UDSPBMAN - BA Sports Business Management

The aim of the course is to provide the knowledge and skills for students seeking to develop a career in the sports business or sports development. The curriculum places particular emphasis on the management and marketing of sport within the commercial environment, as well as the social, economic, and cultural significance of the industry. Its purpose is to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the theories and methods relevant to business and management careers in the sports industry and skills in problem solving appropriate to this industry.

The course is grounded upon six core elements. These are:

1. providing an understanding of the sports business and how it operates;
2. acquiring core competencies across a range of key business and management disciplines;
3. developing the ability to apply these business skills within the specific context of the sports industry;
4. enhancing the ability to address ‘real-world’ issues through Problem-Based Learning
5. delivering graduates with the transferrable skills (aka ‘graduate attributes’) demanded by employers
6. ensuring that graduates understand the demands of the world of employment and are equipped with the necessary self-awareness, confidence, industry awareness, and employability awareness to fulfil their potential in the industry

The pedagogical framework underpinning the course is one of student-centred learning. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is embedded within the course curriculum, providing a student-focused approach to learning that encourages students to think for themselves and take direct responsibility for their own learning. The utilisation of PBL also ensures that students are required to engage with issues at not merely a theoretical level, but are forced to actively engage in the practical application of knowledge to solve live or simulated business problems. Directed and self-directed study will also encourage the development of critical thinking by analysing sports management processes through case studies and academic literature.

The course builds upon the University’s existing BA Sports Management course, which has demonstrated consistent performance for a number of years. It enjoys a solid foundation in research informed teaching and enjoys a strong synergy with our two successful Masters programmes (MA Sports Management and MSc International Sports Management). The course title has changed nomenclature to reflect trends in the industry and within higher education, and the curriculum has increased its focus on the commercial side of the sports industry. The new course structure boosts more sports management-specific content than the existing offering, whilst the opportunity has also been taken to internationalise the curriculum.

1. To deliver an intellectually demanding programme of study that explores the history, structure and characteristics of the contemporary sports business. It will provide a thorough introduction to the key dimensions of sports management, the agencies involved, and the political, social and cultural contexts that frame it. This is done within a framework that is sensitive and responsive to the world environment, sustainable development and corporate social responsibility. The course also firmly acknowledges that that the sports industry is by its very nature a global industry, and internationalism is a core principle underpinning the programme.
   
2. To provide a solid foundation of understanding, awareness and knowledge across a range of key business and management disciplines. These will include marketing, human resource management, economics, finance and strategic management.
   
3. To equip students to be ability to apply these business skills within the specific context of the sports industry. The outcome will be that students are able to contribute to the planning, management and delivery of sport across the global sports industry.
   
4. To empower students to understand and solve problems relating to the sports business. Problem-Based Learning (PBP) is embedded throughout the course, ensuring that graduates have the ability to solve ‘real world’ issues that are relevant to the sports industry. The teaching methods employed on the module will also ensure that graduates possess creativity, leadership, independence and the ability to think critically.
   
5. To develop a high degree of graduateness in students, enhancing the ability of individuals to operate as effective learners, both individually and collaboratively, and to provide a wide range of transferable skills to ensure that graduates develop and succeed in professional careers within a wide variety of business contexts.
   
6. To prepare students for the world of work. Graduates will understand the sports industry and the employment opportunities available within it. To further enhance their employment prospects, the course places a significant focus on developing the skills necessary to research the labour market, apply for suitable positions and present oneself to a prospective employer.

Knowledge and understanding

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structure and characteristics of the sports industry, both in the UK and internationally.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the background and history of the sports business, including awareness of how this has shaped the contemporary sporting landscape.
3. Understand and critically access the key dimensions of the sports industry, including the role and contribution of the private sector, public sector and third/voluntary sector on sports provision.
4. Understand the implications of external policy decisions on the sports business, and evaluate the policy and planning processes that shape the industry.

Cognitive skills

1. Apply intellectual skills and critical faculties to analyse and synthesise concepts, ideas and theories and apply them within a sport context.
2. Critically interpret data of different kinds and appraise the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches adopted.
3. Engage in reflective and critical thinking, and analyse case-studies and real-world sports business problems.
4. Demonstrate the ability to plan, design, execute and communicate independent scholarly research culminating in the capacity to undertake a final year Project.

Transferable skills

1. Demonstrate the mastery of a range of abilities, skills and attributes which contribute to ‘graduateness’ and effectiveness in the modern business workplace, including innovation, decision making, critical thinking, problem solving, reasoning, independence, and leadership.
2. Communicate information, arguments and ideas effectively, utilising a variety of styles, methods and language appropriate to wide variety of situations and contexts.
3. Demonstrate flexibility and creativity in adapting to a work environment that is subject to rapid and continuous change.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of reflective practice, including the ability to self-appraise, learn from experience and reflect on practice, and an appreciation of the need to engage in ongoing personal and professional development.

