MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Biomechanics
St Mary's University Twickenham, London, offers a highly regarded MSc Applied Sport...
BSc (Hons) Sports Communications and Marketing (with a Placement Year)
Twickenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BSc (Hons) Sports Communications and Marketing (with a Placement Year) at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, is an immersive four-year undergraduate degree designed to thoroughly equip students with the critical insights and cutting-edge digital skills essential for success in the dynamic sports communications and marketing sector. This program integrates the core principles of marketing and communication with a specific focus on the vibrant sports industry. Students will develop strategic, creative, and ethical approaches to effectively engage sports audiences, consumers, and fans across various platforms. A distinguishing feature is the compulsory year-long professional placement, typically undertaken between the second and final academic years. This invaluable practical experience allows students to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world sports marketing and communications environments, gain significant industry insights, and build crucial professional networks. St. Mary's advantageous location near London, a global hub for sports business and media, provides unparalleled access to industry opportunities.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the BSc (Hons) Sports Communications and Marketing (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's is structured to provide a progressive and comprehensive understanding of marketing and communication fundamentals, tailored specifically to the sports industry. In the initial year, students build foundational knowledge through core modules such as "Media and Communications: Past, Present, Future," "Understanding Marketing," "Ethics, Communication, and Professionalism," "Consumer Insight, Behaviour, and Engagement," and "Data and Digital Marketing," alongside an "Introduction to the Sports Industry." The second year deepens this understanding with core modules including "Branding and Brand Management," "Research Methods," and "Marketing Strategy and Implementation," complemented by practical skills-focused modules like "Digital Content Creation I & II" and "Sports Sponsorship and Promotion." The third year is dedicated entirely to the compulsory "Placement Year," offering immersive professional experience. The final academic year culminates in a significant "Independent Study Project" and includes core modules such as "Sports Journalism and Media Relations" and "Ethics in Communications and Marketing," with optional modules potentially covering "Managing Sports Events," "Consultancy Project," or "Entrepreneurial and Online Journalism," allowing for specialized development.
Research Focus: The BSc (Hons) Sports Communications and Marketing (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University is deeply informed by a commitment to research-led teaching, with academic staff actively contributing to the understanding of contemporary challenges and opportunities within the sports communication and marketing landscape. While a specific dedicated research centre solely for this program may not be explicitly highlighted, the faculty actively engages in research across various facets of marketing, digital communications, consumer behaviour, and media studies, with a strong emphasis on their application within the sports industry. Students are strongly encouraged to develop critical thinking and data analysis skills, culminating in their final year "Independent Study Project." This project provides a key opportunity for students to conduct original research on topics such as the impact of social media on sports fan engagement, the effectiveness of sports sponsorships, or brand loyalty within sports, thereby contributing to the evolving knowledge base of the field, often inspired by insights gained during their placement year.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a paramount and integral component of the BSc (Hons) Sports Communications and Marketing (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University, strategically designed to provide invaluable practical experience and significantly enhance graduate employability. The program's defining feature is the compulsory year-long industrial placement, typically undertaken between the second and final academic years. St. Mary's has cultivated robust relationships with leading sports communications and marketing companies, media organisations, and sports bodies in London and beyond, creating extensive opportunities for students to gain substantial real-world experience. The university's dedicated Employability Service and placement teams actively support students in securing suitable roles, which can include working with professional sports clubs, sports agencies, media broadcasters (like Sky Sports), or major event organisers. This immersive hands-on involvement, combined with regular guest lectures and workshops from prominent industry professionals and field trips to iconic sports venues, ensures the curriculum remains highly relevant to current industry demands and effectively prepares students for professional roles upon graduation.
Global Perspective: The BSc (Hons) Sports Communications and Marketing (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University inherently embraces a comprehensive global perspective, acknowledging the intrinsically international nature of the sports industry. The curriculum delves into worldwide trends in sports consumption, media distribution, brand management, and marketing strategies, providing students with an understanding of diverse international sporting events, global sports franchises, and the challenges and opportunities of communicating and marketing across varied cultural contexts. Discussions frequently encompass global fan bases, the profound influence of international sponsorships, and the ethical considerations pertinent to sports communication on a global scale. This expansive outlook, significantly enriched by the practical exposure gained during the placement year (which could potentially involve international experiences or interactions with globally diverse teams/audiences), combined with the university's location in London—a vibrant, multicultural, and globally connected city—thoroughly prepares graduates to operate effectively within the interconnected global sports market, capable of engaging with diverse audiences and making meaningful contributions to international sports organisations.
