B1.2 PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION COURSE TITLE: MSc SPORT MANAGEMENT PLEASE NOTE: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he or she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities provided. More detailed information on the specific learning outcomes, content and the teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the course handbook. 1 AWARDING INSTITUTION/BODY: University of Ulster 2 TEACHING INSTITUTION: University of Ulster 3 LOCATION: Jordanstown 4 ACCREDITED BY: N/A 5 FINAL AWARD: MSc Sport with exit awards, PG Diploma in Sport and PG Certificate in Sport 6. MODE OF ATTENDANCE: Full-time / Part-Time 7. SPECIALISMS: Business and Studies 8. COURSE/UCAS CODE: 6189PJ-BM 9. DATE REVISED: Effective from 2013/14 10 EDUCATIONAL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE The MSc Sport programme offers an advanced qualification useful to graduates wishing to pursue managerial and entrepreneurial careers in sport related industries. The programme's overall aim is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage and lead in a sport related business domain, adding value through an integrated and critical understanding of management and organisations, and the development of transferable and intellectual skills that are essential for successful management practices. Within that overall aim the purpose of the course is to: Enable an advanced study of sport related organisations, their management and the changing external context in which they operate; Develop the transferable intellectual and employability skills necessary to develop a career in sport management; Develop an international perspective on a range of business issues; Develop the ability to analyse management problems critically, rationally and rigorously to systematically apply knowledge and understanding of business and management concepts to complex issues within a rapidly changing business environment; Comprehend and use relevant CIT for application in business and B1
management; Develop strategic thinking, innovation and entrepreneurial skills; Develop interpersonal and group-working skills; Enhance lifelong learning skills and personal development to be able to work with self-direction and originality and contribute to business and society as a whole. 11 MAIN LEARNING OUTCOMES The following reference points were used to inform the development of the course and its learning outcomes: Feedback from sports related bodies and local industry, such as The Institute of Leisure and Amenity (ILAM) (Ireland), The Institute of Sport, Parks and Amenities and Leisure (ISPAL) (UK) and Sport Northern Ireland; Feedback from past and present students, employers, business contributors and External Examiners; The University s Vision and core strategic aims, teaching and learning strategy and policies; Current research or other advanced scholarship carried out by academic staff; QAA subject benchmark statements (2007); MSC National Occupational Standards (2004); Requirements of professional, statutory or regulatory bodies; National and University qualifications and credit framework. The course provides opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate the following learning. Successful students will be able to: 11K K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF SUBJECT Demonstrate knowledge and critical appreciation of the key environmental factors which impact on organisational behaviour, management and structure; Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of functional concepts and processes, including production, marketing, finance, human relations, enterprise and information management, which form part of most sport related organisations; Develop and enhance specific business competence in an area of sport management; Know and evaluate the principles of organisational behaviour and the roles and functions of the manager within a contemporary sports related organisation; Understand general and strategic management and the need to apply and integrate multidisciplinary perspectives in this area; Systematically review and apply knowledge and understanding of business and management concepts to a range of organisational contexts. Understand and apply aspects of business and management within the sport sector. B2
Relationship of learning outcomes to award levels: PgCert: the minimum outcomes at this level are K1, K2, K4, K5 PgDip: the minimum outcomes at this level are K1 K5, K7 MSc: all learning outcomes are applicable. Learning and Teaching Methods In addition to lectures, seminars, directed reading, and IT-based resources, knowledge and understanding of the subject are acquired and further developed through case studies, extra-curricular project activity and within Semester 3, through student work/internship and employability experiences. Visiting speakers and practitioners master classes will be used to further develop a sound theoretical understanding of contemporary issues within business and management. These additional classes will place an emphasis on the effective consideration of student undergraduate disciplines and their application within organisational contexts. Assessment Methods Testing of the knowledge base is through examinations, a range of coursework assignments, class tests, projects and oral presentations. 11I I1 I2 I3 INTELLECTUAL QUALITIES Critically evaluate the relevance and applicability of theory within a range of applied contexts; Evaluate the relevance and validity of primary and secondary sources of information; Demonstrate a critical awareness of current issues in business which is informed by research and practice in the field. Relationship of learning outcomes to award levels: PgCert: the minimum outcomes at this level are I1 PgDip: the minimum outcomes at this level are I1 I2 MSc: all learning outcomes are applicable. Learning and Teaching Methods Intellectual qualities are developed through a combination of problem-based learning resources, research-based teaching materials, student-led seminar discussions and project work in parallel with 11P and 11T below. Assessment Methods B3
