Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The principal aim of the programme is to provide students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the complex and varied sport industry combined with knowledge and core skills in business, finance, marketing and management.

Specific programme aims are:    

• To develop students’ knowledge and understanding of key issues and themes in sport management through specialist study and research. 

• To provide students with an understanding of the social, economic and political context within which sport management takes place and the sport industry operates. 

• To develop students’ skills to research, analyse and synthesise scientific information to enable them to develop arguments, critically evaluate material, and conduct an independent piece of research relevant to sport management. 

• To develop students’ business knowledge and skills in marketing, economics, human resource management, and finance relevant to a career in sport management and the sport industry. 

• To provide students with opportunities to apply their business knowledge and skills to practical sport management-related activities and situations. 

• To equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills to develop and critically reflect upon professional practice and their own future personal development.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• QAA Subject Benchmark Statement Events, Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism
• QAA Subject Benchmark Statement Business and Management
• The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
• University Strategy (Educating for Success)

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: 

K1 sports organisations, the environment in which they operate and their management 

K2 sport, management and leisure provision for a wide-range of stakeholders through critical evaluation of both academic and professional practices relating to policy, planning management and delivery of sporting opportunities 

K3 the importance of the social, economic and political domains to explain the dynamic development and differentiation of sport and leisure in a global society 

K4 the importance of policy, planning and management to the delivery of sport and leisure opportunities 

K5 issues of lifestyle, consumption and culture, and their influence on people’s lives 

K6 the effects of sport, exercise and leisure interventions on individual and special populations 

K7 the fast rate of change in the environment in which sports organisations exist which impacts on the strategy, behaviour, management and sustainability of organisations (e.g. economic, environmental, cultural, ethical, legal and regulatory, political, sociological, digital and technological change).

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

C1 reflect critically on the central themes and issues in modules within the programme 

C2 critically assess and interpret evidence from data and text derived from sport management enquiry 

C3 present a reasoned argument to assess the merits of contrasting theories, explanations and instructional models relevant to sport management 

C4 relate theory to practice in sport management 

C5 review the social, political, economic and physical contexts relevant to sport management.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

P1 plan, design and execute a sustained piece of independent research relevant to sport management 

P2 monitor and evaluate sport and leisure activities in field settings drawing on their business skills and knowledge 

P3 undertake fieldwork efficiently and with due regard to safety and risk assessment 

P4 apply vocationally relevant concepts to the operation and strategic management of human, financial and physical resources.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

T1 demonstrate people management skills including communication, team building, leadership and motivating others 

T2 demonstrate the ability to generate, organise, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data effectively 

T3 demonstrate how research leads to evidence-based decision making 

T4 problem solve and engage in critical analysis, identifying, understanding, analysing and addressing problems relevant to managers 

T5 demonstrate commercial acumen showing awareness of key drivers for success, understanding failure and the importance of customer/consumer satisfaction/loyalty 

T6 communicate effectively and network, listen, negotiate, persuade, present arguments and develop contacts 

T7 work independently showing a willingness to accept responsibility, be flexible, resilient and be able to plan, organise and manage time 

T8 demonstrate self-reflection and awareness/sensitivity to diversity 

T9 show innovation, creativity and enterprise and act entrepreneurially to generate, develop and communicate ideas, manage and exploit intellectual property, gain support and deliver successful outcomes.

4. Programme structure

4.1     Part A  - Introductory Modules 

Compulsory and optional modules must be taken such that the total modular weight for the year is 120 credits, with a minimum modular weight of 50 in each semester.

 4.2     Part B - Degree Modules 

Compulsory and optional modules must be taken such that the total modular weight for the year is 120 credits, with a minimum modular weight of 50 in each semester. 

Part I (for programmes with DPS or DIntS only) 

4.3     Part C - Degree Modules 

Compulsory and optional modules must be taken such that the total modular weight for the year is 120 credits, with a minimum modular weight of 50 in each semester.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX and Regulation XI for programmes with DPS/DinTS (if applicable).

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. For this BSc (Hons) degree, the percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40%: Part C 60% to determine the final percentage mark.