探花系列

Entry requirements

Degree:

Honours degree (2:2 or higher) or postgraduate diploma

Further entry requirements may apply

Key facts

Study mode:

Full-time, Part-time


Start dates:

September, January (One year full-time, two years part-time)


Fees:

2027/28 tuition fees for UK students: £10,400

Overview

Our well-established Sports History and Culture distance-learning MA will give you a firm grounding in the development of modern sport, from its traditional forms to present-day practices. This is a flexible and interactive programme that, thanks to its close links with the International Centre for Sports History and Culture (ICSHC), ensures your learning is at the cutting edge of research in this area.

You will investigate the origins of modern sport, examine its cultural and global significance, discover how sport can help us understand society and different communities, as well as consider how historians of sport can use primary sources. The scope of the course is global, not only analysing how modern sport spread from its British origins but also how other nations embraced sport within their own cultural contexts.

The course is set up in such a way as to allow you to personalise your study. Though there are multiple core elements, all students have a choice of module options, select where and when to undertake certain assignments within their chosen study pathway and can customise essays and, especially, dissertation topics to reflect their interests.

In this fully online MA degree, module materials such as written lectures and related reading and tasks are all placed in our Virtual Learning Environment – Learning Zone – at regular intervals. Though course staff will offer broad recommendations on when certain module tasks should be completed, and while there are set assignment deadlines to work towards, students have a great degree of freedom over how they approach and organise their study.

Though it is a distance-learning degree, course staff are easily accessible through video/phone calls and tutorials, email communication and, where practicable, in-person. You will also be invited to attend numerous seminars and conferences, such as those organised by the ICSHC and partnership groups such as the British Society of Sports History and the European Committee for Sports History. These partnerships, coupled with our academic team’s expertise and real-world experience, will provide you with a challenging and rewarding intellectual experience.

Alongside gaining a deep understanding of the history of sport, you will develop skills in independent research by producing sustained pieces of writing and primary source analysis assignments. As a graduate, you will be ideally placed for a career in sports writing, sport development, management, the media, teaching or to undertake PhD research.

Full-time students complete the MA in one year (October–September), while part-time students complete the MA over two years. Both routes lead to the same MA award and involve the same modules and assessments.

Find out more about distance learning on this course

Talk to our course team

If you would like to find out more about how this course can help you achieve your career ambitions, send a message to our course team lead Dr Dave Dee, who would be happy to chat to you. Alternatively, you can register for our next postgraduate event or call our course enquirers team on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70 / WhatsApp: 0797 0655 800.

What you will study

Year 1

Postgraduate Certificate students will take any two of the following modules.

Postgraduate Diploma students will take all four modules.

Block 1: International Sport: Events, Governance, and Ethics

This module introduces you to the contemporary landscape in global sport, focusing on mega-events, governance, and ethics. It will use historical and contemporary approaches and will, while teaching you about structures, governance, management, and commercial aspects, encourage critical thinking on political, social, cultural, and economic lines. Ongoing crises in international and national sport, ranging from doping and match-fixing to alleged corruption in governing bodies, mean that no individual within the sport industry can ignore the issue of ethics. It will consider the creation of national and international sport structures and the boom in major sporting events. The module addresses the historical perspective on how these events have emerged and how they link to the different contexts in which they have flourished before moving into critical contemporary analysis of existing events.

The module considers events through the bidding and hosting processes, infrastructure, security, marketing, media rights, volunteering, and legacies. It also examines the legal and organisational frameworks for sport and explores a range of thematic case studies of problematic areas in sport, such as doping, violence, discrimination, child protection, the environment, and transgender and human rights. By exploring these issues in a critical academic way, informed by historical and contemporary perspectives, you will develop a clear sense of the challenges facing contemporary sport and an agenda for maintaining excellence and reforming problematic areas. This module will include visits, e.g., to the London Olympic Park.

You will be assessed through producing a 10-minute podcast which critically analyses the career highs and lows of a high-profile sports administrator of their choice, and will also write a 3,000-word essay on an ethical issue in sport.

Block 2: Marketing Principles in Sport and Cultural Event Contexts

This module provides you with knowledge and understanding of key marketing principles and how to apply them to sport and cultural events in national and global contexts. You will begin to explore, understand and debate key marketing concepts and relate them both to global sport and cultural event organisations and future opportunities.

