Start dates:

September: UCFB Wembley or Distance Learning (online)

January: Distance Learning (online)

Course length: One year (full-time) and two year (part-time) options available

Priority Application Deadline:

31 August 2023 for September 2023 entry

8 January 2024 for January 2024 entry

Degree overview

The Global Institute of Sport's (GIS) unique MSc International Sport Management provides an unparalleled educational and experiential opportunity for aspiring sports leaders.

This pioneering programme has been developed as a transformational journey suited for graduates of all disciplines, as well as for current professionals working within various sectors of the sport industry, for example in management, marketing or operations.

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Teaching locations & learning options
UCFB Wembley

This degree is available at UCFB Wembley, London, which the iconic Wembley Stadium at the heart of its campus. What could be more motivating for a future career in the sports industry than walking into the most famous stadium in the world? Our UCFB Wembley campus enjoys excellent facilities with lecture theatres, seminar rooms, quiet study areas, library and media suites.

Wembley Stadium

Arch View House

Distance Learning (online)

Our Distance Learing degrees are taught by the same leading industry experts who teach our on-campus degrees with teaching delivered online via our dedicated Online Hub which can be accessed anytime making this a flexible study option that fits around your existing commitments.

Each module typically has 6 live teaching sessions for you to attend, enabling you to interact and collaborate with academics and your peers. These sessions are also recorded. 

For our degrees starting in September, the live online sessions are delivered early evening UK time. 

For our degrees starting in January, the live online sessions are delivered between 8.30-11am UK time.

Click here for our full list of Distance Learning degree FAQs

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This pioneering programme has been developed as a transformational journey suited for graduates of all disciplines, as well as for current professionals working within various sectors of the sport industry, for example in management, marketing or operations.

Degree specification documents and information

The Global Institute of Sport is an embedded college of the University of East London. All GIS graduates will receive a degree from the University of East London.

Click here for the course specification for this degree

J

It’s amazing being able to spend my time working in a sport I love.

Jeni KingmanRugby Events & Competitions Assistant at the Rugby Football Union

Your Programme Leader

Jane Abbey
Academic staff Jane Abbey Programme Leader
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Modules

Degree modules
Global Sustainable Sports Operations

Making a sports arena or stadium sustainable in the long term, requires insight into the different aspects of sustainable development policies and how these affect the sports industries.

This module is focused on the strategic management of stadiums and aims to develop your understanding of sustainable policies and how they influence the decision-making process.

The module will introduce you to a wide range of sustainable development policies and event management principles in the context of the global sports industry. At the end of this module, you will have a greater understanding of sports operation management, event management and sustainable strategies.

Managing Global Strategy

The world economy is becoming less predictable and less stable. Events over the last decade will define the events of the coming decade. This module seeks to arm you with the tools, the critical thinking and the practical skills you need to compete in the global economy of the third decade of the Twenty-First Century. Ultimately, strategy and strategic management are about achieving the long-term aims and objectives of the organisation, whilst taking in to account changes in both the macro and micro environment alongside shifts in emerging economies e.g. BRICS and their potential impact in the sports market place. Whilst there are many theorists writing in this area, there are a limited few, with practical strategic senior management experience, especially in the area of global sport. The purpose of this module is to ready you for the challenges of management and senior management, not just to be able to make, but to be able to understand why decisions are made. More importantly, with an over-arching and long embedded theme of illuminating strategy through strategic decision analysis, the successful student will learn how to make the best decisions based on solid evidence.

This is a practical focused module, offering you skills and knowledge from the real world of business with theoretical underpinning. You will learn how to produce effective decision analysis tools, how to justify choices and decisions whilst considering, and debating, the inadequacies of existing theories. You will
discover best practice from varied and disparate industries and will self-discover how these exemplars can be implemented in football and sport. Thus the ultimate aim of this module is to produce the highly effective and efficient senior management necessary to take football and sport into the third decade of the 21st century with all its challenges.