Assessment of these learning outcomes takes place primarily through researchbased (individual and group) assignments, a seen examination and, in particular, the final Internship and Professional Development module. 11P P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 PROFESSIONAL/PRACTICAL SKILLS Locate, scan and organise data, extract meaning and share knowledge; Understand the mechanisms which influence group behaviour and develop teamwork and some leadership skills; Develop skills in effective listening, negotiating and resolving conflict within group processes; Recognise ethical situations and apply ethical and organisational values to those situations; Demonstrate innovative and enterprise skills and appreciate the challenges inherent in entrepreneurial practice; Be self-directed and able to act autonomously in planning and implementing projects. Relationship of learning outcomes to award levels: PgCert: the minimum outcomes at this level are P1 - P3 PgDip: minimum outcomes at this level are P1 P5 MSc: all learning outcomes are applicable. Learning and Teaching Methods The learning and teaching methods used to develop professional/practical skills place emphasis on group work and experiential learning, building on the outcomes of 11K. The development of these skills begins at induction with a focus on recognising and utilising individual contributions in group processes. It continues through lectures, tutorial support, case studies, assignments and project work. Verbal and written feedback is provided to identify and confirm good practice. Assessment Methods Individual and group projects and applied assignments, coursework presentations and peer assessment are used to assess professional and practical skills development. 11T T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 TRANSFERABLE/ KEY SKILLS Demonstrate proficiency in written and oral communication using a variety of media; Apply relevant numerical skills to aid analysis of information provided within lectures/seminars and assessed work; Demonstrate effective use of ICT skills; Demonstrate personal effectiveness through self and time management; Demonstrate the ability to learn through reflection on practice and experience. B4
Relationship of learning outcomes to award levels: PgCert: the minimum outcomes at this level are T1 T4 PgDip: all learning outcomes are applicable MSc: all learning outcomes are applicable. Learning and Teaching Methods These softer skills are a well integrated aspect of the whole course. In particular however, they are established and developed through the completion of practical and applied exercises, work-based assignments and case studies that may require peer presentations. Students are given written and verbal feedback on content as well as transferable skills such as the quality of writing and presentation. Assessment Methods These learning outcomes are assessed alongside those under sections 11K, 11I and 11P through a range of methods, in particular work-based assignments and projects (individual and group), sometimes involving presentations. B5
TABLE 1. PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOME MAP Please Note: The matrix displays only the measurable programme outcomes and where these are developed and assessed within the modules offered in the programmes MODULE OUTCOMES TITLES Enterprise and New Venture Creation LEVEL CODE K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 I1 I2 I3 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 7 New X X X X X X X X X X Finance 7 New X X X X X X X X X Strategic Sports Marketing 7 SLS711 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Operations and Supply Chain 7 New X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Managing and Leading People 7 New X X X X X X X X X X X X Sports Policy, Planning & 7 New X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Business Model Innovation 7 New X X X X X X X X X X X Internship and Project 7 SLS806 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X B6
12 STRUCTURE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD This is a multidisciplinary programme designed specifically for students with an interest in sport management. This course is aimed at graduates aspiring to work in sports business or management by gaining a Masters award that develops sector-specific knowledge and appropriate skills in a sports management context. It is also aimed at professionals working in the sports industry, either in sport management, sports marketing, events organisation, or other appropriate area and who wish to build on that experience through a structured programme of study. The duration of the programme is normally one calendar year of 3 semesters for full-time attendance, and two calendar years over 6 semesters for part-time attendance. The programme design is compatible with the Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (CATS) and the National Qualifications Framework. The course is modular in design with students undertaking 8 modules in total to obtain the MSc Sport degree. Students will normally study 3 modules in each of the first 2 semesters, in the third semester they will study an additional module and undertake an applied management project which may incorporate a student placement element. All modules attract 20 points (60 per semester for the taught element), with the applied management project attracting 40 points. Successful completion of the taught element of the programme leads to the award of the Certificate, Diploma, or Master of Science (MSc) in Sport. The PG Certificate stage of the programme uses a rigid curriculum to explore a core set of concepts