• Undergraduate

Event Management BA (Hons)

Overview

Overview

Why study at UWL? 
  • In the top 30% of universities nationwide - The Guardian University Guide 2024 
  • University of the Year for Social Inclusion - Daily Mail University Guide 2024 
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 
  • Number 1 London university (non-specialist) - National Student Survey 2023** 
Why study this course?

When you study for your event management degree at UWL you will be ideally placed in London, the heart of the UK’s events industry and one of the biggest events capitals in the world.

With work-based learning opportunities built into the course, you will have the chance to experience a wide range of events through volunteering. Some aspects included in the event management course also support the development of relevant skills in communication, organisation, problem-solving and multitasking.

As part of your coursework, you will be involved in planning and organising events; you will learn to effectively bid for contracts, work on client briefs, carry out risk assessments, design presentations and produce reports. Your work will integrate key areas of event management including operations and logistics, public relations, marketing, technical and production expertise.

Our course content is developed with support from a wide network of sector professionals to include changes in the industry. Join this career-focused course and graduate in a strong position to be a part of the industry’s transformation.

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Event Management with us?

Why study Event Management with us?

What our students say…

The University was a big draw as I live locally. I like the lecturers, there's great contact time with tutors and you get to meet a wide range of passionate people.

Georgia Beckett
Next
event capital
Industry focused teaching
UWL is a member of the Association of Event Venues
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

This event management course will explore the factors that affect today’s industry and will build your understanding of consumer behaviour. 

A combination of academic insight and practical case studies will prepare you to plan and organise events, from music festivals to conferences, integrating all areas of event management, including: 

  • operations and logistics
  • public relations and marketing
  • sponsorship
  • creative design
  • technical and production.

While you study, you will have the opportunity to experience the industry first-hand via work accreditation or through part-time work opportunities. And, with famous London event spaces such as Wembley Stadium and the Hammersmith Apollo nearby, you will be well placed to experience some of the biggest events in the country. 

To ensure our event management degree provides you with a solid foundation for the work environment, you will complete a range of:

  • client briefs
  • work-based case studies
  • risk assessments
  • design presentations
  • essays
  • project work
  • teamwork
  • live event projects
  • client bidding
  • workshops
  • industry reports

Our central location and extensive industry connections will link you to paid work experience opportunities and frequent sessions with industry guest speakers. We encourage you to take advantage of these in order to start building useful contacts and developing your personal brand within this exciting industry.

Compulsory modules

  • Academic and Professional Development for Event Managers (BEP)

    The aim of this module is to give you the academic skills necessary for the course as well as develop your employability and graduate skills.

    The module will focus on comprehending and applying effective academic competencies as well as addressing the key areas required for future employability within the hospitality industry.

  • Event Planning and Operations (EPO)

    You will be introduced to the foundational principles of event planning and operations. It will also provide you with the opportunity to apply theories covered in class to examples of event practice, and equip you with the knowledge and skills that will be utilised in later modules.

  • Event Budgeting and Finance

    You will be introduced to basic Accounting and Statistics principles and techniques, and to be able to apply these techniques for planning control and decision-making for business problems in the events sector. You will also report the context, analysis and findings in an appropriate business format making use of available technology.

  • The Event Environment

    This module will give you similar knowledge base on the event industry. You will be able to explore theoretical components, such as:

    • event health and safety
    • policy
    • event stakeholders
    • event design 
  • Event, Culture and Society

    The module aims to explore the social and cultural significance of events in society. You will gain knowledge of established theories drawn from sociology, anthropology, consumer culture and cultural studies, and apply these in an events context. 

    Through the application of these theories to an event context, you will develop skills of critical thinking, evaluation and analysis. Both written and oral communication skills will be developed through the presentation of ideas, and the development of a professional trade magazine article.

Compulsory modules

You will study all the compulsory modules and will choose ONE of the optional modules
  • Applied Research Methods

    The module aims to provide you with broad knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of research. It focuses on the use of a range of different research methods and approaches. The module encompasses the understanding and application of appropriate research methodologies, research approaches, research designs, forms of data collection, research statistics and report writing and presentation.

