The Moray House School of Education
Undergraduate Study

This programme prepares students for management careers in the sport and recreation industry, and allows students to study sport as an academic subject.

The first two years of the degree programme aim to develop knowledge, skills and understanding of the significant elements of management, organisational behaviour, human resources, financial management, operations management, marketing, sociological concepts and research methods. During these years, students also gain an understanding of the social, cultural, and economic significance of sport and the emergence of policies and practices in the public, commercial and volunteer sectors of sport and recreation. In the third year, students examine and apply theoretical models of strategic planning, development, business ethics, and advanced research methods. Students also explore theories of social policy, historical evolution of public policies and political ideologies and how they influence sport provision. The optional courses in the third and fourth year reflect recent developments in specialist sectors such as health-related fitness, sport development, sports coaching, and promoting physical activity. The fourth year, which includes a dissertation, evaluates advanced management approaches to sport and recreation management, including performance measurement and global performance management issues such as event organisation, sponsorship, sport tourism, and the media.

Teaching strategy

Classes usually consist of a combination of lectures, seminars, case studies, industry visits and smaller tutorial groups. Students are assessed by a mixture of course work assignments, presentation and examinations.

The academic year is divided into two semesters each consisting of 11 teaching weeks and a two week examination period. Semester 1 is from mid-September to mid December and Semester 2 begins early January to late May. Each week involves 10-15 hours of class contact and a further 15 hours of self-directed study.

Placement

An important component of the third year of the BSc programme actively involves students in organising and planning a 10-week research-based placement. Students are placed with major employers and leading organisations where they develop a range of work related skills, which increase their employability. These placements have included Sport Scotland; local authority sport and recreation providers such as Edinburgh Leisure; leading hotels and private clubs such as Next Generation, Bannatynes, David Lloyd, St Andrews and Gleneagles; and, governing bodies such as Scottish Swimming, Scottish Rugby Union and the Scottish and English Football Associations.

Placements have included Sport Scotland, Edinburgh Leisure, Next Generation, Bannatynes, David Lloyd, Gleneagles, St Andrews, Scottish Swimming, Scottish Rugby Union, and the Scottish and English Football Associations.

International study

European and international opportunities are available in the third year, for students of Sport and Recreation Management with outstanding results. Students can apply to study a comparable course in a partner European university and option courses in European languages are available in the first and second year to prepare for this. There are also opportunities for students to study at a range of universities in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Employment

The continuing trend towards greater commercialisation, professionalism, and specialisation within the 'leisure industry' has resulted in many employment opportunities for sport and recreation management graduates, particularly in the expanding commercial sector. The employment statistics for University of Edinburgh Sport Management graduates are very good, with more than 75% of students gaining employment in sport related careers, or going onto further study, within a year of graduation. Students can also pursue postgraduate study such as a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education or Teaching; or Masters and PhD programmes in sport based disciplines. Students sometimes decide to enter non-sporting professions such as the armed forces, police or fire brigades as well as working in a variety of different commercial settings such as retailing, and finance.

Entry requirements

There are 30 places available on the Sport and Recreation Management degree. There are no formal interviews, although candidates with non-standard qualifications may be required to see the programme co-ordinator. No specific subjects are required on entry but we recommend a social science subject e.g. Sociology, Business Management, Economics, Modern Studies, Geography and Politics. Students with an appropriate Higher National Diploma may gain entry into the second year of the course. The programme also encourages mature students with appropriate industrial experience to apply. Information about the entrance requirements for all degrees can be found in the current edition of the University of Edinburgh Undergraduate Prospectus.

Further information

Programme Structure and Course Outlines

The contact for further information and admissions advice is:

Janette Shearer
The Undergraduate Office (Education)
College of Humanities and Social Science
The University of Edinburgh
2nd Floor, David Hume Tower
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9JX

Tel: 0131 650 3569 or Email: Janette.Shearer@ed.ac.uk

You can also obtain information from the Undergraduate Prospectus.