MSc Sports Management Programme Specification Primary Purpose ourse management, monitoring and quality assurance. Secondary Purpose etailed information for students, staff and employers. urrent students should refer to the related ourse Handbook for further detail. isclaimer The University of Portsmouth has checked the information given in this Programme Specification and believes it to be correct. We will endeavour to deliver the course in keeping with this Programme Specification but reserve the right to change the content, timetabling and administration of the course whilst maintaining equivalent academic standards and quality. opyright The contents of this document are the copyright of the University of Portsmouth and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior consent of the University of Portsmouth.
ontents Programme Specification 1. Named Awards... 1 2. ourse ode (and UAS ode if applicable)... 1 3. Awarding ody... 1 4. Teaching Institution... 1 5. Accrediting ody... 1 6. QAA enchmark Groups... 1 7. ocument ontrol Information... 1 8. Effective Session... 1 9. Author... 1 10. Faculty... 1 11. epartment... 1 12. Educational Aims... 1 13. Reference Points... 2 14. Learning Outcomes... 2 A. Knowledge and Understanding of:... 2. ognitive (Intellectual or Thinking) Skills, able to:... 3. Practical (Professional or Subject) Skills, able to:... 4.Transferable (Graduate and Employability) Skills, able to:... 5 15. ourse Structure, Progression and Award Requirements... 5 16. Employability Statement... 6 17. Support for Student Learning... 6 18. Admissions riteria... 6 A. Academic Admissions riteria... 6. isability... 7 19. Evaluation and Enhancement of Standards and Quality in Learning and Teaching... 7 A. Mechanisms for Review and Evaluation... 7. Responsibilities for Monitoring and Evaluation... 7. Mechanisms for Gaining Student Feedback... 7. Staff evelopment Priorities... 7 20. Assessment Strategy... 8 21. Assessment Regulations... 8 22. Role of Externals... 8 23. Indicators of Standards and Quality... 8 A. Professional Accreditation/Recognition... 8. Periodic Programme Review (or equivalent)... 8. Quality Assurance Agency... 9. Others... 9 24. Other Sources of Information... 9
Programme Specification 1. Named Awards MSc Sports Management 2. ourse ode (and UAS ode if applicable) 2408F/P 3. Awarding ody University of Portsmouth 4. Teaching Institution University of Portsmouth 5. Accrediting ody None 6. QAA enchmark Groups Hospitality, leisure, sport and tourism (2008) 7. ocument ontrol Information July 2015 8. Effective Session 2015-2016 9. Author Mike Rayner 10. Faculty Science 11. epartment epartment of Sport and Exercise Science 12. Educational Aims 1. evelop an integrated and critically aware understanding of sports management and sportsrelated organisations. 2. ritically evaluate the political, social and economic role of sport in contemporary society 3. Apply theoretical research-based knowledge to enable reflective management practice in a range of sport environments 4. Enhance lifelong learning skills and personal development to enable a contribution to sports management and more generally to the sports sector 5. Enhance students ability to question current thinking, develop alternative hypotheses and engage in independent research Programme Specification for MSc Sports Management Page 1
13. Reference Points The MSc Sports Management was created to augment the undergraduate profile of the epartment of Sport and Exercise Science and to reflect the research profile of the department. The programme s learning outcomes have been developed in alignment with the University of Portsmouth regulations, policies and procedures and after consulting a number of relevant documents which are mentioned below. The epartment of Sport and Exercise Science wants to provide graduates with an opportunity to specialise in the area of Sports Management. Therefore, this MSc. programme was designed to comprehensively prepare postgraduates to work in the field of applied Sports Management. This MSc programme matches the specialism s offered by the ourse team, further enhances the epartment s research profile and meets the needs of the employment market. Additionally, the MSc programme encompasses many of the departmental aims and objectives such as; to increase the level of income currently generated from postgraduate students (5 year vision, SES, September 2010). urrent overarching documents such as the Framework for HE qualifications, SEE credit level descriptors are embedded in University documentation and as such have influenced the epartment of Sport and Exercise Science sport science programme and postgraduate provision, for example: University of Portsmouth urricula Framework ocument (March 2011) The scholarship and research expertise of academic members of staff QAA ode of Practice for the Assurance of Academic Quality and Standards in Higher Education Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) National Qualifications Framework Subject enchmark Statements (SS) - Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism. Occupational Standards Faculty of Science Staff Placement Handbook 2012-13 14. Learning Outcomes Statement of Orientation: The MSc Sports Management Programme will reflect contemporary learning, research and practice in sports management. It is expected that students who have successfully completed the course will, at threshold, have. A. Knowledge and Understanding of: A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 