BA (Hons) Events Management

With our BA (Hons) Events Management course, you will learn what it takes to deliver memorable events. From day one you will build your skillset and start to prepare for your future career.   

Be part of the next generation of event professionals. Build connections in the industry and get the skills and experience you need for an exciting career.

When designing modules for this course, we talked to industry experts to find out what challenges they face and what skills they look for when hiring graduates.   

We’ll introduce you to the world of events by exploring areas like marketing, budgeting, and design. Then, as you move into your second year, you’ll put theory into practice staging a live event for a client. You will also look at how service excellence can help take a good event and turn it into a great event, while also considering the safety implications of events management.  

In your final year, you’ll complete a project that puts all your skills into action and work to address a challenge faced by those working in the industry. This is the time to put your learning, to date, into action and develop key research skills for your career. If you’ve gone on placement, your project may be linked to the area of events you worked in.   

Our teaching is underpinned by our bespoke initiative, Events Connect, which is geared towards creating industry specific opportunities and experiences for our students. Through our extensive network of industry partners, and our experienced staff, students can take part in a range of different activities across the events sector. Examples of such activities include industry conferences, volunteering opportunities, work placements, venue visits, additional events-related qualifications and more.   

This course has a foundation year available. For more information visit the

Manchester: A Global City   

• Manchester has a thriving events sector. Thanks to our industry connections you have the chance to learn more about events from sector leaders. Plus, with our city centre location, you can immerse yourself in all the events the city has to offer and truly make the most of your studies.   

Future Me   

• Through the industry conferences, and guest lectures, you’ll have the chance to hear from, and network, with leading events professionals. Previous speakers include the organisers of Parklife and the Warehouse Project, Notting Hill Carnival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Tour de France and the Olympics. You will also visit some of Manchester’s leading venues like the Etihad Stadium and Manchester Central.   
• Some of our graduates have used the networks they created in Manchester to find their first role, while others make the move to the capital or other locations across the globe. Many students who complete a placement are asked to come back after they’ve finished their studies.   

Features and benefits

• Triple accredited – our business school holds the globally recognised trio of accreditations from EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA, placing us among the best business schools in the world.
• Enhance your employability – through activities including internships, volunteering or learning a new language. With our award-winning ‘Rise at Manchester Met’ programme you can gain extra academic credits towards your degree.
• Develop your professional network – we offer a range of opportunities to network with industry leaders, from conferences and careers fairs and more. Hear from experts like Sacha Lord, Co-Creator of Parklife and The Warehouse Project at regular guest lectures.

Year 1

• You will study eight units in your first year. These include two 30 credit units and four 15 credit units. Please note that the following list of units is indicative and may be subject to change.

Core modules

• The Events Industry – Concepts and Practice
• Introduction to Event Marketing
• Event Operations
• Connect to Career
• Event Safety Management
• Introduction to Event Budgeting and Resources
• Creative Event Design
• Responsible Event Manager

Year 2

• In your second year, working in a team, you have the opportunity to design, develop, deliver and evaluate your own event project. You will also cover issues around people management and employment, digital aspects of events, and the marketing and branding of an event. 
• You will study six modules in your second year. Two 30 credit core units, and four 15 credit units, one of which will be an option unit of your choice.  Please note that the following list of modules is indicative and may be subject to change. 

Core modules

• Event Live: Planning
• Event Live: Production
• Event Technology
• Achieving Event Service Excellence
• Crowd Science
• Developing the Event Professional

Option modules

• Business Events
• Festivals and Celebrations

Year 3

• In your final year your studies will give you skills in leading and managing events related organisations. You will explore the reasons behind why cities and countries bid for mega events and the issues of legacy and sustainability surrounding these events from a global perspective. You will also complete your 12,000 word dissertation which involves you undertaking a substantial piece of independent research into a topic of your choice, working closely with your academic supervisor.
• You will study three 30 credit core units, and two 15 credit units, one of which will be an option unit of your choice.
• Please note that the following list of modules is indicative and may be subject to change.

Core modules

• Contemporary Issues in the Events Industry
• Event Management Consultancy
• Future Horizons
• Event Production Management
• Leadership and Organisational Behaviour for Event Professionals
• Event Sales and Partnerships

Placement options

• Our BA (Hons) Events Management degree offers the chance to spend a year getting a taste of professional life. It not only gives you the opportunity to develop your core skills and learn about how a business really operates in your industry, but also shows employers that you’re ready to get to work.
• To find out more about what a  placement can do for you, visit our placements page.

Study abroad

• Instead of a placement, you’ll have the opportunity to spend up to a year overseas, studying with one of our partner institutions across Europe, or beyond. Go abroad in the third year of your degree, and you’ll not only learn about other cultures, improve your language skills and discover more about yourself – you’ll also boost your career prospects.
• Having first-hand knowledge of another country’s culture and traditions can take you far in a range of careers. And, by going abroad you’ll also demonstrate the kind of independent spirit and adaptability that many employers want. 

Working abroad

• Gaining work experience with an international flavour offers a double benefit. While you’ll learn valuable professional skills in a real-world workplace, you’ll also experience different cultures, ways of working and new perspectives. Whether it’s a summer exchange, holiday internship or year-long international placement, global experience can make a world of difference to your career prospects. 

Study and assessment breakdown

• Ten credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A three-year degree qualification typically comprises of 360 credits (120 credits per year). During the course, you are likely to be required to engage in collaborative projects, group work activities and to give presentations to your peers/tutors. Some or all of this work may be formally assessed, depending on the course you are studying. The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning.

Study

• Year 1 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 75% independent study
• Year 2 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 75% independent study
• Year 3 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 80% independent study

Assessment

• Year 1 100% coursework
• Year 2 100% coursework
• Year 3 100% coursework

Career prospects

• By the time you graduate, you will have a good idea of what area of events you want to go into. Whether that’s festivals, sporting events or more intimate occasions like weddings.   
• Some of our previous students have landed their first graduate roles in a wide range of organisations such including companies managing virtual and hybrid event experiences, agencies with portfolios of blue-chip clients and even Buckingham Palace.   
• As well as working as event managers, some students become project co-ordinators, account managers and marketing professionals.