What is Sport Development?

How would you best describe the BA (Hons) Sport Development course? 

The Sport Development course is a little different to a lot of mainstream sports courses. It is focused on increasing participation in sport and physical activity and using sport as a tool to make positive changes in communities. It’s led by passionate staff with lots of practical experience and is designed to give you a new perspective on inequality and social injustice and their links to sport. The BA (Hons) Sport Development course is professionally endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity. It’s also one of the smaller courses so you will notice the ‘family’ atmosphere.

Who is the course aimed at?

The Sport Development degree is for students interested in making sport accessible to all and to improving existing opportunities for people to participate in sport. People who want to make a difference by supporting the most disadvantaged in society. People who are frustrated by the unequal nature of society and want to harness their sporting passion to do something about it. 

What career could a degree in Sport Development lead to?

We have graduates working within International Sports Federations such as UEFA and The European Hockey Federation, National Governing Bodies such as the Football Association and Swim England, Professional Sports Clubs and their Charitable Foundations such as Leeds United Football Club and Leeds Rhinos, and other sports organisations such as Yorkshire Sport Foundation, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, and school sport partnerships. Many graduates have also become teachers working within primary, secondary, and Further Education institutions. We work closely with many of our former students, who can also help you maximise your learning to compete in the jobs market. A growing number of students also opt to continue their studies at postgraduate level. 

Why is Leeds Beckett University an excellent place to study Sport Development?

Leeds Beckett has an unparalleled sporting heritage going back to the 1930s. The course uses the new £45million Carnegie School of Sport Building, attracting new partners and new interest in sport every day. Leeds is the third biggest city in UK with a huge sporting infrastructure. We have excellent partnerships at local, sub-regional, regional, national, and international levels and the status of the city helps us to forge new connections. The partnerships include opportunities with the city’s professional sporting clubs' charitable foundations and a chance to work with influencers in sport at all levels. There are also opportunities to continue your education at postgraduate level and tap into the extensive network of research-active staff.

How does a Sport Development degree differ from other sport courses?

The course is social science-focused rather than drawing upon ‘hard’ science. The practical element is not confined to the sports hall; we offer excellent learning opportunities in the community, including the chance to lead professional sports projects and events. Our extensive network of industry practitioners supports your learning by delivering guest lectures, offering work placements, and providing career support. Our assessments always help you to develop the skills you will need for a successful career. There is a strong emphasis on critical thinking, creativity and leadership, all of which have been flagged as key graduate traits by employers. The course will also give you the skills and attributes to become an excellent leader and manager who is able to work across a range of organisations and contexts within the sport industry.

Why is a degree in Sport Development relevant in today’s society?

The UK sport industry is booming with unprecedented government investment and interest in the ‘power’ of sport alongside significant private sector involvement. However, at the same time, the UK is becoming more unequal, and forty years of programmes and initiatives have failed to meaningfully increase sport participation. Sports organisations are looking for creative and innovative sport development professionals who can think critically and promote real change in sport and society.

We also spoke to a couple of students who are currently studying the BA (Hons) Sport Development course at Leeds Beckett. Hannah Tyler Graham, a second-year Sports Development student said,

“I chose to study this course because of my love of sport. I love the effect sport can have on a person and how it can have the potential to change people. Physical Activity is a free pastime that anyone can get involved in. I also love sociology, and this course is the perfect combination of both sociology and sport. 

The course has a variety of modules on offer so when you graduate, you will leave with an extensive amount of knowledge of the sports community. Modules range from politics in sport, sport management to community sport development and working with children. It doesn’t just leave you with one career option such as teaching, there are loads to chose from.” 

And Georgia Naylor, who is a first-year student on the course said, 

“I chose this course as I heard lots of positive feedback from previous students and my course tutor at college, as he had previously worked in the sports development sector and recommended highly. The course also has lots of different topics that interested me. You get the chance to work with well-known charities and organisations such as Comic Relief, which gave me brilliant learning and further working opportunities, and it also looks great on your CV. 

In less than a term, we have covered a lot of exciting and interesting information that I will incorporate throughout my career. This year, we have been challenged in all our modules, teaching us to adjust to different challenges quickly. The course staff are also brilliant and provide us with all the knowledge and experience needed for the future.”