Programme Overview
The Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Sport, Business and Coaching is a four-year Level 8 degree that combines the techniques of sports coaching and athlete development with core commercial and management principles. As the sports industry rapidly evolves, national governing bodies, commercial sports enterprises, and community organisations increasingly demand professionals who pair passion for sport with strong organizational, financial, and administrative expertise. The programme is open to students of all athletic abilities across any sporting background who wish to pursue careers in sports administration, event management, or coaching.
Practical Learning & Flexible Progression
Practical engagement is embedded throughout the curriculum, with classes delivered across classroom, gym, and outdoor pitch settings. Students undertake an industry work placement in Year 3 (Semester 2) and actively collaborate with commercial and non-profit sporting bodies on event planning and strategic development. The degree offers built-in academic flexibility with two embedded exit awards:
- Higher Certificate in Sport, Business and Coaching (NFQ Level 6): Available upon completion of Year 2.
- Bachelor of Arts in Sport, Business and Coaching (NFQ Level 7): Available upon completion of Year 3.
Coursework
The four-year curriculum is structured around three core themes delivered progressively across each year of study:
- Business & Management of Sport: Sport marketing, financial management, sports law, governance, event management, and strategic planning for sports organizations.
- Coaching Pedagogy: Coaching methodologies, skill acquisition, performance analysis, leadership, and long-term athlete development.
- Sports Science: Exercise physiology, human anatomy, biomechanics, and sports nutrition supporting performance and safety.
Career Opportunities
Graduates earn a Level 8 honours degree that opens broad commercial, administrative, and coaching pathways across the public, private, and non-profit sports sectors:
- Sports Development Officer & Regional Coordinator
- Sports Event Manager & Marketing Executive
- Professional / Community Sports Coach & Performance Analyst
- Leisure Centre Operations & Club Manager
- National Governing Body (NGB) Administrator
- Postgraduate Study in Sports Management, Business, or Coaching Science
Upon completion of the four-year degree, graduates possess the rare combination of practical coaching expertise and commercial business acumen required to lead and innovate across the global sports industry.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Coaching Pedagogy (M) | Introduction to Accounting for Sport (M) |
| Applied Athletic Development 1 (M) | Applied Athletic Development 2 (M) |
| Professional Writing and Research in the Digital Age (M) | Introduction to the Coaching Environment (M) |
| Applied Anatomy and Sport Physiology 1 (M) | Applied Anatomy and Sport Physiology 2 (M) |
| Foundations of Sport Management 1 (M) | Foundations of Sport Management 2 (M) |
| Information Technology 1 (M) | Information Technology 2 (M) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 2
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
| Accounting for Sport (M) | Sports Economics (M) |
| Injury Prevention and Recovery Strategies in Sport (M) | Finance for Sport 1 (M) |
| Sports Marketing (M) | Physical Activity and Health (M) |
| Nutrition and Doping Regulation in Sport (M) | Coach Education and Practice 2 (M) |
| Coach Education and Practice 1 (M) | Strength and Conditioning (M) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 3
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
|---|---|
| People Management (M) | Study Semester Abroad (E) |
| Fitness Testing and Load Monitoring in Sport (M) | Introduction to Data Analysis for Sport (E) |
| Fitness for Sport 2 (M) | Sports Internship Project (E) |
| Sponsorship in Sport (M) | Operations Management Sport (E) |
| Sports Performance Analysis (E) | Work Placement (E) |
| Coaching Pedagogy and Practice 3 (E) | |
| Community Sport and Social Inclusion (E) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 4
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
|---|---|
| Equality Diversity and Inclusion in Sport (M) | Coach Development and Mentoring (M) |
| Periodisation (M) | Dissertation (M) |
| Strategy Governance and Leadership (M) | Contemporary Issues in Sport (M) |
| Sports Performance Analysis 1 (E) | Sports Performance Analysis 2 (E) |
| Event Management (E) | Introduction to Data Analysis for Sport (E) |
| Sport and Exercise Psychology (E) | Operations Management Sport (E) |
| Adapted Physical Activity (E) | Sports Psychology (E) |
| Physical Activity for Special Populations (E) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
What are the minimum entry requirements?
- 2 subjects: H5
- 4 subjects: O6/H7
- English or Irish: O6/H7
- Garda vetting required
What follow-on study opportunities are available?
Graduates of this course may be eligible to progress to masters level in the areas of performance analysis, strength and conditioning or business.
What exemptions will I receive?
-
Notes
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What will I be able to do when I finish the course?
Graduates will be qualified to work in variety of sports-related careers including: sports development officers; sports management; club development; club administration; sports coaching and fitness instruction; governing body management and administration. Graduates will also be qualified to work in business management and administration roles.
CourseCast Podcast
Listen to our CourseCast Sports Coaching episode to hear real insights from students and lecturers about this course, what you’ll learn, and where it can lead.
Sports Management & Coaching
This episode of CourseCast focuses on the various Sports management & Coaching courses available at SETU. To give an overview, Mary was joined by Denis O'Brien, Programme Director of Sports Management Programmes at SETU, as well as by Arabella Adakoya, a student of the BA in Sports Business & Coaching, and also by Ger Bonnar, Programme Manager at Active Carlow and a former student of SETU. We hear about the variety of Sports related courses at SETU, and why they are so dynamic in terms of content, both practically and theoretically. We also hear about the entry requirements to study these courses at SETU, and Ger gives us an overview of how the modules on his course prepared him for his current role.
Listen on podcasts.setu.ieStories
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