Sports degrees abroad
Sport is a broad field of study which asks you to think critically about the role of sport in today’s society.
Throughout your program, you’ll look at topics including coaching, managing sporting events, administration, barriers to participation, and contemporary issues in sport. You’ll examine how the perception, organization and operation of sport differ in different cultural contexts.
Studying sport abroad is a fantastic opportunity to enrich your knowledge of the subject, network with international professionals and travel the world. It’s one of the best ways of understanding how the meaning and function of sport varies internationally.


Sports program structure
Sports programs are sometimes called sports studies. It’s important to remember that sport and sports studies are different from the more specific courses of sports science and sports management.
You can study sport at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. A BA or BSc is usually studied over three or fours years, with an MA taking an additional one or two years. A PhD typically takes four or five years on top of this to complete.
It’s common for sport to be studied alongside another related subject like education, psychology, business or sociology. This gives you the opportunity to tailor your degree to suit your future career ambitions.
If you’d like to study as an undergraduate in the US, you’ll major in sport. This means that you’ll complete two years of general education before focusing on sport-specific modules for the remainder of your program.
Every sport program will vary slightly in content and structure, but most will be taught through lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical classes. You’ll probably be assessed through a combination of exams, coursework, presentations and practical deliveries of sessions.
Below is a list of core modules that are common to most sport programs around the world:
- Sports coaching
- Sports psychology
- Social issues in sport
- Subcultures and sport
- Sport and the media
- Power and politics in sport
- Globalization and sport
Types of sports degrees
Best countries to study sports
How to study sports abroad
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Sports study abroad programs
Sports undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in sports
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Advertising and Mass Communication (Sports Media) - BSc Texas State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,929 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,929 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Food & Nutritional Sciences: Sports & Exercise Emphasis - BSc Seattle Pacific University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
44,604 USD
Fee in university's local currency 44,604 USD
- Start date
- January, March, September
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Sports and Dance Therapy - BSc (Hons) London Metropolitan University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,438 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,700 GBP
- Start date
- September
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Sports and Leisure Management - BSS Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, Finland
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 42 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,296 USD
Fee in university's local currency 6,000 EUR
- Start date
- September
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Sports Journalism - BA Millersville University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,560 USD
Fee in university's local currency 21,560 USD
- Start date
- January, September
Associate in sports
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Liberal Arts & Sciences: Sports Medicine - ASc Mohawk Valley Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
6,892 USD
Fee in university's local currency 6,892 USD
- Start date
- January, September
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Kinesiology, Sports & Exercise Science - AA South Seattle College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,687 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,687 USD
- Start date
- September, January, April, June
Pathway in sports
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Sports & Exercise Therapy (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,966 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,900 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
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Sports Coaching Science - FdSc Buckinghamshire New University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,163 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,500 GBP
- Start date
- September, February
Sports graduate programs
Master's in sports
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Sports Performance Analysis - MSc University of Gloucestershire, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,566 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,250 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
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Sports Therapy - MSci London Metropolitan University, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,438 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,700 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Sports Coaching Science - MSc University of Chichester, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,635 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,300 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Mental Skills and Mental Health in Sports and Exercise - MSc University of Limerick, Ireland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,583 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,992 EUR
- Start date
- January, September
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Sports Law and Business - MLSB Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
36,000 USD
Fee in university's local currency 36,000 USD
- Start date
- August
Doctorate in sports
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Sports and Exercise Psychology - PhD Glasgow Caledonian University, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
20,761 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,120 GBP
- Start date
- September
Diploma in sports
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Clinical Residency: Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine - PGDip Astrakhan State Medical University, Russia
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
3,700 USD
Fee in university's local currency 3,700 USD
- Start date
- September
Certificate in sports
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Sports Journalism - PGCert Centennial College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,005 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,531 CAD
- Start date
- January
Pathway in sports
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Sports Leadership (Global Pathways) - PGP Northeastern University, USA
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 4 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,200 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,200 USD
- Start date
- March, July, November
Future sports careers
There are plenty of career opportunities for sports graduates, both on and off the field. Your communication, leadership and teamwork skills will be useful in a range of roles, including:
- Coach
- Personal trainer
- Sport development officer
- Physiotherapist
- Sports psychologist
- Sports journalist
- Sport and leisure manager
- Nutritionist
- Teacher
Practical experience is essential for many roles in the sports industry. Making the most of any volunteering and internship opportunities during and after your studies will help you to stand out from the crowd.
