Sports Management - Sport

The programme is informed by the exciting research carried out by our faculty and by Sport industry experts who contribute to both the design and delivery of the programme curriculum. Throughout the programme, students are provided with the opportunity to engage and network with leading figures from the Sport industry.

The programme also offers the unique opportunity to study how high performance sport is managed from government policy to the views of key stakeholders within a sport organisation, such as the CEO, the high performance director, the coach, support staff and athlete.

In 2020 & 2021, SportBusiness International magazine ranked the UCD MSc in Sport Management 39th and 34th in its list of the top 40 Sport Business postgraduate programmes in the world.

The application process for this programme closes on Wednesday 31st May 2023. We will endeavour to respond to all complete applications by Wednesday 7th June 2023.

A part-time format (over two years) is available in order to help professionals pursue studies without having to interrupt their career.

Course Description
How I will learn?
The underlying ethos of the programme is to support students in becoming critical and reflective professionals who use current evidence to guide their management practice. We aim to provide a learning environment which is student-centred and encourages the evaluation of current policies and the resultant implications for sport related organisations. Students learn how to practically apply management strategies to a range of complex organisational contexts and issues within the Sport industry. Students are also supported to develop key transferable skills in leadership, communication, team working and project management.

The programme's teaching and learning approach is both theory-based and industry focused. To facilitate this approach, students work with experts in the Sport industry to enhance their learning experience and these experts also have significant input into programme design and delivery.

Mode of delivery
Programme modules will be delivered one day a week (i.e., Friday morning and afternoon) across both academic semesters. In addition, there are two weeks of intensive block lectures (i.e. Monday - Friday) in each semester. Delivery is carried out by faculty members and external industry experts. These external contributors come from across the Sport industry continuum for example, national governing bodies, international federations, professional sports clubs , player associations and commercial sports organisations.

In delivering the programme the faculty and external lecturers facilitate a vibrant teaching and learning environment. Students have the opportunity to actively engage and learn through a variety of teaching and learning methods such as, problem-based learning with an emphasis on reflection and peer-to-peer learning, research seminars, site visits, and group work. Assessment strategies include essays, critical analyses, case studies, oral presentations, reports and project work.

Vision and Values Statement
Purpose: This programme is targeted at graduates aiming to develop a career in management within the sport industry and also experienced professionals who wish to enhance their career opportunities within this field.

Values: The programme's underlying ethos is to support students in becoming critical and reflective professionals who can use current evidence to guide their management practice across a range of sport settings. We value and encourage our students to be autonomous learners and encourage students to share their own experiences with faculty and peers.

Nature of Learning Environment: We aim to provide a learning environment which is student-centred and encourages the evaluation of current policies and the resultant implications for sport related organisations. In doing so, students are facilitated in developing transferable skills in leadership, communication, team working, decision making and project management.

Teaching, learning and assessment: The programme utilises an overarching teaching, learning and assessment approach which is both theory based and industry focused. Leading subject matter experts with extensive sport industry experience contribute to both the design and delivery of the programme curriculum. Students have the opportunity to actively engage and learn during the programme through a variety of teaching and learning methods, such as experiential learning, industry seminars, site visits, reflective learning and group project work. Assessment strategies will include, essays, case studies, oral presentations, reports, and project work.

Related Programmes
This Msc programme may be taken one year full time or part time over two years. This MSc award equates to 90 ECTS credits.

The minor award of a Graduate Certificate may be attained when students accumulate 30 ECTS credits over one (full time) or two (part time) academic years.

The minor award of a Graduate Diploma may be attained when students accumulate 60 ECTS credits over over one (full time) or two (part time) academic years.

There are a range of innovative modules. Students complete six taught modules and a research dissertation.

Core Modules:
Sport Governance & Law
Sport Leadership & People Management
Strategy & Operations Management in Sports Organisations
Sports Marketing & Communications
The Management of High Performance Sport
Sport Event Management & Sustainability
Research Dissertation

Course Structure
Semester 1: 3 core modules;
Semester 2: 3 core modules
Semester 3: Completion of research dissertation

Modules lectures will primarily take place one day each week (i.e., Friday) for both Semester 1 and Semester 2. In each semester, there will also be two weeks of block lectures (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm each day). Finally, there will be four day-long research skills seminars spread out over the course of the year.

Stage 1 - Core
Dissertation SMGT40080
Sport Governance & Law SMGT40370
Sport Leadership & People Mgmt SMGT40380
Strategy & Ops Mgmt in Sport SMGT40400
Mgmt of High Performance Sport SMGT40420
Sport Event M & Sustainability SMGT40440
Sport Marketing & Comms SMGT40450

This programme is intended for students with a primary degree in Sport, Recreation or Leisure Management, Sport, Exercise or Health Science or Business Studies. Students with a primary degree in other disciplines may also be considered. An upper second class honours, or international equivalent is typically required. Applicants must demonstrate a knowledge and passion for sport and sport related business. Experience working in sport is desirable. An interview with the Programme Director will also form part of the application process.

- Official transcripts of undergraduate degrees

- 2 official reference letters (including letterhead, date & address)

- A CV

- A personal statement (outlining your suitability for the programme, your motivations for pursuing a career in Sport Management, etc.)

Substantial relevant work experience or experiential learning may be considered as an alternative entry route.

Due to the volume of applications received, early application to the programme is encouraged.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent. Students meeting the programme's academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD's International Pre-Master's Pathway programmes.

Please see the following link for further information: https://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/int%20pmp/

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:
MSc Sport Management (Sport) FT (X762)
Duration
1 Years
Attend
Full Time
Deadline
Rolling*

MSc Sport Management (Sport) PT (X763)
Duration
2 Years
Attend
Part Time
Deadline
Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.

This programme is intended for students with a primary degree in Sport, Recreation or Leisure Management, Sport, Exercise or Health Science or Business Studies. Students with a primary degree in other disciplines may also be considered. An upper second class honours, or international equivalent is typically required. Applicants must demonstrate a knowledge and passion for sport and sport related business. Experience working in Sport is desirable. An interview with the Programme Director will also form part of the application process.

All applications must be supported by official transcripts of undergraduate degrees, 2 reference letters, a CV and a personal statement. In exceptional circumstances where substantial relevant work experience or experiential learning can be demonstrated an applicant may be considered despite not holding a relevant degree.

Due to the volume of applications received, early application to the programme is encouraged.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

Applications can be made from January each year for September entry.

1 year full-time (X762). 2 years part-time (X763).

Careers & Employability
Our graduates who possess skills in the core management areas, are highly valued by employers within the Sports industry. Many graduates are working in Ireland and internationally in a range of areas including national governing bodies, international sport federations, sports marketing and event management agencies, professional sports teams and community sport organisations. Other recent graduates are pursuing PhD research in a range of sport related fields.

Our graduates are employed in organisations such as:
• World Rugby
• Football Association of Ireland
• GAA
• Irish Rugby Football Union
• Sport Ireland
• Ireland Active
• Leinster Rugby
• Connacht Rugby
• Munster Rugby
• Racing Post
• Paddy Power
• Sports Marketing & Events Agencies
• Rugby Players Ireland
• Local Sports Partnerships
• Dublin City Council