MSc International Sport Management

UCFB’s unique MSc International Sport Management 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 sports industry, for example in management, marketing or operations.

In addition to the inimitable degree programme delivered at UCFB Wembley’s world class facilities, students will be able to enhance their understanding of the business and operations of a sporting superpower through a unique period spent at the Real Madrid Graduate School – Universidad Europea, the educational arm of the world’s biggest football club.

By experiencing two of the most iconic sporting destinations in the world, Wembley Stadium and Madrid, students are fully immersed within the sports industry and are able to develop a network of world-class industry contacts.

As a capstone to the MSc International Sport Management degree, students may have an opportunity to specialise their academic experience by undertaking a research project with a sports organisation, leveraging UCFB’s global network of contacts with leading companies such as The Football Association, BBC Sport, the US Tennis Association, the Rugby Football League, as well as a multitude of football and sporting clubs both domestically and overseas. MSc students are also encouraged to apply for short term placements, internships and projects via our dedicated Employability and Enrichment team.

Semester one

Financial and Human Capital Management

This module develops students’ understanding of the ways in which financial and management information can be used to achieve competitive advantage. The module also examines the evolution of human resource management, human capital management, and their interaction with accounting and finance.

Leadership and Influence in Sport

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

The aim of this module is 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

Many sports brands 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 revenues streams. Many sports leagues and brands sell the television rights for their marches to media companies in deals worth in excess of £2billion, 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. The reality is that marketing products overseas is more complicated and sports brands need to develop their global marketing techniques and 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 when looking to increase their global presence.

Semester two

Corporate Strategy in a Sporting Context

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 field of corporate and sport management.

Globalisation of Sport Management

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) 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

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.

Real Madrid Graduate School – Universidad Europea: May-July

During the months of May, June and July, students will enjoy the truly unique opportunity to live and learn in Madrid, Spain’s capital city and home to the 10-time European football champions, Real Madrid.Whilst undertaking a 30 ECTS credit Diploma in Sport Management at the Real Madrid Graduate School – which students would earn in addition to the MSc International Sport Management degree – the invaluable learning enhancement experience is expected to provide a further foundation for employability prospects in the global sport marketplace.

With classes taught at the Real Madrid Graduate School’s facilities including the Real Madrid Sports City in the Valdebebas district of Madrid and the famous Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, students will obtain access to leading executives from the football club. The Madrid experience will provide a vital international angle on the sport business, aiding students as they work towards completing their final MSc International Sport Management dissertation in September.

This 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 sports industry, for example in management, marketing or operations.

If you are unsure whether you meet the entry criteria for this programme, or whether you require IELTS results, please email Masters Enquiries with a copy of your most recent CV including nationality, visa status if applicable, and undergraduate degree transcripts. Candidates with a strong CV may qualify for a supplementary admissions interview to support their academic application.

You will have a Bachelor’s degree with 2:1 classification or an international equivalent. International students that require an IELTS must have an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening, or recognised equivalent). Relevant academic experience in business, marketing or sport is desirable. Applicants should note that possession of the minimum entry criteria does not in itself guarantee admission.

Management/Senior Management/Executive Management