Careers in Sport Policy, Management and International Development

The sport industry is very diverse covering such areas as: 

• Sport-specific development officers working for local government or sport-governing bodies
• Sport for Development officers whose work links sport to wider social policy concerns
• Sports marketing and sponsorship
• Organising sports events
• Managing sport clubs
• Commercial sector health and fitness
• Sport retail
• Sport tourism
• Developing sport in schools and universities
• Sports management for local governments
• Media and public relations
• Sport for international development.

Preparing you for a career in sport

The programme is for recent graduates from any discipline who seek the specialist knowledge necessary to work in sport. We also welcome current sports practitioners who are keen to develop their knowledge and advance their careers. 

Programme aims

The programme provides in-depth analysis of policy, management and development issues across a range of countries and sport sectors. 

You’ll learn how to apply both generic and sport-specific theory to practice. We’ll encourage you to reflect on your practice so you can deliver efficient, effective sport interventions. You will learn a range of concepts drawn from sociology, management, political science, policy studies and organisational behaviour.

Outcomes

Graduates will:

• Be able to outline the key factors affecting sport participation in different countries and discuss how sport policy and management can improve it
• Understand sport’s role in mitigating social and economic problems at the local, national and international level
• Critically reflect on management theory’s contribution to efficient and effective sports management practice
• Identify and explain historical changes in sport policy and assess the role of these changes in modern-day practice
• Learn that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to understand the complexities of today’s sport
• Develop the knowledge and skills to assess current research and others’ work and to carry out a research project of their own
• Understand the impact of socio-economic, political and cultural factors on sport policy, management and international development practice
• Learn about the varied nature of sport policy and management practice around the world
• Develop their research and academic skills, such as:
  • Using information technology
  • Independent study
  • Working with a team
  • Writing essays and reports
  • Presenting
• Combine theory and practice to create informed sport policy and management interventions
• Become independent learners with the skills required to identify and meet their career goals.

Graduates will be able to show:

• A theoretically informed appreciation of the role and impact of governments on sport policy
• An understanding of the role of the mass media in framing modern-day sport policy and management
• In-depth knowledge of the opportunities and challenges facing sport providers across diverse sectors
• A firm grasp of how different academic disciplines (e.g., sociology, political science, management, policy studies, cultural studies, history and geography) help form an understanding of sport policy, management and international development.

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