Sports Communications and Digital Media MA

Program Overview

The Sports Communications and Digital Media MA program equips students with the skills and knowledge to excel in the evolving sports media landscape. Through practical training in state-of-the-art facilities and industry connections, graduates are prepared for diverse careers in PR, social media, content production, and the sports industry. The program emphasizes industry engagement, providing students with opportunities to learn from communication executives and cover major events.

Program Outline

Sports Communications and Digital Media MA: A Detailed Extraction

Degree Overview:

Objective:

Equip students with the knowledge, skills, and contacts to thrive in sports communications. The program focuses on producing top-quality audio, visual, and written content, developing sophisticated strategic communication plans for sports brands, and preparing graduates for both in-house and agency roles.

Description:

• Evolving Landscape: Addresses the rapidly evolving sports media landscape and new digital technologies that offer career opportunities beyond traditional journalism.
• Industry Expertise: Taught by experienced staff who have managed communication departments of sports clubs and overseen agency-run media campaigns.
• Industry Connections: Close relationships with leading sports communication agencies provide students with opportunities to cover major events and learn from communication executives.
• Real-World Skills: Focuses on developing practical skills through state-of-the-art media center facilities with industry-standard studios and technology.
• Career Preparation: Prepares graduates for diverse careers, including roles in PR, social media, content production, and within the sports industry.

Outcomes:

Graduates have secured positions with Real Madrid TV, Premier League football clubs, Premiership rugby teams, the Football Association, public relations consultancies, and sports communications agencies.

Outline:

Structure:

• Offered full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years)
• Starts in September 2024 or 2025
• Based at the Park campus in Cheltenham

Content:

• Level 7 Modules: Covers Strategic Communications, Stunts, Campaigns and Crises, Advanced Sports Content Creation, Professional Sports Communications, and Major Project/Dissertation.
• Modules Description:
• > Strategic Communications: Introduces students to the role of communications in society and business, covering areas like planning, decision-making, public relations, ethics, and research skills.
• > Stunts, Campaigns and Crises: Equips students with skills and knowledge to excel in the proactive and reactive worlds of public relations and communications, exploring topics like PR stunts, campaign development, crisis management, and social listening.
• > Advanced Sports Content Creation: Develops practical skills to enhance audience engagement through multimedia production, utilizing social media platforms, 360 video, memes, powerful audio, photography, advanced filming, and editing.
• > Professional Sports Communications: Provides a detailed understanding of the communication professional's role in various sports media sectors, preparing students for in-house and agency roles, covering areas like reputation management, player management, major tournament brands, and the spectrum of sports communications.
• > Major Project/Dissertation: Allows students to undertake a significant sports communications project or academic dissertation, applying advanced research, analytical, and presentation skills, resulting in a conventional thesis or major communication project with reflective commentary.

Schedule:

• A detailed schedule is not available at this time.

Assessment:

• Primarily assessed through portfolios, essays, and presentations.
• Specific assessment details are available within individual module descriptions.

Teaching:

• Delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and workshops.
• Students receive one-to-one supervision for the Major Project/Dissertation module.
• Emphasis is placed on developing practical skills through industry-standard facilities.

Careers:

• Graduates are prepared for careers in various industries and roles, including:
• PR
• Social Media
• Content Production
• Sports Industry
• Public Relations Consultancies
• Sports Communications Agencies
• Examples of graduates' destinations include Real Madrid TV, Premier League football clubs, Premiership rugby teams, the Football Association, and more.

Other:

• Students can follow the program on social media: Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
• The program has a close relationship with LiveWire Sport, a leading sports communication agency, offering students opportunities to cover major events.
• The program emphasizes industry engagement, allowing students to learn from communication executives of leading sports brands.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

• UK students: £9,350 per year
• International students: £17,100 per year
International students can benefit from a range of scholarships and bursaries across many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.