Global Events Management (MSc)

Famous festivals. Mega sporting competitions. Global meetings and congresses. On our Global Events Management MSc, you’ll unlock opportunities to take the lead organising large-scale events like these around the world. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got experience in this area – we’ll give you the know-how you need.

Responsibility, sustainability, and inclusion are at the heart of this course. You’ll also benefit from a global programme of guest speakers. Hear from experts from all corners of the globe and learn about current issues for the industry such as event accessibility, and sustainability.

Take your learning beyond the lecture theatre with our practice focused electives. You can deliver a real-life event – with our Planning and Delivering the Sustainable Event module. Pick the Dark Tourism module and you’ll design a new experience for an attraction in this area. All these experiences will boost your employability and prepare you for success.

Ranked 3rd in the UK & 24th in the world – Hospitality and Leisure Management Programmes, QS World University Rankings 2023

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• Unique approach-We’re the only course in the UK which offers a holistic overview of global events.
• Exciting electives-Oxford, with its rich cultural heritage and reputation as an innovation hub is the perfect backdrop for immersive field-based electives such Dark Tourism and Planning and Delivering the Sustainable Event.
• Unrivalled support-The Bacchus Mentoring and Leadership programme focuses on boosting your employability by providing you with access to senior leaders from your industry, who can help you chart your career path.
• Industry placement-We’ll help you find a paid placement with organisations such as Richmond Creative Events and Entertainment Technology Partners so you can apply your skills and boost your employability. 
• Global guest speakers-Hear from experts in global events from across the world, from Singapore to Sydney.

Course structure

• Events, tourism, and hospitality depend on each other. That’s why you’ll start by looking at the global visitor economy and how these areas interact. You’ll then look more specifically at the organisation behind global events and the impact of events on nations, discussing major events like the World Cup and the Olympics.
• Understanding the role of digital marketing will be key to your success. You’ll look at consumer experience, different platforms used to connect with customers, and the importance of social networking sites and other applications for events.
• Then it’s up to you to shape your study with optional modules. What we offer sometimes changes but you’ll have the choice of exciting areas like tourism innovation and entrepreneurship and revenue management.
• You’ll apply everything you’ve learnt to a final project. This might be a dissertation which can be on anything from online events to the impact of a certain event. Or perhaps you’d prefer to do a client project instead.

Learning and teaching

• Teaching and learning on the MSc Global Events Management is guided by student study plans for each module which consist of in-class, face-to-face teaching, field visits, guest lectures, experiential learning,  online tutorials and other online activities, guided and self-study activities geared towards completing coursework assignments and suggested enrichment activities. Enrichment activities are optional activities which are optional but meant to enhance the teaching and learning experience.

Assessment

• You will be assessed on individual and group coursework and your final project.

Field Trips

• The International Business in Practice Study Trip module allows you to experience ideas and practices of global business. During the trip you will have direct interaction with management executives and practices. You will: attend presentations from local management executives and experts and go on site visits to major corporations and agencies. This study trip is voluntary and you will need to fund all costs associated with the trip. It is not linked to university assessments in any way.
• We also run a study trip to Chengdu, China. If you choose the study trip (which runs in July), we will give you all the details by March so that you can make your decisions ahead of the trip in July.
• If you successfully complete this non-credit bearing module, it will be recorded on your transcript as P58335 International Business in Practice: Study Trip.
• As an example of costs, the fees in 2020 varied between £350 - £1500 and included: accommodation for seven nights, insurance, company visits and group transportation for all activities. This fee did not include international airfare, visa application fee (if relevant), dinners and activities during your free time.
• There are also field trips within the for credit modules taught within the semester, which seek to acquaint with the city of Oxford and its unique attractions.

Start this course in January or September

• You can start this course in January if a September start doesn't suit you or is not currently offered for this course.
• If you start in January you will study a range of modules between January and May. During the summer months of June, July and August you will study further modules and begin work on your dissertation. Between September and December you will complete your final modules and focus on your dissertation.

Research

• Our research staff publish in prestigious top tier internationally rated journals including Annals of Tourism Research, Tourism Management, International Journal of Hospitality Management, Event Management, The Service Industries Journal, European Journal of Marketing, Journal of Services Marketing, International Small Business Journal and Journal of Small Business Management.

Careers

• A future in global events management is full of opportunities, challenges, and amazing experiences. You’ll understand the issues facing the industry and be ready to work anywhere in the world. 

Armed with a degree in this area, you’ll be ready for roles in:

• Global meetings,
• Conferences and exhibitions,
• Mega sporting events,
• Live music tours,
• Major music festivals,
• Carnivals and parades, 
• Sales events hosted by global brands.

Former graduates who have qualified in events management are currently working as:

• Conference and banqueting coordinators for hotels,
• Marketing and events specialists for the National Health Service (NHS),
• Museum event managers, 
• Freelancers and entrepreneurs running their own event businesses.

After you graduate, you might decide to continue your research with a PhD. A PhD helps you become a subject matter expert, become a consultant, or teach the next generation of global event leaders.