The types of research methods employed by researchers Issues involved with professional practice in sports management Project planning and ethical procedures required for research How to conduct empirical research projects The critical application of theory underpinning Sports Management The evaluation of current Sports Policy, planning provision and management The dynamic nature of the sports industry, its defining characteristics, and the structure, operation and organisation of the private, public and not-for-profit sectors The use of classical sociology in understanding the development and role of sport in contemporary society Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods A variety of teaching and learning strategies will be used based on successful methods currently used within the epartment of Sport and Exercise Science. For example: ore knowledge mainly delivered via lectures, seminars and tutorials (facilitating A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7 & A8) Programme Specification for MSc Sports Management Page 2
. Assessment Utilisation of practical / laboratory / workshop sessions to reinforce applied topic areas (facilitating A2, A5 & A8) The emphasis on good practice throughout the programme encourages students to utilise and appraise a variety of information sources including traditional books and journal-based literature, as well as using information technology resources such as internet based journals, -Roms, VLE s and human resources for the applied setting (facilitating A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7 & A8) Group work / practical work will also aid students ability to work proactively with others (facilitating A2, A5, A6, A7 & A8) Assessments consist of both formative, self-assessed elements and summative elements (supporting A1 - A8). This programme is designed to provide practical, hands-on expertise in applied sports management; therefore the majority of the assessment requires a problem based learning approach. One example of a unit that utilises this approach is the 30 credit Sports Management in Practice unit. Units such as this require the students to apply fundamental theories, already learned within each sub-discipline, to understand real life scenarios within a sport and / or exercise setting (supporting A2, A5, A6, A7 & A8). Such assessment methods and other more traditional methods, such as examinations (supporting A1 & A8), individual presentations (supporting A2, A6 & A7), portfolios (supporting A2, A5, A6, A7 & A8) and client reports (supporting A2, A6 & A7), meet all the learning outcomes for knowledge and understanding.. ognitive (Intellectual or Thinking) Skills, able to: 1 Extract, interpret and synthesise relevant sport management data and develop reasoned conclusions 2 ritically evaluate the conceptual and theoretical frameworks of sports management 3 Apply theoretical and research knowledge relating to sports management 4 hallenge current thinking in sports management 5 Analyse and solve complex problems relating to sports management 6 ritically and reflectively analyse policy and its implications for practice 7 Engage in independent research 8 Synthesise and contribute to the creation of new knowledge within the research project Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods ognitive and intellectual skills are developed through lectures as well as practical laboratory sessions, workshops, tutorials and seminars. The Applied Research Methods unit will allow students to apply theory to practical research, thus providing an avenue for independent and autonomous research. These skills will also be evident in the MSc Research Project (facilitating 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8) ognitive elements are integral components of each of the units within the programme and these each require specific methodological research and analysis strategies unique to the processes involved (e.g. initial assessment, evaluation and reflection), This is particularly evident in the Sports Management in Practice and Operational Management in Sport units (facilitating 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 8) and MSc Research Project units (facilitating 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8). Programme Specification for MSc Sports Management Page 3
Assessment Assignments consist of both formative and summative elements, with a primary focus on problembased learning and practical work through projects, presentations, case studies and examinations. Each unit develops the students ability to recognise and critically analyse existing methodologies and techniques and apply them to research or support in sports management, supporting learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The MSc Research Project unit will afford the opportunity to research, develop, conduct and reflect upon an individual research project, supporting learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The Sports Management in Practice and Operational Management in Sport units will allow students to design, deliver and evaluate an intervention applied to an organisation, individual or group of athletes or exercisers, supporting learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8.. Practical (Professional or Subject) Skills, able to: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Apply appropriate knowledge in an adaptable and flexible manner ommunicate with individuals and groups as an organiser of a local, national or