Global Sports Marketing and Digital Communications

Globalisation is profoundly impacting the sports industry as a direct result of increased exposure through broadcasting and social media. Many sports brands are increasingly targeting overseas markets to reach new fans and customers, develop new revenue streams and gain competitive advantage. However,
navigating such opportunities and threats posed by new international markets calls for an acute understanding of national culture and the effective use of both traditional and digital marketing techniques. This course explores the key principles and practices involved with identifying new markets and creating
a winning marketing strategy for successful new market entry. It also addresses how digital and social media communications strategies have revolutionised the connection and conversation between sports brands and consumers.

Global Sports Leadership

Leadership is a fundamental element of both sport and business operating in a dynamic global arena. On this module you will review and conceptualise different approaches to leadership from both an applied and theoretical perspective to allow you to analyse critical incidents in order to judge organisational leadership performance. You will be able to apply leadership theory to examples from industry professionals who have experience of leading teams in a sporting setting. Cross-cultural leadership underpins many of the behaviours and skills discussed within the leadership framework, alongside diversity and inclusion, strategic leadership, communication and reflection. The module allows you to take responsibility for your own leadership development and effectiveness through the development of an e-portfolio and skills audit, alongside exposure to sports leaders from the global network of partners contributing to the live case studies.

Applied Professional Project

This module will advance your research and critical thinking skills, and support you in applying these to the sport industry and its associated workplace environments. This module aims to prepare you for research, reflective, and evidence-based development, important for your future career and higher study where applicable. The undertaking of an applied project will give you the opportunity to develop your problem-solving skills regarding topical issues in your area of interest, whilst also allowing you to evidence your academic ability and knowledge. By completing this project and consulting with your tutor, you will establish expertise in an applied area of interest, aiming to have real impact on the relevant industry.

This module will give you a live insight into sport business issues. You will gain a thorough practice-based understanding of project design, conduct and action. As a result, you will be able to design and manage an applied project, and show potential to contribute to academic knowledge and industry practice – making
you highly desirable for potential employers.

Contemporary Issues in Sport (Distance (with attendance))

When working in the dynamic sports industry, it is essential to understand the wide variety of issues that are important to the business and management of sport, without neglecting the implications of our actions as managers on the wider sports population.

This module offers an engaging, informative, yet challenging introduction to some of the most pressing contemporary issues in sport. The module aims to provide you with a critical awareness of contemporary issues in sport by examining a number of topics ranging from global issues such as corruption, gambling and commercialisation, to national issues of gender, sexuality, racism and women in sport. You will develop an understanding of these issues by being empowered to formulate personal opinion underpinned by theoretical evidence in the format of assessed seminar discussions. Listening skills, alongside verbal reasoning will also be developed in order to develop critical understanding of relatively complex themes that affect both the sports industry and society as a whole.

Contemporary Issues in Sport (Distance)

When working in the dynamic sports industry, it is essential to understand the wide variety of issues that are important to the business and management of sport, without neglecting the implications of our actions as managers on the wider sports population.

This module offers an engaging, informative, yet challenging introduction to some of the most pressing contemporary issues in sport. The module aims to provide you with a critical awareness of contemporary issues in sport by examining a number of topics ranging from global issues such as corruption, gambling and commercialisation, to national issues of gender, sexuality, racism and women in sport. You will develop an understanding of these issues by being empowered to formulate personal opinion underpinned by theoretical evidence in the format of assessed seminar discussions. Listening skills, alongside verbal reasoning will also be developed in order to develop critical understanding of relatively complex themes that affect both the sports industry and society as a whole.

Entrepreneurship in Sport

As a sport business professional, you will be immersed in an industry that is full of potential for growth and innovation. Perhaps you will feel there is a better way of conducting business, perhaps you feel there should be a different way to approaching a specific activity; or perhaps you just prefer to have your own business, in which case this module is for you.

From business model development to presentation skills, this module will provide you with essential skills to succeed as an entrepreneur in the sport industry. Not only that it will also cover the fundamental aspects and areas you should consider in order to best approach the world and the life of an entrepreneur in the sport industry.

Entry requirements

Requirements
Overview

You will have a Bachelor’s degree with 2:1 classification or an international equivalent. International students that require an IELTS must have an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening, or recognised equivalent). Relevant academic experience in business, marketing or sport is desirable.