and ideas about business enterprise and management. In addition to further developing core skills through the Enterprise and New Venture Creation module, the PG Certificate stage also challenges students to apply their understanding of core topics to contemporary issues and specialist fields of business and management such as Finance and Strategic Sports Marketing. Students may exit with a PG Certificate in Sport provided they have passed modules up to a value of at least 60 credit points. The second semester of the programme explores in more detail the environment in which the organisation seeks to grow and prosper, including the strategic, operational and human influences. Students will focus on the use of sport events and sport-related tourism to drive local, regional and national economic activity. Students who do not achieve sufficient credit to be awarded the Master s degree or who chose not to proceed to the final stages of the course may exit the course with a Postgraduate Diploma in Sport provided they have passed all the modules in Semesters 1 and 2 up to a value of at least 120 credit points. The award of a PgD with Distinction may be made to students with an average mark of at least 70%, provided that a module mark of at least 70% has been achieved in modules amounting to 120 credit points. The final semester of the programme seeks to develop an innovative and experiential perspective to student learning through the Business Model Innovation module and the applied Internship and Project. To be awarded the MSc Sport students must pass all module assessment (pass mark 50%) in modules up to at least 180 credit points. Students with an average mark of at least 70% across all modules are eligible for the Master s award with Distinction. B7
Semester 3 Semester 2 Semester 1 In the full-time mode, the MSc Sport is usually completed in one calendar year (3 semesters), the Postgraduate Diploma in 2 semesters, and the PG Certificate in 1 semester. In the part-time mode, the MSc Sport is usually completed in two calendar years (6 semesters), the Postgraduate Diploma in 4 semesters, and the PG Certificate in 2 semester. Details of full-time and part-time courses are shown below. Course Structure and Academic Progression: MSc Sport Full-time study Semester Essential business discipline modules Core business strategy modules Essential business discipline module Finance Enterprise & New Venture Creation Sports Policy,Planning & (C/20/E) Operations & Supply Chain Strategic Sports Marketing (C/20/E) Managing & Leading People Business Model Innovation Internship & Project (C/40/E) B8
Part-time study YEAR ONE YEAR TWO Semester 1 Semester 1 Enterprise and New Venture Creation Semester 2 Strategic Sports Marketing (O/20/E) Sports Policy, Planning & (C/20/E) Operations and Supply Chain Finance Semester 2 Managing and Leading People Semester 3 Semester 3 Business Model Innovation All modules are level 7 C = Compulsory Module 20 = 20 Credit Points E= Existing O = Optional Module 40= 40 Credit Points N = New Internship And Project (O/40/E) The difference in academic structure and progression between the full-time and part-time mode is reflected in the different modules constituting the full-time and part-time PG Certificate and PG Diploma exit awards. The modules constituting the full-time and part-time exit awards are displayed below. Module breakdown for the full-time and part-time exit awards Full-time PGCert Sport Part-time PGCert Sport Enterprise and New Venture Creation Sports Policy,Planning & Finance Enterprise and New Venture Creation Sports Policy,Planning & Operations and Supply Chain B9
Full-time PGDip Sport Part-time PGDip Sport Enterprise and New Venture Creation Finance Sports Policy, Planning & Operations and Supply Chain Strategic Sports Marketing Managing & Leading People Enterprise and New Venture Creation Finance Sports Policy, Planning & Operations and Supply Chain Strategic Sports Marketing Business Model Innovation Full-time MSc Sport Part-time MSc Sport Enterprise and New Venture Creation Finance Sports Policy, Planning & Operations and Supply Chain Strategic Sports Marketing Managing & Leading People Business Model Innovation Internship & Project Enterprise and New Venture Creation Finance Sports Policy, Planning & Operations and Supply Chain Strategic Sports Marketing Managing & Leading People Business Model Innovation Internship & Project * Bold italics are used to highlight differences between the full-time and part-time mode. Whereas both full-time and part-time students complete the same modules for the MSc Sport degree the modules completed for the Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma exit awards vary between full-time and part time mode. Both of these exit awards differ by one module between the full-time and part-time mode of delivery. For example, students completing a full-time PG Certificate will study Finance, whereas the part-time students will study Operations and Supply Chain. Students completing a full-time PG Diploma will study Managing and Leading People, whereas the part-time students will study Business Model Innovation instead. The MSc course contains three central business strategy modules: Enterprise and New Value Creation, Strategic Sports Marketing and Business Model Innovation, which focus on providing students with the knowledge and skills required to evaluate and improve the core business idea and strategic direction of any business enterprise. Alongside these modules, sit the essential business discipline modules: Finance, Marketing, Operations and Supply Chain and Managing and Leading People, which are vital components to inform and sustain business success. The Finance and Operations and Supply Chain modules can be viewed as interchangeable in regards to the level of learning outcomes achieved by the students. B10
