Foundation Degree Sports Business Kevin Ball Kevin.ball@hartpury.ac.uk The programme team would like to welcome you to Foundation Degree in Sports Business. During your time at Hartpury you will learn how the key functions of a sports business operate and will have opportunities to meet Industry professionals who are shaping the future of this industry. You will visit clubs, stadia and high profile events to allow you to bring your classroom learning to life. As a student at Hartpury you will have many opportunities to become involved through assignment tasks, group work and volunteering; these activities will help equip you with skills and knowledge that are relevant to your future employment as a sports business professional. We will work closely with you so you can achieve your very best both academically and in preparation for your dream career. Your tutors all have wide industry experience in addition to academic and industry research, this will help you to understand how and why the theories you read about work or in some cases don t! We are very proud of the young people we work with on this programme and the futures they carve for themselves. In addition to your individual module tutors you will have an academic year tutor, who will help you to make the most of your academic & personal development opportunities. We try, where possible, to keep this same tutor throughout your whole degree. In addition your programme manager ensures everything is running smoothly and loves to hear your ideas. We constantly strive to improve your experience and opportunities and often the very best ideas are inspired by our students! BEFORE YOU ARRIVE PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING! Having the right Kit: Other than files and stationery, there is no essential extra kit you will need to purchase for your programme of study, are involved in official College sports teams you will be encouraged to wear College kit. College kit can however if you be ordered on the College Online Shop: Yourshop.Maudesport.com. Samples will be available to view on Welcome Day and during the Academic Induction Week- please ensure that you leave your name as a reference for the purchase if your parents are paying for your kit, so we can contact you when it arrives. Please bring along a pair of studded/ moulded boots or AstroTurf trainers, as flat soled footwear must not be worn on the 3G pitches. For recreational sport, college kit will not be needed, purchase of this this will be entirely your choice.
Reading for your degree During your programme you will be expected to read extensively around your subject. Each module will have a reading list which will be given to you at the start of the course. In addition, you will be expected to refer to the following core textbooks in the first year of study: Fineman, S. Gabriel, Y. and Sims, D. (2010) Organizing and Organizations (Fourth Edition), London: Sage and Grey, C. (2005) A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book About Studying Organisations, London: Sage BUDGET FOR THOSE EXTRAS Your programme offers you the fantastic opportunity to gain an industry recognised management qualification known as Institute of Leadership & (ILM) level 2 Award. You will study for and complete the requirements for this award as part of your module during your first year. In order to attain the award you will need to register with the ILM. Registration fees are 120 and can be paid on enrolment. We often arrange additional courses to enhance your CV during scheduled study weeks; these are provided by industry specialists or through our short course department. These will be advertised throughout your course & as a guide recognised certificates may cost 50-100 and can be paid locally through our online shop Many trips are included in your programme, however sometimes we arrange additional/optional trips, for example a day at Cheltenham races typically this event will cost you 15. Additionally you will have the option to choose a study trip module in your second year, this previously involved 4 days away visiting top sports venues in Barcelona, costing approx. 800. COME AND SEE US We host a major 3* equestrian event in August; this is a fabulous occasion bringing top eventers from all over the world to Hartpury for 3 days of top level sport. It s a great spectator event for any sporting interest, and showcases one of opportunities available for our business students to gain hands on event management experience. If you would like to visit Hartpury at our Open Day on the 22 nd June, please book a place on the Hartpury website. If you are unable to make this date, but would like to come to visit Hartpury, email Admissions@hartpury.ac.uk to arrange a personal visit. ARRIVING AT HARTPURY: WELCOME WEEK Welcome day on the 13th of September is a great way to meet other students and get familiar with the campus and move in (residential and non-residential). It is also the start of Hartpury Fresher s, kicked off by a live band in the Hartpury Bar and the start of legendry Fresher s experience! When you arrive on Sunday, you will receive an induction timetable giving you a full schedule for the week s activities. Introductory sessions commence during this period to ensure your start is as smooth as possible. Attendance is compulsory for these as we want all to know exactly what to expect from Day One. There will be a mix of administrative, get to know the ropes sessions which will ensure you know who you will be working with during your course and who can help you out with any queries you may have. Additionally we arrange a light hearted team building afternoon so you can get to know your tutors and each other better!
