Golf Management BA (Hons)
Course code: N290
Study mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time., You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time.
Course type: BA (Hons)
International: Available to study on-campus
Study at: North, West and Hebrides (Dornoch)
Start in: January; September
Learning mode: You attend classes in person at your local campus or learning centre., You access classes and/or materials digitally., You will learn off campus, including at industry partner locations.
Duration: Full time: 4 years; Part time: 8 years
How: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable., You complete course tasks independently. These may be set by your lecturer or chosen by you.
What is special about this course?
Base yourself near to one of Scotland's finest championship courses, the world-renowned Royal Dornoch Golf Club, as you learn first-hand how to excel in this multi-billion pound field. Our BA (Hons) Golf Management course, the first honours degree of its kind in the UK, is aimed at those aspiring to a career in golf, with 82% of recent graduates actively employed in a range of roles in the golfing industry globally.
Take advantage of our blend of golfing and management subjects and participate in a variety of roles, with a particular focus on all aspects of management within a golf context. Benefit from strong industry links which provide incredible work placements and worldwide employment opportunities, as well as study trips and guest lectures from leading golfing figures.
You will work alongside our BA (Hons) Professional Golf students.
Special features
- Benefit from our strong industry links including the Royal Dornoch Golf Club, the PGA, and equipment manufacturers, as well as top clubs in the UK and abroad. Many of these will contribute to your learning via guest lectures and seminars
- Work placements can be arranged across the UK, and internationally, including international internship programmes
- Access industry-focussed CPD and support from governing bodies within the golf industry
- State of the art, world class indoor golf facilities on campus
- Full-time members of staff are PGA professionals
- Enjoy a unique student experience and participate in activities such as running the student golf club, individual coaching, personalised training and development, regular play, and competition including Scottish Student Sport and British Universities and College Sport events
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
- 3 Scottish Highers at grade C or above OR
- 2 A levels at grade C or above
- Applicants with other qualifications or relevant experience are welcomed and will be considered on an individual basis
For International students requiring Student Route sponsorship
Please note that international students with a Student Route visa can only take part in sports activities or as part of a work placement, as an amateur and not as a professional or semi-professional. You will not be allowed to become a member of a professional sports association while a student. This is due to ‘professional sportsperson’ restrictions imposed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as outlined in their Student Route Policy Guidance.
Access routes
SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.
You will study the following modules:
- Activity performance and skills acquisition
- Introduction to business
- Introduction to enterprise and marketing
- Introduction to golf management
- Introduction to the customer-centred business
- Professional practice and personal development for the golf industry
You will study the following modules:
- Event planning and organisation
- Golf club manager - functions and responsibilities
- Golf course maintenance and design
- Management accounting
- Retailing
- Work placement: team working and communication
Core modules are:
- Developing entrepreneurial effectiveness
- Marketing communications
- Research skills
- Sustainable niche tourism
- Understanding visitor behaviour
- Work placement: industry-specific skills
Year four can be studied online via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors, and brings your management and business skills into sharp focus.
Core modules are:
- Niche professional: a business analysis
- Work placement: professional practice
- You will also complete a dissertation, or research and plan a business venture
You will choose two further option modules which may include:
- Business strategy
- Innovation and enterprise
- Strategic marketing
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (unstructured)
- You will learn through a combination of face-to-face tutorials and lectures, enhanced by field trips and practical tuition, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE)
- This is enhanced by field trips, guest lectures from leading industry figures, regular practicals, on-site tuition, and assisting in the running of the students’ own university Golf Club
- Fourth year can be studied remotely and is available as distance learning for international delivery. There is a restricted diet in terms of options available for distance learning students.
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
- Part-time (unstructured): 8 years @ 10 to 20 hours per week
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
- North, West and Hebrides - Dornoch campus
Start date
- September
- January (part-time study only)
Fees
For information on costs of this course please contact the campus where you wish to study.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed your golf management degree, you might like to consider the following careers:
- Golf club secretary or manager
- Golf resort director of golf or golf operations manager
- Golf tournament and event management
- Management of other leisure and sports facilities
- Golf tourism or entrepreneurship
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress to the PgCert Management in Golf with an honours classification of 2:2 or above.
In my role of as Golf Services Manager, I was delighted to recently be able to offer the position of Golf Operations Assistant at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (The R&A) to a UHI graduate. Throughout the entire recruitment process, they conducted themselves with exceptional professionalism, preparation, and poise. Their performance was a standout, not only in their knowledge and presentation but also in how they embodied the values and standards that UHI’s golf programmes promote.
As an alumnus of UHI, I was personally very proud to see the high quality of education, training, and character that UHI graduates represents. It reflects extremely well on the university, the faculty, and the programs offered. UHI should be very proud of the role you have played in preparing this graduate for success within the golf industry at such a prestigious institution. I look forward to seeing more of UHI students make their mark in the future.
Sean Burgess is Golf Services Manager at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
Apply for Golf Management BA (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.