Events Management (Joint Honours)

Three years full-time or four years with optional placement for single and Joint Honours.

The events industry is broad with a range of opportunities for ambitious individuals. Events management involves the planning, delivery and management of exhibitions, conferences, promotions, product launches and even parties. It is a multifaceted role which should appeal to those who have good attention to detail and get satisfaction from getting things done.

We have a particular focus on the creative industries and the programme has a practical 'how to' approach to succeeding in managing a wide range of events. The course has strong belief in experiential learning, which means that there are many opportunities to engage in project work, work placements and network with successful events businesses.

Stage one

At stage one the modules provide a broad understanding of the core business knowledge needed in the industry. Marketing, project management, budgeting and people management are core subjects, while students also have the opportunity to study options in entrepreneurship, the entertainment industry, computing and languages.

Stage two

A key part of stage two is a client project in which students work on planning and delivering an event for a real client. Other areas of study include: managing public relations, conference and exhibitions management, professional practice, service and quality management, customer and client management, plus a range of options including new venture planning, in which students research and write a business plan for their own company. We encourage our students to utilise their third year on a placement in the industry.

Stage three

In the final stage, students undertake a project which covers all aspects of events management (although some choose to complete a more focused dissertation). The final stage core module on strategic operations is supplemented by a range of modules in marketing, project management, entrepreneurship, business strategy and human resources management.

• Guest lectures from events industry professionals
• Networking with successful events businesses
• Project work
• Work placements

Click here for a detailed list of modules.

Typical modules include:

• Client-centred Event
• Event Evaluation and Strategy
• Event Planning and Design
• Events Professional Practice
• Human Resources
• Managing Public Relations
• Marketing
• Research

A variety of individual and group based assessments are used including project reports, client briefs, presentation, portfolio and time constrained tests.

Events managers are employed across many sectors of the economy including film, music and entertainment, trade shows and business to business, conferences, networking and social events, PR and marketing and tourism and hotels. A significant opportunity for graduates is self employment, with events organisers and consultants in big demand.

A wide range of 12 month work placements can be arranged through the Centre for Work-based Learning within Northampton Business School, who hold databases from Events Industry Associations.