Enrolment year: 2023 Enrolment year: 2024

Hartpury_rugby_player_seb_negri_being_interviewed_by_bt_sport

BA (Hons)

Sports Business Management

UCAS Code: NCF6

Typical offer: 112 UCAS tariff points or equivalent

Duration: 3 or 4 years full time; part-time available

Placement year: Optional

Awarding body: Hartpury University

Apply for this course here: https://www.hartpury.ac.uk/university/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-sports-business-management/ba-hons-sports-business-management-2023/

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Overview

Course overview

Immerse yourself in the business side of sport, studying events, sponsorship, entrepreneurship, and more. Benefit from an applied degree, strengthening your knowledge, understanding and experience in different business sectors.

You’ll graduate industry-ready thanks to work placements, and top additional qualifications, including the CIM Level 3 Award in Marketing Principles.

Focus on gaining practical experience, with everything from your modules to your assessments designed in line with industry, to ensure you hit the ground running once you graduate. You could find yourself leading an assessment centre on campus, or pitching an idea for a new start-up with the help of our innovation, careers and enterprise team. You’ll develop the business skills and experience that employers are looking for.

Everything you’ll study has been informed by industry. You'll learn how to succeed in a broad, resilient and exciting industry. Whether that’s in events, marketing, and facility management, or even as an app developer or a business-leader, career opportunities are diverse.

CIMSPA-endorsed

This programme is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), and aligned to ‘General Manager’ (Exercise and Fitness, Sport Development and Leisure Operations Specialisms) professional standards.

Following enrolment, Hartpury University will pay for you to have Student Membership of CIMSPA. Depending on your selected modules, you could also gain Professional Certification as a CIMSPA endorsed General Manager.

How to apply Contact us: +44 (0)1452 702244

What you'll study

This course covers a broad range of fundamental business and management topics through core modules, in finance, economics, and marketing.

This course is comprised of both compulsory and optional modules, which you'll be able to choose from to suit your interests and career goals.

Optional modules change each year in line with student, industry and research demands - you'll find recent topics studied below. You can attend introductory sessions for optional modules before deciding which ones to study.

Level four (year one)

This year will provide you with core business skills and knowledge, covering finance, economics, and marketing. You’ll also be introduced to the sports industry, studying contemporary issues linked to the business and management of sport.

Compulsory modules

Develop a knowledge and understanding of leadership styles, delegation, motivation, conflict resolution, negotiation and influence.

Analyse the role and nature of public provision for sport and leisure, and the way in which government policy is decided and implemented.

Analyse external factors and how they contribute to fluctuations in business economics.

Demonstrate knowledge of emerging trends and recommend future improvements relevant to the sports management industry.

Understand and evaluate the impact of technology in sport in relation to improved athletic performance.

Understand the importance of market orientation as a cross-functional activity relating to business operations.

Study various financial statements and their use.

Optional modules

There are no optional modules during this year. Your learning is focused on compulsory modules to ensure you have a thorough understanding of key topics to prepare you for module choices in your subsequent years.

Level five (year two)

In the second year you’ll gain advanced business knowledge and experience by designing and running a pilot research project, as well as engaging in a professional work placement for a minimum of 150 hours. You’ll also have the chance to select optional modules linked to your interests. You could explore entrepreneurship, consumer behaviour, human resources and accounting.

Compulsory modules

Analyse the various stages of the research process demonstrating practical application of an appropriately reasoned research model.

Identify and undertake a suitable industry work placement for a minimum of 150 hours.

Optional modules

This module is designed to help undergraduate appreciate the role of management accounting within organisations, it majors upon capital investment, product and service costing, budgeting and working capital management.

This module enables students to explore the holistic human resource process of recruitment within organisations. As part of the assessment students will have the opportunity to develop and engage in ‘real life’ assessment centre activities, creating vital preparation for future employment opportunities.

The international sports development module offers a critical gaze into the global affairs of sport, considering the roles of local, national, regional and international players in a variety of contexts. This module enables critical thinking about sports development programmes and their impact across policy and practice.

