Kai Harper

Why I chose Loughborough University London

I chose to pursue my postgraduate studies at Loughborough University because of its excellent reputation within the sports industry and the strength of its Institute of Sport Business. 

My Dad studied at the University’s East Midlands campus and always spoke very highly of his time there. His experience and opinion gave me additional confidence in my decision. 

Being based at the University’s London campus was a major attraction. It placed me at the heart of the sports industry, providing access to a thriving network of organisations, professionals and opportunities.

When I reflect on my time as a postgraduate, the word that springs to mind is “community” – my classmates and friends, lecturers, alumni and industry connections. The University is an environment where people genuinely want to help each other to succeed. I certainly gained the knowledge, confidence and industry exposure to launch my career within the global sports industry.

My overall academic experience

The University’s facilities are excellent, but the personalised support and genuine interest my lecturers showed in my development was outstanding. They were always approachable and willing to invest their time in me. Even after graduation, their continued support is something I really value.

The course strengthened my ability to think strategically, analyse complex information and communicate recommendations effectively. Working collaboratively with classmates from diverse backgrounds improved my teamwork and communication skills. Professionally, I gained a much deeper understanding of the sports industry and the confidence to pursue opportunities within sports marketing and licensing.

One of the things I enjoyed most about my course was how practical and industry-focused it was. Rather than completing assignments purely for academic purposes, we were regularly challenged to solve real business problems presented by organisations operating within the sector. 

Working on projects with genuine commercial relevance made the learning experience far more engaging and helped me understand how academic theory translates into industry practice

For me, the Collaborative Dissertation was undoubtedly the highlight of the course. I undertook my research in partnership with Ludorum. This gave my work genuine industry relevance and application rather than simply being an academic exercise. Knowing that the findings would be used in a real business setting made the project particularly rewarding and taught me how to deliver research that creates meaningful commercial value.

Alongside my dissertation, during the summer of 2025, I completed a Licensing internship with global agency IMG and continued my training with GB & Scotland Lacrosse. This taught me valuable time management skills and how to balance multiple responsibilities while showing me how to apply the knowledge gained at university in a professional, commercial environment.

Another aspect of my course that I thoroughly enjoyed was the Sponsorship and Partnerships module. It aligned closely with the area I now work in, and played a significant role in shaping my career interests.

How my course prepared me for my career

Following graduation, I joined McLaren Racing as a Licensing Executive. As I say, my studies gave me a strong foundation for this role – helping me understand the commercial partnerships ecosystem within sport and develop the analytical, communication and problem-solving skills required to collaborate with a range of stakeholders. 

During my interview, my manager was particularly impressed by my collaborative dissertation project. As it involved working directly with a company, it demonstrated my ability to apply academic theory in a business environment. The practical nature of the course meant I felt prepared to contribute from day one.