Sports Management BA (Hons)

Course code C6N2

What is special about this course?

The BA (Hons) Sports Management degree is designed for those seeking a broad-based management qualification that will introduce you to all aspects of today's modern sporting business. This course will equip you with the skills you will need for a career in sports management, including marketing, human resources, business law and IT.

Special features

  • A key highlight is the project work you will undertake where you investigate real life situations, which enables you to put what you have learned into practice.
  • You will apply to study either HNC/D Sports Coaching and Development or HNC/D Fitness, Health and Exercise, for the first and second years of the degree; completion of these will enable direct entry to year 2 or 3 of the degree (depending on the level of the qualification)
  • Small classes give you a more personal experience of university
  • The programme offers flexibility so that you can choose to develop specific knowledge and expertise in key business areas, such as: marketing; enterprise; human resources management; and IT

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

Entry to year 1 of this course, HNC:

  • 2 Scottish Highers at grade C or above OR
  • 2 A Levels at grade D or above
  • These should preferably include English plus a science subject or Mathematics
  • Alternatively, the completion of a relevant sports-related NC or NQ at SCQF level 6 or above
  • For mature student entry, requisite experience with evidence of potential to succeed
  • Prospective students without the standard entry requirements as listed above are encouraged to apply, appropriate industry related experience will be taken into consideration
  • It may be possible, with some additional bridging units, to access from HNC and HND Business, HNC Tourism  and HNC Events
  • This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Advanced Entry

Access routes

SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.

Alternatively:

  • NQ Sport and recreation
  • NQ Sport and Fitness
  • NQ Outdoor Adventure

For International students requiring Student Route sponsorship
Please note that international students with a Student Route visa can only take part in sports activities or as part of a work placement, as an amateur and not as a professional or semi-professional. You will not be allowed to become a member of a professional sports association while a student. This is due to ‘professional sportsperson’ restrictions imposed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as outlined in their Student Route Policy Guidance.

Year 1 - HNC

Both the HNC Sports Coaching and Development and the HNC Fitness, Health and Exercise are available at Inverness, Moray and Perth. The HNC Fitness, Health and Exercise is also available at Argyll:

Year 2 - DipHE

Both the HND Sports Coaching and Development and the HND Fitness, Health and Exercise routes are available at Inverness and Perth:

The DipHE Sports Management is available at other locations.

Subjects in the DipHE include:

  • Applied coaching and leadership
  • Event planning and organisation
  • The contemporary workplace

Optional modules may include:

  • Economics for business
  • Introduction to business
  • Introduction to human resource management
  • Management accounting
  • Management of business information
  • Marketing fundamentals
  • Work placement: team working and communication

Year 3 - BA

Modules may include:

  • Developing entrepreneurial effectiveness
  • Research skills
  • The professional practitioner: ethics, policy and practice

Options may include:

  • Critical thinking in management
  • Collaborating in the digital economy
  • Employment law in the HRM context
  • Marketing communications
  • Niche tourism
  • Project planning and management
  • Small business planning
  • Sports science: a critical analysis
  • Work placement: specialist skills

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will complete a dissertation and study modules in:

  • Delivering physical activity and sports development programmes
  • Physical activity for all

Option modules may include:

  • Business strategy
  • e-Business
  • Employee relations
  • Innovation and enterprise
  • Major event analysis
  • Work placement: professional practice

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time
  • For the taught element of the course, you will learn through a combination of face-to-face lectures, tutorials and online study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE).

How long will my course last?

  •  Full-time: 4 years
  •  Part-time: 8 years

Where can I study my course?

  • Inverness
  • Moray
  • North, West and Hebrides
  • Orkney - entry at DipHE (second year) only
  • Outer Hebrides - entry at DipHE (second year) only
  • Perth
  • West Highland - entry at DipHE (second year) only

Start date

  • September

Fees

Find out more about fees, fee waivers and funding options.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Successful completion of the BA (Hons) Sports Management will provide you with excellent career prospects. This award enables you to develop knowledge and skills highly valued by employers, leading to roles in public, private and voluntary organisations such as:

  • Sports development officer
  • Leisure centre operative
  • Sports manager

You will also have the potential to become local entrepreneurs with business start-ups in the sport and fitness sectors.

Is there more information available online?

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Apply for Sports Management BA (Hons)

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2023

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.