This module allows students to the explore the principles and practices faced by entrepreneurs whilst working through the process of developing a new commercial venture. The assessment offers students the chance to engage with their own new business idea and present to both business professionals and academic staff in a ‘dragon’s den’ style pitch.

Sports facilities and hospitality management is a key and growing area within the sports business industry. This module allows students creative freedom to audit and review a sports facility of their choice, before making recommendations and providing a strategic direction. The students are also challenged to identify a secondary income stream associate with sports tourism for a major sporting venue.

This module allows students to explore the evolving concept of service quality within the sports industry. They have the opportunity to investigate different fan typologies and analyse how these influence typical consumption behaviours. The assessment creates a ‘live brief’ situation where students will research a specific sports context and conceptualise a new consumer experience utilising a range of digital technologies.

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Level six (final year)

Your final year allows you to focus on the areas that interest you most and will support you with your career. One module is dissertation, a substantial research project that enables you to experience being responsible for planning, implementing and reporting on a specialist topic. In addition, you’ll be exposed to contemporary challenges and more advanced business theory. You’ll also gain an insight into strategy, project management, sponsorship and social media.

Compulsory modules

Independent research and analysis in a related area of your choice.

Optional modules

Exploring the structure, diversity and culture of organisations in relation to leadership and change management.

This module allows students to critically engage in the theory and practice of project management and develop an appreciation of the issues and challenges that can occur with various projects. Students will have the chance to engage in the conceptualisation of a new project making sure it aligns with the goals and objectives of their chosen organisation.

This module allows students to explore the growing influence of social media within the sports industry. Students will also analyse athlete social media content and consider their findings within the context of relevant contemporary research.

This module allows students to explore the role and significance of sponsorship within the sports industry. They will have the opportunity to align theory with practice by developing a new sponsorship proposal for a chosen sports property.

This module allows students to explore the strategic practices and principles utilised by global companies. Through an appreciation key external and internal impact factors students will put theory into practice and create a new strategic direction for an allocated organisation.

The impact of sports events module provides a range of event examples to illustrate the opportunities and challenges associated with hosting a large-scale sporting event. This module enables critical thinking about the bidding, planning, hosting and evaluation of events from the perspective of multiple stakeholders.

Please visit our document library for more module information.

Further module information

How you'll study

We're committed to supporting you to fulfil your unique potential, which is why you'll receive a minimum of 15 hours of scheduled teaching time per week in your first year - this is 25% above the UK average.

Your support network

You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one to be the best you can be. This will range from your personal tutor and specialist academic support team (our Achievement and Success Centre) to dedicated wellbeing and employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) centres.

Your learning experiences

You'll experience a range of teaching methods to strengthen your digestion of topics, including lectures, workshops and practical sessions, as well as supported work placement learning as part of many courses.

Your career

Each year of your course will be made up of two semesters, within which you’ll study compulsory and optional modules on different industry-focused topics, enabling you to develop your own unique portfolio of knowledge, skills and experience, ready for your career.

Further details

You’ll have your own personal tutor while you’re here who will support you to succeed in your studies. You’ll also have access to our academic and wellbeing support teams who run regular workshops and one-to-one sessions on campus and online.

Alongside this, we have a comprehensive bank of online study skills resources to help you make the most of your qualification.

On successful completion of your modules you’ll gain academic credit that accumulates towards your award. The marks you gain in your second and third years may contribute towards your final degree classification.

The modules contain a mixture of scheduled learning – lectures, workshops and practical sessions – alongside independent learning. Students are expected to dedicate at least two to three hours of independent study per contact hour. Your course may also include work placement learning as part of some modules.

The course is taught in English.

