University of South Australia

Tourism, Sport and Events

Interested in Tourism, Sport and Events?

Build an exciting career in the sport and visitor economy sectors by managing and coordinating sports events and initiatives and help deliver the benefits of sport, recreation and tourism to local communities.

Discover how to manage sport and recreation programs and facilities, develop innovative tourism and event initiatives, and manage hospitality operations. Gain practical skills through industry research project and placements and learn from guest lecturers and our highly experienced teaching team. 

You will gain the experience and skills to lead, motivate and manage others, communicate effectively, make informed decisions, collaborate with a range of stakeholders in different settings, think strategically and solve problems effectively. 

Grow your career opportunities through an industry placement or mentorship opportunity, and gain a global perspective through overseas exchange, providing you with the experience to enhance your career prospects in a diverse range of tourism, events, sport and recreation industries.

Key features

  • Study at the No. 1 university in South Australia for graduate careers in Business and Management1.
  • Study at a university ranked top 5 in Australia and top 50 in the world for Hospitality and Tourism2.
  • Join South Australia's No. 1 university for Management and Tourism Research3
  • Develop practical experience with industry professionals as part of your studies.
  • Build an exciting career in the sport and visitor economy sectors by managing sport organisations, coordinating major sport events and initiatives, and help to deliver the benefits of sport, recreation and tourism to local communities.
  • Add a 1-year master's degree to your tourism and event studies with our Fast-track to Masters package, and complete an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in just four years.
  • Gain real-world experience as part of your studies through an internship, student exchange or mentorship opportunity – we have more than 2,500 industry partners and over 60 university partners worldwide.
  • Develop career-ready skills employers are looking for once you graduate, with enterprise skills embedded in all business courses.
  • Study at a university recognised globally in Business. UniSA Business is in the top one per cent worldwide and has been awarded an overall five stars for excellence4.
  • Study at a university ranked No.1 in SA for Hospitality and Leisure Management5.
  • UniSA Business is accredited by both AACSB International and EFMD (EQUIS) – the world’s leading accreditation bodies.
  • Study at the No.1 Business School in SA, and Top 5 business school in Australia for quality6.

1ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-23 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities. 2Shanghai’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022. 32018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 4UniSA Business is one of just 13 institutions in Australia and approximately 200 globally (from over 25,000 universities) to be EQUIS accredited. EFMD, March 2024. 2023 QS Stars Business School Ratings. 52023 QS Subject Rankings. 6Australian Financial Review BOSS Best Business Schools List 2023.

Why UniSA?

  • UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities1, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
  • Our strong real-world connections mean you can learn from researchers recognised as performing above world standard in Tourism2.
  • UniSA Business is in the top one per cent worldwideand has been awarded an overall five stars for excellence3.
  • UniSA Business is the only business school in South Australia accredited by both AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EFMD (EQUIS) – the world’s leading accreditation bodies recognising excellence in business education and research at a global level. These dual accreditations demonstrate the high standards we hold across all areas such as teaching, student learning and research, as well as our commitment to continually improving the quality of our programs.
  • Access hands-on learning opportunities and connect with industry professionals right from day one.
  • Kickstart your business degree early through UniSA ACCELERATE. Study university courses while you’re in Year 12 and guarantee your place into UniSA with study credit. You can also choose to count study towards your SACE Stage 2.
  • Choose from flexible learning options to suit your needs and lifestyle including online, on-campus, full-time and part-time study.
  • Explore our wide range of grants and scholarships to support your studies.
  • We are consistently recognised and awarded for our excellence in teaching, the quality of our degrees and satisfaction of our students – there's never been a better time to study at UniSA.

1UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.  22018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).  3UniSA Business is one of just 13 institutions in Australia and approximately 200 globally (from over 25,000 universities) to be EQUIS accredited. EFMD, March 2024. 2023 QS Stars Business School Ratings.

