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 a university ranked in the top 5 in Australia and top 50 in the world for Hospitality and Tourism1.
  • 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 excellence2.
  • Study at a university ranked in the top 5 in Australia for Hospitality and Leisure Management3.
  • Study at the No.1 Business school in SA, and Top 5 in Australia for quality.4.
  • UniSA Business is accredited by both AACSB International and EFMD (EQUIS) – the world’s leading accreditation bodies.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Develop practical experience with industry professionals as part of your studies.

1Shanghai’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022. 2UniSA 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. 32023 QS Subject Rankings. 4Ranked #5, Australian Financial Review BOSS Best Business Schools List 2023.

Why UniSA?

  • UniSA Business is in the top one per cent worldwide and has been awarded an overall five stars for excellencein the QS Stars Ratings 2023.
  • 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.
  • Our strong real-world connections mean you can learn from researchers recognised as performing above world standard in Tourism2.
  • Access hands-on learning opportunities and connect with industry professionals right from day one.
  • 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.

1UniSA 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.22018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 

Enhance your study experience

  • 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

    There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

    You can access our online International Application System through our How to Apply page. The International Application System is an easy and secure online application and acceptance process. You will have visibility of your application through the secure online portal with the ability to download offer documents, submit your acceptance and make a payment.

    Alternatively you can submit an application through one of the University's registered Education Agents.

    If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC http://www.satac.edu.au/.

    If you are applying for the UniSA Study Abroad or Study Abroad Plus program, you can submit your application online here.

    Postgraduate study by research
    For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit http://unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.

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

    There is no closing date for submitting your application however the admissions process takes between one and three weeks from the date that we receive your application and all required supporting documentation.

    If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC. Key dates for applications can be found here.

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

    You may be eligible to receive credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving credit will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

    The amount of credit you may be eligible to receive is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions team.

    The best way to determine your eligibility to receive credit or advanced standing is to apply using our International Application System which can be found on our How to Apply page. You will need to supply detailed syllabus documents with your application.

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

    UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.

    Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.

    We also have many events throughout the year in Australia and overseas where you can speak with UniSA representatives about your area of interest. View our calendar of events in your home country by selecting the 'International' filter.

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.

UniSA Video

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