BA (Hons) Event Management

Discover everything you need to know about the magic of organising successful events - whatever size, scope, or budget. Work on live events from your first year and get a great practical grounding in every aspect of business.

Course overview

• Co-creating an event is a bit like magic, from the moment you start to think through the initial ideas and plan it out, to the thrill of watching your audience live your vision. This BA (Hons) Event Management degree equips you with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the dynamic world of events, from large-scale conferences and festivals to intimate corporate gatherings. Ideal for creative and driven individuals, this course focuses on practical learning through live event projects, ensuring you graduate with real-world experience.
• You’ll explore all aspects of event planning and delivery, including project management, logistics, marketing, financial planning, and stakeholder coordination. Working on live events from your first year, you’ll apply theory to practice while honing your organisational and communication skills. The course also develops your business acumen, preparing you for a range of roles across the events and broader business sectors.
• With strong industry connections and CV-enhancing opportunities like the Flare Ignite competition, you’ll be well-prepared to stand out in the competitive events industry. Whether you aspire to work in events agencies, marketing, or start your own venture, this degree provides a solid foundation for success.

Why choose this course?

• Master the art of exceptional event management as you benefit from a mix of teaching and hands-on practical experience, developing the ability to think fast and be highly responsive. There are exciting and creative assignments to get stuck into.
• Gain hands-on experience: Work on live events from your first year, applying theory to real-world scenarios. This practical approach ensures you develop the skills and confidence needed to manage events of any size or complexity.
• Work placement opportunities: Event management students have gone onto work for Disney, Bucharest, Four Seasons Hotel, Business Design Centre and Finlayson Media Communications. Our dedicated careers team will support you along the way.
• Learn from industry-experts: Our teaching team includes experienced professionals who bring insights from the vibrant events industry, ensuring your education reflects the latest trends and practices. Benefit from our industry links as you learn from award-winning live event professionals including Global Agency of the Year 2023 and key industry partner, EMC3. EMC3 work closely with our programme teams to ensure your learning remains relevant, helping you appreciate the realities of working in tomorrow's event industry.
• Become industry-qualified: Herts are a member of the Association for Events Management Education (AEME).
• Join extracurricular activities: If you are entrepreneurially minded, take part in the National University Business Challenge. Want to make a difference? Join our Enactus society, organising worthwhile projects for society.
• Strong employment prospects: 93% of Herts graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes, 2021/22).

Professional accreditations

• Member of the Association for Events Management Education (AEME). The AEME was formed to promote events education in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. They provide a voice for events education, encouraging international exchange of ideas and sharing best practice information.

Your future career

• This is an incredibly immersive and experiential events degree, planned to ensure you are ready to design and deliver a wide range of events that are successful and create the right impact on your customers. 93% of Herts graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes, 2021/22).

Possible roles of employment for BA (Hons) Event Management graduates include:

• Event planner
• Conference coordinator
• Party organiser
• Project manager
• Marketing coordinator
• Wedding planner

What you'll study

• In this fun and practical event management course, you are encouraged to develop your skills from the start. You will cover four modules each semester, each with a minimum of two hours of in-person teaching per week. You'll also need to do independent learning.
• The programme offers a solid section of topics for the modern event organiser. All modules are practical, and sustainability is a key theme throughout.
• Your first year offers a firm foundation in the industry and key areas such as marketing and professional skills. You also get the chance to get involved in live events straight away.
• At the end of Level 4 (year one), you have the option to switch to tourism and event management for additional flexibility.
• In your second year, delve deeper into key aspects of event management such as risk assessment, with the opportunity to look at areas of specific interest.
• Your final year brings your skills together with immersive live projects and the chance to work with local businesses on their own events. You'll organise a student conference as part of your final year project.
• The 2022 Hertfordshire Business School (HBS) Grad Ball was organised by Events students also running the events society. Not only was it a lot of fun for all who went but it provided an excellent CV boost for the organisers. It was a direct contributor to many getting GoHerts Awards alongside their degree.

What if I need support?

• We provide specialised services to assist your transition to university life, including academic support, wellbeing support, and a personal tutor.
• Our Student Success team is committed to providing an environment where all students can learn, and our Future Success network is here to assist you find internships, work placements and graduate positions.
• The Business School Student Voice community welcomes new members, and its representatives meet with staff on a regular basis to ensure teaching remains relevant and effective.
• Our in-house Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement (CASE) is open to all Business School students, for extra support with academic writing, numeracy and referencing.

Where you'll study

• You'll be taught on our modern de Havilland Campus, with our 24/7 Learning Resources Centre, offering open and private study spaces. You also get online self-study materials to further support you.
• There are dining options, a bar, and a recreational space on campus where you can shoot some pool or play video games. It also houses Hertfordshire Sports Village, featuring a gym, swimming pool, coffee shop and climbing wall.
• Discover the Enterprise Hub, a vibrant destination where local firms and students work and learn in comfort.
• The Student Union bar and additional facilities are only a 20 minute walk (or short bus ride) away at our second campus, on College Lane. Student housing is available at both campuses.
• A train to central London takes just over 20 minutes, and you are also conveniently located on the A1(M) with access to the road network, making travel quick and convenient.

Who you'll learn from

• Your teaching team is a fun, enthusiastic and lively group with strong commercial and academic backgrounds in event management, but also the closely related tourism industry. All are focused on delivering an experience the customer will never forget.
• It includes multiple nominees for teacher of the year and several winners, meaning you are getting an inspirational and experienced team to learn from.
• It includes experienced teachers, presenters and industry professionals with expertise in running regional, national and international events.
• There are a number of strong researchers, including those with experience in festival and events research. We are constantly expanding our networks locally, regionally and nationally to further enhance the links between the course and relevant business communities.
• Working together, your teaching and support teams are available to assist you in appreciating and reaching your true potential.