Explore UCD

UCD Home >

Sport & Exercise Management  (SMS2)

BSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2024/2025
School
School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Bachelor of Science
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Dr Joel Rookwood
Overall Programme Credits:
180
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 1: 55
Stage 2: 50
Stage 3: 50

Curricular information is subject to change.

The multidisciplinary nature of the BSc in Sport & Exercise Management equips students with skills in areas such as management, marketing, event planning, human resources, economics and finance, sports development and coaching. These underpin the structure and governance of sport, health and exercise programmes today. If these opportunities interest you, the combination of UCD’s internationally recognised academic excellence and sporting reputation makes this degree ideal.

The BSc Sport and Exercise Management prepares students to manage the service delivery of sport, physical activity and exercise across the lifespan by providing conceptual grounding as well as practical work experience, exposure to industry professionals and modules that reflect market need. Founded on academic principles from both management and sport and exercise, the degree provides students with core knowledge and transferable skills to prepare them for roles within the planning, implementation, management and development of sports-related services. Our graduates  will then set out to inspire social, health and physical well-being on an international, national and community level. At its core, the programme values research-informed professionalism, evidence-based decision-making and independent, critical thought applied to the sport, exercise and fitness industries. We encourage students to adopt a professional attitude to their studies and to apply theoretical knowledge to relevant practice. To facilitate this process, we provide a learning environment that recognises diverse experiences and backgrounds and supports students through their study as well as in their transition into the workplace. The BSc SEM is underpinned by key teaching, learning and assessment strategies that are predicated on the core graduate attribute of “knowing how to know.” Students are thus inspired not to simply acquire knowledge, but to understand the importance of locating appropriate sources of evidence, evaluating those sources critically and applying evidence to novel situations. Furthermore, the BSc SEM promotes (a) independent learning through managing scientific and evidence-based sport and exercise research projects, (b) teamwork through group projects, (c) a global outlook through international opportunities and (d) operational awareness through practical experiences and industry-relevant assignments. Students complete a variety of written, oral, digital and visual submissions that are designed to develop their communication skills across a wide range of media, and which help prepare them for careers in industries connected to sport and exercise management. Finally, students are encouraged to take a holistic view of their education and to record and reflect on their personal development throughout their time in the programme.


1 - Display a thorough familiarity with the basic principles underpinning the management and service delivery of programmes within the sport, exercise and fitness industries.
2 - Formulate strategic, operational, marketing and sponsorship plans for sport and exercise organisations, businesses and events.
3 - Apply their knowledge of the socio-economic, political and cultural determinants of sports participation to the development and delivery of relevant programmes in sport, exercise and coaching that are sensitive to the needs of specific communities and populations.
4 - Translate theoretical knowledge and insight into practice and reflect meaningfully on practice in view of their academic knowledge.
5 - “Know how to know”, which requires them to be familiar with the production of knowledge as it relates to sport and be able to competently find, select, critically review relevant, quality sources of information in order to synthesise and present evidence-based best practice.
6 - Display a wide range of communication skills that are transferable to the workplace, including evidence-based written and oral reports, formal and multimedia presentations, and electronic/web technologies, including social media.
7 - Exhibit enquiring minds that allows them to confront workplace challenges and solve problems through creative and critical inquiry.
8 - Act as self-reliant leaders and team members and display a capacity to adapt to new challenges.
9 - Exude a strong sense of personal and professional ethics and integrity.
10 - Design, execute and deliver a research project related to sport and/or exercise management.
11 - Apply their knowledge of the socio-economic, political and cultural determinants of sports participation to the development and delivery of relevant programmes in sport and exercise that are sensitive to the needs of specific communities and populations.
12 - Design, execute and deliver an independent research project related to sports, exercise or coaching management.

Sport & Exercise Management students can apply to study abroad for a semester in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, through one of the Sport & Exercise exchange agreements.

