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UCD Centre For Sports Studies
School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Population Science

 

BSc (Sport and Exercise Management)

Understanding Your Degree

Sport has never been as globally significant as it is in the twenty-first century, and this innovative programme responds to the growing importance of sport, exercise and physical activity at the local, national and international level.  As a result of changing social and economic factors, health and lifestyle concerns, and a trend towards commercialisation and professionalisation, the sport and exercise industry now offers a wide range of challenging career opportunities.

The multidisciplinary nature of the BSc in Sport and Exercise Management equips students with competencies in areas such as management, marketing, event planning, human resources, economics/finance, development, exercise, nutrition and coaching, which each underpin the structure and governance of sport today.  The combination of UCD's internationally recognised academic excellence and sporting reputation makes it well suited to those wishing to join this burgeoning industry.

Admissions requirement

Admission for school leavers is through the CAO.  In addition, mature age applicants are welcome to apply, and special consideration may be given to elite athletes and coaches wishing to pursue a career in sports management.  Holders of the Diploma in Sports Management with a GPA of 3.08 or higher may, with the approval of the Programme Board, be admitted to Stage to of the BSc programme. 

 CAO Code                                              DN430 

Minimum CAO Points 2010               400 

Average CAO Points 2010                  420

Number of Places 2010                        40

Length of Programme                             3 years

Entry Requirements

·         Irish

·         English

·         A third language

·         Mathematics*

·         Two other recognised subjects

* Minimum Grade B3 LC Ordinary Paper

What will I study?

Stage 1: Stage 1 of the programme prepares students for university study with modules that outline core academic and information technology skills, as well as the basic foundations in sport and exercise management, with modules in financial management, marketing, human resource management and sports management.  Other Stage 1 modules broaden students' perspective by examining the cultural foundations of sport, sports law, coaching and sports development.

 

Stage 2: Stage 2 offers common core modules in event management, economics of sport, sport/health psychology, sports operational management and sports development, and in Semester 2 students specialise in one of the following areas:

 

Sports Management

Exercise Management or

Coaching Management

 

During the summer following Stage 2, students gain invaluable practical experience in the sports, exercise or coaching industry by completing a structured work placement either in Ireland or abroad.

 

Stage 3: The final  stage of the programme advances students' expertise in both the business of sport and their selected area of specialisation in sports, exercise or coaching management.  Students also undertake an individual research project that impacts critical skills in project design and management in response to current issues within the broader industry.

 

SPORT MANAGEMENT 

Sports Services Marketing, Sports Tourism, Enterprise and Development, Sports Sponsorship and Promotion, Sports Operational Management III, Advanced Financial Management, Managing Sport SMEs.

 

EXERCISE MANAGEMENT 

Principles of Exercise Management, Applied Exercise Management, Exercise, Nutrition and Health, Introduction to Exercise Science, Exercise and Public Health, Sports Operational Management II, Sports Science III. 

 

COACHING MANAGEMENT

Player Development and Welfare, Introduction to Exercise Science, Theory of Coaching II, Exercise, Nutrition and Health, Sports Science III.

"Enrolling in this degree was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  The course provided a great foundation in all business matters, which have been extremely practical in the work place and also combined a good mixture of sports topics.  Personally I found the standard of lecturing to be of the highest quality, providing me with exceptional inspiration and mentoring.  In this regard I couldn't recommend this course high enough" - Earl McCarthy

Work Placement

In the summer following Stage 2, students are required to complete a 400 hour (ten week) work placement, which provides the opportunity to apply the theoretical and academic knowledge acquired in class to a practical work setting.  In the past, students have, for example, worked in the sports development area for local councils, with national and international sports governing bodies or in nationally recognised sports marketing firms.  Many students are able to convert this initial exposure to the sports industry into a long-term career following graduation.

 

For Information on the Work Placement programme, click here

 

Graduate Employment

Drogheda Utd FC  

European Rugby Cup (ERC)

Football Association of Ireland (FAI)

Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)

Irish Horse Board  

International Rugby Board (IRB)

Irish Sailing Association

Meath Sports Partnership  

Scottish Athletics

Swim Ireland

UEFA

 

Further Information can be obtained from:

Gillian Johnston
UCD Centre for Sports Studies,
School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science,
Woodview House,
Belfield,
Dublin 4.
Tel: +353 1 716 3430
Fax: +353 1 716 3071                    
email: sports.studies@ucd.ie                      

 

Downloadable Information

BSc Sport and Exercise Management
Click to view the brochure

To ensure both quality and to meet stakeholders needs, the programme is subjected to a review process and on that basis components of the programme may be altered from time to time.  

UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. Tel : 353-1-7167777