Associate Degree in Applied Business (Sport, Recreation and Leisure)

Graduation from the Associate Degree in Applied Business (Sport, Recreation and Leisure) can provide an entry opportunity for those who have not worked in business settings, accelerate progression through a graduate's present organisation, or open up new career paths and opportunities.

This course provides graduates with paraprofessional level of business knowledge and practice applicable across industries. Graduation may lead you to paraprofessional-level roles within that industry.

New to Applied Business and never worked in the industry before?
For those graduates new to Applied Business, this qualification could assist you to gain roles such as trainee positions with managers, team leaders, field officers, and researchers.

Already working and want to fast track or leverage off past experience?
For those graduates already working in business, an Applied Business qualification may enable them to progress from assistant positions to managerial roles, lead a small team, become specialists, salespersons and liaise better with suppliers or customers

Potential types of employers

• Small and medium businesses;
• Accountancy firms;
• Financial services;
• Event organisations;
• Sport organisations;
• Tourism organisations;
• Health and well-being consultants;
• Non-for-profit organisations; and
• Project management companies.

Articulation into further study

Articulating into the Associate Degree in Applied Business (Sport, Recreation and Leisure) will be in line with the University's standard application for credit process. Please see the Articulation/Credit webpage for more information. Applications for credit can be made upon application to the Associate Degree in Applied Business (Sport, Recreation and Leisure) course.

Students wishing to articulate from the Associate Degree in Applied Business (Sport, Recreation and Leisure) into University of Tasmania bachelor programs may be eligible for some credit, subject to the receiving college/faculty's discretion.

Open enrolment subjects

Completion of four OUA subjects, including:

• TAS-ZAA131 Contemporary Business Environments
• TAS-ZAA132 Managing People
• TAS-ZAA114 Designing Events

Higher education

This Associate Degree is open to applicants from a broad range of backgrounds.  You may gain admission through the UTAS Pathway Entry – Completed the University Preparation Program or Diploma of University Studies (offered by University of Tasmania). If you are unsuccessful in meeting the Alternative Entry criteria, you will be offered a place in the University Preparation Program or Diploma of University Studies. 

Secondary education

If you have completed Year 12 or completed Year 10 at least two years ago, you can gain Direct Entry to the Associate Degree with an ATAR result of 40 or greater achieved within the last 5 years; or Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) Entry - Completed the TCE (or equivalent) with a minimum of Satisfactory Achievements (SA) in 5 x Level 2 subjects.

VET studies

Vocational Education and Training (VET) Entry - A VET certificate III or higher (in a related field of study) within the last 10 years. 

Work and Life

Personal Competency Entry – Completed a Personal Competency Statement as part of the application process and met the criteria for entry. This statement can include prior work experience, qualifications (e.g. VET qualifications), skills, competencies and/or previous education. 

The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.

Industry experts have helped to develop the course and are actively involved in its delivery to maximise student opportunities to learn through practice.

The Associate Degree in Applied Business (Sport, Recreation and Leisure) is for aspiring future leaders and managers. See our other OUA University of Tasmania Applied Business courses for alternate specialisations.

The Sport, Recreation and Leisure specialisation focuses on the management, planning and business of sport, recreation and leisure. Graduates will be able to apply knowledge of key business management concepts in practical environments such as sporting and recreation clubs, leisure centres and local government. This specialisation is ideal for those already working in the industry who wish to progress to management roles

A key feature of the degree is the online immerse practical learning component, where ‘Practice and Portfolio’ subjects are paired with academic subjects to provide hands-on learning. This unique system aims to enhance students’ problem solving, communication, critical thinking, teamwork and leadership skills by allowing them to ‘learn through practice’. It has been designed to make university study a little less daunting—and a lot more practical. You’ll learn about contemporary business concepts and practices while developing problem solving and project management skills through industry insights and case studies.

Completing our Associate Degree in Applied Business (Sport, Recreation and Leisure) will give you:

• An opportunity to accelerate progression in a current organisation
• An opportunity to open up a new career path a pathway into further study at the University of Tasmania

Recommended Study Pattern

For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended. 

• Year 1. 8 subjects in first year including
  • 4 core subjects
    • TAS-ZAA131 Contemporary Business Environments
    • TAS-ZAA132 Managing People
    • TAS-ZAA133 Business Finance
    • TAS-ZAA134 Marketing for Business
  • 4 Sport, Recreation and Leisure subjects
    • TAS-ZAA136 The Business of Leisure
    • TAS-ZAA138 Organisation of Sport, Recreation and Leisure
    • TAS-ZAA141 Sport and Recreation Administration
    • TAS-ZAA144 Designing Events
• Year 2. 8 subjects in the second year including
  • 4 core subjects
    • TAS-ZAA231 Data for Decision Making
    • TAS-ZAA232 Business Planning
    • TAS-ZAA233 Managing Projects
    • TAS-ZAA234 Entrepreneurial and Innovative Thinking
  • Choose 4 of the following Sport, Recreation and Leisure subjects
    • TAS-ZAA236 Managing Events
    • TAS-ZAA247 Leading People
    • TAS-ZAA238 Leisure Planning 
    • TAS-ZAA249 Industry Project
    • TAS-ZAA241 Leisure Facility Management 
    • TAS-ZAA244 Valuing the Volunteer

Award Requirements

Satisfactory completion of 16 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 5 years from commencement.

Exit Points

Students who complete Year 1 of the Associate Degree in Applied Business (Specialisation) may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Applied Business.