Event Management BA (Hons)

This course is designed to prepare you to work in the exciting and diverse global events industry, ranging from large-scale music and cultural festivals, corporate events and exhibitions, to small, bespoke social events.

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.

What you'll study
The main study themes covered on the course are:

Live Event Management

• You could be offered the opportunity to undertake real project management and event management experiences2, focusing on group work, planning and execution of an innovative, creative or cultural event, as well as closure and evaluation of the project.

Event Business Management

• We cover the core principles and practices of management, but in the context of organising events.

Event Marketing

• Covers the principles of event marketing and specifically the application of service sector marketing to the event industry.

Year one
This course has a common first year.

• The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn. 
• If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements). 

Common first year courses 

• Advertising and Digital Marketing BA (Hons)Business Administration BA (Hons)Business and Human Resource Management BA (Hons)Business and Marketing BA (Hons)Business Management BA (Hons)Enterprise and Entrepreneurship BA (Hons)Event Management BA (Hons)International Business Management BSc (Hons)Marketing BA (Hons)Sport Management BA (Hons)

Modules

• Entrepreneurial Thinking - 20 credits
• Entrepreneurial Ideation - 20 credits
• Business Decision-Making Using Data Analysis - 20 credits
• Foundations of Management - 20 credits
• Organisation Behaviour - 20 credits
• Marketing, Digital and Social Media - 20 credits

Year two

• In year two, you will continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum and developing your:  
• Technical skills – digital fluency, backed with the right academic knowledgeStudy skills – to be an adaptive, independent and proactive learnerProfessional skills – to have the behaviour and abilities to succeed in your careerGlobal awareness – the beliefs and abilities to be a resilient, confident and motivated global citizen 

Modules

• Innovation in Practice - 20 credits
• Designing a Research Proposal - 20 credits
• Project Management in Events and Sport - 20 credits
• Operations Management in Sport and Events -20 credits
• Event Funding, Policy and Promotion - 20 credits
• Experience Design - 20 credits

Placement Year

• There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.  
• If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.
• Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depends on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student

Modules

• UK Work Placement– 0 credits
• International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

Final Year

• Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from years one and two.

Modules

• Project - 40 credits
• International Event Management - 20 credits
• Contemporary Issues in Entertainment and Experience - 20 credits

Students must choose two modules from the below:

Impacts and Legacies - 20 credits

• This module allows you to consider and interrogate the impacts and legacies of a variety of events, from small local events to mega-sporting events. A range of impacts and legacies will be discussed, including but not limited to: economic, social and cultural, human capital, urban, international and domestic politics and sporting legacies.

Strategic Communications in Sport and Entertainment - 20 credits

• This module focuses on strategic communication through both traditional and social media with the public and other stakeholders in sport and entertainment organisations. The module also takes a strategic approach to managing PR and crisis communication within the sport and entertainment industries and includes discussion of practical strategies and techniques useful to managers.

Talent Representation - 20 credits

• This module aims to equip you with advanced knowledge of the representation and branding of celebrities, athletes and artists. You will explore the professional skills and attitudes required when working with artists, sportspeople, celebrities and business practitioners.

Digital Transformation in Events and Sport

• The aim of this module is to develop your awareness and appraisal of the digital transformation affecting the sport and experience industries, its impacts on participation and engagement, as well as the opportunities and challenges it creates for managers.

PR and Event Marketing

• This module will provide you with a critical perspective on Public Relations (PR) and event marketing. You will develop an in-depth understanding of the core theoretical concepts in public relations and events marketing, providing a foundation for critical discussion.

Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

• Phase tests
• Essays
• Group work
• Presentations
• Reports
• Projects
• Coursework
• Exams
• Individual assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

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.

Where our graduates work

• Our previous graduates have gone on to occupy positions in the event industry within a variety of national and international companies, including Compass Group, Marriott, Hilton, The Royal Opera House, Live Buzz Events, Ricoh Arena, Chelsea Football Club events team, Gordon Ramsey Events, Pandora Events and Coventry University Student Union.