LLM International Sports Law and Governance
Manchester, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 20,000 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Are you interested in sports and how the law impacts an industry that operates around the world? This course is for both recent graduates, in law and related subjects, and professionals seeking diverse career opportunities in the world of sports law and sport governance.
During this course, we’ll address some of the key contemporary legal issues in international sports. This will include a wide range of commercial and governance topics as well as sports organisations’ human rights responsibilities. We’ve designed the course so that it deals with emerging issues, meaning you’ll apply your learning to major international sporting events, such as the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, the Commonwealth Games and the Cricket World Cup, and the developments happening alongside your studies.
Features and Benefits
- Unique perspective – this is the only course of its kind in the UK: it focuses on sports law and governance from an international perspective, rather than focusing on a single jurisdiction.
- At the forefront of sports law research – Manchester Law School hosts one of the longest-established and largest groups of sports law academics in Europe, shaping our Sports Law and Popular Culture Knowledge Platform.
- Real-world application – we provide an innovative and responsive approach to learning, getting you to apply your knowledge to developing issues in sports that are happening alongside your studies.
- Human rights in sport – this is the only course of its kind with a dedicated option to study sports law and human rights.
- Make connections – through Manchester Law School and the Institute of Sport, you’ll have access to extensive links with law firms and sporting organisations to help develop relationships that could further your career.
- Global sporting city – Manchester is a world-renowned sporting city. Home to two internationally recognised football clubs, major sporting venues and official training centres, our city is a destination for all things sport.
Admissions
Curriculum
Course information
From the Olympic Games to your local community club, sport is a global pastime, and for centuries, it operated as if the law did not apply to it. From concussion litigation to football transfers, human rights and breakaway leagues, it is clear that the law is very much involved in sports and, over time, a vast number of rules and regulations for sports’ internal governance have been put in place to ensure that it’s operating in accordance with the law.
In this course, our focus is on how the law is a driver for change in the ways modern sport operates and is regulated. Together, we’ll examine the national, international and transnational legal frameworks that apply to athletes, sports clubs, competitions, governing bodies and international organisations.
There are three core subjects that you’ll study:
- Sports Law and Regulation
- Sports Law and Business
- Sport and Human Rights
The teaching of this course will be supplemented by an extensive co-curricular programme. This will include masterclasses delivered by expert lawyers, administrators and policymakers from across the sector. These will enable you to:
- Achieve a full and detailed understanding of the legal, governance and regulatory issues affecting modern sport.
- Provide you with the research and analytical skills that will enable you to find and present solutions to these challenges.
- Learn from experts in the field about how they understand and address those same challenges.
Year 1
During one year of full-time study, you’ll complete:
- Three core modules
- Two research modules
- An advanced independent study module (dissertation)
- One optional module
The course is future - and career - focused and we’ll encourage you throughout your studies to engage in co-curricular activities, such as guest lectures, careers events and skills training. As a Manchester Met student, you’ll have access to the Rise programme where you’ll be able to engage in various career boosting and development activities.
Core Modules
- Sports Law and Regulation
- Sports Law and Business
- Sport and Human Rights
- Research Skills
- Research Design
- Advanced Independent Study
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Career prospects
There's a wide range of career opportunities that follow this course. If you're joining the course from a legal background (either an undergraduate law degree or from working as a solicitor or barrister), you might want to explore roles such as a general counsel in a sports organisation, a competition or a club. You might also want a more rounded experience to pursue opportunities like becoming the president of an association.
For those with a non-legal background, you could explore roles in a governing body or international federation. You might not be the one practising law, but you’ll have the crucial understanding of how regulatory frameworks apply, so you’ll be able to work alongside legal professionals to manage challenges within your organisation.
If you’re already working in the world of international sport, this course will give you the context of how the law operates and what you need to be aware of when facing legal challenges. This will strengthen your knowledge and give you the confidence to apply for more senior positions.
Alternatively, you could choose the academic route and pursue your own cutting-edge research in sports law and governance.
Program delivery
Study
- Full-time 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 80% independent study
Assessment
- Full-time 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination