INTRODUCTION
If there’s one thing sport was built upon, it’s accommodation. This is something that’s been evolving ever since the first fan attended an event. Think about it: the athletes needed a regular place to play, and an area was made. Fans started attending so they built wooden stands to house them. The athletes needed money to train and live somewhat so money was introduced.
This has been threaded all the way through up until today. The demand is to accommodate fans, and athletes and provide a true showcase experience. Those engrossed in the business world understand the vital relationship between fans’ support and the organisations’ intentions.
Like providing better food to enhance the experience, a new signing to improve the team the fans are watching and merchandise gives a little novelty back. The fans knew that their money was an investment that either enhanced their experience or made sure the club could survive.
In the past, it was usually a fan-to-fan business model. Local people, their efforts, and crafts were the beating heart of sports businesses Since then, especially at major sports brands, there’s been a shift.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Over the course of 3 years, you’ll learn and be taught many key areas. Like, such as financing, event planning, ethics within the business and how these things influence the wider sports market.
A wide variety of things are taught to keep your prospects as wide as possible. Plus, there’s a lot you’ll learn that can be applied to many different subjects in business as a whole. Things like leadership, public relations and identifying your ideal target consumer.
Upon finishing the third and final year you should be competent in a wide variety of corporate ways and ready to move on and focus your skills, either with links the course sets you up with or by taking a more specialised course after it.
TOP 10 UK UNIVERSITIES FOR THIS COURSE
- University of Gloucestershire
- Leeds Beckett University
- University of Lincoln
- Plymouth Marjon
- York St John University
- Sheffield Hallam University
- Hartpury University
- Manchester Metropolitan university
- University of Central Lancashire
- Buckinghamshire New University
UK AVERAGE COURSE FEES, ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURE
| Average course fee | Entry requirements | Application procedure | |
| Undergraduate | £9,500 for UK and channel island nationals. £16,000 for international students. A foundation year is available for both national and international at their respective prices above. | UK: English and Mathematics either at GCSE grade C/4 or at level 2 functional skills. International: IELTS score overall at 6.0 and an IB diploma with a minimum of 26 points. | Register with UCAS Enter your details Select course choices Write a personal statement Submit your application |
| Postgraduate | £11,000 for UK nationals. £18,000 for international students. | A 2:2 or above in a related subject. Would review unrelated 2:2 if you have experience in the sports sector. Universities such as Sheffield Hallam have a list of international qualifications they accept. IELTS score of 6.0 | Complete your application for each chosen university Write a personal statement Supply written references from two past tutors Submit your application |
*Fees and entry requirements are subject to change due to inflation and individual university standards.
UK APPLICATION TIMELINE (2023)
Undergraduate
3rd May 2022: UCAS applications open.
25th January 2023: Applications can start to be sent to UCAS by 6 pm.
30th June 2023: Applications sent by 6 pm will start being sent to the chosen universities.
21st September 2023: Final deadline.
Postgraduate
Whilst the timeline is broad for postgraduate application, it’s always better to apply up to 6 months in advance of the start date for your course. Earlier is always better as they’re usually first come first served. As most courses start in September it’s best to apply as early as March.
POTENTIAL JOB ROLES
- Sports Marketing Analyst
- Sports facility manager
- Sports information director
- Event coordinator
- Social media strategist
UK TRENDS
In 2022 you’re going to see business management and marketing strategies which take full advantage of technology. It’s undeniable how fast and busy the world seems to be now, with devices that amplify both our reach and social capabilities.
A neat way this has been integrated takes us to Arsenal F.C, who’ve taken one of their former players Robert Pires and sculpted a chatbot out of him with the pun name Robot Pires. He provides supporters with news and facts when prompted with questions.
Another way sports organisations are innovating user experiences is through the use of virtual reality. It’s software which digitally reanimates the real world however the programmer/publisher wants.
It’s been reported that a UK major sports team is creating a virtual stadium where fans will have that stadium view experience streamed right to their living rooms.
CONCLUSION
The future of the sport has become widely dependent on those who run it. These are large scale operations now, requiring years of learning and training.
You wouldn’t keep a closed jaw if you witnessed just what goes into a business. Finances have to be constantly checked and managed to withhold certain regulations. Near enough every fortnight the home team has to organise and carry out an event which must meet governing body standards or they could be fined or forfeit the game to the opposition.
They’re vital to keeping fairness, structure and integrity to a much beloved and cherished aspect of the country. Giving these historic, larger than life sports clubs the expert care they desire.
