Master of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management
Source: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/cse/ms-sport-entertainment-management Parent: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/cse
College of Science and Engineering
The Master of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management (MSEM) is offered by Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Science and Engineering (CSE), a joint degree with the University of South Carolina (USC). Identified as the first master’s degree in sport and entertainment management in Qatar and one of a few in the MENA region, the program trains and prepares students for management and leadership roles in the sports and entertainment industries.
In 2025, HBKU’s MSEM program was ranked 7th worldwide and 1st in the Middle East & Africa by Sport Business International. This program is also supported by the UNESCO Chair on Governance and Social Responsibility in Sport, which resides within CSE_HBKU.
The MSEM aims to support Qatar’s objectives by qualifying professionals with a variety of skills and experiences covering the legal, financial, as well as operational, and management aspects of the sport and entertainment industries. Graduates of the program could pursue a variety of career paths in the private and public sport sectors, including sponsorship, marketing, event management, facility management, TV broadcasting, and academia and research.
Language
English
Program Duration
2 Years
Certification
Masters
- Program Focus
- Curriculum
- Admissions requirements
The MSEM provides students a comprehensive and holistic overview of the sport and entertainment industries, as well as a multi-disciplinary skill set which will enable them to address the complex challenges of the global sport and entertainment sector. Additionally, students will be able to develop and explain workable solutions to various industry problems.
Graduates of this program are equipped to:
- Apply learned concepts and theory to demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the sports and entertainment industries.
- Understand and have an appreciation for how research is used by and is beneficial for sports and entertainment organizations and/or academics.
- Demonstrate an ability to develop and explain workable solutions to various industry problems related to sports and entertainment.
The MSEM is a 36-credit hour degree program, taught over two years in English and designed to train students for management and leadership roles in the sport, entertainment, and venue management industries. Successful students will have skills at the intersection between management, finance, and law. The acquired skills will enable graduates to efficiently deal with several challenges within the sport and entertainment industries
It is possible for students to choose between thesis and non- thesis options
- Thesis Option
- Students electing the thesis (six credit hours) option must complete 21 credit hours of required courses, and complete at least nine credit hours of elective course work from which a maximum of nine credit hours may be taken outside of the program.
- Non-Thesis Option
- Students electing the non-thesis option must complete 21 credit hours of required courses, complete at least 15 credit hours of elective course work from which a maximum of nine credit hours may be taken outside of the program, and pass a comprehensive examination upon completion of all course work. Students selecting the non-thesis option may (but are not required to) enroll in a field project in Hospitality, Retail, or Sport Management for three elective credit hours.
- Required courses will cover topics such as :
- Venue Management: Principles and Practices, Management in the Sport and Entertainment Industry, Advanced Sport and the Law, Principles of Sport and Entertainment Marketing, Sport and Entertainment Finance, Statistical Methods, and Applied Research in Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management.
Applicants seeking admissions to the College of Science and Engineering graduate programs at HBKU should have a strong academic record (minimum 3.0 GPA out of 4.0) from a recognized university. Applicants to the master’s programs should have a bachelor’s degree, while applicants to the PhD programs should have a master’s degree. Applicants should check the program they are applying for in order to make sure that they have majored in one of the disciplines mentioned under “required field of study.”
| Program | Required Field of Study | Language Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management | Sport related degrees, management, finance, engineering, business and related fields. Applicants who have studied other fields may be considered. | Applicants are required to submit a valid IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 79 to demonstrate their proficiency in English. Further details about the language proficiency requirement and the process to seek exemption (where this is an option) are available from CSE Admissions. |
While the GRE is not required for admissions to the master’s programs at the College of Science and Engineering, a strong GRE score will help strengthen the applicant’s admissions material.
Applicants with prior research experience are preferred, especially for the PhD programs.
For more information regarding Admissions requirements visit CSE Admissions.
Fees and Financial information
| Program | Program Tuition Fees | Program Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management | QAR 144,000 | 2 years |