Specifically, the module covers a variety of traditional marketing concepts, such as the marketing environment, segmentation, targeting and positioning, the marketing mix, marketing communications, sponsorship and branding, and consumer and audience behaviour. It also provides you with programme-specific content related to marketing in sporting and cultural events within national and global contexts to allow specialist exploration of programme areas. Examples from both international and local sport and cultural event organisations are drawn upon to help you understand the industries.

Assessment is through a Report plus Infographic (1,500 words plus infographic) and Marketing Report (2,000 words).

Block 3: Sport Heritage

Sporting heritage is a growing phenomenon and an important part of sport organisations’ communication activities. Increasing numbers of sport organisations and clubs are developing ways of showcasing their history and heritage, through such avenues as halls of fame, museums, stadium tours, and heritage-based merchandise, alongside social media and digital mediums. In addition, the non-sporting heritage industry at local and national levels is increasingly taking note of sport, and is promoting sporting heritage through museum displays, commemorative plaques, and sports-themed tourist activities. This module will critically explore the development of this phenomenon, linking it to the diversification of the heritage industry, and to sports' and clubs' quest for legacy as part of their identity and brand. It will begin by asking what sport heritage is, and by examining the academic, cultural, and commercial frameworks within which sport heritage functions. The module will then consider various themes in sport heritage, including museums and halls of fame, heritage tourism, and heritage-based merchandise.

The module will include, when permissible, visits to key sport sites and museums so that you can experience hands-on the ways in which heritage is presented and promoted. As sport heritage involves wide-ranging communication with the public, this module will therefore also introduce you to various communication strategies utilised by sport organisations, venues, and events, and examine how sport entities communicate their heritage to the public through various platforms. Class activities and the assessment will help you develop the communication skills used by sport industry professionals.

You will conduct heritage research to develop material from the perspective of a sport organisation using archival materials and photographs. You will design and create this assignment using Adobe Creative Cloud, identifying the appropriate materials and photographs, and you will write 1,000–2,000 words on their assigned topic from the heritage project.

Block 4: Events Leadership

This module provides you with the tools to make a critical investigation of the context in which cultural, sporting and commercial events operate in contemporary Britain and globally, alongside issues of leadership and development support that are required for an evolving sector. It explores the needs of individuals leading events management organisations, and the skills required to motivate, manage and organise staff and other stakeholders to create excellent events. The module also incorporates the study of some operational elements of event leadership in practice such as event delivery

You will write an essay (3,000 words) in which they critically evaluate contemporary events leadership issues and either give a 15-minute presentation or produce a digital Professional Portfolio.

Contact hours

You will normally attend around 12 hours of timetabled taught sessions including lectures, tutorials, workshop and studio sessions each week. You are also expected to undertake around 23 hours of independent study each week. Your precise timetable will depend on the modules timetabled each week.

In addition, each module provides a 2-hour surgery each week for individual consultation with the lecturer. You may also have some scheduled meetings with your programme leader and personal tutor throughout the year to discuss your academic progress and personal development.

Self-directed study: In order to prepare for, and assimilate, the work in lectures and seminars you will be expected to source and read relevant journal articles, book chapters and industry publications, available through our online learning resources, and to actively participate in class discussions. The time allocated for independent study, revision and reflection is approximately 23 hours per week.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Why choose 探花系列?

Your future career

The sport industry is dynamic and fast-moving, with a variety of exciting career opportunities. Through guest speakers, site visits and industry experience, you will discover the broad range of roles that are available and position yourself to pursue your chosen path. The course has employability skills specific to the sport industry embedded in the curriculum, alongside opportunities to gain hands-on experience with sport organisations and businesses.

Graduates will be ideally placed to work within governing bodies, federations, clubs, sponsors, marketing organisations, the media, public relations, local and central government, or legacy and heritage organisations.

Jake Wells secured a role as a partnership delivery executive at Leicester Tigers after impressing the club during his fieldwork there. He said: “Throughout the Master’s we have group activities working with real-life companies and pitching a marketing strategy to a business owner. Experiences like that really helped me prepare for the fieldwork and built my confidence. Read Jake's story.

Careers and employability

An award-winning Careers Team, the #1 UK university for careers support (TargetJobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards, 2024), we provide you with all the support you need.

Our careers commitment doesn’t end at graduation. With , you’ll have access to lifelong career support throughout your entire career.