AND THEN THE WORK STARTS. The programme is split into two semesters. Semester ONE runs from Sept to Dec (Exams in January) and semester TWO run from Jan (end) to Apr/May (Exams May-June). You will study different types of modules: there are those that start and end in one semester while others start in September and are assessed at the end of semester two for example: Nearly all our modules have a lecture and seminar component The Sport teaching week is Mon-Fri with Wednesday FREE for students to participate in sports. The teaching times are 10:00am-18:00pm. In your first year you will study 120 credits; this is made up of 7 modules. The personal & management development module will span the whole year and will support your study skills, team building, and personal development planning. This module incorporates the ILM award mentioned above and will involve a group project. Other modules studied in year 1 will be economics, finance, organisations& people, marketing, sports industry, & sports facilities management. These usually are split for 1.5 hours each per week allowing time in between for reading & preparation. It is expected that outside taught sessions you will complete any directed tasks and read independently around the topics covered. As a guide we would expect for each 15 credit module, a total of 150 hours study is conducted. MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR DEGREE During the course of your study you will have the opportunity to further develop your understanding of the sports industry, practice your networking & communication skills and take additional courses to enhance your employment prospects. The course tutors constantly strive to open opportunities for you to experience aspects of the industry first hand. We support you to build a personal development plan throughout their time at Hartpury & encourage you to seek out relevant voluntary and work experience and equip you with skills to compete favourably when applying for your first graduate job. Course assessments will give you the chance to practice a range of skills you will need in the workplace, such as presentations, teamwork, and business communication. The flexibility of a Foundation Degree enables you either enter the world of employment at the end of your two programme or stay on at Hartpury and top-up your qualification to a BA (Hons) in Sports Business. The latter choice is the preferred route for many of our students who have demonstrated their intellectual capabilities whilst studying on the Foundation Programme. We are committed to developing our graduates and provide a programme of workshops and enrichment activities to help develop academic skills and employability. Study support will be offered via your personal tutor and the Success & Achievement team who will assist you with skills to make the most of your potential. Our Innovation, Careers and Enterprise centre, provides assistance, guidance and opportunities to help you to build your CV and prepare for your future career.
DREAMS START HERE. The following illustrates how your module choices can lead to careers in different areas. Each column shows a career path and how modules can support your career path. CAREERS SPORTS MARKETEER CLUB/FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ENTREPRENEUR/ SPORTS COLLABORATOR PROJECT/EVENT MANAGEMENT SPORTS MEDIA & COMMUNICATIO NS LEVEL 1 Business & Financial Information Business & the Economic Environment the Market Process Sports Facilities Business & the Economic Environment People People LEVEL 2 Event & Fundraising Sports Hospitality New Venture Creation Study Trip Sports Governance Managing Business Processes Human Resource Accounting Information for Business Human Resource Sports Business Experience
PLACEMENTS During your degree you will complete a work placement; this will comprise at least 220 hours of relevant industry experience. Our alumni and industry partners positively endorse the value of this opportunity within the programme. How are placements managed? You will be assigned a Placement Tutor who will act as your central contact throughout the placement. The College also has a designated HE Work Placement Coordinator (WPC) who is there to support and oversee the overall placement process they are here to help you, from sign posting you to where to look for placements, highlighting the bank of placements we already have established and of course being they are allocated to support, guide and advise you. Someone on the end of the phone / email throughout the placement. We have asked students what tips you would give future work placement students; these were the most common responses. Start looking for the placement early and don t leave it until the last minute. When trying to find a placement it is sometimes better to phone or visit in person rather than emailing. This could be before you even start on the course! FINAL WORD TOP TIPS FROM THOSE WHO KNOW Make the most of every learning opportunity that is afforded to you. These include formal lectures, seminars, conferences and the informal interactions, discussions with peers and other professionals, etc. Use your time wisely. The most successful students are those that have time for everything: class, self-study, friends, sport, etc. You need to plan your time effectively. Involve yourself with extra projects and opportunities to build your experience; this will pay dividends later on. Your lecturers are here to help you, talk to them! University is a great life experience, enjoy it to the full.