  • Talent Management and Leadership

    This module explores talent management, which has become an area of significant importance in international HR practice, as retaining excellent employees plays an important role in the strategic competitiveness of an organisation. This is never so important than in today's ever-changing work environment, where businesses operate in an environment of not only risk but also volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA).

    The module will develop your understanding of the requirements for entrepreneurial leadership, which is essential in enabling the dynamic capabilities of the organisation. This module aims to develop your understanding of the requirements for successful leadership and talent management in an ever-changing world.

  • Digital Marketing and Consumer Behaviour

    You will be introduced to the dynamic and changing world of digital marketing and communications. The importance of creating and sustaining internal and external digital communications as well as delivering the online customer experience are explored. This module aims to offer you an overall perspective of the aspects of consumer behaviour in a digital age. 

  • Managing the Event Venue and Workforce

    In this module, you will learn about the management of physical infrastructure and deployment of human capital represent two of the most significant roles of the modern-day event manager. You will explore the unique nature of venue and workforce management within an event context. It draws on a multidisciplinary approach to consider concepts from traditional fields such as facilities management, applying them in a 21st Century event environment. You will be provided with the key knowledge of important concepts in venue management and explore the specific unique nature of the event workforce. Additionally, this module will draw on a range of disciplines, such as facilities management, operations management, leadership and managing people. You can reflect on your academic studies in relation to your own experiences through the production of a CPD portfolio.

  • The Event Delivery Challenge

    In this module, you will examine operational factors involved with event planning and delivery, including logistical requirements, for example, project management, destination knowledge; venue sourcing; conducting site inspections; supplier liaison; risk assessment; health and safety; administration and the invitation and registration process.

Optional modules

  • Managing Events in a Corporate Environment (MECE)

    This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the needs and wants of both a corporate event attendee and the event organiser. This could enable you to respond effectively to a client brief; and equip you with professional presentation skills for both oral and printed communications

  • Live Music Events

    This module will help you develop an understanding of the specialised areas of live music events. This will enable you, as a future event professional, to understand the mechanics and responsibilities of working in this genre of events. 

Compulsory modules

You will study all the compulsory modules and will choose ONE of the optional modules
  • Dissertation

    You will initially produce a proposal report of their research idea and complete a set of research ethics forms in accordance with the University’s research ethics policy. Thereafter, you will work towards completing the research project with advice and guidance from the academic team. The project culminates in the submission of a capstone thesis which incorporates a thorough critical review of the literature, a detailed methodology outlining relevance and limitations, a critical analysis and discussion of the results and the critical evaluation of the outcomes of the work.

  • Event Analytics and Strategy (EAAS)

    The module will enable you to demonstrate and explain core theories on strategic management and the use and application of analytics, which is integral to this. On completion of the module, you will be able to recognise and apply contemporary strategic management tools, as well as how analytics are used to interpret, inform and enable strategic decision making

  • The Event Experience

    You will explore the creative event design process in particular relation to experiential marketing events. It will provide students with knowledge of key principles in event design. This includes such concepts as sensory conception, designing experiences and eventscapes. This will allow you to develop skills in creative thinking, problem solving and team working. 

  • Tourism and Events in the Global Context (TEGC)

    This module will take an explicit international approach. Tourism and Events will combine theory and practise which will address challenges and opportunities globally. You’ll examine the impacts and benefits globalization has on the tourism and events industry.

Optional modules

  • Entrepreneurship in the Event Industry (EEI)

    This module aims to enable you to differentiate between entrepreneurs, owner-managers, inventors and innovators and their principal characteristics, analyse the challenges and benefits of running one’s own business and the dynamics of sustaining creative business. Additionally,  this module will help you understand and engage with the concepts of entrepreneurship and enterprise in relation to event management.

  • Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response

    The module aims to provide you with the key knowledge of important concepts in emergency planning and risk management. It will combine theoretical concepts with an opportunity to apply these to real-life through common exercises designed to develop resilience in organizations, such as Major Incident Scenarios and Table-top exercises.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

112 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • A Levels at grade B, B and C, or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Distinction, Merit, Merit
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T Levels

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.

