ObjectivesRun by the International Centre for Sport History and Culture (ICSHC) - the world’s leading centre for the study of the history of sport - this MA offers you a flexible, interactive way to develop your knowledge and understanding of sport and history. It may be taken as either a taught programme, or as an e-based distance learning course from anywhere in the world
Entry requirementsApplicants should normally possess a 2:1 honours degree in history (or a relevant related subject, e.g. sociology, cultural studies). We welcome applications from a wide sector and all non-standard applications will be carefully considered.
Academic titleMA Sport History and Culture
Course descriptionWhy is sport so important in today’s world? How can sport help us understand society? What role in society has sport played in the past … and what role is it likely to play in the future? These are the kinds of questions you will analyse in the MA programme in Sport History and Culture.
Over the past ten years dozens of students have graduated from the programme, enhancing their skills and their career prospects.
The ICSHC is staffed by some of the leading academics in the field of the history of sport and leisure, and the Centre has worked closely with world bodies such as FIFA, the Professional Golfers’ Association, the Rugby Football League and many other such organisations. Our academic team’s combination of expertise and experience will provide you with a challenging and rewarding intellectual experience leading to a valuable qualification.
Many of our students have used their studies to develop careers in sports management, marketing, media and teaching. Others have gone on to undertake PhD research and pursue academic careers. A number have even used their studies to publish work on their chosen sport.
Programme
Whether you’re interested in the history of soccer, the development of the Olympics or any other aspect of sport, our MA will give you a firm historical, cultural and economic understanding of all aspects of modern sport.
The course consists of four modules plus a 20,000 word dissertation on a subject of your choice. The four modules are:
-Social History of Sport
-Economics of Sport
-Sport and Politics in History
-Researching Sport History
The modules are delivered by acknowledged experts in the field and each one has the flexibility to incorporate your special interests into your study plan.
Teaching/assessment
Each module lasts eight weeks for a full-time student or sixteen weeks for a part-time student. Full-time students can take between 12 and 24 months to complete the course, part-time students can take up to 36 months to complete the course. For students choosing to study by the taught route the intensive weeks will take place in September, January and April.
If studying by the taught route you will attend at Leicester for three ‘intensive’ study weeks during the course of the academic year, and remain in contact with your tutors by phone and e-mail during the remainder of the year as you work on your assignments.
If you choose the distance-learning route you will receive your study materials by e-mail on a weekly basis and will also be directed to online reading to support your coursework. You will have a personal tutor with whom you will contact each week, and there will be e-mail provision for chat rooms in which you can discuss aspects of the course with your fellow students.
In both routes assessment is by two essays (4,000 and 2,000 words) for each of the four modules, together with a 20,000 word dissertation on a subject of your own choice completed towards the end of the programme.
In terms of the PC hardware and software that you need, we are completely flexible – all you need is a connection to the internet (to send and receive email) and a word processor capable of reading and writing Rich Text Format documents such as Microsoft Word, Appleworks or Star Office. If you have any technical questions, please contact us.
Further information
Our staff are among the leading names in the field of sport history. Each one is personally involved in the teaching and supervision of MA students, and can easily be contacted directly during your studies.
Our team, and some of their publications, include:
Professor Jeff Hill: Sport, Leisure and Culture in Twentieth Century Britain, Sport and Identity in the North of England
Professor Tony Mason: Association Football and English Society 1863-1915; Sport in Britain, 100 Years of Football: The FIFA Centennial Book Professor Richard Holt: Sport and Society in Modern France; Sport and the British
Dr Neil Carter: The Football Manager: a History; Wellcome Trust Research Fellow in the history of sports medicine
Dr Dilwyn Porter: Amatuerism and Professionalism in Post-Wat British Sport, Amatuerism in Britain, Sport and National Identity in the Post-War-World
Dr Jean Williams is author of A Game for Rough Girls? A History of Women's Football in England.