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Institute of History postgraduate and research study options

The Institute of History consists of distinguished historians of ethnic/immigration history, the modern history of South-Eastern Europe and British rural history, and the International Centre for Sports History and Culture, which is widely acknowledged as the leading centre for the study of sport history in the world with the foremost historians in the field on its staff.

  • History of British and European sport
  • History of science
  • History of sport and leisure in 20th century Britain
  • Football in South America
  • Popular politics and labour movements
  • Jewish history
  • Modern Southeast European History
  • History of sport and leisure
  • Immigration and ethnicity
  • History of boxing in 20th century Britain
  • Early modern European history
  • British colonial history

Management, Law and Humanities of Sport MA

The CIES International MA in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport has been ranked the leading postgraduate sports management course in Europe by SportBusiness International in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018. It is the first and only course to receive this top award on six separate occasions. Former course patrons have included Lord Sebastian Coe, Alexander Popov, Sir Bobby Charlton, Nawal El Moutawakel and Jonathan Edwards CBE.

Overall co-ordination for this highly regarded course is provided by the Centre International d’Etude du Sport (CIES) based in Switzerland. The first Humanities of Sport module of the programme is taught by the International Centre for Sports History and Culture (ICSHC) at ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ. It focuses on the history of sport, its ethics and its sociology. Students examine the origins and development of sport and investigate the lessons that the past can teach today’s sports administrators.

The second module is taught in Italy at the SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, one of Europe's most prestigious business schools. This module focuses on management of sport and includes topics such as sport organisation and governance, strategy, sport finance, sport strategic and operational marketing, sport event management, business planning and sport leadership.

The third module is taught at the Université de Neuchâtel’s highly respected Law Faculty. Here, students have the opportunity to study topics such as the legal aspects of private sector sport, the legal status of the sports person, legal aspects of sport and health, sport business and law, and methods of dispute resolution.

The fourth, and final part of the course, also takes place in Neuchâtel. This involves working in small groups on a chosen topic, considering it from all angles then preparing and completing a project t is then published and presented to sports industry representatives.

Sports History and Culture MA

Sport cannot be understood without an appreciation of its history. Taught by expert staff based in the International Centre for Sports History and Culture (ICSHC), the only centre of its kind in the world, this MA offers you a flexible, interactive way to develop your knowledge and understanding of all aspects of modern sport from its traditional to its present day form. Issues you will investigate include:

  • What are the origins of modern sport?
  • Why has sport become so culturally and globally important?
  • How can sport help us understand society and different cultures?
  • What primary sources are available to historians of sport and how can they be used?

While the course may be taken online and by distance learning, you will be invited to attend optional seminars and conferences organised by the ICSHC and affiliates. We encourage you to become part of our wider research community at the ICSHC, either in person or via social media. 

You will benefit from the ICSHC’s extensive network of sporting and cultural partnerships with local, national and global sporting bodies. These partnerships, along with our academic team’s combination of expertise and experience, will provide you with a challenging and rewarding intellectual experience leading to a valuable qualification.


For information regarding postgraduate research contact Professor Matt Taylor,  mtaylor@dmu.ac.uk