Subject-specific practical skills

1. Evaluate and apply business and management theory, models and practice to the formulation of business processes, plans and strategy in a variety of industry contexts within the sports business.
2. Understand and apply theories, concepts and principles of practice from the disciplines of operations management, finance, human resources, economics and marketing to the sports industry.
3. Appreciate the issues facing local, national, and international sport organisations and demonstrate the ability to utilise management techniques to devise and employ appropriate solutions to these business problems.
4. Demonstrate vocationally relevant managerial skills and knowledge by exposure to professional practice.
5. Showcase the ability to obtain appropriate information and evidence relevant to the sports industry from a variety of sources and in a variety of forms, and to understand the need to critically evaluate all information sources.
6. Demonstrate an awareness of the social, political and cultural landscape within which the sports business operates, identify specific problems and challenges posed by these forces, and propose practical solutions to address them.
7. Understand the importance of issues surrounding global sustainability to the sports business, and demonstrate the ability to develop ethical and responsible responses to the challenges posed by this.
8. Demonstrate an awareness of global nature of the contemporary sports business, including the role and influence of the media and communications, and evaluate the challenges and opportunities that this presents for individuals, businesses and organisations operating within the sports industry.

- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structure and characteristics of the sports industry, both in the UK and internationally:

Introduction to the Sports Business
Sports Business Management
Socio-Cultural Issues in Sport
Sports Development

- Demonstrate an understanding of the background and history of the sports business, including awareness of how this has shaped the contemporary sporting landscape:

Introduction to the Sports Business
Socio-Cultural Issues in Sport

- Understand and critically access the key dimensions of the sports industry, including the role and contribution of the private sector, public sector and third/voluntary sector on sports provision.

Introduction to the Sports Business
Sports Business Management
Sports Development

- Understand the implications of external policy decisions on the sports business, and evaluate the policy and planning processes that shape the industry. Sports Business Management:

Sports Development
Contemporary Issues in the Sports Industry

- Apply intellectual skills and critical faculties to analyse and synthesise concepts, ideas and theories and apply them within a sport context:

Sports Business Management
Socio-Cultural Issues in Sport
Sports Development
Contemporary Issues in the Sports Industry
Marketing and Sponsorship for Events and Sport
Theory and Practice in Research

- Critically interpret data of different kinds and appraise the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches adopted:

Learning, Developing, Communicating
Economics and Finance for Culture and Experience
Principles and Practice in Marketing
Sports Business Management
Socio-Cultural Issues in Sport
Contemporary Issues in the Sports Industry
Marketing and Sponsorship for Events and Sport

- Engage in reflective and critical thinking, and analyse case-studies and real-world sports business problems:

Sports Business Management
Sports Development
Contemporary Issues in the Sports Industry
Marketing and Sponsorship for Events and Sport.

- Demonstrate the ability to plan, design, execute and communicate independent scholarly research culminating in the capacity to undertake a final year Project.

Learning, Developing, Communicating
Contemporary Issues in the Sports Industry
Theory and Practice in Research

- Demonstrate the mastery of a range of abilities, skills and attributes which contribute to ‘graduateness’ and effectiveness in the modern business workplace, including innovation, decision making, critical thinking, problem solving, reasoning, independence, and leadership:

Introduction to the Sports Business
Learning, Developing, Communicating
Economics and Finance for Culture and Experience
Principles and Practice in Marketing
Managing People in Organisations
Sports Business Management
Socio-Cultural Issues in Sport
Sports Development
Theory and Practice in Research
Contemporary Issues in the Sports Industry
Marketing and Sponsorship for Events and Sport

- Communicate information, arguments and ideas effectively, utilising a variety of styles, methods and language appropriate to wide variety of situations and contexts:

Introduction to the Sports Business
Learning, Developing, Communicating
Economics and Finance for Culture and Experience
Principles and Practice in Marketing
Managing People in Organisations
Sports Business Management
Socio-Cultural Issues in Sport
Sports Development
Theory and Practice in Research
Contemporary Issues in the Sports Industry
Marketing and Sponsorship for Events and Sport

- Demonstrate flexibility and creativity in adapting to a work environment that is subject to rapid and continuous change.

Learning Through Work
Work-Related Development
Career Development 1

- Demonstrate an understanding of reflective practice, including the ability to self-appraise, learn from experience and reflect on practice, and appreciation of the need to engage in ongoing personal and professional development.

