Richard Tacon: MSc Sport Management and 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.