Your questions answered

In the Sports Business and Entrepreneurship programme, we use specific vocabulary relevant to the context of Team Academy principles and the design of the programme.

One of the most important things to consider when you join the Sports Business & Entrepreneurship programme, is that this is going to be very different to education you’ve experienced so far.

On this degree, you are in control of your development (with support and guidance from your Team Coaches, of course). So it’s important that you see yourself as more than a student.

You’ll also find that we don’t use terms like classroom, teacher, lesson or lecture. You will be working in a business style environment and the language we use reflects that.

To apply for the Sports Business & Entrepreneurship degree you need:

• 112 UCAS points

• Business BTEC / A-Level English (desirable)

• A minimum of a Grade 4 at GCSE English (Level 2 key/functional skills not accepted)

The Sports Business & Entrepreneurship programme incorporates four 30-credit strands, each of which represents a key element of enterprising and entrepreneurial learning.

Team Company incorporates the Running a Learning Organisation module, and requires you to develop a learning organisation and engage in team working, strategy development, project management, as well as coaching and teaching others.  

Self-Leadership incorporates the Managing My Learning and Development module, requiring you to develop your Learning Contract which sets out your personal goals for learning and development, mindset, and the development of enterprising and entrepreneurial competence. 

Learning by Doing incorporates the Enterprising and Entrepreneurial Practice module, requiring the development of a wide range of enterprising and entrepreneurial competencies through engagement in projects and ventures. 

Learning from Others incorporates the Enquiry into Enterprise and Entrepreneurship module, requiring the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of a wide range of relevant models, theories and frameworks through the interaction with others. 

You will be evaluated through a comprehensive approach centred on continuous assessment and coursework.

Our assessment methods are thoughtfully designed to accommodate diverse learning styles and individual learner profiles.

These evaluations encompass a wide range of formats, including presentations, reports, essays, storyboards, and portfolios of evidence. This holistic approach allows us to gauge students’ progress effectively and provide them with a well-rounded learning experience.

Learning Contract: This is a continuous assessment with two marking points. You will submit an Initial Learning Contract in October which sets out your ambitions and goals for the year, and a Final Learning Contract in May where you will reflect on the progress you have made and how you will approach your following year.

Portfolio of Practice: Your portfolio is where you capture your Learning by Doing and Learning from Others activities. You will plan and review each month against your goals, review gather feedback from your Team Company and others, and refine throughout the year. This is assessed in December and May.

Self-Leadership essay: This is an academic essay where you explore self-leadership theories and concepts, and apply these to your own experiences.

Learning by Doing essay: This is an academic essay where you reflect on your Learning by Doing activities and identify plans for further development. As part of the assignment, you will present a summary of your reflections and learnings to your Team Company.

Team Company strategy: You will be assessed as a team at four points in the year. In October, you will write and present your Leading Thoughts report, where you outline your team strategy and objectives. In December and March you will reflect on progress you have made as a team and share an update. In May you will write a Final Report where you identify progress and plan for the following year and present your key learnings to the Sports Business & Entrepreneurship community.

Our assessment approach is designed to provide detailed feedback throughout, offering valuable recommendations and pointers for improvement.

This comprehensive evaluation framework ensures that you understand how you are progressing and supports your well-rounded development.

We take pride in offering engaging and thought-provoking tasks that encourage critical thinking and a deep understanding of the subject matter.

While different from a traditional degree, the emphasis on practical application provides you with the tools to excel and succeed in today’s dynamic professional landscape.

Feedback from an independent assessor, who reviews our program annually (June 2023), confirms that our “assessments demonstrate a high level of academic rigour”.

You don’t need to have already established a business, or even have an idea of a business you’d like to start, to join the programme.

We’re here to help you generate ideas and transform those ideas into reality.

And there are lots of opportunities for you to join existing ventures too.

You will have two 3-hour training sessions with your Team Company each week.

We provide weekly opportunities such as workshops, learning sets, challenges and guest speaker sessions.

You will actively manage your time to initiate and engage in a wide range of other activities and opportunities, such as developing and collaborating on projects and ventures, attending workshops and networking events, organising events and work experience, participating in challenges and doing consultancy work.

This isn’t a degree where you can cram for an exam at the end of the year. Your level of engagement and the amount of opportunities that you get involved in will have an impact on your grade and, more importantly, your development and the opportunities available to you both on the course and in your future career.

Feedback from our annual review by an independent assessor (June 2023), states that all assessments for students ‘are appropriate for the module and programme level learning objectives’.

The feedback states ‘the best performing students are committed to the practical elements of the programme and engaged in academic research, analysis and academic standards.’

Our goal is to encourage all students to actively participate in these enriching aspects to maximize their learning outcomes.

The university offer various funding opportunities to support student ventures and projects.

It’s important to note that failure is a natural part of entrepreneurship, and in such cases, guidance and advice are readily available through your Team Coaches, mentors and pro-bono services, including TE Law and TE accountants, to help students navigate challenges and setbacks.

No, all businesses started on the programme are owned by their founders. Any income made through businesses or ventures developed whilst on the programme is yours.

At Sports Business & Entrepreneurship, we understand that sometimes challenges arise during your journey. Rest assured, we have a robust support system in place to assist students and prioritize their wellbeing.

Your Team Company: Being part of a Team Company means having a network of individuals genuinely invested in your wellbeing and engagement.

Team Entrepreneurs: As well as your Team Company, you will develop relationships and gain support and guidance from your fellow Team Entrepreneurs across all three years of the programme.

Team Coaches: Your dedicated Team Coach, and the wider team are always available for formal and informal conversations to provide the support and encouragement you need.

University Services: In addition to our programme-specific support, students at UWE have access to a range of dedicated services aimed at fostering a positive academic experience, such as the Wellbeing Service, the Learning Hub and the Disability Service.

At Sports Business & Entrepreneurship, we believe that seeking support is a sign of strength, and we encourage you to reach out whenever you need assistance.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, including those with additional learning needs or disabilities. We firmly believe that diversity is a strength, and we embrace the unique perspectives and abilities of every individual.

We value open dialogue and understanding within our Team Companies. Our community encourages open discussions and sharing of various learning styles, capabilities, and capacities. We are dedicated to creating an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable and empowered to learn in ways that suit them best.

As a UWE student, you have access to the Disability Service which is readily available to provide assistance, guidance, and practical support for disabled students to enable them to access and make the most of their studies.