international sports event onduct a systematic overview of the external factors that can impact an organisation or industry sector. isplay the appropriate field based skills to conduct measurement and/or analytical procedures in a safe, reliable and precise manner evelop well-reasoned arguments and integrate appropriate variables within a professional report Evaluate systematically and creatively the complex judgements required to manage sports management operations successfully Identify ethical considerations related to human experimentation and applied sports management Apply sports management research protocols to industry-based problems and develop empirical research Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods The emphasis of this MSc is on the practical application of skills with acknowledgment of underpinning theory. Practical workshops are included within many of the taught units (e.g., Strategic Events Management, The Sports usiness Industry and Sports Management in Practice) (facilitating 1, 2, 4 & 7). The format of the programme will enable students to obtain a range and depth of field based skills and techniques as well as the ability to communicate with clients, adopting a professional and approachable style (facilitating 1, 2, 3, 7 &8). Attention to ethical considerations and health and safety issues is also promoted within units and within the production of reports (facilitating 4, 5 &6). Assessment These skills will be formally assessed via delivery of group workshops and projects. Students are expected to work within time constraints and pressures associated within sport and / or exercise settings (supporting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7). Likewise the Sports usiness Industry, Strategic Events Management and Sports Management in Practice units require the students to assess, develop and deliver solutions to sports management issues whilst being supervised (supporting 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 & 8). Programme Specification for MSc Sports Management Page 4
. Transferable (Graduate and Employability) Skills, able to: 1 ommunicate effectively and confidently, using a range of media in the Sports Management Environment 2 Apply both quantitative and qualitative research skills within sports management 3 Illustrate competence in the use of IT and specialist software to be utilised in the field of Sports Management 4 e an independent learner and demonstrate collaborative skills 5 Solve problems and demonstrate sound judgement in decision making 6 Identify and use the appropriate resources to enable the successful completion of a task 7 Meet deadlines and manage time effectively 8 evelop a self-reflective element to learning and evaluation Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods Students work will be supervised and assessed by staff in the Sport and Exercise Science department. Students will mostly enter this programme following undergraduate study and some may have professional experience in a related area and therefore many scientific and professional skills may already be evident. Further development of these skills and other transferable skills are a critical feature of this MSc. The varied nature of the course curriculum enables students to acquire a broad range and depth of field-based skills and techniques as well as providing insight into ethical issues faced by sports management professionals (facilitating 2, 5 & 6). Examples of 1 to 1 and group sessions will be provided by the lecturers to ensure students are able to observe how sports management professionals may approach their work (facilitating 1, 6 & 8). These skills have been identified for every unit and there is extensive coverage of all aspects of communication (1, 2 & 3), application of number (2 & 3), information technology (1 & 3), improving own learning (4, 5, 7 & 8), and problem-solving (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8). Assessment These skills will be formally assessed through a variety of assessment techniques. Presentations will be delivered by students in a variety of units (e.g., Applied Research Methods & MSc Research Project) assessing 1, 2 and 7. Students will be examined on their ability to employ the appropriate statistical techniques in a variety of assessments including Applied Research Methods and MSc Research Project units assessing 2 and 3. Independent work will be required in many unit assessments (e.g. The Sports usiness Industry & MSc Research Project) and collaborative skill will be formatively assessed throughout many units, assessing 4. Problem solving skills will be assessed throughout many units with students required to plan solutions to industry- based problems in many units (e.g., The Sports usiness Industry, Sports Management in Practice & MSc Research Project), assessing 5 and 6. Students evaluation and reflective skills will be summatively assessed in The Sports usiness Industry, Sports Management in Practice, Strategic Events Management and MSc Research Project units and will be formatively assessed in all units, assessing 8. All units will have deadlines that will need to be adhered to, assessing 7. 15. ourse Structure, Progression and Award Requirements Standard University rules apply. The regulations must be consulted for a full description of exit awards. A student who exits having passed 60 credits will qualify for the award of Pg in Sports Management A student who exits having passed 120 credits will qualify for the award of Pg in Sports Management A student who has passed 180 credits will qualify for the award of MSc in Sports Management. The programme is offered in two formats: As a full-time (12 month) course and as a part-time (24 month) course. The delivery of the course in both of these formats is modular. Programme Specification for MSc Sports Management Page 5
