COURSE IN DEPTH
Year One
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 140 credits):
International Sport Marketing and Sponsorship
20 credits
This module enables you to develop a thorough understanding of marketing in the international context of sport. Students will be able to develop and apply international marketing strategies across the international sport industry. Understanding the theory and application of international marketing in a cultural context is central to marketing in the industries contemporary nature.
Managing Finance and Budgets in International Sport
20 credits
The aim of this module is to develop your understanding of the financial objective and budget requirements of organisations within the international sport industry. The module covers topics such as financial statement analysis, budgeting, time value money, investment and sponsorship appraisal, working capital management, sources and choice of capital. You will be able to understand and apply key concepts and theories in finance and budgeting and assess these implications for a business within the international sport industry. The knowledge and skills developed in this module are essential for management careers in both the sport industry and the wider business field.
Strategy and Leadership in International Sport
20 credits
The aim of this module is to introduce the role of strategic development in an organisation. The module will cover the areas of strategic development to allow you as a manager to analyse, choose and implement sound strategic decisions within the context of international sports organisations. Furthermore, you will understand how scientific data plays a vital role on strategy formulation across organisations in the global sports context. You will learn to consider both the internal and external environments of international sport organisations in order to strategically mange organisational change and leadership.
Big Data Analytics
20 credits
This module will equip you with the practical, and very important, skills required to analytically work with big data (scientific) sets, understand them, then utilise them to formulate organisational strategy within the context of international sports.
This module will specifically identify sport consumer behaviour theory to underpin the focus of the data sets. Relevant literature will be explored, with a consistent view of the importance in applying theory and planning in the practical sport setting. Students will be required to identify information requirements, design key measurement tools and techniques, collect data, analyse and process the data, into key findings in a report and presentation. All of this being in mind of ethical and integrity issues with scientific data.
Managing International Sporting Events
20 credits
The aim of this module is to provide you with an in depth knowledge into the skills and theory required to successfully manage international sporting events. These skills include; strategic planning, human resource management, leadership, sport media and performance management.
The module is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops in which you will be expected to contribute. Case studies from around the world and presentations will be employed to highlight current events and trends in each session and where possible, guest lectures and industry experts will be utilised.
Major Project
40 credits
The dissertation provides the practical and theoretical focus for your MSc and is the culmination of the programme of study that requires you to undertake a piece of independent research that links theory to practice. The research study must have an International Sport Management focus and be appropriate to your career aspirations. Through close supervision, you will develop skills in; the scope and nature of the dissertation; how to formulate an appropriate research proposal with clear aims and objectives; the practice of primary and secondary research; developing and implementing an appropriate research design and project plan; how to structure and present professionally a large scale document that presents substantive research results and Harvard referencing.
The allocation of supervisors will take place on completion of the research methods sessions. Once you have been allocated a supervisor, the supervisor will guide you in developing a research proposal. The proposal forms the basis for the dissertation and will allow you to work with your supervisors at regular one-to-one meetings.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules:
Crisis Management in International Sport
20 credits
The aim of this module is to evaluate and predict the potential crisis’ that can impact upon sporting events. Furthermore, the module equips you with the tools to manage different crisis situations within a sport context. This module considers different types of crisis including technological, financial, natural, terrorism, deception, reputation and organisational misconduct.
Critical Issues, Law and CSR in International Sport
20 credits
The aim of this module is to provide you with an in depth understanding of the ever-growing importance and prevalence of corporate social responsibility and the law for international sport managers. This module will consider the skills and knowledge necessary for sport managers when developing CSR in sport, utilising the roles of staff, athletes and customers/fans alike. The key areas and theories will be considered from a international perspective highlighting cultural impacts present.
Managing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in International Sport
20 credits
The aim of this module is to provide you with an in depth insight into the ever-growing importance and prevalence of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in international sport. This module will consider the skills and knowledge necessary for sport managers when aiming for equality, diversity and inclusion of staff, athletes and customers/fans alike. Contemporary issues within EDI will underpin this module in order to develop best practice for future positions. Key groups which will be addressed in detail include; gender, race, sexual orientation, disability and culture.
Esports Management
20 credits
Esports has become one of the world’s most exciting entertainment trends with a recent industry report stating that the industry is expected to be worth $1.7 billion by 2021, growing at a rate of 18.4% per year. With an online global audience in 2019 reaching just under 500 million, the sector is also regularly filling stadiums with esports fans gathering at mega events.
Spectator numbers are beginning to rival traditional sports tournaments such as the Super Bowl in the US - last year’s League Of Legends World Championship in South Korea attracted 99.6 million unique viewers for the live final for example. The continuing commercialisation and monetisation of competitive gaming brings a number of contemporary issues that need to be addressed in order to ensure the longevity of the industry.
Strategic Brand and Communications Management
20 credits
This module examines the management concepts and practices related to product and service branding, specifically the detailed underpinning necessary to understand the building blocks of brand management and building brand equity. The module also provides the skills needed to critically analyse, evaluate and create an integrated marketing communications plan. It explores the importance of effective internal and external communications in building sustainable relationships and delivering customer value within an international context.
The module provides the opportunity to recognise the importance of communications planning in delivering marketing solutions. It outlines the components of the marketing communications mix and key elements of integrated marketing communications (IMC) planning and project management. As such the module is essential to developing a professional marketing competency contributing directly to the Marketing pathway and the core vision of the programme.
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
