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Do you want to turn your passion for sport into a rewarding career? On our Sport Management degree, you develop an understanding of what elite athletes need and how to help reluctant exercisers to get moving, alongside management and marketing skills that prepare you for a career in the sport industry.
Overview
The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences provides a first-rate experience for students in an innovative and fast-growing department. We encourage a range of teaching methods for student learning, including traditional lectures and more student-centred approaches, such as problem-based learning scenarios.
Our degree programme
On this programme there is an emphasis on building up practical experience. There are lots of opportunities for applied learning in leisure and fitness centres, as well as at sports events and in sports development.
In your first year, you take a series of introductory modules on the sports industries, sport and exercise psychology, and management principles. You choose optional modules from a range of sport-related and business modules.
In your second year and final years, you study leadership in sport as well as marketing and promotion, and select further modules depending on your particular interests. You can also choose to focus on personal training, corrective exercise, and/or strength and conditioning.
In your final year, you have the opportunity to complete a placement module within the sports industry, where you gain valuable experience and have the chance to apply the theory you have learnt in practice.
Study resources
Our laboratories are based in the £11 million Medway Park development, a regional centre of sporting excellence. They include the latest equipment, such as our:
- environmental chamber, which can recreate the atmosphere in the Brazilian jungle or at the top of Everest
- anti-gravity treadmill, originally developed to help NASA astronauts to exercise in space
- cycling and rowing ergometers to measure anaerobic capacity
- isokinetic dynamometer to measure muscle and joint function
- brain and muscle stimulators
- 3D motion video analysis
- imaging and treatment ultrasound
- gait analysis and force pedals
- blood testing and gas analysis equipment
- rehabilitation gymnasium.
Extra activities
There is a thriving sports scene for students. Sports clubs at the Medway campus include athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, football, kickboxing, rowing, taekwondo, Thai boxing and volleyball, plus women’s netball and men’s futsal and rugby.
With our free shuttle bus, it’s also easy to join the sports clubs on the Canterbury campus. These include American football, archery, boxing, caving, canoeing, cheerleading, cycling, equestrian, fencing, floorball, golf, gymnastics, hockey, judo, karate, kendo, korfball, kung fu, lacrosse, mountaineering, sailing and windsurfing, skydiving, snooker and pool, snowsports, squash, swimming, surfing, tennis, trampolining, ultimate frisbee and women’s rugby.
Professional network
The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences has links to many sporting bodies. It works with companies such as Science in Sport and Team Sky, and with organisations such as:
- the NHS
- RFU (governing English rugby)
- English Institute of Sport
- British Cycling
- UK Sport
- World Anti-Doping Agency
- UEFA
- UK Sport
- Ministry of Defence.
Sports scholarships
If you are already competing at county level or equivalent, you can apply for a sports scholarship from the University. One of our best-known graduates is Olympic gold medallist Susannah Townsend. During her time at Kent she had a sports scholarship and played for Canterbury Hockey Club (where she continues to play midfield).
Independent rankings
Sports Science at Kent scored 94.9 out of 100 in The Complete University Guide 2019.
Of Sports Science students who graduated from Kent in 2017 and completed a national survey, over 95% were in work or further study within six months (DLHE).
Teaching Excellence Framework
All University of Kent courses are regulated by the Office for Students.
Based on the evidence available, the TEF Panel judged that the University of Kent delivers consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students. It is of the highest quality found in the UK.
Please see the University of Kent's Statement of Findings for more information.
Course structure
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
Teaching and assessment
The programme involves traditional lectures, tutor- and student-led seminars, tutorials and self-directed learning. Guest speakers and involvement with external sports organisations develop students' practical awareness and understanding of the sports industry. Strong links have been developed with the sports development departments and sports providers in Kent.
Theoretical modules are assessed through a combination of examinations and coursework. A number of the vocationally/practice-based modules will be assessed using a combination of coursework and observation. Other methods of module assessment include presentations, reports, essays, peer assessment and time-constrained exercises.
