Sports Management & Development BA (Hons)

"Southampton was my first choice university and I have never regretted deciding to come here." - Final year student

Important information for 2010 applications

From October 2010 this programme will be incorporated into our Sport Studies BSc as a specialist pathway. Please see Sport Studies BSc (Hons) - UCAS Code LN32 for further information and contact us for further details.

The Sport Management and Development BA (Hons), a product of industry consultation, is a degree designed to meet the specific needs of industry as government policy and private choices continue to drive the expansion of community sport in the UK.

This degree is aimed at those students committed to the provision, development, management, and administration of sport. The degree is distinctive in drawing together management theory and business principles, and applying them to the study of sport. Financial management and marketing, facility planning and design, operations and human resource deployment, and policy development are explored in the context of government efforts to promote a healthier, more active and inclusive society. The degree investigates commercial aspects of sport, including advertising, product endorsement and other forms of sponsorship. It also reviews local and community agendas against a backdrop of globalisation and free market economics.

Accredited by the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM)

We have taken the questions that we are most frequently asked by prospective students and tried to answer them below. We hope you find everything you are looking for here, but if not then please do not hesitate to phone us or e-mail us with your queries.

Who will be teaching me?

Click on a name to follow the link to the staff pages where you can find out more about our specialisms and research interests.

Ian Hamilton

The programme embraces both practical and theoretical elements of sports organisation, as well as managerial strategies, development initiatives, and at grassroots level, the role and responsibilities of managers and development officers in the private, public, and voluntary sectors. The emphasis is upon practice and not pure theory, with students being encouraged to develop a keen awareness of how sporting agencies engage in both strategic thinking and policy implementation.

Level 1

Aims to arm students with the necessary skills and understanding to go out into the work place at the next level. Basic skills such as dealing with people, organising events and facility management are taught to enable students to get the most benefit from their work experience. Alongside this, students will learn how sport has evolved in this country in order to understand the diverse and complex nature of sporting agencies and organisations in the UK.

Level 2

Requires the student to develop skills in promoting, financially managing and developing facilities for sport and recreation activity. Work Placement opportunities provided through the Personal Development Planning Unit has the potential to acquaint students with a range of sport organisations and potential future employers.

Level 3

Units are designed to make sure that students enter the work place with current information in key aspects of sports management such as Sport and the Law and Policy and Strategy. All students are required to undertake a major piece of investigation (dissertation) in a topic area of their choice and a work based investigation. Other units allow students to study entrepreneurial aspects within sport and to engage with the operational requirements of managing a sports environment. Students are also supported towards their qualification for membership of the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management. (ISRM)

It should be noted that aspects of Health and Safety permeate all levels. This ensures that students are aware of important health and safety issues since managerial positions require individuals to be responsible for their work force and the general public. In addition Research Methods are taught throughout Levels 1 and 2 within several units to ensure students are well prepared for their Level 3 project work.

Level 1

• Management Models and Practices in Sport
• Sport in Society
• Critical Thinking and Researching Sport
• The Economic, Political and Structural Environment for Sport
• Managing People in Sport Organisations
• Introduction to Research Cultures
• Work and Consumer Psychology in Sport
• The Structure and Behaviour of Sport Organisations

Level 2

• Personal Development Planning
• Marketing of Sport Services
• Sports Development
• Accounting and Finance in Sport
• Operations Management in Sport
• Research Methods
• Entrepreneurial Management
• Sport in History

Level 3

• Project/dissertation
• The Olympic Games
• Sport and the Law
• Policy and Strategy in Sport
• Sport and the Environment
• New Venture Development
• Corporate Goverence

Students will be taught via a variety of approaches, but the emphasis will be very much upon presentation and problem solving, and assessment will reflect the importance of transferable skills. The level 3 independent study is an opportunity for students to engage in a sustained research exercise pertinent to their future career intentions.

However, students should be aware that this is a degree programme preparing students for a managerial vocation in sport, it is not a degree where students should expect to be physically active or engaged in their own sporting performance as part of their academic study. It is anticipated that personal sporting performance will be pursued in your spare time. There are ample opportunities to pursue sports through university clubs and societies as well as clubs in the local community.

Throughout the programme, you will experience a variety of teaching and learning activities. These are designed to help your development as an effective and autonomous learner, and to give you a range of skills. Additionally, these activities are designed to appeal to the diverse learning styles that students bring to the programme. There is an emphasis on practical application and tutor support during the early stages of the programme, and on autonomous and research-based activities in the later stages. The different methods include lectures, seminars, laboratory and other practical sessions, visits, guest speakers, self-reflection, and many more.

Assessment methods

As well as different teaching methods, we use a variety of assessment methods. Again, this is designed to help your overall development as an autonomous learner, and to encourage you to become increasingly sophisticated in your approach to the programme. Given your likely interest in entering sport-related work places, while also acknowledging the possible need for further study before entering the work place, the assessment strategy aims to assess both academic and employability skills. Wherever feasible assessments will aim to reflect real workplace scenarios and/or activities.

The emphasis on academic skills will be assessed mainly through the use of written assignments such as essays, business reports and examinations. The emphasis on employability skills will mainly be assessed through the use of presentations, group work, portfolios and posters.

Can I take any other qualifications whilst studying with you?

While there are no extra qualifications built into the units, you will have the chance to take additional awards on a fee-paying basis recognised by external professional bodies. If you wish to take advantage of this you will be able to enhance your CV and your marketability. Our degree course provides much of the theoretical and practical knowledge that you would need for vocational awards. There are various opportunities to take advantage of training courses that are often subsidised by the University and the Student Union.

What sports facilities and resources do you offer?