Applicants will be expected to participate in and pass an Academic led interview with senior members of the UCFB team, as well submitting an outstanding personal statement and highly supportive academic and professional references.

Interviews can be held over Skype or at our UCFB Wembley campus, successful applicants will be invited to attend one of our interview sessions following a review of their application.

If you are unsure whether you meet the entry criteria for this programme, or whether you require IELTS results, please email mastersenquiries@ucfb.com with a copy of your most recent CV including nationality, visa status if applicable, and undergraduate degree transcripts. Candidates with a strong CV may qualify for a supplementary admissions interview to support their academic application.

International students

We cannot currently sponsor non-EU students’ visas.

You will not need a visa to study in the UK if:

  • You are a British citizen
  • You are a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA) member state or Switzerland
  • You have a visa to stay in the UK for another purpose that allows you to study

If you are still unsure whether you would need a visa to study in the UK, or for more information, please contact admissions@ucfb.com. You can also study one of our Online Master's degrees.

Applications
Application deadline

Priority Application Deadline - 31 August 2023

We strongly encourage you to submit your Masters application well before our 31 August 2023 priority application deadline (8 January 2024 for courses starting in January) to allow sufficient time for assessment of application, ensure availability on the course and enrolment in time for the beginning of your studies. Applications received after this date will only be considered on a case by case basis.

How to apply

To apply for this degree, please click here and follow the instructions to complete your application via our Learner Portal.

Application documents

Relevant documents for EU, UK and international applications:

  • Completed and signed application form;
  • Personal statement;
  • Copy of transcripts of highest qualification achieved and English translations (if applicable);
  • One academic and one professional reference and English translation (if applicable);
  • Copy of proof of English language level e.g. IELTS (if applicable).

"The programmes I examined give appropriate opportunities for students to be in involved in the latest developments in professional practice. This is a clear strength of the UCFB-GIS provision.

This is a strong course with a passionate teaching team. In the years that I have external examined the programme, the course offering has not only grown but also developed into the online market and is a clear national leader in this domain."

Dr Mike Rayner, External Examiner

Scholarships

The Global Institute of Sport is proud to offer an extensive suite of scholarships to support outstanding students as they embark on their postgraduate study. From scholarships to aid our elite athletes, to attracting aspiring sports leaders, and scholarships which support inclusivity and diversity within the sporting industry, our scholarships are there to support students who want to make a meaningful difference to the future of the sporting world.

Click here to find out more

Career prospects

The specificity of sport, with its high media coverage and numerous stakeholders, requires managers to have uniquely honed business skills and an in-depth knowledge of the principles of sport management. The programme has been developed for those with aspirations towards senior management positions within the core functional departments of the sport management industry, spanning business development, marketing, finance, operations and media. The international elements of this degree provide students with the skills and experience to progress in a multi-billion-pound global industry.

GIS graduate and Marketing and Partnerships Officer at Somerset FA Conor Ogilvie-Davidson

Regional football associations around the country help to make the game tick along at grassroots level by running leagues, bringing together volunteers and initiating youth projects. Working at the Somerset FA is Conor, a MSc International Sport Management (Online) graduate.

Read more
Conor Ogilvie-Davidson
Student profile Aman Jain

For MSc International Sport Management student Aman Jain, his internship at sports management group Vitae Sports gave him the opportunity to increase the company’s social media presence alongside interviewing a number of international cricketers…

Read more
Aman Jain

Fees

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Available tuition fee discounts
Postgraduate Loyalty Discounts

These discounts are open to any UCFB, Buckinghamshire New University and University of East London graduate who has received and accepted an offer to study at postgraduate level with UCFB’s Global Institute of Sport.

GIS Alumni

If you’d like to extend your time with us, we’re pleased to offer all GIS graduates:

UCFB and GIS business partners

We're pleased to offer all UCFB and GIS business partners 15% fee tuition discount on all Undergraduate, Master's programmes.

Additional information about fees
Additional fees

In some instances, optional activities provided may carry an additional cost for participants (e.g. qualifications with external certification such as FA Coaching Badges). Any additional costs will be provided to students in advance of any such sessions running.

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