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Leeds Beckett launches UK’s first online sport business degree
The distance learning MA Sport Business course is delivered entirely online and offers flexible start dates, with part-time study over three years, enabling students to combine work in a busy professional sport environment.
Speaking about the new distance learning course, Nick Halafihi, Academic Group Lead for Sport Business at Leeds Beckett, said: “This is the only course of its kind in the UK, delivered completely online for people who are working in the industry or those who are unable to commit to full-time education. Plus, as well as the full Masters programme, individuals can choose to study a single module of the course as a CPD option – perfect for professionals who need a top-up in specific areas.”
The course is designed to enable busy sport professionals to gain an understanding of the sports industry and the business principles that sit at its core, combining real world case studies, scenarios and guest lectures by industry experts.
Leeds Rhinos and former England rugby league captain, Kevin Sinfield MBE, graduated from the MA Sport Business course in July 2015.
Speaking about his studies at Leeds Beckett, Kevin said: “It’s great to graduate – the MA Sport Business course has been fantastic. It’s covered everything I would have liked with a view to what I’m hoping to do when I finish playing. The sport business subject area really ticked all the boxes and the support and guidance I’ve had has been brilliant.
“I’d definitely recommend the MA Sport Business. I got help, support and guidance in abundance. The modules and assessments were very flexible and allowed me to continue playing while I studied. It’s been a long road, a challenging three years but I’ve enjoyed the experience - it’s been worth every minute. Any qualification like this is demanding, regardless of whether you’re full-time or part-time, but to do it part-time and have a full-time job running alongside it is really tough. Time management and balancing your life are important.”
The former England captain, who was awarded an MBE in 2014, is also a 2008 BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science graduate of Leeds Beckett.
Sinfield, who is the highest points-scorer in the club’s history and the top points-scorer of the Super League era, has spent the last three years studying, as an on-campus student, alongside his playing commitments.
The MA Sport Business is taught by leading academics who have worked within the world of professional sport and use both their academic knowledge and industry expertise to provide an applied and engaging learning experience for students from around the world and with different sporting backgrounds.