Event Management BA (Hons)

Course overview

The events industry is big business and vital for economies, communities and individual health and well-being. By studying event management, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to manage events and get the chance to apply theory to practice throughout your course.

The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.

Why you should study this course

• Real-world experience
  Gain hands-on experience managing live events². Previous students have worked on major music concerts at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), National Indoor Arena (NIA) and the Ricoh Arena as well as helping to run overseas activities for the British Council.
• Gain the skills and knowledge necessary for organising successful, memorable and safe events, which means you will also develop a set of highly transferable management skills, particularly in the area of leadership and project management. Learn how to apply business principles, such as financial management, marking theory and strategic management to the solution of event management problems.
• Industry insight
  Have the chance to access a range of industry visits and field trips², which has previously included visits to the Echo Arena, Cavern Club and St. Georges Hall in Liverpool, and the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park in Dublin. We also aim to invite experts to speak to our students during the course².
• Prepare for your future
  Prepare for a future career in event management with a work placement². We currently have links with local, national and international event management companies, such as Eventsforce, Fargo and N200, who have previously provided opportunities for direct work experience, both paid and voluntary².

If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the holistic nature of a business organisation and how to apply business principles associated with the operational and strategic management of financial, marketing, human and physical resources to events.
• analyse and produce event management solutions to appropriate business decisions.
• apply skills of critical inquiry and independent research, using a range of resources, methods and methodologies, to evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions, to reach sound judgements and communicate them effectively.
• recognise and continually develop a relevant set of transferable skills required by the event industry.
• evaluate and develop expertise in a range of digital technologies that will enhance effectiveness in the workplace.
• apply innovative and entrepreneurial approaches in providing solutions to real event management issues and problems.
• critique the principles of policy and governance and evaluate the global contemporary issues and theories challenging event organisations.
• work effectively, efficiently and dynamically within teams using critical thinking to solve complex event management problems.
• evaluate the management of events in global settings and reflect upon intercultural and international dimensions.
• use the principles of responsible management to design and implement activities that meaningfully engage communities.

As well as offering you the opportunity to learn the unique characteristics of the events industry, this course also provides you with chances to gain knowledge of topics such as marketing, hospitality management, and business management, potentially preparing you for future career options in these areas, within or outside of the events industry.

From day one, you’ll be exposed to the events industry and encouraged to enhance and build your CV with practical work experience through placements². Previous students have done placements such as Project Intern at Live Group, Training Events Coordinator Intern at Porsche Cars, and a Marketing Placement at IBM. We provide volunteering opportunities² at a number of local events organisations, which have previously included Fashion Live Events, Live Buzz Events, Ricoh Arena, Pandora Events, NEC, Barclaycard Arena, local wedding venues, Coventry Blaze, Warwick Racecourse, Conference Care, as well as various charities, which have previously included Bethany’s Wish.