BSc (Hons) Sports Management (with a Placement Year)

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Sports Management (with a Placement Year) at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, is an immersive four-year undergraduate degree designed to comprehensively equip students for leadership and administrative roles within the dynamic global sports industry. This program uniquely integrates core business and management principles—including marketing, finance, and leadership—with a specific focus on their application across various facets of the sports sector, from grassroots organisations to major international federations. A defining element of this degree is the compulsory year-long professional placement, typically undertaken between the second and final academic years. This invaluable practical experience enables students to directly apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world sports management settings, develop crucial industry insights, and build significant professional networks. Furthermore, students pursuing this program can also achieve a Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership awarded by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) by successfully completing specific modules, subject to CMI moderation, significantly enhancing their professional qualifications. Situated in London, a major global hub for sports, St. Mary's offers unparalleled opportunities for students to engage with the industry through volunteering at major events and visiting iconic venues, thoroughly preparing them for a wide array of roles in the continually expanding global sports market.

Curriculum: The curriculum for the BSc (Hons) Sports Management (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's is strategically designed to progressively build a robust understanding of business and management principles, specifically tailored to the sports and fitness industries. In the first year, students are introduced to fundamental areas of business and management, gaining an overview of the sports and fitness sectors, with a particular focus on managing people in sport. The second year delves deeper into core disciplines such as Marketing and Financial Accounting, examining the intricate business of sport within the current economic environment. The marketing module, for instance, allows students to apply fundamental marketing concepts through engaging case studies specific to the sports and leisure industries. The third year is dedicated entirely to the compulsory "Placement Year," providing an extensive period of professional immersion. In the final academic year, students can enhance their knowledge through a diverse range of dedicated optional modules, allowing them to specialise in areas such as sports event management, sports sponsorship and promotions, applied sports management, and global perspectives on the sports industry. A significant component of the final year is the opportunity to undertake a piece of independent research on a particular aspect of the sports and leisure industries, culminating in a comprehensive dissertation.

Research Focus: The BSc (Hons) Sports Management (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University is deeply informed by a commitment to research-led teaching, with the academic staff actively engaged in exploring contemporary challenges and opportunities within the sports business and management sector. While there isn't a singular, overarching research centre specifically for this undergraduate program, the faculty's expertise and ongoing research interests directly shape the curriculum and provide valuable avenues for student inquiry. Research within the department frequently covers critical areas such as sports finance, the effectiveness of marketing strategies in sport, leadership challenges within sports organisations, best practices in event management, intricate aspects of sports law and governance, and the broader sociological impact of sport. The final year "Research Project" (dissertation) serves as a pivotal opportunity for students to conduct their own original research on a topic of their choosing within the sports management field, thereby fostering advanced analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, often drawing inspiration and real-world context from their placement year experiences.

Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a paramount and integral component of the BSc (Hons) Sports Management (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University, strategically designed to provide invaluable practical experience and significantly boost 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 leverages its advantageous location in London, a vibrant global hub for world sport, to cultivate robust relationships within the sports industry. This translates into extensive opportunities for students to secure work placements with professional sports clubs, sports agencies, major event organisers, and fitness centres. Additionally, students are provided with numerous opportunities to volunteer at major sporting events and visit iconic venues like Wimbledon, Wembley, and The Kia Oval, gaining firsthand insight into the operational and commercial aspects of large-scale sports organisations. These practical experiences are further enriched by regular guest lectures and workshops led by top management professionals and practitioners within the sports industry, ensuring that the curriculum remains highly relevant and directly applicable to current industry demands, preparing graduates for immediate impact.

Global Perspective: The BSc (Hons) Sports Management (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University inherently incorporates a strong and comprehensive global perspective, acknowledging the increasingly interconnected nature of the international sports industry. The curriculum thoroughly explores global trends in sports management, governance, marketing, and event organisation, effectively preparing students to operate proficiently in an interconnected global market. Modules and case studies frequently delve into the diverse management practices of international sports federations, the complexities involved in organising global sports events, and the intricate cultural nuances that influence sports business across different continents. The program fosters an understanding of international sports law, global sports finance, and contemporary leadership dynamics, equipping graduates with a broad and highly adaptable skill set. This expansive global outlook, significantly enriched by the practical exposure gained during the placement year (which may involve international opportunities or working with globally diverse organisations/teams), combined with exposure to a diverse student body and the international sporting landscape of London, ensures that graduates are exceptionally well-prepared to pursue career opportunities with international sports organisations and contribute meaningfully to the global advancement of sports management.