Enhance your study experience

  • Combined degrees: We offer a wide range of undergraduate combined degree combinations so you can pair two interest areas and tailor your qualification. Take advantage of the opportunity to specialise in two fields and expand your career prospects.
  • Fast-track to Masters: For select degrees, you can complete a bachelor’s and master’s qualification in just four years through our Fast-track to Masters package. This unique offering allows you to fast-track your studies and graduate with greater expertise and career opportunities.
  • Business Career Mentor Program: Engage in our Business Career Mentor Program and be paired with an experienced business professional to enhance your network and career.
  • Executive in Residence: Meet one-to-one with a senior business executive and industry leader through our Executive in Residence program. This initiative enables you to seek expert guidance for your career development and support to advance your career.
  • Hands-on experience: You can gain valuable industry experience before you graduate with access to internships, professional development courses, Summer or Winter School intensives and more – plus we give you a longer break between semesters to make sure you have the time.
  • Enterprise Skills: To prepare you for a diverse future career in business, UniSA Business is committed to ensuring you graduate with a sound knowledge base and the skills employers are looking for. These skills, better known as Enterprise Skills, will help prepare you for success regardless of field or industry.
  • Study abroad: Explore the world and gain an international perspective as part of your studies with our student exchange program. Whether it's a semester or short term exchange or a study tour, you'll find the experience invaluable for your personal and professional development.

UniSA offers the following Tourism, Sport and Events degrees

Choose your level of study

Kicking career goals

Kicking career goals

Perhaps one of the greatest sporting moments our nation has seen in recent years is the celebration of women’s football and unwavering support behind Australia’s Matilda’s in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 – in part made possible by UniSA grad, Sarah Campbell.

This UNSTOPPABLE force was responsible for managing the operations within Hindmarsh Stadium, serving as the conduit between FIFA and the venue, and partnering with stakeholders to make the Adelaide qualifying rounds a huge success.

Want to learn more? Read Sarah's full story.

Start your unstoppable career in Tourism, Sport and Events

    • Sarah Campbell

      Sarah Campbell
      Venue General Manager – Adelaide for FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™
      Bachelor of Applied Science (Recreation Planning and Management)
      Master of Business Administration

Back to stories   Hear more from our unstoppable people

Your career

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As the No.1 university in South Australia for graduate careers in Business and Management1, our quality teaching and experiences beyond the classroom will ensure you graduate career-ready.

Careers to consider include:

  • Attractions coordinator: conducting daily safety audits; enhancing guest experiences; providing leadership and direction to members in operations; promoting teamwork, and assisting teams in meeting quality and quantity standards
  • Community development officer: Maximising the use of local facilities through the development of programs, creating partnerships, and working with the community; developing initiatives for local residents to improve wellbeing and enhance quality of life
  • Event manager or coordinator: using strong organisational and project management skills to deliver successful, cost-effective events; managing staff and suppliers; booking venues, facilities and equipment; marketing and promotion; analysis and reporting on event performance
  • Festival organiser: logistical planning, organisation and execution of events; using creative ideas to promote festivals; ensuring budgetary considerations are fulfilled
  • Hotel manager: overseeing daily hotel operations; planning and supervising staff activities; ensuring the smooth and profitable running of business; strategic planning and reporting; communicating effectively with employees, customers and suppliers
  • Membership services manager: managing existing member relationships; helping drive membership growth; coordinating sales promotions and other retention and sales initiatives
  • Sponsorship coordinator: managing and procuring sponsors for events and brand awareness activity; developing strategies to leverage sponsorships; executing sponsorship marketing including communications, branding and event planning
  • Sport development officer: Promoting participation in sport; working with sporting clubs, local councils and the wider community; ensure people of all ages and ability can access sporting facilities; working with teams and individuals to improve their performance
  • Sport/Recreation facility coordinator: manage sport or recreation facilities in the public or private sector including fitness clubs, aquatic facilities, court facilities and more
  • Tourism experience planner: representing a particular community or destination develop enriching, meaningful experiences for visitors
  • Tourism policy planner: developing policy and research papers, major industry reports, submissions and responses; engaging with stakeholders such as industry and the general public and maintaining these networks; monitoring and reporting; developing government or stakeholder relations strategies

1ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-23 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities.