Our graduates have a track record of employment, both nationally and internationally, in:

  • Sports administration
  • Sports marketing
  • Event management
  • Exercise management
  • Private sports enterprises
  • Sports development
  • Coaching development
  • Stage 1

    Students are required to take 60 credits in Stage 1;

    55 of the 60 credits must be from core modules. Students must take 30 core credits in Autumn.

    In Spring, 5 elective credits must be selected. These elective credits can come from either option module(s) within the programme or elective modules across the University.

    Stage 2

    Students are required to take 60 credits in Stage 2;

    50 of the 60 credits must be from core modules. Students must take 25 core credits in Autumn. In Spring, students must take 15 core credits. The remaining 10 core credits are obtained through the year long Sports Work Placement.

    Students must also take 10 elective credits. These can be selected from either option module(s) within the programme or elective modules across the University.

    Stage 3

    In Stage 3, students are required to take 60 credits.

    50 of these 60 credits must be from Core modules. Students must take the four x 5 credit Core modules in the Autumn Trimester. In the Spring Trimester, students must take the two x 5 credit Core modules. Students must also take the Aut-Spr 20 credit Dissertation module across both Trimesters.

    Students must also take 10 elective credits. These can be selected from option module(s) within the programme or elective modules across the University. It is recommended at AT LEAST 5 of these elective credits are taken during the Autumn trimester.

    Students must complete 40 credits at level 3 in order to be eligible to graduate.

    Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

    Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

    Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    PERS10150 Health, Fitness and Nutrition Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    SMGT10010 Financial Management of Sport Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    SMGT10070 Sports Management Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    SMGT10100 Theory of Coaching Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    SMGT10240 Sport Development Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    SMGT10260 Core Academic Skills for Sport Management Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    PERS10060 Introduction to Exercise Science Spring  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    SMGT10060 Sociology of Sport Spring  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    SMGT10220 Sports Legislation Spring  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    SMGT10290 Sport Mega Events Spring  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    SMGT10300 Sports Marketing and Branding Spring  5
    Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
    Please select your Elective Credits from either the option module below, or from general elective modules.
    PERS10010 Fundamentals of Strength & Conditioning Spring  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    SMGT20010 Event Management Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    SMGT20030 Economics of Sport Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    SMGT20150 Strategic Planning in Sport Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    SMGT20200 Sports HRM Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    SMGT20250 Psychology of Sport & Exercise Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    PHTY30120 Research Methods Spring  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    SMGT20070 Sports Tourism Spring  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    SMGT20210 Event Management Practicum Spring  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    SMGT20080 Sports Work Placement Year-long (12 months)  10
    Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
    Please select your Elective Credits from either the option modules below, or from general elective modules.
    PERS20020 Introduction to Nutrition for Health and Exercise Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
    Please select your Elective Credits from either the option modules below, or from general elective modules.
    PHTY20280 Born to Run: The Science of Human Endurance Spring  5
    Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
    Please select your Elective Credits from either the option modules below, or from general elective modules.
    SMGT20260 Applied Sport Psychology Spring  5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    SMGT30310 Dissertation 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  20
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    SMGT30140 Facility Design and Operations Management Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    SMGT30270 Changing PA behaviour Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    SMGT30280 Sport & International Development Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    SMGT30290 Sports Media, Communications & Sponsorship Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    SMGT30030 Enterprise and Development Spring  5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    SMGT30300 Sports Ethics and Governance Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
    Please select your Elective Credits from either the option modules below, or from general elective modules.
    PERS20170 Optimisation of Human Performance Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
    Please select your Elective Credits from either the option modules below, or from general elective modules.
    PERS30070 Skill Acquisition Spring  5

    See the UCD Assessment website for further details

    Module Weighting Info
     
      Award GPA
    Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
    BHLSC004 Stage 3 - 70.00%
    Stage 2 - 30.00%
    Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20

    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67

    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07

    Pass

    2.00

    2.47