Contact Hours
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- provide a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary education
- prepare students for the challenges of an expanding and rapidly changing sports industry, while providing them with a wide choice of career paths
- provide an understanding of key concepts and skills within the field of management studies and how these are applied to the world of work
- provide a critical knowledge and understanding of sport management
- develop key transferable skills with applications in management
- present a challenging and valuable educational experience through the integration of theory and practice.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- management processes, procedures and practices
- concepts and marketing models within a sporting context
- management of employees in sports industries
- leadership theory and styles and the relevant models
- contemporary and pervasive issues deepening and/or integrating core knowledge
- social processes that influence individual and group behaviour
- the framework of the areas of organisations' 'External Environment' and 'Management' in regards to markets, customers, people, operations, communications and IT, and business policy and strategy.
Intellectual skills
You gain intellectual skills in the following:
- academic study, including critical evaluation
- effective self-management in terms of time, planning and behaviour, motivation, self-starting and enterprise
- how to apply knowledge to solve familiar and unfamiliar problems in order to develop reasoned arguments and challenge assumptions
- self-appraisal and reflection on practice
- critical evaluation of arguments and evidence
- the ability to recognise and respond to moral, legal, ethical and safety issues that relate to your studies.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in the following areas:
- creating, evaluating and assessing options in a range of business situations, applying concepts and knowledge appropriately
- communicating effectively, orally and in writing, about business issues
- conducting research into business and management issues, either individually or as part of a team
- applying and evaluating relevant managerial skills to a range of vocational and professional situations
- identifying, formulating and solving business decision-making problems using appropriate qualitative and quantitative tools.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in:
- communication, presentation, numeracy and IT
- interactive skills and group work
- problem solving
- self-management and time-keeping
- how to identify and make use of information from various sources to assess ideas.
Careers
Graduate destinations
The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences has an excellent reputation and a graduate in Sport Management has a number of career opportunities. The degree can lead to:
- employment in sports development with local authorities, national or regional sports governing bodies
- employment within public or private leisure centres, health and fitness clubs
- posts in community leisure centres
- self-employment as a personal trainer.
Additionally, you can choose further study to pursue a career in teaching (PGCE), research (MPhil/PhD) or other Master’s programmes.
Help finding a job
The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences has many links to professional bodies. This network is very useful to students when looking for employment.
The University also has a friendly Careers and Employability Service which can give you advice on how to:
- apply for jobs
- write a good CV
- perform well in interviews.
Career-enhancing skills
Combining your sports knowledge with expertise in all areas of business puts you in a strong position as you start to plan your career. In addition, you also develop the transferable skills that employers look for in a graduate. These include:
- computing and IT
- analysing data and problem solving
- writing and communicating well.
You can also enhance your degree studies by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. Typical requirements are listed below. Students offering alternative qualifications should contact us for further advice.
It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
New GCSE grades
If you’ve taken exams under the new GCSE grading system, please see our conversion table to convert your GCSE grades.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | BBB Please note: we do not require the assessment of practical skills as part of the new A-Level system for entry on to our programmes. |
| GCSE | Mathematics and English at grade C |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University will not necessarily make conditional offers to all Access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If we make you an offer, you will need to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | 18 units at Distinction, Distinction, Merit plus GCSE Mathematics at grade C |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 15 points at HL including Mathematics 4 at HL or SL |
International students
The University welcomes applications from international students. Our international recruitment team can guide you on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country.
However, please note that international fee-paying students cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.
If you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advice about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2019/20 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | ||
| Part-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
Your fee status
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
Additional costs
All Students who are part of the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences will receive a complementary uniform which includes: 1 x Tracksuit bottoms, 1 x Shorts, 1 x Hoodie, 1 x Nike Shirt once they have started the course. Although there are currently no mandatory extra costs specified for this course students do have the option to purchase extra uniform If they want to, as you might be required to wear your uniform for some practical sessions. Current cost of the uniforms are:
Nike T-Shirt - £17.49
Unisex Shorts – £10.20
Men’s Tracksuit bottoms -£21
Women’s Tracksuit Bottoms –£21
Unisex Quantumn Jacket - £40
Unisex Hurricane Jacket - £31
Unisex Hoodie - £14.40
Please be aware these prices are subject to change each year
General additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
University funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
Government funding
You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.
Scholarships
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence.
The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
The scholarship is also extended to those who achieve AAB at A level (or specified equivalents) where one of the subjects is either mathematics or a modern foreign language. Please review the eligibility criteria.