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Postgraduate taught

Sports Communications and Digital Media MA

What is Sports Communications and Digital Media MA?

With sports media rapidly evolving and new forms of digital technology providing career opportunities outside of traditional journalism, this course equips you with the knowledge, skills and contacts to prosper in sports communications.

You’ll produce top-quality audio, visual and written content and develop sophisticated strategic communications plans for sports brands. You’ll cover reputation management of players, clubs and brands, crisis communications, and social media management, preparing you for both in-house and agency roles.

You’ll learn from staff with wide experience in managing communication departments of sports clubs and overseeing agency-run media campaigns. Graduates from our School of Creative Industries have gone on to work for Real Madrid TV, Premier League football clubs, Premiership rugby teams, the Football Association, public relations consultancies and sports communications agencies.

Students have covered the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games as part of the close relationship the course has built with leading sports communications agencies, including LiveWire Sport. You will collaborate with – and learn from – the communications executives of leading sports brands as part of your studies, including Puma.

You’ll be taught in lectures, seminars and workshops in our state-of-the-art media centre, using industry standard studios and technology to hone your production skills.

If you’re progressing on to the Major Practical Project/Dissertation module you’ll be taught in group workshops and you’ll receive one-to-one supervision. You’ll be assessed primarily through portfolios, essays and presentations.

Those looking to gain the knowledge, experience and skills required to work in a communications, PR, social media or content production role within the sports industry. No previous experience of sports journalism or communications is required to succeed on this course. However, if you do have prior knowledge in these areas, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills to a higher level whilst working closely with our industry contacts.

Get Sports Communications and Digital Media MA course updates and hear more about studying with us.

Entry requirements

    • You should hold at least a  2.2 Bachelors degree with honours.

    • We will consider a comparable professional or postgraduate qualification

    • Applicants without a bachelors degree but with significant relevant industry experience.

    • EU and international students need IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component

Course modules

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Fees and costs

See the further details of fees and potential extra costs when studying a course at the University of Gloucestershire.
Start date Location Course code Total Fee (UK) Total Fee (international)
Sep 2023 Park, Cheltenham £8,700 £15,900
Sep 2024 Park, Cheltenham TBC TBC

Ready to apply?

Possible careers

Graduates from this course can go on to work as:

  • Club Media Relations Officer
  • Social Media Manager
  • PR Executive for an agency
  • Multimedia Content Creator.

Industry links

We have close links with some of the key figures in sports communications in the UK, including those working for the Football Association, Wales Rugby Union, British & Irish Lions, Premier League football clubs and leading sports communications agencies.

Andy Walker, the head of England communications at the FA, and Luke Broadley, head of communications at the Wales Rugby Union, are among those to have delivered key industry insights to our students. You’ll also have the opportunity to network with communications professionals working for top-flight football and rugby clubs.

Taught by industry professionals

You’ll be taught by staff with in-depth and on-going experience in the sports media industry, whose continuing experience means they have a close understanding of the industry’s demands and expectations.

Expand your professional network

Thanks to the course team’s extensive range of industry contacts, you will be able to forge connections with prominent regional, national and international figures in sports communications.

State-of-the-art facilities

Our state-of-the-art Media Centre means you will learn digital skills on industry-standard equipment in a stimulating environment that captures what it’s like working in the real world.

Endless possibilities with a master’s degree

Increase your pay potential, specialise in the subject you love, or pursue your passion and switch careers.

UoG students can benefit from an alumni discount. Receive 20% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees as a 2022 graduate.

Discover your next step.

"My career in digital media embraces both communications and sports journalism"

Through his work at both PR agencies and media outlets, including the BBC, Tom has an in-depth understanding of the nuances involved in sports communications. Tom researched the fast-changing world of sports PR for his 2020 book Sports Journalism: The State of Play, and has extensive contacts with communications managers at top-flight sports clubs and international teams. He has managed an array of communications campaigns, and produced digital content for a range of national media outlets.

Tom Bradshaw, Senior Lecturer for Sports Communications and Digital Media

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