LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Programme Specification
MSc Sport and Leisure Management – Pre-2007 Entry
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the
programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be
expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning
opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in
Module Specifications and other programme documentation and online at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk. The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed by
the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher
Education.
Awarding body/institution;
Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different);
Details of accreditation by a
professional/statutory body;
Accredited by the Institute of Leisure and Amenity
Management
Name of the final award;
MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or
Postgraduate Certificate
Sport & Leisure Management
Programme title;
UCAS code;
Date at which the programme
specification was written or revised.
July 2008
1. Aims of the programme:
MSc Sport & Leisure Management aims to develop knowledge and skills appropriate to a
critical understanding of, and a capacity to work within, the contemporary sport sector.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference
points used to inform programme outcomes:
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications;
Subject Benchmarks for the Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Group;
University Learning and Teaching Strategy;
Accreditation by the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management.
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3. Intended Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate
knowledge and understanding of:
 the key concepts in a range of business disciplines and their application in the sport
field;
 developments in sport policy and markets;
 the relationship between the social and political contexts and sport behaviour,
management and policy.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved
and demonstrated:
Knowledge and understanding are acquired and enhanced through lectures, seminars,
group work, student presentations and guided independent study. Individual staff/student
tutorials are used for providing feedback and for supervision of the Project. Students
receive a School handbook describing the programme outline, module details, procedures
and assessment criteria. In addition, module handbooks include details of timetable,
content, assessment and an extensive bibliography. The assessment procedures involve a
mixture of coursework, presentations and written examinations.
Skills and other attributes:
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme students should be able to:
 analyse relevant theory and make links to personal professional practice,
 critically and reflectively analyse policy and its implications for practice
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved
and demonstrated:
These cognitive/intellectual skills are developed and promoted by the use of lectures,
seminars, tutorials, laboratory classes, group and individual presentations in the range of
modules in and through conducting and presenting coursework. A range of assessment
procedures provides opportunities for the demonstration of these developments.
Examinations and coursework assignments enable students to demonstrate their ability to
structure a clear, concise and reasoned argument together with providing examples of
appropriate analyses. The individual research project further enhances these
developments.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
 compile a marketing plan and evaluate that plan;
 analyse and evaluate the strategy followed by an organisation;
 implement organisational procedures for managing performance, quality, and
finances;
 design, conduct and evaluate small scale research projects.
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Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved
and demonstrated:
Subject-specific skills are developed through the use of applied case study material, group
and individual presentations and through the conducting and presentation of coursework,
together with the submission of an individual research project. A range of assessment
procedures allows for demonstration of these developments.
c. Key transferable skills:
The programme endorses the five generic skill areas that students need to develop for
success in both their University and working careers:
 Management of self learning (using the library, note taking, revision and exam
techniques, reading efficiently, problem solving, action planning, self motivation,
time management)
 Communication skills
 Information Technology
 Numeracy and data analysis
 Team Work
As a result, on successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
 manage personal learning effectively and efficiently, including the analysis of
individual learning needs and the management of time;
 communicate effectively orally, electronically and in writing;
 use IT as a learning and communication skill;
 work confidently with numeric data in an appropriate and applied manner;
 work independently and as part of a team.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved
and demonstrated:
Teaching and learning are organised in seminars and workshops with an emphasis upon
shared analysis and discussion. Electronic communication between tutors and students
and within the student group is a key part of the communication and information sharing
process of the programme. Personal reflection and analysis is a required element of
modules; IT support is available to all students; 'managing time/learning' forms a part of
one of the modules. Scheduling of assessment requires careful and efficient management
of personal learning and time management.
4. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards:
The programme is a one-year, full time course of study. The programme is divided into
units of study called modules, which may be rated as 10, 15, 20 or 30 credits. The
programme comprises 180 credits, usually 90 credits in Semester 1 and 90 credits in
Semester 2. Each semester last 15 weeks, with 11 weeks of teaching followed by revision
time and examinations. The programme is jointly taught by the School of Sport and
Exercise Sciences and the Business School.
All modules are compulsory and in Semester 1 students take 90 credits, of which 30
credits is Research Methods. The remainder address the specific management functions
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of sport markets and industries, (20 credits), human resources management (15 credits),
service quality (15 credits) and economics (10 credits).
In Semester 2 students take 90 credits, of which 30 credits is the research project carried
out with a sport organisation. Other modules deal with specific management functions
such as port management theory and practice (20 credits), finance (15 credits)
management (15 credits) and strategic management (10 credits).
Full details can be found in the Programme Regulations.
To be eligible for consideration for the award of MSc. students must study modules with a
total rating of no fewer than 180 credits. To be eligible for the award of Diploma students
must study modules with a total rating of not fewer than 120 credits. The award of
Certificate is made for 60 credits.
The requirements for the different awards are set out in the following table:
Award
MSc
Requirement
180 credits
Notes
A student cannot progress to the
research project until they have
studied modules with a credit
weighting of 150.
Postgraduate Diploma
(PGDip)
120 credits
30 credits must come from
research methods
Postgraduate
Certificate (PGCert)
60 credits
Credits come from the taught
modules.
5. Criteria for admission to the programme:
Students are required to have a good honours degree (or equivalent) in order to be offered
a place on the course. Professional qualifications are also valued and all students must
meet the University’s English Language requirements. Further details can be found in the
general regulations for modular postgraduate awards at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/calendar/regulations/index.htm
See Regulation XXI and http://www.lboro.ac.uk/prospectus/international/englishlang.html
6. Information about assessment regulations:
Assessment is considered by the Department to be an integral part of the process of
learning and teaching. It is seen as a positive activity contributing to, and enhancing,
student learning and progress. The programme employs a broad range of assessment
methods. The choice and number of assessment methods for each module reflects the
objectives of the module and the teaching methods employed.
A 15 credit is assumed to be 150 hours of student effort, made up of a combination of
lectures, seminars, assessment, module readings and self-directed learning.
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The assessment for each 15 credit module will normally be a 4-5000 word essay or
equivalent. The assessment for the Project is a report in the order of 15000 words.
The pass mark for modules is 50%, however, students can be awarded the MSc in Sport
and Leisure Management with 150 credits PLUS 30 credits that have been awarded a D
Grade. No F grades are permitted. Should a student be awarded an F grade for a module
or have more than 30 credits of D grades they are entitled to one re-sit attempt which is to
be taken in the Special Assessment Period held in September of each year.
Assessment regulations for modular postgraduate awards can be found at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/calendar/regulations/index.htm See Regulation XXI
7. What makes the programme distinctive?
The MSc Sport and Leisure Management is distinctive from other masters programmes in
this area in three ways:
 It is accredited by ILAM, the professional body overseeing sport, leisure and
recreation in the UK. This means that graduates of the MSc Sport Leisure
Management are exempt from a number of modules that lead to the Professional
Diploma in Leisure Management.
 Students are required to complete a number of research projects for industry
organisations. This develops skills in project management, group working and
problem solving. It also provides students with an awareness of the range of issues
facing professionals in the industry.
 There is a strong link between research and teaching with many lectures being
delivered by staff who are considered to be experts in their particular specialism.
8. Particular support for learning:
For further information please go to: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templates/notes/lps/
9. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning:
For further information please go to: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templates/notes/lps/
September 2008
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