Location
Twickenham
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 17100
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 70% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 55.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
St. Mary’s University Twickenham offers a variety of scholarships to support international students in financing their education and rewarding academic achievement. These scholarships are designed to ease the financial burden and recognize the talents and hard work of students coming from all over the world.
International Student Scholarships: St. Mary’s provides International Student Scholarships for students from a range of countries. These scholarships are typically partial fee reductions, aimed at making education more affordable. Eligible students are selected based on academic merit, financial need, and their potential to contribute to the university community. The scholarships are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards available to international students at St. Mary’s University. This scholarship offers a significant reduction in tuition fees for high-achieving students, with eligibility determined by academic performance and specific course requirements. Students from a variety of regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are encouraged to apply for this highly competitive scholarship.
Country-Specific Scholarships: In addition to general international scholarships, St. Mary’s offers country-specific scholarships for students from certain regions. These scholarships provide additional financial assistance and are designed to support students from areas where educational opportunities may be limited. International students from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas are often eligible for these specialized scholarships.
Sports Scholarships: For students excelling in sports, St. Mary’s University provides Sports Scholarships. These awards are available to talented athletes who demonstrate the potential to represent the university in competitive sports. Sports scholars benefit from personalized coaching, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and financial support to help balance academic and athletic commitments.
The BSc (Hons) Sports Communications and Marketing (with a Placement Year) at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, offers a highly practical and comprehensive education that fully prepares graduates for impactful careers in the dynamic sports industry. This four-year program seamlessly integrates core marketing and communication principles with a deep understanding of the global sports sector. The distinctive compulsory year-long professional placement provides invaluable real-world experience, allowing students to apply their theoretical knowledge, develop essential industry skills, and build crucial professional networks within sports organisations, agencies, and media outlets. Backed by St. Mary's advantageous London location and strong industry links, graduates emerge exceptionally well-equipped with the strategic insights and digital proficiency needed to excel in sports communications and marketing roles.
Sports Marketing Executive/Manager: Graduates can work for sports clubs, governing bodies, brands, or agencies to develop and implement marketing campaigns. The placement year provides critical experience in market research, branding, advertising, and fan engagement strategies, making them highly desirable candidates.
Sports PR (Public Relations) Officer/Manager: These professionals manage the public image and media relations for athletes, teams, events, or sports organisations. The hands-on experience from a placement in a PR or media relations department equips graduates with the skills to write press releases, organise media events, and manage crises effectively.
Sports Digital Marketing Specialist: Focusing on online platforms, graduates manage social media accounts, create engaging digital content (videos, graphics, blogs), and run online advertising campaigns. The placement year provides direct experience with digital tools and strategies, making them proficient in leveraging digital channels for sports entities.
Sports Social Media Manager: A specialised role within digital marketing, focusing entirely on developing and executing social media strategies. The placement year offers practical experience in community management, content creation, and trend monitoring to build brand presence and fan loyalty across various social platforms for a sports organisation or athlete.
Sports Sponsorship Manager/Activation Specialist: Graduates work to secure and manage commercial partnerships between sports entities and corporate sponsors. The placement year provides invaluable experience in identifying potential sponsors, negotiating deals, and creating activation strategies to maximise sponsor visibility and return on investment.
Sports Journalist/Content Creator: Leveraging communication skills and industry knowledge, graduates can pursue careers in sports journalism, writing articles, creating multimedia content for websites, broadcasting, or producing podcasts and videos. A placement in a media outlet or a sports communications department offers direct experience in content creation and storytelling.
Sports Event Marketing Coordinator: These roles involve promoting and marketing sporting events, from local competitions to major international tournaments. The placement year offers practical experience in developing promotional materials, managing ticketing campaigns, and engaging with attendees, ensuring successful event execution.
Brand Manager (within Sports Brands): Graduates can work for sportswear companies, equipment manufacturers, or sports service providers to manage the brand identity, positioning, and perception of sports-related products and services. A placement in a brand management or marketing department provides direct experience with brand strategy implementation.
Athlete Marketing/Agent Assistant: Working with sports agents or athlete management firms, graduates assist in building personal brands for athletes, securing endorsement deals, managing media appearances, and developing their overall marketability. The placement year offers a unique insight into athlete representation and commercialisation.
Sports Media Relations Assistant: Providing support to larger sports organisations or media departments, these roles involve assisting with press conferences, managing media accreditation, and distributing information to the press. The placement year offers practical experience in supporting media operations and ensuring smooth communication channels during events or daily operations.
