BA (Hons) Sport Business Management

Introduction to Critical Business Competencies

This module is designed to support your transition to university and help you develop the skills you’ll need during your academic journey, as well as helping you prepare for professional work. It focuses on building literacy skills, critical engagement, data retrieval and analysis, and presentations.

As part of the module, you will produce a data analysis project report, demonstrating your ability to gather literature and data, analyse and present findings, and adhere to the department’s report-writing standards.

When selecting a project topic, you will be encouraged to explore themes related to business sustainability, such as transport, health, the economy and the environment.

Marketing Principles and Practice

In this module, you will explore the purpose and societal role of marketing, with topics including buyer behaviour, digital innovations, marketing research methods and ethical considerations.

You’ll develop your practical skills in conducting environmental audits and marketing research, applying segmentation, targeting and positioning strategies, and designing your own marketing plans. You will also learn about customer relationship management and look at practical marketing strategies for new product launches.

Management and Organisational Behaviour

In this module, you will look at the three core factors of management and organisational behaviour: external, internal and individual.

You will first explore a range of concepts, tools and models which focus on the external factors that influence and impact organisations, including stakeholder theory.

You will then consider internal perspectives of organisational culture and structure. This will include an examination of the role of teamwork and group dynamics. Finally, you’ll be introduced to concepts of workplace motivation and key ideas around individual diversity.

Technology in Business

This module will introduce you to the use of technology in a business setting, and help you understand the fundamentals of data, information and knowledge management. You will explore how organisations use digital technology solutions to gain a competitive advantage and look at the benefits of implementing successful information systems.

Practical learning activities include exploring case studies and applying your knowledge to solve problems in realistic business scenarios.

Sustainable and Innovative Entrepreneur

This module aims to equip you with an understanding of sustainability in the context of entrepreneurship and innovation. You will learn about integrating sustainability principles into entrepreneurial ventures and the role of sustainable innovations in addressing global challenges, as well as exploring how this is achieved in different industries and organisations.

A key focus will be on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability theory and the role of innovation in fostering a sustainable future. You will apply your learning by exploring real-world challenges and creating innovative solutions through project-based learning.

Understanding the Sporting Landscape

This module will introduce you to two essential components of sport. Firstly, you will learn about the most important organisations across the sport industry, including how their actions and ambitions work to influence the development of sport and physical activity. You’ll be challenged to critique the effectiveness of some of these organisations by analysing strategic documents.

Secondly, you will look at the relationship between sport and social justice. This includes how the structure, organisation and development of sport works to include and exclude different demographics, such as race, gender and disability.

Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management

This module builds on core operations management principles and extends traditional efficiency-based operations strategy to include a focus on economic, environmental, social performance and sustainability factors that all organisations need to consider when operating efficiently and profitably.

You will develop the knowledge and analytical skills required to design, manage and improve operations and supply chains that are efficient, ethical and sustainable.

You will also explore how operations decisions influence environmental and social outcomes, and apply contemporary models and technologies to build resilient, low-carbon and responsible operations systems.

By analysing real-world case studies, you will explore how operational performance objectives can adapt to changing business environments, improve sustainably, integrate innovation, apply circular economy principles and be responsible in their supply chain management and organisational strategy.

You will be introduced to a range of industry standards, measurements and auditing of sustainability to analyse case study operational activity more transparently.

The Commercialisation of Sport

This module provides you with the opportunity to critique the commercialisation of sport. Contemporary issues predominantly based in the UK are used to demonstrate the benefits and limitations experienced by sport as it develops according to business and commercial processes.

The intention is for you to grapple with the opportunities and constraints afforded by these relationships and clarify a critical frame through which to make decisions as leaders and managers when working in the sport industry.

The culmination is a consultancy-oriented assessment applied to a real-world local example.

Employee Experience and Key People Management (HRM) Practices

This module aims to provide and develop your understanding of key concepts, practices and processes for creating a positive employee experience and the successful management of people.

It outlines the theory and key principles and practices of workforce planning and resourcing, managing and developing performance reward and talent retention.

It also aims to equip you with an appreciation of the interpersonal skills that are needed to manage people within various types of work organisations.

The session learning activities, tasks and literature provide a structure through which to locate these key People Management (HRM) practices within both the context of different organisations and the field of contemporary management from a national and international perspective.

Business Finance and Data Analysis

The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to, and the development of, several key financial concepts and tools necessary to the understanding and evaluation of business performance from a primarily financial perspective.

The module assumes minimal prior accounting knowledge and aims to provide a practical understanding and conceptual awareness to those who typically will not intend to follow an Accounting and Finance degree pathway. Emphasis will be placed on applying financial principles in managerial contexts using tools such as Microsoft Excel for financial analysis and decision-making support.

Project Management

This module introduces you to the tools and skills necessary to manage projects efficiently and effectively.

The content is based upon the Association of Project Management (APM) Body of Knowledge (BoK) – a holistic and generic approach provided by the leading association for project management in the UK.

You will be guided through the complete lifecycle of a project and actively encouraged to apply learnings through your assessment.

As a result, you will have competent knowledge of key project management principles from which to explore further industry qualifications and certification.

