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Study information

Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year

MSc Sports Management

1. Programme Details

Programme nameMSc Sports Management Programme codePTS1SHSSBE01
Study mode(s) Academic year2023/4
Campus(es)Streatham (Exeter)
St Luke's (Exeter)
NQF Level of the Final Award7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

The programme is delivered by two leading departments at the University. You will benefit from the considerable expertise of both the University’s Business School and Public Health and Sport Sciences department, so that a wide array of contemporarily important concepts in Sports Management can be explored from a powerful, multi-disciplinary perspective. The programme is designed for students who have a foundation in sports and want to learn about the commercial and strategic side of the industry, as well as those who have some background in business and management and want to specialise in the unique aspects of the sports industry.

The modular nature of the programme will provide you with the opportunity to develop and specialise your skillset by following an Academic Dissertation specialism or a Business Plan specialism. The programme provides you with a unique opportunity to tailor your leadership and management potential across a diverse, dynamic, and growing lobal sports industry. Modules in management, leadership and strategy, and international sports policy, governance, and sustainability, provide the essential foundations and structure to the programme. This is supported by an extensive and varied suite of additional modules covering sport, health and exercise sciences through to human resources, marketing, business planning and entrepreneurship. This multi-disciplinary approach, allows you to focus on specific academic sport and business interests and career aspirations, whilst developing and harnessing a top-table, strategic perspective. Furthermore, the programme benefits from links with external partners across the breadth of the sporting industry to give real-world insight to the curriculum.

The sports industry continues to grow and diversify, and the MSc in Sports Management has been designed to ensure you are agile, innovative, and responsive to a changing world, and that you are confident and skilled to lead from the front.

The programme is split between the St Luke’s and Streatham Campus, both of which are in the heart of Exeter, and each providing a unique setting for your student experience. St Luke’s campus has a longstanding focus on research in exercise, sport, medicine and health, with a vibrant student community. The Business School is situated on the larger, Streatham Campus, alongside the Guild and multi-million pound Sports Park.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

The aims and learning outcomes for this programme are aligned to FHEQ Level 7 descriptors from the QAA Benchmark Statement for Master’s Degrees and the recognised sector standards (Office for Students revised May 2022).

The MSc Sport Management aligns to the University of Exeter’s purpose and vision and aims to empower you through education and research across the global sports industry, to contribute to a sustainable, healthy, inclusive, and socially just future. The course will provide you with a comprehensive and contemporary programme of study, providing you with the knowledge and skills to critically explore the power and synergy between sport and exercise sciences, health and wellbeing and the underpinning business and management environment. Through the programme you will contribute to a strong interdisciplinary culture focused on the field of sports management, operationally, strategically and to inform policy and practice across the public, private and third sectors. The programme will develop you critically, allowing you to synthesise and reflect on theory, concepts, and information across the spectrum of the sports industry, to create knowledge, make discoveries and provide innovative and pioneering solutions through research and the production of professional business plans.

This programme intends to develop you academically and professionally so that you can demonstrate:

  • a systematic understanding of sports management knowledge, and a critical awareness of contemporary issues and research, across the breadth of the industry, as they relate to theory, concepts and principles underpinning professional practice in sports management
  • a comprehensive and critical understanding of techniques applicable to your own research, advanced scholarship and/or professional business planning, in the field of sports management, locally, nationally and from a global perspective
  • originality in the application of sports management knowledge to key strategic drivers across the industry, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge and which informs sports policy and practice, operationally and strategically

The programme allows you flexibility to explore individual professions across the sports industry whilst developing essential, transferable management skills, knowledge, and strategic expertise, as future pioneers, and leaders in the field.

Teaching, learning and assessment in the programme will integrate theory and practice by a variety of methods and situations which are appropriate, supportive, and inclusive in design, to engage and inspire you. You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, and workshops on and off campus, supported by creative and interactive guided and independent learning through digital, virtual technology and associated resources. Your learning and assessments will be enhanced (*dependent on your option module selection) with authentic or experiential learning opportunities, employer or organisation-based case studies, sport management ‘real world’ projects and associated simulations, field work, virtual forums, study trips and practical activities, utilising world class teaching laboratories and state of the art sports facilities offering the highest quality training environments and resources for the development, coaching and playing of sport). Employer engagement and industry networking across the sports industry will be fully encouraged to enhance your learning and maximise professional industry connections for future career progression.