The University of Southampton has been designated an elite institution for the development of sporting potential, at national and international level. As a student here you will have access to the Jubilee Sports Centre, a state-of-the-art £8.5 million complex situated at the heart of the Highfield campus next to the Student Union. The University’s playing fields at Wide Lane complement this. Students are encouraged to make full use of university facilities, and to participate in a wide range of individual and team sports. To this end we do not teach on Wednesdays so that our sport students can always fully participate in inter-University sport, both home and away. A key feature of our sports centre is the six-lane 25m swimming pool and not far away in Southampton is the Southampton Diving Academy. Facilities for diving here at the Quays are some of the best in the south of England. There are two each of 1m and 3m springboards and 1m, 3m, 5m, 7.5m and 10m platforms, all suitable for competition at International level. Bubble-making machines give divers extra cushioning when they execute new dives. In addition there are excellent studio facilities, including a dry board and trampoline. Locally facilities and clubs for all sorts of water sports can be found in addition to all the sports clubs that our Students’ Union support, both on the water and on dry land.

Furthermore, our extensive on-campus University library provides superb learning facilities and resources including networked computers, books, videos, dvds, and paper/online journals. Power points are provided for you to plug in your own laptop computer and wire free access to the internet is available across campus. Computer facilities are freely accessible to all students.

What career might I enter with this degree?

The programme has several units which aim to introduce, develop, and extend your vocational skills. They will emphasise the application of theoretical knowledge and understanding to real sporting scenarios. Hence, you will be prepared to contribute professionally to the future direction of sport.

A wide variety of career options within the sport industry are available to successful Sports Management & Development graduates - management, marketing and promotion; sports development, administration and media. Potential employers include governing bodies of sport, local authorities, government agencies, private, charitable, and commercial institutions, and sport and exercise organisations. Graduate study is also a viable career route through a range of Masters programmes in sport, or a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education. With the Olympics on their way to us we can only see opportunities within sport expanding.

Attaining a degree demonstrates achievement of key skill at graduate level. This is acknowledged by employers, regardless of your degree’s subject matter. This means that many career opportunities outside the sports industry are available to you. For example, a number of our graduates go into such field as the armed services, the civil service, and the police, while others join non-sports companies on graduate management schemes.

Is this the right course for me?

Most of our students currently study on a full-time basis. The academic year starts in October and teaching normally takes place across two semesters. We teach 9 to 6 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays leaving your Wednesdays free to participate in University competitions and sporting activities such as BUSA. All our teaching takes place on the Highfield campus.

The programme conforms to the University’s Admissions Regulations and Practices. It will accept students with appropriate A-levels (or equivalent) and other recognised qualifications, such as BTEC, AVCE, and GNVQ. The University is committed to widening participation in higher education, and welcomes applications from people who have a wide range of qualifications, as well as past experience for mature applicants. The programme will also accept CATS points as evidence of study undertaken elsewhere for students who wish to transfer in above level 1. For example, students with an HND in sport may be able to gain direct entry to Year 2. The course accommodates a growing number of international students.

Additionally, it is desirable that you can show a strong interest in sport beyond your academic engagement with it. For example, we are looking for evidence of your participation as a player, volunteer, coach, manager, or administrator, and for suitable sporting coaching qualifications. We anticipate that you will add to your sport-related qualifications and experiences alongside your studies through the Personal Development Planning process.

Visit days

If you would like to know details of our next round of 'Visit Days' please contact us by email at eduginfo@soton.ac.uk or by telephoning us on 023 8059 7253.

Additional Information of Interest

See details of the UoS Sports Bursary Scheme by clicking here. Also check out our pages for Parents for relevant information on teaching, accommodation, finance, safety and an explanation of the application process.

The following entry requirements are normally applied. Tutors consider each application individually so offers may vary from the conditions stated below.

Typical Offer Points: 300

Qualifications Covered by the UCAS Tariff

Overall Tariff Points: BA (Hons) Managing and Developing Sport: 300 points preferably, but not exclusively, from 3 ‘A’ level subjects including B in either Sport Studies, PE or Business Studies (example offer: BBB)

Alternative Qualifications:

• AVCE: (Double Award) plus 1 ‘A’ level
• Scottish Highers: BBBBB
• IB: 32 points overall of which 15 at Higher
• BTEC Diploma : Distinction, Distinction, Merit
• Irish Leaving Certificate: BBBBBB
• Access: Successful completion of a kite-marked Access course
• Candidates over 21, not possessing any of the above qualifications will be considered on individual merit

The following entry requirements are normally applied.

Overall Tariff Points: BSc (Hons)Sports Management & Development: 300 points from 3 A’ level subjects (example offer: BBB). Tutors consider each application individually so offers may vary. We do not stipulate which A’ levels you should take but students presenting traditional subjects such as mathematics, English, chemistry, physics, biology, history, geography, foreign languages and business studies tend to be better grounded in the knowledge and key skills necessary for higher education studies in sport. Applicants from all A’ level backgrounds are welcome though.

Alternative Qualifications:

• AVCE: (Double Award) plus 1 ‘A’ level
• Scottish Highers: BBBBB
• IB: 32 points overall of which 15 at Higher
• BTEC Diploma : Distinction, Distinction, Merit
• Irish Leaving Certificate: BBBBBB
• Access: Successful completion of a kite-marked Access course
• Candidates over 21, not possessing any of the above qualifications will be considered on individual merit

Click here for Sports Management & Development (Hons) Application Form. UCAS is the central organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges and your first port of call if you are interested in attending a course in the UK. Details and information for international students are also found at that address.

*Details are correct at time of publishing, but subject to change.

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