The course normally consists of 30 credit point units, where 30 credits represent 300 hours of study time and usually includes approximately 18 48 hours of time-tabled activities. It is expected that when students graduate from this course they will be well placed to find employment in the field of Sports Management and other human and applied sports disciplines. 16. Employability Statement The MSc in Sports Management includes three units, The Sports usiness Industry, Strategic Events Management and Sports Management in Practice to encourage students to apply their skills in a professional setting. This unit will culminate in the production of an employment case study documenting the applied work of the student. areer management skills are embedded in the curriculum and will be supported by a tutorial programme. A focused Personal evelopment Plan including the identification and review of skills will also be formulated and developed through the tutorial programme. areer management skills are summatively assessed throughout the MSc in Sports Management and this will enable students to demonstrate to employers that they have the necessary skills to perform their roles. Furthermore, all students will be introduced to Purple oor within their induction to facilitate links between the students and career advisors. A full list of alumni and career destinations will be published each year to promote career awareness, and alumni students will be asked to attend specific sessions to facilitate links into the Sports Management domain. Furthermore, all students will be introduced to specific websites that list job vacancies in Sports Management (e.g., Leisure opportunities, UK Sport & Sport England) and searches within these websites will form the basis of some tutorial sessions. 17. Support for Student Learning The ourse is managed by a ourse Leader. Extensive induction programme introduces the student to the University and their course. Each student has a personal tutor, responsible for pastoral support and guidance. University support services include careers, financial advice, housing, counselling etc. The Academic Skills Unit (ASK). The Additional Support and isability Advice entre (ASA). Excellent library facilities. The University of Portsmouth has consistently been awarded an excellent rating for student support and guidance in a number of Quality Assurance Agency inspections. Student course and unit handbooks provide information about the course structure and University regulations etc. Feedback is provided for all assessments. Personal evelopment Planning (PP) for all awards. 18. Admissions riteria A. Academic Admissions riteria This course should be of interest to Sports Management professionals (e.g., Sports evelopment Managers, Partnership evelopment Managers, and Leisure Managers etc.) and those with related undergraduate degrees (e.g. Sports evelopment, Sports usiness Management, Sport and Exercise Science, oaching science, usiness Studies). Students will be expected to hold at least an upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject awarded by a UK university or internationally recognised higher education institution. Alternatively, students may have a relevant professional qualification with appropriate professional experience, deemed equivalent to the above by the University of Portsmouth. Programme Specification for MSc Sports Management Page 6
Applicants are required to have a standard of proficiency in the English language to IELTS grade 6.5 (with no less than 6 in any area) or equivalent. Mature students are encourage to apply for the course International students are encourage to apply for the course with backgrounds in sport and business If appropriate, prior learning may be assessed and accredited.. isability The University makes no distinction in its admissions policy with regard to disability and will endeavour to make all reasonable adjustments in order to make it possible for students to study at Portsmouth on a course of their choice. 19. Evaluation and Enhancement of Standards and Quality in Learning and Teaching A. Mechanisms for Review and Evaluation ourse Leader s Annual Standards and Quality Evaluative Review. Head of epartment s Annual Standards and Quality Evaluative Review. Unit and ourse Level student feedback considered at oard of Studies. Unit Assessment oard consideration of student performance for each programme. Annual Standards and Quality Reports to oard of Studies, including consideration of Subject and Award External Examiner Reports. Periodic Programme Review. Student Representatives and Student/Staff onsultative ommittees. National Student Survey. Staff Performance and evelopment Review. Peer Review and evelopment Framework. Faculty Learning and Teaching ommittee.. Responsibilities for Monitoring and Evaluation Unit o-ordinators for unit content and delivery. ourse Leader for day-to-day running of course. oard of Studies with overall responsibilities for operation and content of course. Head of epartment. Associate ean (Academic). Associate ean (Students). Quality Assurance ommittee. Unit, Award and Progression oard of Examiners.. Mechanisms for Gaining Student Feedback Student Representation on oard of Studies. Student Staff onsultative ommittees. Unit and ourse level student feedback questionnaires. University participates in external student surveys, e.g., National Student Survey (NSS), Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) and International Student arometer (IS).. Staff evelopment Priorities Academic staff to undertake activities related to research, scholarship, teaching and learning and student support and guidance. Annual staff performance and development reviews match development to needs. Programme Specification for MSc Sports Management Page 7
