MSc International Sport Management (Online)

A first for UCFB, students now have the opportunity to study UCFB’s esteemed MSc International Sport Management programme, usually taught on campus, in a full, online delivery format.

The programme has been developed for those with aspirations towards senior management positions within the core functional departments of the sport management industry.

UCFB’s unique MSc International Sport Management (Online) provides an unparalleled educational and experiential opportunity for aspiring sports leaders. This pioneering programme has been developed as a transformational journey suited for graduates of all disciplines, as well as for current professionals working within various sectors of the sport industry, for example in management, marketing or operations.

Graduates of the MSc Sport Management (Online) programme will be awarded degrees by our esteemed academic partner institution, Bucks New University.

Semester One

Financial and Human Capital Management (20 credits)

This module develops students’ understanding of the application of financial analysis and human resource management to effectively and efficiently manage sports organisations, as well as valuing talent. A key aspect of this module is to be aware of the factors that can lead to the alignment of sporting success and financial goals.

Leadership and Influence in Sport (20 credits)

The aim of this module is to understand the conceptualisation of leadership within the sporting and business world via the drivers of influence, mutuality and future.

Sustainable Stadium and Event Management (20 credits)

This module aims to explore current and future issues around sustainable sport management. The course uses the concept of sustainability to explore key contemporary issues such as: types of sports venues, construction and refurbishment, venue design, event delivery, stakeholder management, venue marketing and venue management.

Each topic will include a balance between the establishment of a theoretical base, and the investigation of practical case studies. The sessions are varied, and the course mixes workshop units and debates in a thought-provoking format. At the culmination, students will gain an understanding of the intricacies of developing, marketing and operating sports venues; and a greater knowledge of the role of sustainability in the management and governance of UK and international sport business.

Global Strategic Sports Marketing Management (20 credits)

Many sports brands and sporting organisations face domestic markets that are saturated, highly competitive and with little potential to grow sales revenues, a situation that may see them fall behind in the marketplace. Their main opportunity to grow is to target overseas markets in order to attract new customers and develop new revenue streams.

Many sports leagues and brands sell the television rights for their matches to media companies in deals worth in excess of £2 billion, who in turn sell these rights in as many as 100 different countries. As a result, global brand awareness has increased for most major sports brands, and this represents an opportunity to increase presence in overseas markets and create new revenue streams. Increasingly social media campaigns have considerable global reach, and sports marketers must be aware of how to develop social media campaigns, as part of their overall marketing strategy.

The reality is that marketing products overseas is more complicated and sports brands have to develop their global marketing techniques and gain a cultural awareness of the countries in which they plan to operate. While the rewards can be high, the risk of failure is even higher and this module will look at techniques that sports brands can use to increase their global presence.

Semester Two

Corporate Strategy in a Sporting Context (20 credits)

In order to be an effective sport manager, it is essential to possess a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the importance of corporate strategy in management, and to demonstrate how this can be applied in the area of international football and sporting management. Students will extend research skills alongside new analytical techniques in order to analyse the business environment.

Students will be expected to show a critical awareness of how to carry out complex analysis of this information and explain the current strategic position of the organisation. Using key theoretical concepts and business management information concerning strategic choices, they will then propose the future strategic direction of an organisation, taking into consideration the resources that are available.

During this module, students will be taught by leading academics and industry professionals in the fields of corporate and sport management.

Globalisation of Sport Management (20 credits)

The rapid growth of the sport industry in recent times has led to a need for sport to be studied in a global context. With globalisation as a key concept to be addressed, this module will emphasise the need for sport to be managed effectively in order for optimal performance to be achieved.

It is essential for sport managers to fully apprehend the influence of globalisation on sports and the sport industry through acquiring and applying contemporary business analysis and decision making tools.

Research Methods and Dissertation (Preparation) (60 credits)

The dissertation allows you to design and conduct an independent piece of academic research, providing an opportunity to develop and demonstrate advanced scholarship skills. This combined research methods and dissertation module provides subject-specific methods training in preparation for the completion of a dissertation within the domains of marketing, entrepreneurship and leisure management.

The research topic that you select must align with the title of the programme on which you are enrolled. The module begins with a series of taught research methods sessions, during which a research proposal is produced. This proposal then guides the development of a clearly defined and evidenced study purpose, a critical review of the extant literature, and a robust methodology.

Data is then collected, analysed, interpreted and applied to the study purpose, and a 15-20,000-word research report (dissertation) is produced.

Semester Three

Dissertation (Completion)

The dissertation allows you to design and conduct an independent piece of academic research, providing an opportunity to develop and demonstrate advanced scholarship skills. This combined research methods and dissertation module provides subject-specific methods training in preparation for the completion of a dissertation within the domains of marketing, entrepreneurship and leisure management.

The research topic that you select must align with the title of the programme on which you are enrolled. The module begins with a series of taught research methods sessions, during which a research proposal is produced. This proposal then guides the development of a clearly defined and evidenced study purpose, a critical review of the extant literature, and a robust methodology.

Data is then collected, analysed, interpreted and applied to the study purpose, and a 15-20,000-word research report (dissertation) is produced.

Requirements

You will already hold a Bachelor’s degree with 2:1 classification in a sport-related degree. Applicants who hold a sport-related degree classification of 2:2 or below or, a non-sport related degree, or significant professional experience will be considered on a case by case basis and may be required to submit a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate sports management experience.

Students with relevant previous study at postgraduate level or with extensive experience may also be considered eligible.

Applicants will be expected to participate in and pass an academic led interview with senior members of the UCFB team, as well as submitting an outstanding personal statement and highly supportive academic and professional references.

Interviews can be held over Skype or, if based in the UK, at UCFB campuses. Successful applicants will be invited to attend one of our interview sessions following a review of their application.

Admissions/Selection Criteria

• Strong knowledge in the field of sports management suitable for Masters level academic work
• Evidence of engagement with professional and academic literature/publications relevant to CPD
• Ability to manage self-learning and professional duties where applicable
• Evidence of ability to manage work independently
• Proven track record of dealing with complex and multidisciplinary issues relevant to their chosen subject area

The specificity of sport, with its high media coverage and numerous stakeholders, requires managers to have uniquely honed business skills and an in-depth knowledge of the principles of sport management.