MSc Sports Management (Sport)
This MSc programme is targeted at graduates aiming to develop a career in the Sport industry and also experienced professionals who wish to enhance their career opportunities within this field. The programme provides graduates with the theoretical knowledge and practical tools and techniques required to solve real life management challenges within the Sport industry.
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.
A part-time format 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 will be two weeks of block lectures for selected modules. 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 (Federation of Irish Sport, Sport Ireland, FAI, GAA, IRFU), international federations (World Rugby, UEFA), professional sports clubs (Leinster Rugby) and commercial sports organisations (Racing Post).
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, experiential learning, problem-based learning with an emphasis on reflection and peer-to-peer learning, industry seminars, site visits, and group project work. Assessment strategies include essays, critical analyses, case studies, oral presentations, reports and project work.
This one year full time (two year part time) MSc programme is the first of its kind in the Republic of Ireland and is offered by the UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science. It provides graduates who are motivated and passionate about Sport the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills required to develop a successful management career in the Sport industry. It also provides current professionals with the opportunity to further enhance their management skills.