Student Experience - Case Study
Jonathan Casbon
Football DataCo
MSc Sports Management & The Business of Football: 2007
The two years spent studying part-time on the MSc in Sport Management and the Business of Football at Birkbeck built on my previous understanding of not only management within the football environment but also more general management concepts and theories. The teaching, with regards to sport business, was an eye opener - there are so many aspects of the football industry outside of what a fan sees! It was a real surprise to discover how theoretical business practices were being ignored within the football industry. Birkbeck’s ambition was to supply the industry with graduates who understood in theory how more effective management could be used to achieve the various aims of the sporting organisation.
I found after the completion of the course that what I learnt from the lectures in addition to the people that I met and the reputation that Birkbeck holds within the football industry helped me to gain employment in the sports industry. In addition to the course material, the regular industry guest speakers helped develop further understanding of real-life practices within the sport industry. I feel that having two years of further education at Birkbeck on my CV really helped my progression into working within football.
Kelly Francis
The Football Association
MSc Sports Management & The Business of Football: 2008
My time at Birkbeck on the MSc Sport Management and the Business of Football programme provided an invaluable experience and allowed the opportunity to forge a career in a sport I have a true passion for. Through the links that the academic staff have with sport industry professionals, I was able to undertake a 3 month internship with The Football Association where I subsequently have gone on to secure a permanent job and begin my career within the sports industry.
The lecturers on the degree programme were second to none and very supportive, not only whilst I was on the course, but also since I graduated in 2008. Their expertise and understanding of the industry allowed me to gain the most out of the course. One particular aspect of the course that was very informative was the weekly sport business seminar series that gave an industry perspective on topical issues and allowed me to develop contacts within the industry. I can honestly say I do not believe I would be working in the football industry and for the Football Association if I had not studied for the MSc at Birkbeck.
Tolga Senel
EuroAsia Sports
MSc Sports Management & The Business of Football: 2007
I spent a year at Birkbeck studying full-time on the MSc Sport Management and the Business of Football programme. During this time I found the lecturers to be both inspiring and helpful and that Birkbeck was a forward-looking institution. The course provided a good balance between management theory in relation to the sport industry and industry practice. The modules that I studied during my year at Birkbeck challenged my conventional wisdom of the sports industry and broadened my knowledge of business-related issues. The combination of international and UK-based students was another advantage of the programme as the range of different perspectives brought interesting discussion to the seminars. On completing the course I believe that my experience at Birkbeck helped to further my career and gave me the confidence to find a job and within the sport industry.
Richard Tacon
MSc Sports Management & The Business of Football
After finishing my undergraduate degree, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in the football industry. For the next year I worked in England and South Africa on a range of sports-based community projects. While this was valuable work experience, I felt that my understanding of the industry would be furthered by an academic grounding in sport management. This is what the MSc in Sport Management and the Business of Football at Birkbeck provided.
Many people are attracted to the programme because of the opportunities it can provide for working in football. These opportunities do exist, and many former students have gone on to work in different areas within sport. In my experience, however, it is the course which is intrinsically beneficial. The quality of the course tutors and the diverse backgrounds of the students, united by a passion for sport, create an exciting environment for discussion and research.
The year I spent at Birkbeck as a post-graduate has contributed significantly to my personal development. I am now more effective at managing my time and I am confident in my ability to undertake complex projects. Moreover, the MSc programme has enhanced my analytical skills, not only in relation to the football industry, but also in other areas of working life.