Year	Contact learning	Placement learning	Independent learning
Level four (year one)	28%	0%	72%
Level five (year two)	21%	12%	67%
Placement year (optional)	1%	80%	19%
Level six (final year)	18%	0%	82%

You will receive a minimum of 15 hours scheduled contact time per week in your first year. In subsequent years, scheduled contact will vary depending on the modules you select but is typically around 12 hours per week

You will be assessed through a mixture of written exams, practical exams and written assignments. Many of the modules will be marked based on a mixture of assessment types, whilst others will be based solely on one type of assessment. Feedback will be given online (electronic and oral), and in some cases face to face.

Year	Written exam	Practical exam	Coursework
Level four (year one)	13%	63%	24%
Level five (year two)	0%	31%	69%
Placement year (optional)	0%	0%	100%
Level six (final year)	0%	38%	62%

Each year of this course is taught over two semesters, normally consisting of 12 weeks of scheduled teaching and then assessment weeks, with an overview below:

Scheduled teaching takes place between 8:30 to 20:30 Monday to Friday.
Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities.
Work placements may entail different days and hours.
Part-time students may need to attend learning activities five days each week, depending on modules selected.
Timetables are available during enrolment.

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Employability

Your career

Industry opportunities on this course are diverse to ensure you develop the skills, experience and connections needed for your graduate career. Many of our students secure graduate roles with their work placement employers.

Enterprise opportunities

You could also have the opportunity to pitch new business ideas to professional consultants from ‘The Business Kitchen’. They specialise in courses and workshops tackling the challenges faced by small enterprises and sole traders. Our Innovation, Careers and Enterprise Centre is also on hand to help business-savvy students put their innovative ideas into action. If you’re a budding entrepreneur this could be an ideal opportunity.

Work placements

Through the placement module leader and Innovation, Careers and Enterprise department we’ll support you to secure a placement with a UK-based or international employer, to match your interests and career goals. Placements can be paid or unpaid, depending on position. Students have worked with organisations such Major League Rugby in the USA, as well as APT Marketing and PR, among others.

Professional industry qualifications

During your degree you’ll have the opportunity to complete the CIM Level 3 Award in Marketing Principles, as well as the Project Fundamentals qualification by the Association for Project Management.

Work experience

Our performance sports teams offer opportunities for students to gain industry experience on site. You could get involved in performance analysis and management roles to boost your CV. You’ll also have opportunities to work with some of our partner sports clubs and organisations, with many students going on to gain graduate roles with these employers.

Field trips and guest lecturers

Field trips and industry professionals in lectures form an important part of your learning, enabling you to experience different businesses, careers and best practices. Recent field trips have included places such as Gloucester Rugby Club and Cheltenham Racecourse.

Guest lectures have included Dr Roland Hegarty regarding PRISMA. This framework provides a step-by-step guide to analysing data, useful for research in professional practice.

Graduate destinations

As a business graduate the employment options are broad and varied with the range of transferable skills developed through the course. Our careers team can support you to find, prepare and secure your perfect role. Recent graduate destinations have included:

Sports Marketing Agent, Pitch International LLP
Sponsorship Co-ordinator, Three Counties Showgrounds
Rugby Player Representative, Inside Rugby
Events & Hospitality Manager, Sweetspot Group Ltd
Travel Operations Executive, Gullivers Sports Travel
Commercial Manager, Sahara Force India Formula One Team

Facilities

World-class facilities

You’ll have access to a diverse range of facilities while you’re here, many of which are newly built and world class. Alongside lecture halls and workshop spaces, these include:

Sports facilities

Our £8.8million Sports Academy includes fully equipped Human Performance and Biomechanics Laboratories, as well as an altitude chamber. Our new sports hall and 3G football pitch are equipped with state-of-the-art video analysis cameras for live capture of coaching sessions and gameplay. You’ll also have access to grass pitches and a golf driving range. We also have indoor and outdoor equine arenas, and a cross-country track on campus.

Study spaces

Our University Learning Centre has books, journals, ebooks, computers and breakout study spaces. In addition, we have a Study Lounge – an informal space with sports equipment, study booths and chill-out spaces to support both studying and relaxation.

