Events Management BA (Hons)

Study a course informed by world-leading research. Undertake paid placements. Graduate and embark on an exciting career.

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Overview

This BA (Hons) Events Management course combines theoretical modules with practical placements so that when you graduate, you're work-ready. Practical modules include 'Staging Events' in year 1 and 'Managing the Event' in year 2. You’ll organise events from day one and paid placements will help you gain critical knowledge of events management along with work experience.

Why us?

Our Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism courses are ranked 12th in the UK (Guardian University Guide, 2024)
Available as 4-year sandwich course, on which you can engage in a one year industrial placement
Our Tourism, Transport, Travel and Heritage Studies courses are 2nd in the UK for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2024)

This course has 100% Overall Satisfaction (National Student Survey 2022)
National and international work experience opportunities
Study abroad opportunities and field trips

Course structure

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, workshops, group work, fieldwork, and e-learning. There is an emphasis on developing independent study skills. You'll also have opportunities to present ideas and information to other students and develop concepts and analyses within groups.

As well as assessments that count towards your final degree, there are ongoing assessments to provide feedback and consolidate your learning. Assessment methods include written coursework, projects, presentations, practical exercises, time-constrained exams, and a major project.

Course modules

Year 1 (national level 4):

Impacts of Festivals & Events (20 credits)

Explore the impacts of events and festivals upon local, regional and national economies and upon local communities and society. Consider the physical, political, social/cultural and economic impacts that events and festivals exert on destinations and host communities. Use case studies to analyse impacts within local, global and event specific context.

Experiencing the Event (20 credits)

Use events to explore different facets of events management through your own experience and assessment. Visit, research and analyse regional events to explore issues that range from safety and security of events, risk assessment and human resource management to introductory contextualization of sociological aspects of event studies such as visitor behaviour and motivation, the cultural and social representation of events and historic development. Apply basic research methods and classroom learning to gain a conceptual framework for exploring different dimensions of, and practices in, event management studies.

Staging Events (20 credits)

Work in small groups to undertake the organisation and running of a small-scale event, working with real-life event development scenarios, involving links with local and/or regional tourism and leisure industry organisations. Reflect on how moral, ethical, social, environmental and health and safety issues affect the planning, marketing and ticket sales of events. Gain an understanding of the various steps of event planning and execution, which will vary depending on the specific type of event you choose to organise.

Fundamentals of Events (20 credits)

Establish an understanding of the nature of events, the range of events and the processes of planning, organising and managing events. Explore events in the tourism, leisure, recreation, hospitality, retail, creative and service sectors through an analysis of the interplay of public and private sector organisations. Consider market research, marketing, legislation, the development of niche products, transportation, infrastructure, attractions and destinations.

Study Skills for the Service Sector (20 credits)

Receive training and practice in a range of learning and information skills relating to the service sector. Take part in specific workshops to cover information gathering, critical reading, note-taking, essay writing, group work, and written, graphical and verbal presentation. Develop confidence in taking responsibility for your own learning, be more independent, be a more effective learner and be able to motivate yourself.

Marketing and Business for the Service Sector (20 credits)

Get an introduction to the concepts and functions of marketing and business in the context of the service sector. Explore the economics of the service sector, understanding today’s consumer, product development, marketing and business planning, segmentation and research; distribution channels; marketing communication and advertising.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

Managing the Event (20 credits)

Undertake the organisation, running, review and evaluation of a conference, exhibition or event in a tourism or hospitality context. Reflect on how moral, ethical, social, environmental and health and safety issues affect the planning, marketing and sales of conferences and events. Work with real-world product development scenarios, involving links with local and/or regional tourism and leisure industry organisations.

Research Methods for the Service Sector (20 credits)

Gain an understanding of the principles of research design and fieldwork, preparing you for research projects that you will undertake later in your university study. Discuss the philosophical underpinnings of quantitative and qualitative research methods and enable yourself to undertake ethical research using participant observation and ethnographic methods, interviewing and focus groups, and questionnaire surveys.

MICE: Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (20 credits)

Analyse the meetings and conference industry, explore principles and operational practices of MICE and conceptualize them within the wider contemporary commercial context. Explore the importance of this industry for the events, tourism and hospitality industry, particularly with focus upon its importance for destination branding. Use different case studies and examples from around the world to illustrate subject knowledge, including operational aspects such as Human Resource Management, Site and Venue considerations as well as Supply and Demand aspects of MICE.