Global networks

We are a globally connected university, our staff and students come from over 90 countries. We have more than 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.

In the 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA), 2-digit rankings, we were the only university in South Australia to have all our Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services research rated above world-class. We have strong links, individually and collectively, with leading and like-minded research institutions in North America, Europe and the UK and are building equally exciting new relationships in Asia.

Please note the industry facts below are based on 2019 data and reflect pre-COVID-19 employment projections.

Industry facts

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Employment for amusement, fitness and sport centre managers in Australia is projected to increase by 10.2 per cent by May 2024.

Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2019

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By 2024, employment in Australia for conference and event organisers is projected to increase by 16.4 per cent.

Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2019

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Accommodation and hospitality manager employment in Australia is projected to increase by 8,900 jobs (7.7 per cent) by May 2024.

Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2019

Ask UniSA

  • How do I apply? minus-thick plus-thick

    The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.

    The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.

    There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.

    If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.

    You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.

    If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying

  • Is there a closing date for applications? minus-thick plus-thick

    Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

    Undergraduate

    The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.

    Postgraduate

    Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.

    As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.

  • What credit can I receive for previous studies? minus-thick plus-thick

    You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central. 

  • Can I speak to someone regarding my study options? minus-thick plus-thick

    Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.

More FAQs

Study at UniSA

You'll graduate from UniSA ready to thrive in your chosen career. See where a tourism and event management degree could take you.

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What others are saying

I made the most of my experiential learning opportunities at UniSA by completing a study tour in Taiwan and South Korea. I learnt the processes behind the planning of major international events and the global context tourism can take. The program gave me the unique chance to build international contacts.

Hannah Kemp

Bachelor of Business (Tourism and Event Management)
International Recruitment & Mobility Support Officer, University of South Australia

Tourism and Event Management student, Hannah Kemp

Hannah Kemp

Bachelor of Business (Tourism and Event Management)
International Recruitment & Mobility Support Officer, University of South Australia

My degree has given me an understanding of not only sport and recreation, but also accounting, event planning, outdoor education and marketing. The development opportunities and engagement with people from the business world was vital in gaining experience to succeed after university.

Lisa Bateman

Bachelor of Business (Sport and Recreation Management)
Emerging Leader Award recipient, 2016 AFL Football Woman of the Year Awards

Lisa Kennedy

Lisa Bateman

Bachelor of Business (Sport and Recreation Management)
Emerging Leader Award recipient, 2016 AFL Football Woman of the Year Awards

During my studies I completed two work placements which gave me hands-on experience and access to industry knowledge. This was the most important aspect of the program as the work placements gave me practice-based experience and allowed me to learn from people in the profession.

Damien Jennings

Bachelor of Business (Sport and Recreation Management)
Senior Consultant | Sport Australia

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Damien Jennings

Bachelor of Business (Sport and Recreation Management)
Senior Consultant | Sport Australia

I held a number of casual positions within the sport industry during my studies, one of which led to a position at Little Athletics SA after graduating. I was then promoted to a managerial role where I oversaw their programs and club and product development at a state and national level, along with the coordination of state competitions and championships. I am now about to move to an exciting new role running the SANFL Juniors competition and supporting their metropolitan Adelaide clubs.

Steven Marotti

Bachelor of Business (Sport and Recreation Management)
Football Operations Coordinator - SANFL Juniors | South Australian National Football League (SANFL)

SteveMarotti.jpg

Steven Marotti

Bachelor of Business (Sport and Recreation Management)
Football Operations Coordinator - SANFL Juniors | South Australian National Football League (SANFL)

Why study at UniSA?

As one of the most innovative universities in Australia and Asia, there are many reasons to study with us. Here are just three:

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Accessible, helpful and flexible

We have six campuses, a 24/7 online learning environment, and we offer flexible study options like online and evening courses.

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Graduate success

UniSA is South Australia's number one university for graduate careers.*
*ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.

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A five star university

Five stars for research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness and innovation*
*2023 QS Stars Ratings