Diplomacy and Sport Loughborough University

Overview

International relations and sport intersect in profound ways. From individual athletes championing gender equality to nation states competing to host prestigious sporting events for diplomatic prestige, sport has an international dimension and influence.

On this master’s, you’ll explore some of the pressing questions facing governments and sports organisations today. Why and how do states engage in sportswashing? What's the intersection between sovereign investment strategies and sport, and how do states use sport to enhance their position and power?

Develop your expertise and build key skills to make an impact in policy, governance or diplomacy, or any other area of this convergent field.

Explore real-world issues with up-to-the-minute content

You’ll find a real-world focus throughout this course. You will examine live examples across topics like integrity and ethics, conflict and sport, leadership, digital diplomacy and resilience to international crises and emergencies. Guest speakers from partners like the West Ham Foundation and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office bring these to life, sharing insights and experience of local, national and international challenges.

As part of an international cohort of students from different academic and professional backgrounds, you’ll practise work-ready communication and teamwork skills, and get hands-on with negotiation and policy design.

Our London campus is the ideal place to build your network and make connections for your future career.

The starting block to an impactful career

This master’s from  Loughborough University is ideal if you’re from a sport background and want to move into policy, politics or international affairs, or if you want to steer your political interests into the sport arena.

You’ll be well equipped for roles in government and regulatory bodies, in sport organisations from grassroots to international levels, and in national and international sport agencies. You could use it to support the work of NGOs or go into consultancy.

Why you should study this degree:

• Critically evaluate theories relating to diplomacy and sport in contemporary international contexts and developments.
• Understand the current issues and developments affecting the practice of diplomacy and sport.
• Gain valuable insights into how sport can contribute to diplomacy, fostering cooperation and dialogue.
• Analyse and compare case studies that explore the consequences of political choices for diplomacy and sport.
• Work alongside students from the Institute for Diplomacy and International Governance and the Institute for Sport Business.
• Full immersion in each topic through block teaching.
• Study in London, home to 165 Embassies and High Commissions.