How we support you

Unlimited one-to-one careers coaching

Get tailored advice and guidance from our expert careers advisors whenever you need it.

Professional development programme

Boost your employability with workshops, bootcamps, training sessions, and employer-led events.

Inside Edge Mentoring

Connect with professionals from dynamic industries to expand your career insight, network and knowledge of the world of work.

24/7 access to digital employability tools

Access LinkedIn Learning, personalised CV feedback, mock interviews and more – anytime, anywhere.

Entrepreneurship support

Bring your business ideas to life with events, networking opportunities, expert speakers, workshops and links to funding opportunities.

Job search assistance

Get support finding part-time work, placements, internships and graduate jobs.

Employability projects and placements

Gain real-world experience through academic business consultancy projects or work placements (course-dependent).

Industry-informed teaching

Learn from real-world experience and academics, guest lecturers and business leaders who share their industry expertise.

Discover postgraduate careers

Fees and funding

UK and Channel Island students

2027/28 tuition fees for UK students: £10,400

Funding

Postgraduate Master's Loan (Student Loans Company)

A Postgraduate Master’s Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master’s course.

Funding for postgraduate loans is different if:

  • you normally live in Scotland
  • you normally live in Wales
  • you normally live in Northern Ireland

Additional postgraduate loans and grants

Sir Thomas White Loans Charity

Applicants may be able to borrow up to £10,000 interest-free for 9 years from the for postgraduate study. Applicants must be resident in Leicestershire or Rutland for more than three years and be aged over 18 years old and under 45 years old.

Telephone number for Sir Thomas White Loans Charity: +44 (0)116 204 6620

Sir Harry James Riddleston Charity of Leicester

Applicants may be able to borrow up to £10,000 interest-free for five to 10 years for business, vocational or education purposes from the . You must be aged over 18 and under 45 and reside in Leicestershire or Rutland.

Telephone number for Sir Harry Riddleston Charity of Leicester: +44 (0)1858 463322

Educational grants, trusts and charities

Some educational trusts and charities provide small grants to help towards books, fees or equipment. There are several searchable online Grants databases such as .

Funds for women graduates

offer grants towards living expenses for the final year of a PhD or DPhil for UK, EU or international students.

Going to university represents a real investment in your future and there is plenty of financial support available to students for both tuition fees and living expenses.

Find out more about funding

Additional costs

The core textbooks for all modules are available in the Kimberlin Library, and journal articles in your reading lists are also mostly available electronically from your my探花系列 login.

Some students like to purchase their own text books or print course documents and we suggest allowing approximately £200 per year for this.

All students are required to pay for their DBS check if required for your programme or placement.

In addition, students will be required to pay for their travel costs to placements or project locations.

All students are provided the opportunity to participate in 探花系列 Global trips. These trips are subsidised by the University, and the cost and subsidy vary by location.

Scholarships

20% Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

This scholarship provides 探花系列 graduates with an exclusive tuition fee discount of 20 per cent. The discount is available on selected full-time, part-time and distance learning postgraduate taught courses running across multiple start dates.

Read more about the Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship
20% Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

Entry requirements

Degree:

Honours degree (2:2 or higher) or postgraduate diploma

You should have the equivalent or above of a 2.2 UK Bachelor’s Honours degree in a business management, marketing, media, event management, sport (any discipline: management, coaching, science) or humanities related subject.

If you have other professional qualifications and industry experience, we will consider your application on an individual basis.

Interview

Non-standard applicants will be invited to attend an online interview with the academic team.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Key facts

Course title

Sport Management PG Dip/PG Cert

Award

PG Dip, PG Cert

Programme code

September: N88071, January: N88081

Study mode

Full-time, Part-time

Study level

Postgraduate

Start dates

September, January

Duration

One year full-time, two years part-time

How to apply

Home/UK students

Save these details for your application
Programme title:
Sport Management PG Dip/PG Cert PG Dip, PG Cert
Programme code:
September: N88071, January: N88081

You can apply using the 探花系列 Application Portal. This method allows you to save, revisit and review your application before submitting it at any time of the day.

The following should be submitted with the application form:

  • Where required, one current reference on official headed paper or from a professional email address. This can be a work or academic reference and must be signed and recently dated
  • Copies of your academic transcripts
  • Copies of your degree or diploma certificates
  • Your personal statement