MSc International Sport Management
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Key information
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Mode of delivery
- On-campus
- Delivery type
- Full-time, Part-time
- Start date
- September
- Duration
- 1 year
- Qualification
- MSc
Contact
Contact our enquiries team
Contact usOverview
This new MSc degree has been designed by industry experts and leading academics in the field of Sport Management. Students will make use of world-class facilities at Oriam - Scotland's Sport Performance Centre as well as an industry work placement.
Sitting within the Edinburgh Business School, the MSc International Sport Management programme comprises a core of business knowledge and understanding with an additional emphasis on the study of topics central to sport management in national and international contexts. Students will also have an opportunity to undertake a professional practice placement course.
This programme has been designed for students who would like to pursue a career working in national and international sporting organisations and managing staff from a range of unique disciplines and diverse backgrounds towards attaining excellence in the management and delivery of sport activities, events and services. It seeks to develop well-qualified managers who can combine management and financial skills with a specialist knowledge of sport and its unique institutional structure.
Students will gain a theoretical understanding as well as an applied skill set in areas such as competitive strategy, leadership, finance, governance and management in an international sporting context.
September 2024 entry
The deadline for applications from UK students is 30 August 2024. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 2 August 2024.
Peak Practice: the science of sport and performance
In this episode of our podcast series 'A Future Made' we explore Sport and Exercise at Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre – Oriam, to find out first-hand how studying human performance at peak levels of sports can impact on everything from the safety of Olympic athletes, the rules for trans inclusion in competition, as well as the future health of the general public.
Course content
Year 1
Semester 1
Three mandatory courses plus one optional course.
Mandatory courses
International Sport Finance and Sustainability
The aim of this module is to develop understanding of the financial objective and budget requirements of organisations within the international sport industry. Students will be able to understand and apply key concepts and theories in finance and budgeting and assess these implications for a business within the international sport industry. The knowledge and skills developed in this module are essential for management careers in both the sport industry and the wider business field.
International Sport Policy and Governance
This course will develop an understanding of international sport policy and the governance of sport organisations. Sport policy sets the internal environment within which sport organisations are governed and shaped. Understanding issues of governance is key to being a successful manager in the international sport sector.
Principles of International Sport Management
The aim of this module is to explore the principles of management and their application in sport organisations. The module is primarily concerned with management principles (theory and practice) in the context of sport organisations in public, private and voluntary sectors, globally. Throughout the module, students are encouraged to consider the evidence and issues raised from an international perspective.
Optional courses
Choose one:
- Contemporary Consumers
- Leadership
- Marketing
Semester 2
Three mandatory courses, one optional course and a 50-hour placement.
Mandatory courses
Applied Sport Management
The module develops knowledge of sport management through examination of issues and application of approaches to the management of global organisations in the sport industry. Students will be challenged to apply their knowledge and analytical skills to identify and address some of the management challenges faced by the industry.
Professional Practice in Sport Management
This module will enable students to develop an awareness of work-related issues and professional standards in the sport management domain. In addition, it will allow continuing personal and professional development, and develop personal and professional key skills and competencies as students undertake a period of work placement
Research Philosophy and Practice
This module aims to prepare students for carrying out their MSc dissertation. Students will generate an understanding of the theory and approaches to research as well as the tools and techniques required. Research design, project planning and writing style are discussed.
Optional courses
Choose one from:
- Branding and Communications
- Social Media Marketing
- Heritage and Cultural Marketing
Semester 3
Dissertation
This requires that the student undertakes an independent research project upon a topic of their choice within the broad domain of international sports management. Utilising the skills developed within Research Philosophy and Practice, the student is expected to produce a substantive work upon their chosen research topic. The student is supported through this process via a pre-allocated supervisor.
Examples of dissertation topics are:
- Sport's role in climate justice
- Issues in the geopolitical economy of sport
- Innovation in sport – the role of athlete entrepreneurs
- Social entrepreneurship in sport
- Gender in sport organisations
Go Global
Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact studywithus@hw.ac.uk for further information.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Status [footnote 1] | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | 9152 | 4576 |
| Overseas [footnote 2] | 20376 | 10188 |
Additional fee information
Sports scholarships
We have recently launched a set of Sports Scholarships for a variety of student athletes. These scholarships are available on an individual and team sport basis and give you exclusive access to benefits as well as a percentage reduction on your tuition fees based on the level of scholarship.
Scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.
Entry requirements
Entry
A good honours degree (first or second class), or its non-UK equivalent, in a sport-related or business and management-related subject, from a recognised British or overseas university. Applications are also welcomed from students who have a good honours degree in an unrelated subject but who have experience of working in sport or general business and management.
Global College - successful completion of our one-year Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma in Business Studies or the four-month Pre-Masters (Accelerated).
English language requirements
If English is not your first language a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required with all elements passed at 6.0 or above. Please refer to English language requirements for further details.
Some applicants may be asked for alternative evidence in line with UKVI recognised English speaking countries. Applicants who have previously successfully completed courses delivered in the medium of English language may be considered and will be required to provide documentary evidence of this. Examples would be secondary school education or undergraduate degree. A minimum of at least one year of full time study (or equivalent) in the medium of English language will be required.
All evidence of English language needs to be dated within two years of the commencement of study.
We also offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your master's programme:
- 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
- 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
- 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
- 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)
Why Heriot-Watt?
Sport Scholarships Programme
Our scholarships operate on a top up basis, acting as a fully inclusive method to ensure each individual can reach their full potential in their chosen sport while simultaneously reaching their full academic potential studying at Heriot-Watt University.
Sports Union
The Sports Union is the student-focused organisation that provides a sport and exercise community for students. We have over 30 sports clubs you can join ranging from Aikido to Ultimate Frisbee
Clubs and activities
At Heriot-Watt we have an extensive programme of over 90 sports clubs and societies to get involved in. You can try as many as you like or start one of your own!
Edinburgh campus accommodation
Living on our beautiful Edinburgh campus is a great way to meet others from all over the world. Our student accommodation is within easy reach of the teaching buildings, sports facilities, catering venues and the Student Union
Edinburgh Campus facilities
At Heriot-Watt University, we offer a wide range of services to help you deal with all aspects of your life with us, whether these be academic, personal, technical, financial or just plain fun!
Health and wellbeing
Student Wellbeing Services aim to provide a range of support, guidance, activities and advice to help students to be their best, and get the most from their university experience. From counselling to coaching we'll sure you are fully supported.
Heriot-Watt Student Union
There's more to university life than simply getting your degree, and Heriot-Watt University Student Union is all about helping you to have the best possible experience while you study here.
Living in Edinburgh
Historic and beautiful, a cultural capital that fuels the senses whether you love the arts or nature, nightlife or study life, Edinburgh is stimulating and inspirational and never, ever boring.
Sport facilities
Oriam, Scotland Sports Performance Centre offers state-of-the-art sports facilities, for all levels of sport and ability
Your career
Employers around the world actively seek out our graduates because they are work-ready. All our degrees are career-focused and relevant to the needs of industry. Around 95% of our students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.