| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
This one-year foundation program prepares students for the BSc (Hons) Sport Management degree, equipping them with core theories and practical skills in sport and fitness. The degree focuses on business, social enterprise, and management within the sports industry, with optional pathways in year two and three. Students have the opportunity for a placement year and can pursue careers in various management roles across the sports industry, including leisure, event organization, and sports administration.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This one-year foundation program equips students with the skills they need to progress to the degree. Studying a foundation year gives students an opportunity to extend previous experience gained, or provide a route back into education. The course will help develop the key academic skills required to make the transition to studying the full BSc (Hons) Sport Management degree. Students will study core theories in sport and fitness but, crucially, will learn how to apply this knowledge in practical settings – helping to develop the skills that employers are looking for. You'll have the option for a placement year between the second and third years of the degree, where you have the opportunity to work in industry, gaining valuable employment and experience. This degree focuses on business, social enterprise and management within the sports industry and is endorsed by CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for Management of Sport and Physical Activity). The course aligns with the Professional Standards to achieve CIMSPA’s Aspiring Manager (Leisure Operations) accreditation, enabling the development of work ready graduates. You’ll study a combination of management topics including marketing, business start-up, human resources as well as event organisation, sport governance, social and cultural issues, health and safety and contemporary and global trends to develop a thorough and critical understanding of sport industry issues and theory. There is also the option to specialise in one of three pathways in year two and three.
Outline:
Foundation Year
- Leadership Through Sport
- Foundations of Fitness
- The Sports and Football Industry
- Fundamentals of Sport Business Management
- Volunteering in Sport
- Sport in the Contemporary World
Year One
- Health and Safety Operations
- Industry Awareness and Employability
- Management and Organisational Behaviour
- Marketing Principles
- Research and Study Skills
- Social and Cultural Issues
Year Two
- Planning Live Projects
- Event Leadership and Marketing
- Human Resources and Performance Management
- Research Methods
Optional Modules
- Adventure and Outdoor Recreation
- Outdoor Learning and Coaching
- Policy in Practice
- Sociological Perspectives
- Technical and Tactical Performance Analysis and Recruitment
- The Politics, Culture and Sociology of Football
Placement Year
- By undertaking a work placement you will have the opportunity to reflect on and implement the knowledge and skills you have gained during your previous modules of study and learn about new concepts and working practices. The experience gained should enhance your knowledge and professional skills enabling you to identify business and social problems in the workplace and propose and deploy alternative solutions.
Final Year
- Dissertation
- Strategic Management and Consultancy
Optional Modules
- Business Start-up
- Football, Sustainability and Social Change
- Global and Contemporary Issues
- Globalisation of Football
- Managing Outdoor Learning and Adventurous Activities
- Professional Practice in Football Development
- Sociology of Extreme and Lifestyle Sports
- Strategic Sport Development
Assessment:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Assignments
- Practical activities
- In-class tests
- Case studies
- Portfolios
- Group work
- Group presentations
- Written exams
- Practical exams
Teaching:
You will learn by:
- Guided learning
- Directed learning
- Collaborative learning
Careers:
This course can lead to a wealth of management careers across the sports industry - potential career paths include leisure, entertainment and sport centre management, stadium management, event organisation, sponsorship and marketing, sport and adventure tourism, youth and community development, sports administration, teaching and lecturing and specialisms in the outdoor/adventure industry and football club/agency management. The skills you’ll build up on the course could also create entrepreneurial opportunities, such as setting up your own sports business enterprise.
Other:
- The course is delivered by staff who have extensive teaching, professional and industry experience.
- Staff are committed to delivering an excellent student experience which blends theory and practice through real-world learning opportunities.
- The course team have excellent links with both local and national sports organisations and clubs, as well as experience of working in the industry.
- Their experience can provide valuable networking and part-time work opportunities.
- The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
The tuition fees for the 2024/25 academic year are: UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,250 per year Fees will increase for year 1. International full-time fees: £16,125 per year UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island placement year fee: £1,580 International placement year fee: £2,095