*dependent on module options, logistics and industry access and availability

4. Programme Structure

The MSc Sports Management is a one-year full-time programme of study at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme consists of a single stage, delivered over one academic year.

The University will confer an 'exit award' of PGCert (60 credits) or PGDiploma (120 credits) to students who have successfully completed a defined portion of the programme but who are unwilling or unable to pursue it to completion. The full characteristics of these awards are outlined in the Credit and Qualifications Framework.

 

5. Programme Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.

The following table describes the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the Faculty website:

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/sport/management/

You may take optional modules as long as any necessary pre/corequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

Guidance in option module selection
When selecting module options, you are advised to consider several factors to maximise your learning potential. Ask yourself, ‘what career aspirations do I have?’

  • Sports background – wishing to develop business and management disciplines
  • Consider a suite of modules from the Business School which broaden and develop your knowledge and expertise so that you can take your sporting knowledge and skills to a strategic management level, and/or to aid you to start your own business/enterprise.
  • Sports background - wishing to progress sport, health and wellbeing and exercise science disciplines
  • Consider modules from the Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences which are progressive and build on your undergraduate course and existing skills in sport and exercise science and related disciplines. The compulsory modules will compliment this through essential underpinning management content.
  • Business and management background – wishing to develop sport, health and wellbeing and exercise sciences disciplines
  • Your ability to pursue option modules within the Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences will be dependent on prior knowledge and skills and would normally require a foundation in sport and exercise sciences at undergraduate level or equivalent.

You should also consider how your option modules and career aspirations inform your decision to pursue the Academic Dissertation route or the Business Planning route. It is likely that if you wish to pursue the Business Planning route, then more business and management option modules would be beneficial to help prepare you.

When selecting option modules you should also consider the balance in workload from Term 1 and Term 2 as well as whether the module is 15 or 30 credits. The programme is purposely designed to offer flexibility to best fit your individual needs and aspirations.

 

Stage 1


Compulsory Modules

60 credits of compulsory modules, 120 credits of optional modules.

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
SHSM039 Sport Management, Leadership and Strategy 30Yes
HRMMxxx International Sport Policy,Governance and Contemporary Issues 30Yes

Optional Modules

Students must choose one of two routes:

Academic Dissertation Route
SHSM030 Research Methods and Analytical Proceduresa (15 credits)
SHSM041 Sport Management Dissertationa (30 credits)

Business Plan Route
BEMM789 Sports Management Business Plan (30 credits)
Plus additional option (15 credits)

aSelect these modules if you wish to pursue the Academic Dissertation route
bSelect these modules if you wish to pursue the Business Plan route
cThese modules require students to have a foundation in sport and exercise sciences at undergraduate level or equivalent.

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
SHSM041 Sport Management Dissertation (a)30No
BEMM789 Sports Management Business Plan (b)30No
BEMM178 Innovation Management 15No
BEMM394 Entrepreneurship: New Venture Creation 15No
BEMM059 International Human Resource Management 15No
BEMM148 Marketing Strategy 15No
BEMM120 Understanding Consumer Behaviour 15No
BEMM068 Managing Competitive Strategy 15No
BEMM118 Strategic Innovation Management 15No
BEMM071 Leadership and Global Challenges 15No
BEMM128 Brand Design 15No
BEMM786 Service Design and Innovation 15No
SHSM035 Introduction to Sport and Exercise Medicine 15No
SHSM030 Research Methods and Analytical Procedures (c)15No
SHSM023 Current Issues in Sport and Exercise Psychology (c)30No
SHSM022 Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease (c)30No
SHSM036 Preparation, Pitch, Rehabilitation (c)15No
SHSM014 Paediatric Exercise and Health (c)30No
SHSM006 Laboratory Techniques in Physiology (c)30No
SHSM005 Biomechanical Aspects of Lower Limb Injury (c)30No

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

1. demonstrate a systematic understanding of sports management knowledge, and a critical awareness of contemporary issues and research, across the breadth of the industry, as they related to theory, concepts and principles underpinning professional practice in sports management
2. apply a comprehensive and critical understanding of techniques relevant to research and scholarly activity in the field of sports management, locally, nationally and from a global perspective
3. show originality in the application of sports management knowledge to key strategic drivers across the industry, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge and which informs sports policy and practice, operationally and strategically

