Arts & Humanities

Diploma in Sports Administration and Management

The Diploma in Sports Administration and Management is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in sports management, sports administration, event management and sports development. Offered at Kenyatta University through the School of Applied Human Sciences, the programme prepares students for administrative and management roles in the sports industry.

The curriculum covers sports management principles, sports administration, sports marketing, event management, sports law, sports psychology, facility management, financial management in sports, sports development, coaching fundamentals, sports medicine basics, research methods and practicum. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in sports administration and management.

Kenya's sports industry is growing, with increasing investment in sports clubs, federations, facilities and events. The programme responds to the need for trained sports administrators who can manage sports organisations, coordinate events and develop sports programmes at community, county and national levels.

The programme is delivered through lectures, practical sessions, event management workshops, case studies, field visits to sports facilities, group projects and practicum. Students gain hands-on experience through supervised practicum in sports organisations, federations or sports departments.

Graduates pursue careers as sports administrators, sports managers, event coordinators, sports development officers, facility managers and sports programme coordinators in sports federations, clubs, schools, county governments and sports organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sports Management or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have interest in sports, management and administration. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in sports management and administration, including P1/S1 teachers seeking to specialise in sports.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 110,330
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Virtual and Open Learning
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

7 subjects

Sports Management Principles and Sports Administration
Sports Marketing and Event Management
Sports Law and Sports Psychology
Facility Management and Financial Management in Sports
Sports Development and Coaching Fundamentals
Sports Medicine Basics and Research Methods
Practicum and Sports Administration Practice

Modules

7 in the programme

Sports Management Principles and Sports Administration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers sports management principles, sports administration, sports organisations, governance in sports, sports policy and the sports industry structure.
Sports Marketing and Event Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers sports marketing, sponsorship, sports branding, event management, event planning, tournament organisation and sports event logistics.
Sports Law and Sports Psychology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers sports law, sports regulations, contracts in sports, dispute resolution, sports psychology, motivation, team dynamics and mental preparation.
Facility Management and Financial Management in Sports
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers sports facility management, facility maintenance, facility scheduling, financial management, budgeting, revenue generation and financial planning in sports organisations.
Sports Development and Coaching Fundamentals
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers sports development, grassroots sports, talent identification, coaching fundamentals, coaching principles, athlete development and sports pathways.
Sports Medicine Basics and Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers sports medicine basics, injury prevention, first aid in sports, research methods, data analysis and a sports management research project.
Practicum and Sports Administration Practice
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A supervised practicum in a sports federation, club, county sports office or sports organisation, assessed through a practicum report and supervisor evaluation.

Specialisations

Sports Event Management
Focuses on planning and executing sports events for careers as event coordinators.
Sports Facility Management
Specialises in managing sports facilities and recreation centres for careers as facility managers.
Sports Development
Focuses on grassroots sports development and talent identification for careers as sports development officers.
Sports Marketing
Specialises in sports marketing and sponsorship for careers in sports marketing.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on sports management principles or sports law, followed by a practical session on event management or facility management. Afternoon sessions may include a sports psychology workshop, a visit to sports facilities, or preparation for practicum. Students also work on sports event projects and management assignments.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's sports industry is growing, creating demand for trained sports administrators.
The programme is offered at Kenyatta University with flexible study modes including virtual learning.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sports Management.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study options.
Sports administration careers may offer lower starting salaries compared to other management fields.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public30k to 110k

30k at MMUST TVET Institute110k at Kenyatta University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU 110,330/yr (ku.ac.ke); MMUST TVET 30,000/yr (mmust.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB loans. Public university students may access government funding through the new funding model.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Division III at O Level, or P1/S1 Teachers Certificate, or Kenyatta University Certificate in Sports Administration and Management.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering sports management, marketing, sports law and facility management.
Coursework Assignments
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of event plans, marketing proposals, facility management reports and group presentations.
Sports Management Project
Project40% of the mark
A sports management research project, assessed through a written report and presentation.
Practicum Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during supervised practicum in a sports federation, club or sports organisation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Kenyatta University, School of Applied Human Sciences.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Kenyatta University, School of Applied Human Sciences.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Sports Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages sports organisations, coordinates sports programmes, handles administrative operations and supports governance in sports federations and clubs.
Event Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 33,000 to Ksh 170,000
Plans and coordinates sports events, manages tournament logistics, handles sponsor relations and ensures smooth event execution.
Sports Development Officer
Low demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 165,000
Develops and implements sports development programmes, supports grassroots sports initiatives and identifies talent in county governments and sports organisations.
Facility Manager
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 160,000
Manages sports facilities, oversees maintenance, schedules facility use and ensures safety standards in sports complexes and recreation centres.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as sports administrators, sports managers, event coordinators and sports development officers in sports federations, clubs, schools and county governments.

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Sports administration is just about playing sports.
Sports administration involves management, finance, marketing, law, event planning and facility operations, not only playing sports.
A diploma in sports administration has limited career prospects.
Kenya's sports industry is growing, with opportunities in federations, clubs, county governments and sports organisations. Graduates can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sports Management.
Sports administration is only for former athletes.
While sports interest is helpful, the programme teaches management and administration skills that anyone can learn and apply in the sports industry.
Sports administration is the same as physical education.
Sports administration focuses on the management and business side of sports, while physical education focuses on teaching sports and fitness in educational settings.