Course summary

Sport has been transformed by media investment and emergent technologies that range from the latest English Premier League television and radio broadcast deals to the huge growth of online media. The football industry is supported by all media platforms including print, broadcast and online at multiple levels as a source of content, as well as a competitive business tool in the pursuit of audiences and as a forum and environment for social media discussion. Sports media is a multi-faceted environment and this degree provides you with a contextual degree on how public relations and journalism relate to the business of football. In this century, the mutual dependence of football business and the media has become central to understanding either industry. What was once back page news is now regularly seen on the front, and often before readers see any of this content they have seen or heard live coverage of games, wherever they are in the world, via television or the internet. Industry stakeholders are ever more conscious of image rights and of controlling the flow of content to external media. UCFB brings senior figures from organisations such as Sky, BBC, ITV, talkSPORT and governing bodies to work with our students and provide them with important insights in to how the media really works in order to supplement the teachings from UCFB’s own industry professionals and experienced media academics. The media pathways explore the many facets of media communications and develop your understanding of the interconnected relationship between industry stakeholders. You will also gain an understanding of football business and media by introducing international football business models and management concepts, business planning, contemporary issues and public relations events strategy. There will be opportunities to develop your practical application of how football brands communicate to their audiences through PR related activity. The foundation year provides students with an understanding of a range of concepts, models and practical skills related to the industry and will introduce you to the basic skills, roles and responsibilities including match reporting, law and ethics, camera and radio skills and page design.