ILO’s A1-3:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars and workshops
  • Directed reading/guided learning
  • Use of ELE
  • Independent study
  • Group work
  • Discussion and debate
  • Case study research
  • Formative assessment and feedback
  • Independent research (for dissertation or business plan)

ILO’s A1-3:

  • Essays
  • Reports
  • Oral presentations
  • Poster illustrations
  • Examinations (some module options)
  • Dissertation or business plan

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

4. evaluate critically, current sports management research and advanced scholarship across the breadth of the sports industry, at operational and strategic level
5. evaluate and critique methodologies in sports management research or business planning, and, where appropriate, propose new hypotheses and/or proposals to respond to changing global sports contexts across the public, private and third sectors

ILO’s B4-5:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars and workshops
  • Directed reading/guided learning
  • Use of ELE
  • Independent study
  • Group work
  • Discussion and debate
  • Case study research
  • Formative assessment and feedback
  • Independent research (for dissertation or business plan)

ILO’s B4:

  • Essays
  • Reports
  • Oral presentations
  • Poster illustrations
  • Examinations (some module options)

ILO B4 & B5:

  • Dissertation or business plan

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

6. synthesise complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements on available data and associated evidence, and communicate conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist stakeholders (and wider audiences) across the sport management industry
7. demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems with innovation and creativity, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level within the field of sports management
8. advance your sports industry knowledge and understanding, and develop new management skills to a high level, operationally and strategically
9. display initiative and personal responsibility
10. demonstrate decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
11. show independent learning ability required for continuing professional development

ILO’s C6-11:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars and workshops
  • Directed reading/guided learning
  • Use of ELE
  • Independent study
  • Group work
  • Discussion and debate
  • Case study research
  • Formative assessment and feedback
  • Independent research (for dissertation or business plan)

ILO’s C6-11:

  • Essays
  • Reports
  • Oral presentations
  • Poster illustrations
  • Examinations (some module options)
  • Dissertation or business plan

7. Programme Regulations

Classification

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

Personal and Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Faculties have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff. PHSS is the ‘home’ discipline for Sports Management students and each student will be allocated a Personal Tutor in SHS on arrival and they will also be given a point of contact in Business School should they need to seek advice specific to Management. Students can also expect reasonable access to all teaching staff for academic tutorials through appointments. In addition there is a Programme Director who will offer support and advice to all students on a programme and a dedicated careers and employability tutor to co-ordinate the interaction between the student, careers service and the discipline.

In addition, students are provided with

  • Library induction sessions
  • Online module guides
  • Access to Discipline Disability Officers

Learning Resources: Sports Management students will use both the St. Luke’s and Streatham Campus Libraries for access to designated books and journals and they will also be able to access additional resources for individual modules (lecture notes, quizzes, assessment feedback, etc) via the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE).

Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision. The SSLC in PHSS meets termly and is chaired by a student representative.

The University is committed to decolonising the curriculum and a toolkit and associated guidance is adopted by academic staff to ensure that it is embedded throughout the MSc Sports Management programme. The toolkit offers a set of guiding points, key references, reflexive questions and practical ideas to think about curriculum development from an antiracist and decolonial lens. The MSc Sports Management programme will apply decolonisation to a wide range of avenues to shape curriculum development, knowledge production and pedagogical practices. This will include decentering Western knowledge by including marginalised epistemologies such as the inclusion of non-white authors in reading lists and exploring global sports case studies from diverse perspectives. The toolkit is the result of developing and sustaining healthy relationships with staff and students to cultivate a nuanced understanding of decolonisation grounded in on-going conversations.

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.

10. Admissions Criteria

Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.

Applicants to this programme must have a minimum 2:1 or equivalent. We do consider all applications where there is evidence of exceptional performance in modules relevant to the programme of study, significant relevant work experience or professional qualifications. Applicants wishing to select option modules within the Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences must have a foundation in sport and exercise sciences at undergraduate level or equivalent.

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

(Quality Review Framework.

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

Not applicable to this programme.

18. Final Award

MSc Sports Management

19. UCAS Code

Not applicable to this programme.

20. NQF Level of Final Award

7 (Masters)

21. Credit

CATS credits

180

ECTS credits

90

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Origin Date

08/03/2023

Date of last revision