UDSPMACO - BA Sports Management and Coaching

The aim of the course is to provide the knowledge and skills for students seeking to develop a career in the sports business and/or sports development. The curriculum places particular emphasis on the management and marketing of sport, alongside the fundamentals of sports coaching. Its purpose is to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the theories and methods relevant to business and coaching careers in the sports industry and skills in problem solving appropriate to this industry.

The course is grounded upon seven 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 coaching disciplines;
3. developing the ability to apply these business skills within the specific context of the sports industry;
4. apply knowledge of scientific concepts pertinent to sports coaching
5. enhancing the ability to address ‘real-world’ issues through Problem-Based Learning
6. delivering graduates with the transferrable skills (aka ‘graduate attributes’) demanded by employers
7. 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 also 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.

1. To deliver an intellectually demanding programme of study that explores the 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 academic disciplines. These will include marketing, human resource management, economics, finance and coaching.
   
3. To equip students with the ability to apply these business and coaching 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 (PBL) 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 and / or coaching 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. 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.
3. Understand the implications of external policy decisions on the sports business, and evaluate the policy and planning processes that shape the industry.
4. Facilitate the enhancement of sporting performance through coaching

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. Engage in reflective and critical thinking, and analyse case-studies and real-world sports business and coaching problems.
3. Demonstrate the ability to plan, design, execute and communicate independent scholarly research culminating in the capacity to undertake a final year dissertation.

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. Understand ethical and other professional issues involved in practice as a sports coach.

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. 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.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of practical skills relating to work as a sports, coach.
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. Facilitate the enhancement of sporting performance through effective coaching

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’.

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

At Level Six option choices are focused around work-based offerings. Students will be encouraged to undertake either or both of the University’s work-based learning modules.

Students will also given an opportunity to coach the children from a neighbouring school.

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.

Standard University regulations apply.

Reflective learning is embedded throughout the course. The skills required to promote reflective learning will initially be introduced and developed through the course. Reflective Learning also forms part of the assessment criteria for key modules. Students will take part in tutorials at all levels designed to facilitate discussion on what has been learnt in order that reflective learning will contribute to identifying objectives, success criteria, and action plans that can be included in PDPs.

Throughout the course, extensive reference shall be made, at a module level, to the career roles and opportunities within the sports business and in sports coaching. This shall be further augmented and embedded within the curriculum through specific employability guidance.

Annual Employability Conference

Career opportunities within the sports industry are being further boosted through London’s location at the very heart of the international sports industry. Already guaranteed are prestigious events such as the World Track Cycling Championships (2016), World Athletics Championship (2017), Cricket World Cup (2019), and football’s 2020 European Championships finals. The city continues to host numerous prestigious national and international events such as the Wimbledon Championships on an annual basis.

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

• English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C or above (or equivalent)
• 240 or more UCAS points from two or more A levels or equivalent, eg Applied Science A level Double Award at grade CC, or BTEC Extended Diploma in a sports subject with MMM

Entry from appropriate foundation and access courses will also be considered.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.