About the course
As a global industry, sport and physical activity offer employment opportunities all over the world. If you are an ambitious future professional looking to move into a sport and physical activity leadership or management position, this is the course for you.
The course is designed for recent graduates wishing to develop their career in the industry. It supports you in developing the advanced leadership and management knowledge and skills you need to gain entry to the sector while deepening your critical understanding of the issues facing professionals in sport and physical activity settings in the UK and around the world.
Taking a practical, research-based approach, the course gives you the opportunity to analyse examples of best practice; develop your understanding of the latest leadership and management techniques; and undertake an industry-based research project in an area of your choice.
Attendance
- Full time over one year: 2 x half-day sessions per week
- Part time over two years: 1 x half-day sessions per week
Why choose this course?
- Analyse real industry problems then develop and implement creative and innovative solutions, including ideas to engage people in sport and physical activity participation
- Gain the necessary personal competencies, applied practical skill-sets and subject expertise to become a theoretically informed and reflective practitioner
- Develop your personal and professional network and benefit from our links with Sport England, governing bodies, active partnerships, private-sector employers and European partners
- Receive support from industry mentors studying on our MA Sport and Physical Activity (Executive Leadership) course
- Exchange knowledge about sport and physical activity through units shared with students from the MA Physical Education and Sport (Pedagogy) course
- Learn from a team with a wide range of academic expertise and experience in specific subject areas such as policy, management, leadership and the sociology of sport
- Gain insights from industry experts through the seminar series coordinated by the Institute of Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR)
Course Leader - Stuart Wilson
I have been employed in the sport and physical activity industry since 1999, predominately in a Sports Development role. Most recently, I was a Relationship Manager within SkillsActive, a national partners of Sport England, and worked with organisations such as National Governing Bodies of Sport, County Sports Partnerships and Leisure Operators to create programmes that supported their workforce and business development.
Units
- Behavioural Science And Public Health (SPO060-6) Compulsory
- Contemporary Sports Policy (SPO062-6) Compulsory
- Critical Issues In Sport And Physical Activity (SPO065-6) Compulsory
- International Development Of Sport (SPO069-6) Compulsory
- Leadership Principles And Practice (SPO063-6) Compulsory
- Research Methods For Sport, Physical Activity And Education (SPO067-6) Compulsory
- Sport And Physical Activity Masters Dissertation (SPO070-6) Compulsory
- Participatory Action Research For The Development Of Sport And Physical Activity (SPO068-6) Optional
- Placement (Short) (SPO009-6) Optional
This course will use a range of different learning and teaching activities including classroom based lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will also work in small groups and workshops to discuss case studies, undertake applied management exercises, prepare for assessments and work on presentations. Additionally, online learning will be provided through the use of BREO, the Virtual Learning Environment of the University of Bedfordshire. Although classroom and online learning sessions are regularly held during term time, a Masters Level course requires considerable additional independent study time.
Our students say our courses, teaching and support are a winning combination, that’s why we are 54th out of 122 for Sport in the Guardian University Guide 2023.
We’re 4th for employability in the Guardian League Table 2023 because our courses get you a degree-level job.
Sports Science ranked 5th for Graduate Prospects in the 2023 Times / Good University Guide league table.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree at Honours level, or equivalent.
To apply for a place on a postgraduate course (MA/MSc/MBA) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good first degree and the required English language qualification
Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country
To apply for a postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA/LLM) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate subject from a recognised university or HE institution.
We will also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or appropriate work experience.
You also need to have the required English language qualification
Contact your country’s International Admissions Team for more information.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree at Honours level, or equivalent.
To apply for a place on a postgraduate course (MA/MSc/MBA) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good first degree and the required English language qualification
Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country
To apply for a postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA/LLM) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate subject from a recognised university or HE institution.
We will also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or appropriate work experience.
You also need to have the required English language qualification
Contact your country’s International Admissions Team for more information.
Normal requirements apply but MA Sport and Physical Activity (Leadership and Management) is particularly suitable for recent graduates.
Intermediate qualifications
- Postgraduate Certificate Sport and Physical Activity (Leadership and Management) – 60 credits at Masters Level
- Postgraduate Diploma Sport and Physical Activity (Leadership and Management) – 120 credits at Masters Level
How will this course improve my career prospects?
The skills, knowledge, theoretical concepts and applied practical experience you gain from the course will prepare you to gain entry to the sport and physical activity sector and support you to progress within the industry. Previous students have gained roles within active partnerships; local authorities; national governing bodies; national charitable organisations; and universities.
While the primary focus is to provide you with the skills to develop a career in sport and physical activity, the managerial and applied focus of the course provides numerous transferable skills that can be related to a variety of service industries.
On graduation, you can also take up opportunities for continued study at PhD level via the Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR). ISPAR members have a diverse range of research interests so many research topic areas can be accommodated. For more information, visit Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research
Fees and funding
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £8,500 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,350 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £14,600
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Fees and funding
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £8,500 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,350 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £14,600
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Extra Costs
School of Sport Science and Physical Activity facilities
The School of Sport Science and Physical Activity houses a multi-million pound, state of the art teaching and research sport sciences laboratory facility.
Facilities include six purpose-built British Association of Sport & Exercise Science (BASES) accredited sport and exercise science laboratories, a nutrition research kitchen, and two molecular and cellular physiology labs, which promote excellence in both teaching and research.
Sports Science Labs
Our specialist sports science labs give students a fantastic environment to develop their research skills and expertise, where a student can explore the biology of an elite athlete who could be performing simultaneously within the sports hall.
The state-of-the-art laboratories are purpose built for research and teaching in the fields of exercise and nutrition science. This includes specialised equipment and facilities for assessing human health risk and delivering exercise and diet interventions for health promotion.
Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Centre
Our Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Centre includes three clinical teaching spaces, a sports injury clinic, a rehabilitation room, a community exercise clinic and a private room for consultations and treatments.
Environmental chamber
Our environmental chamber is used for teaching, research and by top-class athletes in training for competition in different climates.
International standard sports arena
Our sports facilities include a gym, strength and conditioning suite, AstroTurf, grass pitches, outdoor basketball, tennis and netball courts, in addition to the International standard sports arena, which seats up to 400 spectators.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gyms offer a range of affordable membership options giving students exclusive use of a convenient campus-based fitness facility.
The Bedford gym facilitates state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smartphone compatibility as well as an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area. Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
How to Apply
UK students applying for most postgraduate degrees at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
UK students applying for most postgraduate degrees at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
