Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

This programme aims to develop the critical knowledge, understanding and skills that are required to work within the contemporary sport sector and wider sport-related fields. Specifically, it aims: 

• to provide students with an intellectually stimulating environment within which they can develop a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of the current issues in relation to sport management, politics and international development
• to develop students’ knowledge and critical understanding of the political and regulatory/business contexts within which sport operates, and the role of sport in management, politics and international development 
• to provide students with the professional skills, and intercultural and team-working proficiency necessary to compete in rapidly changing global sport and sport-related industries
• to equip students further with the capacities and skills to understand and address the challenges confronting sport and sport-related organisations at the global, national and local level
• via applied learning, to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for effective management in the public, private and third sectors within sport and sport-related fields.

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

QAA Subject Benchmarks for Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism

The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and critical awareness of:

K1 key concepts, theories and issues in a range of social science disciplines, and their application in sport and sport-related fields

K2  developments in sport management, sport politics, sport development, sport policy, sport media and sport markets

K3 the governance, politics, and regulation of sport and sport-related fields

K4 research design and methods in sport and sport-related fields

K5  the interrelationships between public, private and third sectors, at local, national and transnational levels, within sport and sport-related fields.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1  critically analyse and evaluate relevant theory with respect to sport and sport-related sectors, and make original applications of theory to personal professional practice

C2  critically analyse sport policies and politics and consider their implications for practice

C3  critically assess governance systems and regulatory frameworks, and examine the implications for management structures, strategies and practices, in sport and sport-related fields.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1  critically analyse and evaluate the strategy followed by an organisation

P2  demonstrate comprehensive skills in gathering evidence and critically applying relevant techniques of analysis with respect to sport and sport-related fields

P3  critically evaluate the effectiveness of public, private and third-sector policies and strategies, in sport and sport-related fields

P4  plan, design and execute a substantial piece of independent research relevant to Sport Management, Politics and International Development.

c. Key transferable skills:

As a result, on successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

T1 demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and to act autonomously in planning and organising personal learning, including in the analysis of individual learning needs and the management of time

T2  communicate clearly and effectively, orally, electronically and in writing, to a variety of specialist and non-specialist audiences

T3  use IT effectively as a learning and communication tool

T4  work confidently with quantitative and qualitative data in an appropriate and applied manner

T5 demonstrate sound intercultural awareness and communication skills while working independently or as part of a team.

4. Programme structure

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

Semester 2

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

Semester 2 & 3

Compulsory module (60 credits) 

Part-time students will normally take Research Methods and Skills for Sport Managers (PSP114) and the Project (PSP100) in the final year of study.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI

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

N/A