A 'core business strategy' module (Business model Innovation) replaces a 'business discipline ' module (Managing and Leading People) for the part-time PG Diploma. This slight shift in emphasis reflects the vocational nature of the part-time cohort, and accommodates an awareness that they are likely to have a higher level of business / management level experience. The learning outcomes are similar across these two modules. In summary, Irrespective of the slight differences, the same programme level learning outcomes are achieved by students in regard to the MSc Sport, and the PgCert and PgDip exit routes. 13 SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR LEARNING Students and their learning are supported in a number of ways: Student handbook and course-specific induction materials, with an initial 3-day residential programme; LRC subject-based induction session for new and returning (an optional session for returning) students; Course Director, also acts as the Studies Adviser; Easy access to Course Director, Postgraduate Course Administrator, Employability and Careers Co-ordinator and teaching staff; Staff/Student Consultative Meetings with each student cohort (x4) held at least once per semester agreed minutes are e-mailed directly to all course registered students; Student s Union; Extensive electronic communications via student e-mail, Blackboard, updated reading lists and examination results, for example; Ongoing interaction with the Careers Development Centre, mainly through the support of employability and careers activity; Formal liaison with campus-based International Office in support of overseas students; Detailed feedback provided on individual/group assignment presentations. 14 CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION Applicants must hold a good honours degree [with at least 2.2 Honours standard] or equivalent or demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning. Overseas students must have in addition a minimum English of IELTS 6.0/TOEFL 550 or above. 15 EVALUATING AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND STANDARD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING Processes and mechanisms used for reviewing and evaluating teaching, learning, assessment, the curriculum and outcome standards include: B11
QAA Benchmark Guidelines for Masters Programmes in Business and (2007); Views of students as expressed through Staff/Student consultation and other feedback mechanisms, including module evaluations; Views of employers; Views of external examiners for the course; Student performance data and career progression; University processes for initial approval, revalidation and annual subject monitoring; Staff membership of the Higher Education Academy and of other professional bodies; Staff interaction with the HEA and related Subject Centre. In addition, there are University and Faculty strategies for teaching and learning. 16 REGULATION OF STANDARDS General course regulations are in accordance with the current University of Ulster Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations and are updated annually in the student handbook for the course. Assessment Rules The pass mark for each module is 50%. To qualify for the award of the PG Certificate in Sport, students must have successfully completed modules to a value of 60 credit points. To qualify for the award of Pg Diploma in Sport, students must have successfully completed modules to a value of 120 credit points. To qualify for the award of the MSc Sport students must have successfully completed all modules in the programme to a value of 180 credit points. To qualify for each available award with Distinction, students must pass al modules and achieve an overall average mark of 70% or more. External Examiner There are two External Examiners appointed to cover the MSc Sport. External examiners are academic subject or professional experts appointed from outside the University. Their key functions are to contribute to the assurance of the standards of the award and the fair treatment of students. They are involved in the moderation and approval of assessments and the moderation of the marking undertaken by internal examiners. The External Examiners report annually to the University. The role of the External Examiners is to report on quality and standards so that the validity of the degree to be awarded can be monitored. The full role and responsibilities of the External Examiners are set out in the University s Handbook for External Examiners. B12
17 INDICATORS OF QUALITY RELATING TO TEACHING AND LEARNING Examples are: Ulster Business School academic staff are encouraged to become members of the Higher Academy, as a number of staff within the Department have; One member of staff has received the University s Distinguished Teaching Award Fellowship (2007); In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, Business and Studies at the University of Ulster achieved an overall rating of 2.25 with 85% of the research profile deemed to be of international quality with 35% in the 3* and 4* categories; Many staff hold PGCHEP or equivalent professional qualifications; Many staff are research active and/or registered for higher degrees; Members of the course team act as External Examiners and as reviewers for a wide range of journals, including the European Journal of Marketing, Team Performance, the Journal of European Industrial Training, the Leadership and Organization Development Journal, the Journal of Development, the International Journal of Operations and Production and the European Journal of Industrial Training; Staff engage in research and consultancy activities within the subject area in addition to education research with funding being obtained from the Business,, Accountancy and Finance Higher Education Academy Subject Centre. A number of grants (BMAF, HEA) have been secured to support a range of teaching and learning related initiatives. B13
B14