Managers undertake a variety of management development programmes. New academic staff required to undertake appropriate University of Portsmouth learning and teaching programmes All academic staff encouraged to seek Higher Education Academy membership. Academic staff new to teaching required to undertake Initial Professional evelopment Programme (iprof). Support Staff are encouraged to attend short courses in areas such as minute taking, and specific IT packages. 20. Assessment Strategy The assessment strategy for the MSc units is varied with an emphasis towards application. There was a conscious decision to focus the type of assessment towards coursework as this is the most appropriate assessment for many of the specific disciplines (e.g., The Sports usiness Industry & Sports Management in Practice The format for most units involves at least two artefacts, one based largely within theory and research and the other towards application of skills. Within the research/theory element, the students are expected to demonstrate analytical, critical arguments and execute these in an applied scenario and these will be formatively assessed throughout the course. Within the practical/applied element, the students work is linked with case studies and they execute initial assessments and develop interventions within a professional applied setting. The MSc Research Project worth 60 credits enables the student to demonstrate autonomy and initiative and build upon skills learned within the individual units. 21. Assessment Regulations Standard university rules apply (see Assessment and Regulations). 22. Role of Externals Subject External Examiners who will: oversee unit assessment and usually attend Unit Assessment oards; approve unit assessment strategy; sample assessment artefacts; present report to Unit Assessment oards. Award External Examiners (usually also a Subject External Examiner) who will: oversee and attend Award/Progression oards; scrutinise and endorse the outcomes of assessment; ensure that the standard of the award is maintained at a level comparable with that of similar awards elsewhere in the United Kingdom. 23. Indicators of Standards and Quality A. Professional Accreditation/Recognition urrently in discussion with Skills Active which currently accredits the Undergraduate Sc (Hons) Sports evelopment programme.. Periodic Programme Review (or equivalent) The epartment of Sport and Exercise Science s programmes underwent Periodic Review in 2014. Outcomes were confirmation of fitness of purpose of the curriculum and confirmation of the effectiveness of annual monitoring and review processes. Programme Specification for MSc Sports Management Page 8
. Quality Assurance Agency QAA Higher Education Review, March 2015, judgements about standards and quality meet UK expectations (for full report see Higher Education Review of the University of Portsmouth, March 2015[1]). [1]www.qaa.ac.uk/en/ReviewsAndReports/ocuments/University%20of%20Portsmouth/Universityof-Portsmouth-HER-15.pdf. Others None. 24. Other Sources of Information Other sources of information may be found in: ourse Approval ocument Student Handbook University of Portsmouth urriculum Framework ocument University of Portsmouth Undergraduate Prospectus Assessment Regulations University of Portsmouth and School/epartment websites Programme Specification for MSc Sports Management Page 9
Unit Assessment Map UNITS OURSEWORK EXAMINATION ore/ Total uration/ Weighting Total Open/ uration Weighting Level Name ode redit elivery Option % Type of Artefact Length % % losed (hrs) % 7 Applied Research Methods U20114 30 ampus 100% Report Report 2000 words 2000 words 50% 50% 7 U20118 60 ampus 100% Poster Presentation 15 minutes 30% MSc Research Project Scientific report 4000 words 70% 7 Strategic Events Management U24294 30 ampus 100% Essay Presentation incl. questions 2500 words 30 minutes 50% 50% 7 The Sports usiness Industry U22585 30 ampus 100% Industry Report Poster Presentation 3000 words 15 minutes 70% 30% 7 Sports Management in Practice U24594 30 ampus O 100% Employment ase Study Group Workshop 7 Operational Management in Sport U24296 30 ampus O 100% ase Study Presentation 4000 words 20 minutes 3000 words 30 minutes 70% 30% 50% 50% Unit Assessment Map for MSc Sports Management Page 1
Unit Learning Outcomes Map 1 UNITS LEARNING OUTOMES Level Name ode redit elivery ore/ Option A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 Applied Research Methods 7 MSc Research Project U20114 30 U20118 60 ampus ampus 7 Strategic Events Management U24294 30 ampus 7 The Sports usiness Industry U22585 30 ampus 7 Sports Management in Practice U24594 30 ampus O 7 Operational Management in Sport U24296 30 ampus O 1 A = Knowledge and Understanding; = ognitive (Intellectual) Skills; = Practical (Subject Specific) Skills; = Transferable Skills Unit Learning Outcomes Map for MSc Sports Management Page 1