Diploma of Business & sports management
Learn how professional sport works behind the scenes
Study the business of sport from inside Melbourne City FC's professional sporting environment. Delivered in partnership with Federation University, the one-year Diploma of Business & Sports Management combines university learning, practical experiences and industry exposure to help students understand how sporting organisations operate on and off the field.
If you are ready to apply, click "Federation University" below to get your application started.
Is this diploma right for you?
The Diploma of Business & Sports Management is designed for students who are passionate about sport and interested in the people, organisations and decisions that make it happen.
Whether you're interested in marketing, events, commercial partnerships, leadership, management or sport administration, you'll develop a broad understanding of how professional sporting organisations operate.
It's suitable for students interested in:
Sports Business
Marketing
Events
Leadership
Management
Media & Communications
Commercial Partnerships
Sports Administration
Why Study Business and Sports Management at Melbourne City FC?
Most business students learn about sport through case studies and classroom discussions.
But at MCISB, students in the Diploma of Business & Sports Management learn inside a professional sporting environment.
Based at City Football Academy - Melbourne ctrl:cyber Campus at Casey Fields, students study alongside Federation University lecturers while gaining insights from people working across Melbourne City FC.
Through guest speakers, industry experiences and practical learning opportunities, students can see how the concepts they study are applied in practice.
BUSINESS SUBJECTS
Explore the core principles of management and gain practical skills in planning, organising, leading, and controlling to navigate real-world business challenges.
Learn to harness creativity and innovative problem-solving to identify new opportunities and revolutionise traditional thinking in today’s dynamic industries.
Build your professional identity with a focus on self-awareness, professionalism, and workplace dynamics to navigate and excel in your career.
Dive into modern and traditional leadership models and tackle real-world issues in ethics, technology, and strategy to foster effective, sustainable organisational cultures.
SPORT SUBJECTS
Discover how effective Human Resource Management drives success in the sports industry. This unit explores key Human Resource Management functions, practices, and strategies that give sporting organisations a competitive edge, from managing professional staff to coordinating a volunteer workforce.
Master the art of organising international sports events, from planning and execution to creating lasting positive impacts for communities and stakeholders.
Uncover the power of digital marketing and gain the skills to create impactful, data-driven campaigns using the latest in social media, SEO, and digital tech.
Gain a global perspective on sport management by exploring how non-profit and professional sports organisations operate worldwide. Delve into the structure and governance of international sport, learning how it varies across cultures and regions, while analysing the unique dynamics of local, national, and international sports industries.
Please note: Course composition may be subject to change by Federation University pending final approval by the university’s Academic Board.
Learn by doing
Practical experience is built into the Diploma of Business & Sports Management.
Alongside their academic studies, students complete more than 100 hours of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and participate in practical experiences designed to connect learning with the real world.
Students may contribute to projects, events and activities while building professional skills and confidence in a sporting environment.
100+ HOURS
Work Integrated Learning at Melbourne City FC
INDUSTRY EXPOSURE
Practical projects and professional networking
FUTURE PATHWAYS
Continue to Degree or seek entry-level employment
FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT
Optional football and coaching development training
Qualifications & pathways
Students graduate with a Diploma of Business & Sports Management delivered through Federation University. In addition, successful graduates can receive academic credit toward selected Federation University Bachelor degree pathways, allowing them to continue their studies while building on the knowledge and experiences gained at MCISB.
This means that graduates with a Diploma of Business and Sports Management through MCISB may be able to continue studying a Bachelor degree at Federation University, entering directly into the second year of:
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Bachelor of Sports Management
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Bachelor of Business
LOCATION
City Football Academy
Melbourne - ctrl:cyber Campus (Casey Fields, Cranbourne East)
DURATION
One year (two semesters)
Semester 1 & Semester 2 intake
STUDY MODE
Face-to-face
2 days per week
DEGREE PATHWAYS
Bachelor of Sports Management
Bachelor of Business
How to apply
Ready to kick-start your future in sport?
STEP 1: #1 VTAC PREFERENCES
List the Diploma of Business and Sports Management at MCISB as your #1 prefence.