Learning Through Work
Work-Related Development
Career Development 1
Sports Business Management
Contemporary Issues in the Sports Industry
Marketing and Sponsorship for Events and Sport

- Evaluate and apply business and management theory, models and practice to the formulation of business processes, plans and strategy in a variety of industry contexts within the sports business.

Sports Business Management
Sports Development
Theory and Practice in Research
Contemporary Issues in the Sports Industry
Marketing and Sponsorship for Events and Sport

- Understand and apply theories, concepts and principles of practice from the disciplines of operations management, finance, human resources, economics and marketing to the sports industry:

Economics and Finance for Culture and Experience
Principles and Practice in Marketing
Managing People in Organisations
Sports Business Management
Marketing and Sponsorship for Events and Sport

- Appreciate the issues facing local, national, and international sport organisations and demonstrate the ability to utilise management techniques to devise and employ appropriate solutions to these business problems:

Sports Business Management
Sports Development
Contemporary Issues in the Sports Industry
Marketing and Sponsorship for Events and Sport

- Demonstrate vocationally relevant managerial skills and knowledge by exposure to professional practice:

Introduction to the Sports Business
Sports Business Management
Sports Development
Contemporary Issues in the Sports Industry
Marketing and Sponsorship for Events and Sport

- Showcase the ability to obtain appropriate information and evidence relevant to the sports industry from a variety of sources and in a variety of forms, and to understand the need to critically evaluate all information sources:

Introduction to the Sports Business
Sports Business Management
Socio-Cultural Issues in Sport
Sports Development
Contemporary Issues in the Sports Industry
Marketing and Sponsorship for Events and Sport
Theory and Practice in Research

- Demonstrate an awareness of the social, political and cultural landscape within which the sports business operates, identify specific problems and challenges posed by these forces, and propose practical solutions to address them:

Introduction to the Sports Business
Sports Business Management
Socio-Cultural Issues in Sport
Sports Development

- Understand the importance of issues surrounding global sustainability to the sports business, and demonstrate the ability to develop ethical and responsible responses to the challenges posed by this:

Socio-Cultural Issues in Sport
Sports Development
Contemporary Issues in the Sports Industry

- Demonstrate an awareness of global nature of the contemporary sports business, including the role and influence of the media and communications, and evaluate the challenges and opportunities that this presents for individuals, businesses and organisations operating within the sports industry:

Introduction to the Sports Business
Sports Business Management
Socio-Cultural Issues in Sport
Contemporary Issues in the Sports Industry
Marketing and Sponsorship for Events and Sport

The relevant QAA benchmark statement is ‘Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism’ (2008), principally section 6.16 – 6.21.

The assessment strategy for the course has been designed to ensure that all students are assessed through a variety of means. The assessment strategy for each individual module ensures that the assessment components are appropriate and relevant to the learning outcomes for that module. The overall assessment design has also taken account of the learning outcomes of the course as a whole, particularly ‘cognitive skills’ and ‘transferable skills’.

Specific assessment types include short and long essays and reports, in-class tests, seen and unseen examinations, case studies, group reports and presentations and the individual dissertation.

The overall assessment framework for the course has been mapped to ensure that assessments are spread as evenly as possible throughout the teaching year.

The BA Sports Business Management course recognises the importance of Work Based Learning and work experience to the employment prospects of graduates within the sports business, and has ensured that both principles are formally embedded into the curriculum of the course.

These principles are embedded into the course structure at Level Five, with all three of the Option modules available to students having an employment focus. Students must elect to either undertake a work placement, engage in relevant co-curricular/work-related activities, or select a Career Development module.

At Level Six Option choices are again focused around these work-based offerings. Alternatively, students are able to equip themselves for employment in international business by studying a foreign language. Aside from electing to study a foreign language, students have no choice other than to participate in one of the three employment-focused Option modules at Level Six.

In addition, all students have the option of taking an optional 12-month work placement between Level Five and Level Six. This ‘sandwich placement’ year requires learners to undertake a minimum of 44 weeks full-time work in ‘near graduate level’ employment. Compulsory pre-placement preparation workshops will provide structured learning and support to assist students in their search for an appropriate placement in an industry relevant to their area of study; develop professionalism and the ability to transfer learning from the classroom and previous employment to the placement workplace.

Successful completion of this course offers improved opportunities for a managerial career in the sports industry. Recent graduates have found work with organisations such as the ParalympicsGB, professional football clubs, and local authorities.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• 280 or more UCAS points, including at least 180 from two or more A levels (or equivalent, eg BTEC National, OCR Diploma or Advanced Diploma) in academic Business subjects.
• English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C or above (or equivalent) are also required.

These requirements may be varied in individual cases.