Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Development and Management

The Postgraduate Diploma of Sport Development and Management (PGDipSpDM) is a 120-point coursework programme with the option for students to exit after one academic year or to progress onto the Master of Sport Development and Management (MSpDM).

The PGDipSpDM consists of four 20-point papers (each SPEX paper typically comprising 2 × 10-point modules) and a 40-point independent project. Students will be able to develop a coherent course of study (with input from their advisor) by selecting from papers that reflect their subject of interest. The typical duration of the programme is one academic year, full time.

Other important goals of the course are to develop in students:

• An appreciation of current and emerging issues and perspectives in global and national sporting communities.
• Commitment to the acquisition, critical evaluation and application of knowledge and policies relevant to sport development and management
• Ability to accurately and effectively communicate information, arguments and analyses using written, visual and oral reporting formats.
• Advanced knowledge of ethics and ethical standards relevant to sport development; ability to operate ethically within the workplace and community.
• An understanding of the development of sport in local, national and international contexts in two fundamental ways: development of sport and development through sport. The first is based on sport being valued for its own sake where it is viewed as a public good. The second refers to the strategic use of sport to address and achieve specific social, educational, health, economic, and political objectives.

Information for new applicants

A candidate would normally have completed a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Arts in a related subject area before undertaking the PGDipSpDM, but the degree is also open to those with other qualifications.

Postgraduate entrance requirements

Entrance requirements for postgraduate study vary by programme with most requiring a minimum bachelor-level qualification in the same field, and some having additional requirements such as relevant work experience and/or professional registration in New Zealand.

A postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma can usually be taken at any time after the completion of your bachelor's degree.

If you hold an honours degree or postgraduate diploma you may be able to eligible for master’s study by thesis only. In some cases if you hold a bachelor’s degree you may apply for a coursework master’s degree or for master’s study by coursework and thesis.

To study a PhD you usually require the completion of a master’s degree, or a first-class or upper second-class honours degree in the same area of study, or a related discipline, as your intended area of research.

Check the postgraduate students pages for specific information on the entrance requirements of the programme you are interested in.

IELTS (Academic module) (including IELTS Online) : Overall score of 6.5, no individual band below 6.0

TOEFL iBT : Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21 The University of Otago TOEFL institution code is 9483 (Please note we do not accept MyBest TOEFL scores)

Pearson Test of English ( PTE ) Academic : Overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50

Duolingo English Test : Overall score of 120 (with no Individual Subscore below 95)