PROJECT-BASED LEARNING AS AN EDUCATIONAL APPROACH IN THE NATIONAL SPORTS ACADEMY ‘VASSIL LEVSKI’, SOFIA

Operating in free-market conditions urges sport organisations in Bulgaria to embrace a new way of thinking in an attempt to handle recent challenges. Today’s sport managers hence need new knowledge, skills and competences. This has instigated the adoption of new approachesand methods in the educational process of students aimed to advance their professional and personal career development. The study aims to explore the attitudes and motivations of students from NSA regarding the prospective benefits and impacts resulting from their involvement in projects. Methods. The study used a marketing-focused survey as a primary method of investigation. As additional methods of data collection and processing both a theoretical analysis of extant literature and descriptive statistical analysis were completed. The results reveal a set of positive impacts of the project-based educational approach on learning process. More specifically, these concern the development of students’ personal and professional capabilities. In practical terms, the study outlines some opportunities for changes in the curriculum aimed at embracing an ‘out-of-box’ approach to the preparation of graduates.