Professional Graduate

The module aims to address the following:

• Enhance Career Readiness and communication skills by equipping students with the practical skills and confidence needed to navigate the graduate recruitment process, including CV writing, application forms, and interview techniques.
• Understand recruitment processes by providing insight into employer expectations and recruitment methods, including assessment centres and competency-based interviews, both locally and internationally.
• Build self-awareness and reflective practice by encouraging students to identify and reflect on their own skills, values, and career aspirations to make informed decisions about their professional development.
• Engage with industry experts through facilitated opportunities to learn directly from employers and professionals through guest lectures, workshops, and networking events, enhancing understanding of workplace expectations.
• Prepare for real-world scenarios by simulating professional situations such as mock interviews, group tasks, and role plays, carried out by local businesses, to build confidence and adaptability in high-pressure environments.
• Utilise digital career tools to introduce students to platforms like LinkedIn, CareerSet, and online psychometric test resources to support their ongoing career development.
• Ensure all students have the ability and opportunity to search and apply for placement opportunities, either as a part-time 20-week placement or a full one-year internship.

Advanced Contemporary Issues in Sport, Exercise and Health

This module will explore a selection of contemporary issues that may have ethical, moral and social justice considerations, in relation to sport, exercise and health.

A range of topic areas will be presented to you with the expectation that you will develop an advanced understanding and appreciation of contemporary issues within your chosen field of study.

You will be challenged through a review of case studies, expert knowledge and recently published peer reviewed research to express your judgements and reflect upon your knowledge and experiences.

You will be empowered to both formulate and articulate personal opinions and arguments on a topic area in the context of evidence-based research.

Assessment:
2,000-word equivalent Presentation
1,000-word Coursework

Research Project

The module offers you a chance to delve into a specific area of interest within various organisational contexts, fostering both professional and intellectual growth.

Under the guidance of a supervisor, you will undertake independent research, showcasing your ability for critical thinking and analysis. The chosen topic typically revolves around management issues in either public or private sectors, with a focus on generating findings applicable beyond specific cases.

There are optional placement routes – Industry, Consultancy, or Entrepreneurship – each tailored to align with career goals and academic pursuits.

Assessment:
At the end of stage 2, you will submit a final version of your research project. This will look like the following, depending on the option chosen:

• Completed dissertation (industry route) or consultancy report (consultancy route) which is structured and presented according to the module guidelines (9,000 words)
• Entrepreneurship 2 year growth strategy and professional discussion around key findings on the viability of the business idea from the experience of starting up the business (6,000-word report and 3,000-word equivalent presentation)

Sport as a Global Product

This module encourages you to critically analyse how commercialised sport is controlled and exploited globally.

The most pressing topics in global sport are selected because these will impact you upon graduating, given the issues will be at the forefront of employer thinking within and beyond the sports industry landscape.

The module is underpinned by insights from social science due to the advanced power relations encompassed within each topic. 

Assessment:
3,000-word Report

Women in Sport Leadership

This module will give you insight and understanding of women in sport leadership and management roles. Benefitting from expertise and industry practice located at the university.

Critically underpinned by insights from the social sciences, the module is structured according to barriers at the macro, meso and micro levels that women leaders encounter as well as the forms of resistance and change required to overcome them.

You will look at, and critique, the following areas:

• Gender imbalanced leadership and management of sport
• Formal and informal cultural procedures and processes that work to constrain women’s opportunities to lead and manage
• The individual experiences and identities of women leaders in sport

Assessment:
3,000-word Report

Professional Practice

This module offers you a chance to gain 270 hours of experience in an organisation, building on your work in the Professional Development module. You will secure a placement and develop your Personal Development Planning for future career goals and better employability.

Typically paired with the Research Project, it allows you to focus on personal development within your work placement, enhancing skills for your chosen careers and gaining practical and research expertise in your field. You can choose from options like a Short Work Placement, a Consultancy Project (remote), or Entrepreneurship (requiring Entrepreneurship in semester one).

Assessment:
Assessment 1: 1,800-word Personal Portfolio
Assessment 2: 3,000-word Learning Logs
Assessment 3: 10 minute Personal Presentation

Entrepreneurship

Ever wondered what it’s like to run your own business and unsure of how you would go about it?  This level 6 module adopts a practical approach to investigating the small business sector and developing business ideas.

The module concentrates on the planning involved when setting-up a new business venture.  The main output of the module is the creation of an early-stage business plan that could be used to either set-up a new or develop an existing business.

Even if you decide that running your own business is not for you, going through the experience of developing and writing a business plan, will provide insight into both strategic and operational small business decision making; and increased employability skills that will prove valuable to a future employer.

Assessment:
3,000-word Business Plan + Financial Appendices

Global Business Today

This module introduces you to current global issues relevant for organisations aiming to compete and thrive in a highly competitive global business landscape.

Weekly exploration of various global topics will utilise both quantitative and qualitative data from reliable sources commonly used by global decision-makers. This approach aims to give you a comprehensive grasp of the key responsibilities and challenges confronting diverse organisations, shedding light on the global dimensions of local and regional business issues.

Particularly appealing to those interested in understanding the intersection of world events and business, the module offers a diverse array of contemporary topics each week, emphasising their global ramifications and the diverse challenges faced by economies, countries, and organisational types.

Through analysis of organisation and country case studies, you will gain insights into business challenges, opportunities, and potential solutions.

Assessment:
20-minute conference presentation + 10-minute Q&A

Strategic Management

The module encourages you to think critically and creatively about strategic management from the formation of strategy through to frontline implementation. It is aimed at those that may have little or no personal experience of strategic management.

Assessment:
10-minute presentation
2,000 word Assignment