Postgraduate Study in Sport Development and Management
Community, culture, and commerce.
Sport is a rapidly expanding industry that intersects with education, culture, commerce, health and tourism. As an internationally-recognised applied discipline, the Sport Development and Management major is founded on the global growth in sport science degrees and sport management specialisations. It has three orientations:
Papers examine the spectrum of people, institutions, and policies that influence the structure, management, and experience of sport.
Why study Sport Development and Management?
Otago offers the only Sport Development and Management programme in New Zealand. It offers the option of a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts, which provides flexibility for those who have more interest in either sciences or arts/humanities.
Sport Development and Management offers the opportunity to pursue a minor in a related area of interest including: Exercise and Sport Science, Management, Marketing, Media and Communication Studies, Psychology, Geography and Education.
Sport Development and Management offers a practicum programme where students can work with school or community sport organisations or undertake applied research in the NZ Centre for Sport Policy and Politics – this will provide real world practical experience.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Sport Development and Management as an undergraduate at Otago.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, Master’s, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a Master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Development and Management (PGDipSpDM)
A one-year coursework programme with the option for students to progress onto the Master of Sport Development and Management
Master of Sport Development and Management (MSpDM)
A one-year coursework degree designed for Sport Development and Management professionals looking to upskill
Graduate Qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
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Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
SPEX papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPEX101 | 2025 | Sport, Science and Society | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX102 | 2025 | Principles of Exercise for Health and Performance | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SPEX201 | 2025 | Biomechanics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SPEX202 | 2025 | Motor Behaviour | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX203 | 2025 | Exercise Physiology | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX204 | 2025 | Psychology of Sport and Exercise | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SPEX205 | 2025 | Physical Activity and Health | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SPEX206 | 2025 | Te Pū o te Ora Māori Physical Education and Health | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| SPEX207 | 2025 | Understanding Sports Coaching | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX208 | 2025 | Sociology of Sport and Exercise | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SPEX209 | 2025 | Sport Development and Management | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX301 | 2025 | Performance Analysis | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX303 | 2025 | Exercise Energetics and Physiology | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SPEX304 | 2025 | Sport Psychology | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX305 | 2025 | Athletic Conditioning and Rehabilitation | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX306 | 2025 | Te Pou o Te Koronga Advanced Māori Physical Education and Health | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| SPEX307 | 2025 | Coaching, Leadership and Mentoring | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SPEX308 | 2025 | Psychology of Physical Activity | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX309 | 2025 | Active Living and Environment | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX310 | 2025 | Exercise for Clinical Populations | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX311 | 2025 | Sports Technology | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SPEX312 | 2025 | Advanced Sociology of Sport | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX313 | 2025 | Sport and Health Policy | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SPEX314 | 2025 | Advanced Sport Management | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| SPEX315 | 2025 | Sport Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SPEX316 | 2025 | Practicum | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year, 1st Non standard period (10 November 2025 - 20 February 2026) |
| SPEX317 | 2025 | Neural Control of Movement | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SPEX380 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| SPEX401 | 2025 | Research Methods in Sport, Exercise and Health | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX440 | 2025 | Advanced Topics in Physical Education, Activity and Health | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX441 | 2025 | Advanced Topics in Physical Education, Activity and Health | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| SPEX450 | 2025 | Advanced Topics in Exercise and Sport Science | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX451 | 2025 | Advanced Topics in Exercise and Sport Science | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| SPEX460 | 2025 | Advanced Topics in Sport Development | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SPEX461 | 2025 | Advanced Topics in Sport Management and Policy | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| SPEX480 | 2025 | Independent Project | 40 points | Full Year |
| SPEX481 | 2025 | Independent Study | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| SPEX490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year |
| SPEX495 | 2025 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (3 March 2025 - 27 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (1 July 2025 - 26 June 2026) |
| SPEX516 | 2025 | Practicum | 30 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period |
| SPEX517 | 2025 | Practicum Report | 30 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period |
Contacts
School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences
Tel +64 3 479 8991
Email physical-education@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/sopeses
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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