and Wellbeing	Course code SPOR2000	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Sport in Contemporary Society	Course code SPOR2002	Units 6
	Course name Management, Organisations and Leadership	Course code BUSI1002	Units 6
	Course name Marketing Principles	Course code MARK1000	Units 6
	Course name Core course	Course code -	Units 6