MBA Sport Management

Managers for the sports industry

MBA Sport Management trains executives and managers for sports organizations: strategic and operational management, finance, marketing, projects, digital technologies, and leadership.

Training is based on real-world cases, project assignments, and collaboration with sports organizations. A flexible schedule allows you to combine studies with professional activities.

Program objective

Professional development and the formation of additional competencies for top managers and mid-level managers who possess managerial and practical knowledge and skills in sports management.

Program content

All master's students take compulsory disciplines. In pairs, you choose one discipline — tailored to your tasks and career goals.

Module 1 15 ECTS

Promoting the sports industry at the international level

Sports Law

or Corporate Management

5 ECTS

Strategic marketing research in sports

or Media technologies in sports

5 ECTS

Internationalization of sports

or International strategic management

5 ECTS

Module 2 33 ECTS

Integrated management module

Leadership and effective decision-making

Compulsory discipline

5 ECTS

Strategic management (advanced course)

Compulsory discipline

3 ECTS

Entrepreneurship in sports

or Business process administration in the sports industry

5 ECTS

Financial statement analysis

or Quality assurance in the sports industry

5 ECTS

Innovation management

or Operational management

5 ECTS

Change management in modern sports

or Sports club management

5 ECTS

Project management

or Innovation, digital transformation, and data analytics in business

5 ECTS

Module 3 22 ECTS

Socio-psychological aspects of management in sports

Sports ethics and social issues

Compulsory discipline

5 ECTS

Organizational behavior in sports

Compulsory discipline

5 ECTS

Management psychology

Compulsory discipline

5 ECTS

Business research

Compulsory discipline

3 ECTS

Emotional intelligence

or Conflict and stress management

4 ECTS

Module 4 50 ECTS

Experimental research work

Industrial internship

8 ECTS

Experimental research work, completion of a master's project (business project)

30 ECTS

Defense of the master's project (business project)

12 ECTS

Sports Law

Theory and methodology of sports law, state regulation of relations in sports, principles of legal support for sports activities.

5 ECTS

Corporate Management

Corporate governance taking into account the interests of all stakeholders, strategic analysis of company processes, and resolution of corporate governance issues.

5 ECTS

Strategic marketing research in sports

Marketing research, development of marketing strategies and programs, pricing, and communications of a sports organization.

5 ECTS

Media technologies in sports

Media technologies and sports journalism, working with images and video, management of company media projects.

5 ECTS

Internationalization of sports

International relations and world politics in sports, mechanisms of international cooperation in the sports industry. The course includes an international module.

5 ECTS

International strategic management

Systemic business thinking for a strategic leader: risk and global environment analysis, growth strategies, situational management, and soft skills.

5 ECTS

Leadership and effective decision-making

Theories and principles of leadership, managerial decision-making, business communications, negotiations, and teamwork.

5 ECTS

Strategic management (advanced course)

Analysis of the external and internal environment, mission and goals, selection and implementation of strategy, strategic control.

3 ECTS

Entrepreneurship in sports

Entrepreneurial mindset, business planning, market analysis, and financial management of a startup – from launch to scaling.

5 ECTS

Business process administration in the sports industry

Coordination of business processes for clubs, events, and projects for the effective operation of a sports organization.

5 ECTS

Financial statement analysis

Analysis of financial and economic indicators and evaluation of the performance of a sports organization.

5 ECTS

Quality assurance in the sports industry

Quality assurance systems: standardization, certification, measurement, and evaluation of service quality.

5 ECTS

Innovation management

Strategic and operational innovation solutions, scientific and technical forecasting, life cycle, and portfolio of innovation projects.

5 ECTS

Operational management

Management of operational activities, process approach, development of products and services for a sports organization.

5 ECTS

Change management in modern sports

Implementation of changes in sports organizations and events, adaptation to new requirements, technologies, and audience expectations.

5 ECTS

Sports club management

Finance, marketing, organization of training and events, working with athletes and coaching staff.

5 ECTS

Project management

Selection, planning, and management of projects, risk assessment, pricing, and commercialization of results.

5 ECTS

Innovation, digital transformation, and data analytics in business

Digital transformation of business processes, data analytics, ERP systems, and visualization in a cloud environment.

5 ECTS

Sports ethics and social issues

Ethics and morality in sports, sports and Olympic culture, the Olympic movement, professional values.

5 ECTS

Organizational behavior in sports

Behavior of individuals and groups in a sports organization: motivation, leadership, power, conflicts, changes, and inclusivity.

5 ECTS

Management psychology

Psychology of business relations: motives, influence, leadership styles, business communication, image, and reputation.

5 ECTS

Business research

Methods of business research and analytics, analysis of markets and technologies to substantiate management decisions.

3 ECTS

Emotional intelligence

Recognizing and managing emotions, empathy, and supporting the team for motivation and effectiveness.