STEP 2: INTERVIEW WITH MELBOURNE CITY FC
This is an essential step in the application process. We only accept a small number of students at Melbourne City FC each year, so the Intake Interview helps us get to know you and your goals, and to understand whether or not this is a pace where we believe you can thrive.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This one-year program gives you the skills and experience to start a career in the sports industry, including opportunities within Australian football, like the A-Leagues or state and national organisations.
When you finish the program, Melbourne City FC guarantees at least two graduate roles across different departments, offering a unique start to your career. Completing the course also opens doors to various roles in sports clubs, leagues, and other organisations, including:
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Operations Coordinator
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Workforce Coordinator
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Community Development Officer
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Project Administrator/Coordinator
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Club Membership Officer
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Commercial Operations Assistant
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Community Program Coordinator
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Events and Operations Assistant
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Assistant Community Development Officer
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Administrative Assistant
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Entry-Level Manager
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Sports Marketing Assistant
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Junior Performance Coach
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Marketing or Social Media Coordinator
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In partnership with Melbourne City FC, Federation University offers a sport-focused business curriculum that leads to a Diploma of Business & Sports Management. To earn this qualification, students must complete all 8 required units.
Yes! After completing the Diploma of Business & Sports Management through the Melbourne City Institute of Sport & Business, graduates can apply for various degrees at Federation University, including:
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A Bachelor of Sports Management, or
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A Bachelor of Business with a Sports Management major
Upon graduating with the Diploma, they are awarded a full year of academic credit, allowing them to continue seamlessly into their second year of the degree if they choose to pursue further study.
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Practical experience is at the heart of this program. You’ll complete up to 100 hours of work-integrated learning with Melbourne City FC, gaining hands-on experience across multiple departments. Activities include involvement in football operations, membership services, community outreach, fan engagement, events, development clinics, marketing, and media communications. The program also offers valuable networking opportunities with Melbourne City FC staff to help you build connections in the industry.
As part of the City Football Group, Melbourne City FC offers unique insights into both local and global football business practices. Throughout the Diploma program, you’ll benefit from guest presentations by Manchester City FC staff and case studies that draw on expertise from City Football Group’s global network.
There’s no ATAR requirement for entry into the Diploma program, but applicants must have successfully completed Australian Year 12 or an equivalent qualification. Applicants who received less than 20 in English may be required to take a literacy test.
All applicants undertake an Intake Interview with Melbourne City FC staff prior to any offer being made. We use this interview to get to know you and your goals, to help us understand whether we believe this is the right course to help get you where you want to go.
Note: This program is currently only available to Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Our team is ready to help with any questions you have about how this program can support your study and career goals. Register your interest to learn more about the program or book in for our upcoming information sessions.
This course includes two days of in-person sessions each week at Melbourne City FC’s City Football Academy, Melbourne - ctrl:cyber Campus, during the academic semester. Students will also complete periodic online coursework and participate in work-integrated learning projects, some of which may take place at AAMI Park on match days. Additionally, students should plan to dedicate at least 7 hours per week to class preparation and assessments for each unit.
Please attend an information session, or contact us for more.
Graduates who complete the Diploma of Business & Sports Management will have the opportunity to apply for a minimum of two roles at Melbourne City FC. As students near the end of the course, they’ll go through a formal application and interview process, where they can showcase their skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm gained through up to 100 hours of work-integrated learning.
The roles available will vary based on factors such as:
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The student’s interests and career goals, aligned with different departments within Melbourne City FC.
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Melbourne City FC’s operational needs at the time of hiring.
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Each student’s demonstrated abilities and strengths throughout the course.
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The professional relationships built with Melbourne City FC staff during the program.
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Our students may have the chance to study abroad at the Manchester City Sports Business School Summer Collegiate program (usually in July, during the mid-year break); a 4-week program based in Manchester and London.
The summer collegiate program explores how the football industry operates beyond the pitch through four key modules - Governance & Strategy, Commercial Operations, Sports Marketing & Community Engagement, and Media & Communications - covering everything from finance and sponsorship to branding, fan engagement and digital media. The program also includes hands-on experiences such as Etihad Stadium tours, visits to sports marketing agencies, broadcast studios, and the National Football Museum.
This is an exclusive opportunity for Australian-based students, providing global football business insights and, through our City Football Group network, offered with a 15% tuition discount. Students fund their own tuition, flights and accommodation.