Marketing and Sports Communication (with Placement Year)

Build critical skills to impact sports audiences with our hands-on sports marketing degree

Our hands-on sports marketing degree covers:

• managing sporting events

• sports journalism and marketing

• digital content creation and design

• AI, digital marketing, and data analytics

• consumer behaviour and customer insight

• branding and marketing strategy

• digital communications and ethics

We have worked with industry professionals to design our Marketing and Sports Communication degree. You'll develop analytical, research, communication, personal, and professional skills to help you navigate future challenges and opportunities.

We empower you, ensuring you're work-ready as soon as you graduate. 96% of St Mary's (SMU) students are in employment, vocation, or further study within 15 months of graduation (HESA, 2024).

International reputation

Our international reputation for sport allows you to gain unique insight into the industry. You can also join our excellent sports teams and use our world-class sporting facilities, such as the:

• Fitness and Conditioning Suite

• Sir Mo Farah Athletics Track

• Performance Hall

• Biomechanics Laboratory

Study in the capitol

Our campus is located in the leafy London borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, with access to the capital as a hub for sports journalism, marketing, and sports business. You’ll also have opportunities to explore the biggest brands in global sport, as well as iconic sports venues, such as:

• Wembley Stadium

• Wimbledon

• Lords Cricket Ground

• Allianz Stadium

Excellent teaching and support

You will learn from industry professionals here to aid your growth. It's no wonder we're:

• 1st in London for Academic Support (National Student Survey (NSS), 2024)

• in the UK's Top 10 for Teaching Quality (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025)

Hear from our students

Aikaterini, Marketing student – “I have always felt encouraged and fully supported”.

Work placements: build professional experience

We have strong relationships with leading sports communications and marketing companies in London. You can complete work placements with them to build your skills and network.

About the Placement Year

A placement year enables you to undertake a year of experience in an organisation between your second and final year.

It will enable you to:

• apply the knowledge and skills you gain from your course in a work setting

• build your commercial awareness and insights into organisations and industries you might want to work in

• develop your professional skills through company training, networking skills and confidence in the workplace

• get some great experience for future job applications or even land a graduate job.

Support from St Mary’s every step of the way

Securing a placement can really help you develop your job search skills and the Employability Service placement and Careers Teams can support you to find and apply for available opportunities.

Please note: in the event that you cannot secure a placement you will be able to transfer onto the three year version of your degree programme.

Why St Mary’s?

You will gain skills and support to make a positive impact – for yourself and for others – through high-quality teaching, real-world experience, and a community that lifts each other up. Our campus is a London oasis – blending city energy with open green spaces to think, connect, and grow.