BA Hons Events Management (Placement)

Program Overview

This is typically a four-year full-time degree program, with a dedicated placement year usually undertaken between the second and final academic years. The program emphasizes active learning, moving beyond traditional lectures to incorporate a variety of engaging activities such as seminars, tutorials, group exercises, real-life case studies, guest lectures from industry professionals, and practical business pitches. The course is designed to provide not only events-specific knowledge but also a solid grounding in universal business and management principles. Entry requirements typically include a certain number of UCAS tariff points from A-levels or equivalent qualifications, alongside GCSE passes in English Language or Literature and Mathematics. The program is also noted for being accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), allowing graduates to gain an additional, nationally recognized industry qualification upon completion without extra cost.

Curriculum: The curriculum is structured to build a progressive understanding of the events management field. In the initial year, students are introduced to the fundamentals of events, the broader tourism and events landscape, and essential business concepts. Modules often include topics such as "The Global Business Environment," "Academic, Personal and Professional Development," "Enterprise and Innovation," "Managing Finance," "Leadership and Management in an Organisational Context," 1 and an introduction to the "21st Century Eventscape" and "Event Design & Live Experiences." The curriculum emphasizes the importance of digital media and creativity in the events industry. In the second year, the focus shifts to more specialized event management knowledge, such as "Operational Business Events Management," alongside further business modules like "Managing Projects to Achieve Results" and "Marketing Experiences." Many programs offer a "Live Industry Engagement" module or similar, allowing students to work on real-world event projects. The placement year provides a significant opportunity to apply learned knowledge in a professional setting. The final year typically involves strategic-level modules, potentially including a "Capstone Business Project" or a dissertation, allowing for in-depth research on a relevant topic, and modules like "Strategic Leadership and Change Management" and further specialization options, allowing students to tailor their studies to their career interests within the events industry, such as business, sports, celebratory or music events.  

Research Focus: While the Events Management program at the University of Gloucestershire is highly vocational, it does incorporate research elements, particularly as students progress. Modules in the later years often require students to engage in research, such as "Research Design in Practice" or a dissertation/investigative study in their final year. This helps to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. The curriculum is also informed by the industry experience and, where applicable, the research interests of the teaching staff, many of whom are experienced industry specialists. The emphasis on real-life case studies and live projects can also be seen as a form of applied research, where students analyze and propose solutions to current industry challenges.

Industry Engagement: A key strength of this program is its strong emphasis on industry engagement, most notably through the integrated placement year. This year-long placement provides students with invaluable, practical experience within the events industry, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge in a professional setting and develop crucial employability skills. The university actively fosters partnerships with a range of industry organizations, with mentions of links with international events organizations such as Millbrook Venues, Concert Live, and Silverstone. Students benefit from guest lectures delivered by leading industry practitioners, providing insights into current trends and best practices. The program also provides opportunities for field trips to various event venues and destinations, both within the UK (such as Cheltenham Racecourse) and potentially internationally (e.g., Barcelona or Amsterdam, although additional costs may apply). Furthermore, the university's "UoG Connections Promise" highlights a commitment to helping students build professional networks through placements, clubs, societies, and networking events, and the "UoG Career Promise" even offers support and a potential paid internship if graduates are not in a job within six months of graduating (subject to eligibility).

Global Perspective: The BA (Hons) Events Management (Placement) program at the University of Gloucestershire adopts a global perspective in several ways. The "Global Business Environment" module in the first year provides a foundational understanding of the international context of business. The curriculum may incorporate case studies and examples of events from around the world, exposing students to diverse event management practices and cultural considerations. The option for an international placement during the placement year offers a direct and immersive global experience, allowing students to work in a different country and gain a broader understanding of the international events industry. While not explicitly mentioned for this specific program in all search results, other related programs in the same department, like International Hospitality and Tourism Management, do offer international placement opportunities. The university also welcomes international students, contributing to a diverse and globally-aware learning environment within the program itself.