You will study 7 modules that cover strategy, value creation, operations, human resources, politics, and research. One module includes an international field trip to Lausanne, Switzerland — the heart of global sport governance.

Module 1: Vision & Strategy in Sport

Professional deliverable – consultancy for a client

You will deliver a report and presentation for your lecturers, peers, and client. Your assignment is to analyse the sustainable positioning of a sport organisation and give strategic advice. Consider what is working well, what is not, and what needs to change — and how.

Key questions:

• What steps are needed inside and outside the organisation to move forward?

• How can the vision and strategy drive positive change?

Themes covered in class:

• Living purpose, culture (DNA), vision & strategy

• The sport ecosystem & partnerships

• Transformative sport business

• Finance (introductory and advanced)

• Strategic management (introductory and advanced)

• Marketing and branding

• Change management

• Sport governance, law, and ethics

• Consulting skills

• Value creation & business models in sport

After completing this module, you will be able to:

• Identify, formulate and develop a vision for the sustainable positioning of a sport organisation

• Effectively communicate and implement this vision and strategy both internally and externally

Module 2: Value Creation & Business Models

Professional deliverable – consultancy for a client

In this module, you will act as a consultant and explore how a sport organisation can innovate through new business models. You will identify how the organisation can create sustainable value — both financially and socially.

Themes covered in class:

• Business models and value creation

• Transformative sport businesses and economics

• Stakeholders and partnerships (including media and key sponsors)

• Commercialisation and marketing of sport

• Funding models in sport

• Change management

• Leadership and effectiveness skills

After completing this module, you will be able to:

• Create the conditions needed for sustainable value creation within a sport organisation

• Transform and innovate business models to generate lasting value in sport

Module 3: Stakeholders and Politics in Sport

International Field Trip – Lausanne, Switzerland

In this module, you will travel to Lausanne, the Olympic capital, for an international field trip.

Professional deliverable – consultancy for a client

• You will analyse the external stakeholders of your consultancy organisation, including the power dynamics between them, and advise on effective engagement strategies.

• You will conduct a self-assessment to reflect on the success of your stakeholder engagement.

Themes covered in class:

• Key stakeholders and decision-makers in the sport industry

• The role and influence of politics at national and international levels

• Conflicting interests between stakeholders and how to navigate political complexity in sport leadership

• Ethics and social responsibility in stakeholder management

• Reflection on personal growth and career goals as a future sport leader

After completing this module, you will be able to:

• Build meaningful connections with and between stakeholders

• Influence key decision-makers within the sport sector

Module 4: Operations Management in Sport

Professional deliverable – simulation-based team challenge

In this module, you will take part in a simulation based on a real-world business case. You will be assigned a specific role and tasks within a team. As the game unfolds, you will receive new instructions tailored to your role, requiring you to adapt to dynamic scenarios and work closely with your team.

Stay alert, collaborate effectively, and respond to changing challenges as you gain hands-on experience in sport operations. Before the simulation, you will receive a scorecard outlining the assessment criteria. After the simulation, the team with the highest score will be declared the winner.

Themes covered in class:

• Dynamics of (complex) organisations and common management challenges

• Key characteristics of sport organisations

• Conducting a Brown Paper session to visualise processes and identify bottlenecks

• Creating a process flow diagram to represent organisational workflows

• Understanding change models and theories

• Identifying drivers for organisational change

After completing this module, you will be able to:

• Manage aspects of business operations in a sport organisation

• Structure and improve operational processes in a sport organisation

Module 5: Human Resources in Sport

Professional deliverable – for client as a consultant

In this module, you will work on a real-life assignment. The goal is to promote, organise and implement competence development for one or more groups of employees in the organisation where you work (or for your client from Module 1). For example, your task might be to introduce a new working method that meets a specific organisational need. You will develop a strategy for the successful execution of this project, including how to organise and implement it effectively.

Your assessment will include both a written exam and a practical assignment.

Themes covered in class:

• Understanding follower needs

• Building psychological safety

• Navigating organisational politics

• Enhancing learning within organisations

• Practising shared leadership

After completing this module, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate effective leadership in relation to people within a sport organisation

• Professionalise and support staff development in a sport organisation

Module 6:  Master Thesis

Professional deliverable

• Research report (thesis)

• Presentation to lecturers

• Dissemination to stakeholders (e.g. whitepaper, conference talk, article)

Themes covered in class

• Research methodology and scientific skills at Master’s level

• Workshop: How to write a research proposal?

• Masterclass: methodology applied to your own proposal

• Workshop: How to share your research with others?

• Individual supervision

• Peer review with fellow students

After completing this module, you will be able to:

• Conduct research on complex issues for a sport organisation or the sport industry

• Offer solutions to real-world challenges within sport organisations

Module 7: Personal & Professional Profiling

Professional deliverable

In this final module, you will focus on your personal and professional development. You will explore how you grow as a leader and what kind of leadership style suits you. During your thesis presentation, you will show the value you bring to a sport organisation and how you stand out from others. You will also identify which type of organisation and role in the sport sector fits you best – where you can make the biggest impact.

Themes covered in class

• Leadership

• Coaching skills

• Presentation skills

• Psychological development

• Reflection theory and practice

• Growth and learning mindsets

After completing this module, you will be able to:

• Take responsibility for your own actions and those of others

• Steer your own personal and professional development

Title and Diploma 

After successfully completing the Master's programme Sport Business & Leadership, you will be awarded the title of Master of Science (M.Sc.), at the Postgraduate Level 7 of the Dutch Qualification Framework (NLQF).