4 ECTS

Conflict and stress management

Prevention and resolution of conflicts, stress management, and emotional resilience of a leader.

4 ECTS

Program structure

120 credits: theory, practice, and project

Disciplines in modules 1–3 provide a management foundation, while module 4 provides practice in a sports organization and your own research project.

Program structure, ECTS

120 ECTS

Theoretical training 70

Industrial internship 8

Research work and master's project 30

Final assessment 12

International experience

International module

As part of the "Internationalization of sports" discipline, master's students complete an internship at universities and sports organizations in Europe.

✓International sports management practices
✓Meetings with experts and sports organizations
✓Professional contacts for career and projects

Main destinations

Poland Sweden

Also available

France Spain Switzerland

Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

✓

Analyze the external environment and develop strategic decisions using a project-based approach

✓

Apply corporate governance taking into account the interests of all stakeholders and innovation management tools

✓

Use business research methods and develop business models using digital transformation

✓

Make effective leadership decisions taking into account the psychology of behavior of all stakeholders

✓

Apply entrepreneurial skills and marketing strategies for new products and projects

✓

Conduct financial analysis and effectively manage sports facilities and events

✓

Develop international cooperation and company strategies taking into account the global business landscape

✓

Use media technologies for business positioning, while maintaining a quality system and ethical standards

Where graduates work

Sports federations and clubs Government bodies in the field of physical culture and sports Sports schools and centers Sports facilities and arenas Fitness and wellness organizations Sports projects and events Sports marketing and media Consulting and own business

Faculty and teaching staff

Kasymova Kseniya Bulatovna

PhD in Law; sports lawyer, certified compliance officer (ISO 37301:2021)

Sports Law · Corporate Management

Panov Samat Tulegenovich

MBA Golden Gate University (USA); over 20 years of experience in finance and marketing

Strategic marketing research in sports · Media technologies in sports · Strategic management (advanced course)

Skaliy Alexander

Doctor of Science in Physical Culture and Sports, Professor; Director of the Institute of Sport and Physical Culture at WSG University (Poland), head of MBA/EMBA Sport Management programs

Internationalization of sports · International strategic management

Beisenova Lyazzat Ziyadenovna

Candidate of Economic Sciences, Professor; author of over 100 scientific works

Financial statement analysis · Quality assurance in the sports industry

Kerimbek Ayimzhan Koshkarbayevna

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD); research in economic efficiency and resource management

Entrepreneurship in Sports · Business Process Administration in the Sports Industry

Abdrakhmanova Gulnara Timurovna

Doctor of Economics, Professor; author of over 220 scientific publications

Leadership and Effective Decision-Making

Kenzhin Zhaksat Bolatovich

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics, Associate Professor

Innovation Management · Operations Management

Bunesku Albina

Expert in sports marketing; CEO of Bunesku Sports Marketing, co-founder of Astana Marketing Club; training at Real Madrid Graduate School — Universidad Europea

Change Management in Modern Sports · Sports Club Management

Magauina Dana Azh-Zhanibekovna

MBA from Geneva Business School (Switzerland), MSc in Management from Brunel University London; strategist and business coach, over 15 years of experience in strategic management

Project Management · Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Data Analytics in Business

Sultanov Timur Nikolaevich

Candidate of Psychological Sciences; psychologist for Olympic national teams

Sports Ethics and Social Issues · Management Psychology

Balkibayeva Aida Maksutovna

Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor; expert in developing soft skills and leadership qualities in business

Conflict and Stress Management · Organizational Behavior in Sports

Ayapova Asel Alibekovna

International practitioner expert in corporate governance, strategic leadership, and fundraising. MBA from Duke University (The Fuqua School of Business, USA), Master of Science in Complex Project Management from George Washington University. Academician of the International Informatization Academy (IIA), independent director and member of boards of directors. Possesses experience in the international corporate sector, including Fortune 500 companies (USA)

Business Research

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Admission requirements, documents, and tuition fees are available on the prospective students page.

How to apply for an MBA

Is it possible to combine studies with work?

Yes. The flexible study schedule allows you to combine studies with professional activities.

How are disciplines selected?

Mandatory disciplines are studied by everyone. In elective pairs, the master's student chooses one discipline out of two, tailored to their tasks and career goals.

Where does the international module take place?

As part of the "Internationalization of Sports" discipline – in Poland and Sweden; France, Spain, and Switzerland are also possible.

In what language is the instruction conducted?

In Kazakh, Russian, and English.

How does the program conclude?

With the defense of a master's project (business project) based on the results of experimental research work.

How to apply and what is the tuition fee?

Admission requirements, documents, and tuition fees are available on the "Prospective Students → MBA" page.

Want to learn more about the program?

We will tell you about the disciplines, the international module, and how to combine studies with work.

How to apply Send an email

Program phone number +7 700 151 6195

E-mail akzhan.yeginbayeva@knus.edu.kz

Address Astana, Karkaraly St., 15