Consultancy for the Visitor Economy (20 credits)

Examine and explain aspects of management application from within different organisational contexts. Analyse and evaluate current business practice through appropriate data collection methods, including electronic sources. Derive and formulate feasible, realistic and cogent conclusions and recommendations to specific hospitality, events, aviation or tourism businesses. Reflect on your own expertise by making an application to these businesses via CV and covering letter.

Optional modules:

Events Fieldwork 2 (20 credits)

Travel overseas on a one-week field visit within Europe – visits in recent years have focused on festivalisation, sport tourism and dark events in Krakow, Barcelona and Dublin. Get an introduction to the field area from preparatory lectures, before taking part in group visits and group survey work in the assessed task. Use data collected on the field trip to form the basis of your individual assessed work back in Sunderland.

Cultural Tourism, Festivals and Events (20 credits)

Examine the relationship between tourism and culture, particularly cultural tourism in different spatial and social contexts. Explore topics that include; tourist practice and performance; globalisation and trends in cultural tourism, festivals and events; cultural tourism festivals and events in urban context; cultural tourism, festivals and events in rural contexts; cultural tourism, festivals and events in Europe; cultural tourism festivals and events in the UK; tourism and cultural identities; issues of commodification and authenticity; modernism and postmodernism and tourism the media and popular culture.

Planning Hospitality Environments (20 credits)

Conceptualize a gastronomic themed event, develop a business and marketing plan, and reflect on hospitality management using a variety of performance measurement techniques. Get an introduction to topics that include event conceptualisation, menu development, food and beverage management, marketing and public relations, interior design, legal and health and safety issues and customer service relations. Take advantage of industry expertise from the hospitality sector through guest lectures, visits to hospitality venues and bespoke workshops.

Exploring Human Resource Management in the Service Sector (20 credits)

Gain awareness and knowledge of some of the HR processes, management and resourcing challenges that can be experienced when dealing and managing employees in industry. Showcase your current skill level when planning and hosting your own training session – a key area to performance and employment with high levels of investment. Critically reflect upon your own personal learning experience, professional performance and practice throughout.

Branding for the Service Sector (20 credits)

Discover the principles and practices of branding for the service sector. Explore the importance of destination brands and brands for the tourism, hospitality, events, and aviation industries and their experience-related products. Enhance your understanding of brand management, positioning and brand image within the service sector context.

Year 3 (national level 6):

Core modules:

Contemporary Issues in Events (20 credits)

Gain knowledge of contemporary issues facing the industry and develop an understanding of the influence of sociological forces upon events. Explore contemporary issues, problems and concerns which result through the interrelationships between many diverse and distinct sociological elements interacting in a complex manner involving both individuals and groups.

Optional modules:

Events Management Research Dissertation (40 credits)

Focus on an area of events management of your choice and design and implement a research proposal in this area. Set aims and objectives; select and implement research methods, conduct a literature review, collect empirical data and analyse appropriately. Benefit from training in research methods, research design and the interpretation of data and its relation to contextual material.

Gastronomy (20 credits)

Explore the increasingly important area of food and drink tourism for regional economic development and identity formation. Examine the importance of food and drink products to the tourist experience and to destination success for those countries and regions closely associated with food and drink. Analyse the relationship between tourism and gastronomy and examine the direct and indirect advantages and disadvantages to local and regional communities associated with the development of gastronomic tourism and event initiatives.

Wellbeing, Festivals and Events (20 credits)

Delve into the idea of wellbeing in relation to the festival and event industry. Examine the wellbeing impacts that festivals and events can have on communities. Explore the complexity of understanding wellbeing on a universal level, particularly in terms of its multitude of definitions, dimensions, models, and theories.

Events Planning for Cities (20 credits)

Understand the impact that events have on economic development and cultural life in a range of different types of cities in countries around the world. Critically evaluate events planning and operation in an urban context.

Service Quality (20 credits)

Explore various theories and principles associated with the management of service quality in tourism, hospitality and events. Analyse issues in service delivery for the service organization, employees and consumers. Develop an appropriate model for analysing service quality in a given service organization related to tourism, hospitality or events.

Digital Technologies in the Visitor Economy (20 credits)

Consider the impact technological innovations have had for the visitor economy in the areas of tourism, hospitality, events and aviation. Reflect on the empowerment of consumers through technology, in particular opportunities provided through social media and mobile technologies. Learn more about the current digital technologies impacting the visitor economy, such as social media, mobile technologies, augmented and virtual reality, and the concepts of co-creation.

Leadership and Management for the Service Sector (20 credits)

Prepare yourself for a career in industry as an employee, leader or manager. Investigate leadership and management styles and approaches as well as researching and debating equality and diversity issues. Gain a greater understanding of leadership and management challenges which occur every day in the wider world.

