St Mary’s University, London has validated the new Strategic Sport Leadership MA, which has been launched by the Institute of Sports Humanities (ISH).
The programme, due to commence in September 2026, responds to the growing need for globally minded, strategically equipped leaders capable of navigating the complexity and rapid transformation of the sport ecosystem.
Students on the Strategic Sport Leadership programme will join a powerful international network of sports experts and benefit from relationships across sports and sectors of the industry.
The course is suited for professionals to study alongside busy lives and is tailored for leaders navigating the dynamic world of sport. It is particularly relevant for current and former athletes transitioning into leadership roles, as well as professionals from sport, business, media, policy, and international relations who are looking to strengthen their connection to the sports industry, or for people wanting to enter the industry.
It is designed to provide the intellectual tools, the global vision, the interdisciplinary range and the sports network to drive transformational change, preparing participants to lead in a rapidly evolving global sports landscape.
ISH’s mission is to nurture and inspire sport’s current and future leaders around the world – smart thinking leading to better decisions and braver leadership.
The Strategic Sport Leadership MA is validated by St Mary’s University. St Mary’s has a strong reputation in sport and exercise education and a long-standing history of success in elite sport, having produced numerous Olympians and international athletes. The University’s expertise ensures that the programme meets the highest academic standards while remaining closely aligned to the needs of the global sports industry.
The programme syllabus includes:
- The Making of Modern Sport
- Strategy, Decision-Making, and Innovation
- Sports Global Governance, Nations & Identity
- Sporting Events: Context and Content
Graduates of the MA in Strategic Sport Leadership will be equipped to think strategically across complex sport systems, lead organisations and teams with confidence, and understand the structures that shape global sport governance. They will also develop the ability to apply critical and innovative thinking to real world sport challenges and contribute meaningfully to leadership roles across the international sport sector.
To find out more visit: https://www.sportshumanities.org/strategic-masters-international or email: ish@sportshumanities.org