The University of Hertfordshire celebrated the official launch of the first online BSc degree in Business and Sport Management last week, with a reception at Lords Cricket Ground.

Designed to meet the needs of high performance athletes and others working in professional sport, the programme provides a flexible and effective way to fit study around busy training and competition schedules.

The course is modular, enabling students to decide how much time they can commit to study and gain credits for their professional sporting experience - which will count towards the degree.

Speaking at the launch, student and GB short track speed skater, John Eley, said thecourse will help him make the transition from a full time athlete into a full time employee.

“I am enjoying the new learning experiences on the programme and I am actually using this learning to enhance my own sporting performance and that of my team,” says Eley.

Director of Learning and Teaching at the University of Hertfordshire, Karen Burton, says the degree is designed with future employability in mind, based on consultations from a number of partners, including the English Institute of Sport.

“This event confirmed that our approach to helping athletes pursue both their educational and sporting goals while preparing them for their follow-on careers is valued and we look forward to welcoming more students onto this programme in the future,” she says.

The course has been underway since September, with 16 students enrolled including England rugby player, Billy Vunipolo and swimmer, Charlie Boldison. Applications are now open for athletes wanting to start studying in September.