Professional Development for the Service Sector (20 credits)

Develop your employability and gain an understanding of career pathways in the hospitality, events, aviation and tourism industry. Investigate work environments and study a number of important topics, such as career planning and pathways, communication and networking, presentation and interview skills and more. Discover and work towards securing a graduate job role or career.

Facilities

You’ll be based at The Reg Vardy Centre, on the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s. The Reg Vardy Centre is a modern building with views of the river, and just a short walk from both the coast and Sunderland town centre.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

Qualification	Minimum grade
High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade: SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement	GPA 3.0 or above and: Sat score of 1100/1600 from SATs AP (Grades 3+ in at least 2 subjects) ACT (score of 26+)

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.

Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you to study with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you are eligible.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

Annual, full-time fees are:

£9,250 if you're from the UK
£16,000 if you're an international student
£10,250 if you are an EU student (this fee includes a scholarship of £5,750)

Read more about EU fees and funding in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's by night

Career ready

The organisation of events like the Olympics, music festivals, and business conferences is varied and fast-moving work. The content of our course and its wide opportunities for practical experience will give you an advantage when it comes to applying for stimulating jobs, and many of our graduates progress to job roles such as events manager, heritage tourism manager, festival coordinator, exhibitions organiser, and corporate events manager.

You'll have a broad set of transferable skills that will equip you for a much wider range of graduate-level employment. Your course could also be a stepping stone to further study and research.

Field trips

The course involves visits to a range of tourism and hospitality venues and initiatives. You can look at some of our previous field trips here.

We offer opportunities to visit places that are local, regional and international. The North East in itself is known for it's variety of coastal, countryside and city locations.

Paid placements

To further enhance employability, we encourage you to undertake a 48-week placement between your second and final year. It effectively becomes a third year of a four-year course. Placements are generally paid and are an excellent opportunity to put your learning into practice and understand the context for your new knowledge. The contacts made during placements can also be valuable for future job offers.

We'll support you at every stage of the placement process, from finding suitable placements, to checking that everything is going well, and to making a final assessment of your performance during the placement.

Top-up route

A top-up entry option is available to you if you've already successfully completed a Higher National Diploma (HND) or Foundation degree and wish to progress onto the final year of the honours degree course. Topping up your existing HND or Foundation degree will take one year of full-time study and may open up future career options to you depending on your chosen career path.

Contact us to find out how you can get credit for your previous learning and top-up your qualification to a range of degrees.

Meet the students

The environment was fun & welcoming whilst the tutors were warm, knowledgeable and supportive.

Alexander Taylor
I've gained so much experience in the events industry, and have also gained confidence in myself.

Bethany Yuill
I have developed so much not just academically but personally, I have gained so much experience.

Grace Collinson
I have found that the University supports you in becoming the best version of yourself

Lucy Connolly
There is no better feeling than knowing you’re doing something good for your future.

Tanika Williams

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:
0191 515 3000
student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Business, Law and Tourism.

Page last updated: 30 July 2024

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.

Overview

Why us?

Course structure

Course modules

Year 1 (national level 4):

Impacts of Festivals & Events (20 credits)

Experiencing the Event (20 credits)

Staging Events (20 credits)

Fundamentals of Events (20 credits)

Study Skills for the Service Sector (20 credits)

Marketing and Business for the Service Sector (20 credits)

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

Managing the Event (20 credits)

Research Methods for the Service Sector (20 credits)

MICE: Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (20 credits)

Consultancy for the Visitor Economy (20 credits)

Optional modules:

Events Fieldwork 2 (20 credits)

Cultural Tourism, Festivals and Events (20 credits)

Planning Hospitality Environments (20 credits)

Exploring Human Resource Management in the Service Sector (20 credits)

Branding for the Service Sector (20 credits)

Year 3 (national level 6):

Core modules:

Contemporary Issues in Events (20 credits)

Optional modules:

Events Management Research Dissertation (40 credits)

Gastronomy (20 credits)

Wellbeing, Festivals and Events (20 credits)

Events Planning for Cities (20 credits)

Service Quality (20 credits)

Digital Technologies in the Visitor Economy (20 credits)

Leadership and Management for the Service Sector (20 credits)

Professional Development for the Service Sector (20 credits)

Facilities

Entry requirements

Fees and finance

Career ready

Field trips

Paid placements

Top-up route

Meet the students

Alexander Taylor

Bethany Yuill

Grace Collinson

Lucy Connolly

Tanika Williams

Meet the team — BA (Hons) Events Management

Related courses

Contact