Entry requirements

- UCAS tariff points | 112 UCAS tariff points or equivalent.
- GCSE | A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 9 to 4, (or A* to C grades if relevant) or equivalent, to include English Language and Mathematics.
- A-level | Typical offer is BBC or equivalent. This must include a minimum of two A-levels.
- Vocational award | Typical offer is a DMM in an Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.
- Access Programme | Typical offer is 112 UCAS tariff points in an Access to Higher Education Diploma.
- IB |Typical offer is 112 UCAS tariff points in an IB Diploma, to include a minimum of two Highers at H3 or above.
  This must also include Maths and English Language at a minimum of Standard Level S3 if equivalent GCSEs have not been obtained.
- Scottish Highers | Typical offer is 112 UCAS tariff points in Scottish Highers. This must include a minimum of one Advanced Higher and one Higher.
- Irish Leaving certificate | Typical offer is 112 UCAS tariff points in the Irish Leaving Certificate. This must include a minimum of two Highers. This must also include Maths and English Language at a minimum of Ordinary Level.
- OCR Cambridge Technical | Typical offer is a DMM in a Cambridge Technical Extended Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.
- T Level | Typical offer is Merit in your T Level overall grade in a relevant subject.
- We welcome students with equivalent qualifications. Please contact us to discuss.
- We may interview mature applicants and those with non-traditional qualifications to ensure this is the right course for you.
The minimum offer for this course is:
- UCAS tariff points | 72 UCAS tariff points or equivalent, providing this is combined with relevant experience.
- Please contact us for further information:

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Fees and funding

Tuition fees and financial support

Please visit our student finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs.

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Below, you'll find extra costs associated with studying this course.

Performance Sports Academy membership

Find out costs and details for joining one of our performance Sports Academy teams.

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Hartpury gym

Find out about costs and details for joining the Hartpury gym.

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Accommodation and living costs

Please visit our student accommodation page for details.

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The Good University Guide - Top 20 in the UK for Teaching Quality

Top 10

We’re in the top 10 UK universities for teaching quality (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2023)

Top 10%

We’re in the top 10% of UK providers for student satisfaction (NSS, 2020)

97%

97% of our sport graduates are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes, 2022*)

Additional qualifications

Graduate with additional qualifications, including the CIM Level 3 Award in Marketing Principles.

CIMSPA membership

Access to a network of business-related benefits, including courses, and data.

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World class facilities

Bring your studies to life in our £8.8 million sports facility. You'll enjoy hands-on access to technology including altitude chambers, anti-gravity treadmills, 3D cameras and digital body-mapping mirrors.

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Get in touch

We would love to hear from you, so please get in touch. You can ask a specific question or simply pop your details in to be kept up-to-date with news and events.

How to apply

You can apply for the BA (Hons) Sports Business Management degree via UCAS.

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Success Stories

Enjoying every minute

Will Biggs, Business Owner - Matchday.info

"I'm enjoying every minute of running my business, thanks to the support and encouragement I received from my tutors at Hartpury. Studying a BA (Hons) Sports Business Management degree gave me the skills and expertise I needed to succeed."

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A professional sporting environment

Seb Negri, Professional rugby player

"There’s a very professional environment at Hartpury. The combination of dedicated teaching staff and outstanding facilities helped to prepare me for a career in sport. The skills I learned help me overcome the day-to-day challenges of professional sport and I also made lifelong connections during my time at Hartpury. I owe so much to them – I’ll never forget where I’ve come from, that’s for sure."

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Further course details

For further details about this course, including the programme specification and module descriptions, please visit our document library.

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Your journey

We're here to support you on your journey to university and beyond. Our students tell us that they love the family feel and sense of belonging that we provide.

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Important information

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information, however our programmes are reviewed and developed regularly. Changes or cancellation of courses may be necessary to ensure alignment with emerging employment areas, to comply with accrediting body requirements, revisions to subject benchmark statements or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make necessary changes and will notify all offer-holders of changes as and when they occur.

*Reflects activities after 15 months for those who graduated in 2020.