 

Looking for BA (Hons) Event Management with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

Looking for BA (Hons) Event Management with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
6.0 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept. 

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

Looking for BA (Hons) Event Management with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

Looking for BA (Hons) Event Management with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
Fees & funding

Fees & funding

{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_uk_eu_main_fee.name) }} per year

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. In recent years, hundreds of students have received our Full-time Undergraduate Student Bursary.

Additional scholarships specifically for hospitality and tourism students are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Dr Elitza Iordanova profile photo

Dr Elitza Iordanova

Elitza joined the University of West London in January 2018 as a Senior lecturer in Tourism Management and was promoted to Head of Subject for Tourism, Aviation and Events in October, 2021. Prior to joining UWL, she worked at Bucks New University for 8 years as a Senior Lecturer in Tourism and Aviation where she taught a variety of courses. Elitza obtained her first degree (Mag. Rer. Soc. oec) in 2008 from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, Austria, where she specialised in International Business, Tourism Analysis and Leisure Marketing. She completed her PhD in Destination Marketing at Brunel University, UK, in 2013. Elitza is a member of the editorial board of the European Journal of Tourism Research and is also a peer reviewer for a number of academic journals including the Journal of Tourism Management, Tourism Management Perspectives and the International Journal of Tourism Policy. Most of Elitza’s research is focused on destination marketing and branding, sensory marketing and consumer behaviour and she is supervising PhD projects on a variety of topics. Elitza is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.  

Elitza joined the University of West London in January 2018 as a Senior lecturer in Tourism Management and was promoted to Head of Subject for Tourism, Aviation and Events in October, 2021. Prior to joining UWL, she worked at Bucks New University for 8 years as a Senior Lecturer in Tourism and Aviation where she taught a variety of courses. Elitza obtained her first degree (Mag. Rer. Soc. oec) in 2008 from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, Austria, where she specialised in International Business, Tourism Analysis and Leisure Marketing. She completed her PhD in Destination Marketing at Brunel University, UK, in 2013. Elitza is a member of the editorial board of the European Journal of Tourism Research and is also a peer reviewer for a number of academic journals including the Journal of Tourism Management, Tourism Management Perspectives and the International Journal of Tourism Policy. Most of Elitza’s research is focused on destination marketing and branding, sensory marketing and consumer behaviour and she is supervising PhD projects on a variety of topics. Elitza is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.  

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

Two smartly dressed colleagues looking at their tablets

This course prepares you to lead effectively in an ever-evolving sector, with the skills and confidence needed to tackle the issues the sector is facing today and into the future.

The skills you learn on the BA (Hons) Event Management degree will make you a strong candidate for employers in the events industry in the UK and abroad. 

You will also gain skills that you will be able to apply to a range of careers including:

  • event organiser
  • event planner
  • fundraising officer
  • festival manager
  • event designer
  • event logistics manager
  • venue manager
  • event and project coordinator
  • event client coordinator
  • event assistant.

Many of our graduates have also gone on to start their own successful events business with support from the University. 

Some of the areas of events you may work in after graduating include: corporate events, exhibitions, gala dinners, festivals, concerts, conferences, product launches, roadshows, fashion shows, celebration events (weddings, christenings, etc), parties, cultural events, sporting events and fundraising events.

You could also advance your studies with one of the postgraduate courses available at the London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism.

How to apply

How to apply

Events and networking opportunities

On our Event Management course, there will be various opportunities to increase your knowledge and industry awareness. Recently our students have benefited from the following:

Event management industry experts

Events

At an event organised by UWL students, a panel of event industry experts discuss employability and opportunities in the industry.

Panellists: Robert Kenward, Benedicta Asante, Evelina Bucinskaite, Natasha Butt, Matthew Wall, Amelia Brown.

Event Management students visit Glide Battersea

Trips

As part of a module which includes managing an event venue and event design, a selection of our students visited Glide Battersea.

The trip enabled the group to look at the set-up of a permanent and temporary structure, as well as consider the design and theming aspects.

Students also had the opportunity to network and were divided into groups to ask questions on the set-up and design of this venue, which reflected key parts of the module learning outcomes.

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 - Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.