Sport Management

This one year MSc programme is targeted at graduates aiming to develop a career in the Sport industry and also experienced professionals who wish to enhance their career opportunities within this field. The programme provides graduates with the theoretical knowledge and practical tools and techniques required to solve real life management challenges within the Sport industry.

The programme is informed by the exciting research carried out by our faculty and by Sport industry experts who contribute to both the design and delivery of the programme curriculum. Throughout the programme, students are provided with the opportunity to engage and network with leading figures from the Sport industry.

The programme also offers the unique opportunity  to study how high performance sport is managed from government policy to the views of key stakeholders within a sport organisation, such as the CEO, the high performance director, the coach, support staff and athlete.

In 2020 & 2021, SportBusiness International magazine ranked the UCD MSc in Sport Management 39th and 34th in its list of the top 40 Sport Business postgraduate programmes in the world.

The application process for this programme closes on Wednesday 31st May 2023. We will endeavour to respond to all complete applications by Wednesday 7th June 2023.

A part-time format (over two years) is available in order to help professionals pursue studies without having to interrupt their career.

Our graduates who possess skills in the core management areas, are highly valued by employers within the Sports industry.  Many graduates are working in Ireland and internationally in a range of areas including national governing bodies, international sport federations, sports marketing and event management agencies, professional sports teams and community sport organisations.  Other recent graduates are pursuing PhD research in a range of sport related fields. Our graduates are employed in organisations such as:

• World Rugby
• Football Association of Ireland
• GAA
• Irish Rugby Football Union
• Sport Ireland
• Ireland Active
• Leinster Rugby
• Connacht Rugby
• Munster Rugby
• Racing Post
• Paddy Power
• Sports Marketing & Events Agencies
• Rugby Players Ireland
• Local Sports Partnerships
• Dublin City Council

If you are not a UCD student and have not applied previously, you must register before using the system for the first time. You'll find step-by-step instructions on how to apply in our instructions for applicants [pdf] and video tutorial.

If you have already registered you can return to the secure system using the login details you registered with. If you are a current or previous UCD student, please use your UCD student number (the system will pre-populate your personal details and you will not be requested to send transcripts).

Due to essential maintenance work, the service may be disrupted, or unavailable entirely, from time to time. Please be patient during these times. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Details of upcoming scheduled maintenance windows, if any, will appear on the right.