Plymouth Business School

BSc (Hons) Events Management

UCAS tariff 104 - 120
UCAS course code NN2V
Institution code P60
Duration

3 years

(+ optional placement)
Course type

Full-time

Location Plymouth

Create truly unforgettable events. Our hands-on degree developed with industry gives you the insight, know-how and skills to become a critical, creative events professional. Collaborate with a range of UK event companies – so you’re ready to impact the way events are produced and managed in the future.

Events Management

Careers with this subject

Our socially aware graduates have the skills and knowledge required to hit the ground running in a diverse range of careers including hotel management, cruise guest relations and destination marketing.

Real experience every step of the way

As well as expert-led teaching, all undergraduate modules within Plymouth Business School have integrated CV building activity, for example, through micro-credentialing, problem-based learning, or embedded direct employer activity. 
We have ensured every module contains a real world problem-based exercise. We have reached out to employers directly to involve real business in our assessments. You will experience real world employee engagement every month. 
We know this is key to student academic and graduate success.

Careers service

The University of Plymouth has a dedicated careers service supporting you from the moment you start your degree, to three years after graduation.
Careers advice is embedded into your academic programme through workshops, events, placements, networks - working with the academic staff teaching on your course. We also offer materials, networks and resources online through our 24/7 portal, and a wide-range of activities, opportunities and support centrally in the Careers Service space within the Student Hub.
We are here to help you to explore, connect and succeed.

Key features

  • Our course promotes awareness of the value and importance of the centrality of participants and clients, enabling students to meet and respond to their specific needs and expectations, appreciating international cultural nuances and the associated impacts on event design and delivery.
  • Our course content has been developed with industry partners to ensure you have the best opportunities in the events industry. You will gain an understanding of the complex, diverse and integrated concepts and defining characteristics of events as an area of academic and applied study.
  • Plan and deliver real, live events including conferences, high-end banqueting, exhibitions and trade fairs. Learn collaboration skills by working with your course mates on the delivery of all staged events.
  • Create a portfolio of professional materials and presentations. Assessments are linked to real clients throughout the course, and you’ll have the chance to develop professional materials and presentations to explain your ideas. In previous years, clients have used winning ideas in their business operations.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • In your first year, we'll introduce you to all aspects of this exciting industry including arts, media, hospitality, entertainment, conferences and banqueting. You’ll discover the principles of design and learn what it takes to manage conferences and events. To round off the year, you’ll explore entrepreneurialism and potential careers in the events sector. 

    Core modules

    • Event Production (THE4003)

      This module provides an introduction to the technical aspects of event production that add value to the event experience. Whilst it is not expected that every event manager will have the technical expertise to deliver every aspect of the event plan it is important that he/she understands the key components and the potential impact they have on the event outcome.

    • The Business Environment: A Global Perspective (STO4002)

      This module introduces students to essential understanding and competencies in the dynamic and changing nature of business and the consideration of the future of organisations within the global business environment, including the management of risk and business resilience.

    • Events Principles and Practice (THE4005)

      In this module, you will gain an insight into the size, scale and scope of the events industry and the various typologies used to classify events. You will examine key issues and developments concerning the management of events and develop an understanding of the fundamental principles and practice relating to the management of event consumers, event experiences and sustainability in the events industry.

    • Managing the Tourism, Hospitality and Events Environment (THE4006)

      This modules encompasses the internal aspects, functions and processes of tourism and event management organisations. Exploring their purpose, including their diverse nature, purposes, structures, size/scale, governance, operations and management, together with the individual and corporate behaviours and cultures which exist within and between different organisations.

  • Year 2

  • Get hands-on experience managing and promoting specific events. Enhance your health and safety knowledge. Understand how to get people to attend your event and enhance its reputation.

    Core modules

    • Careers and Professional Development (PBS500CPD)

      This module is aimed at enhancing students employability skills and knowledge especially those who will be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their degree. It is designed to build on skills learned in Stage 1 and helps students in their search for a placement, and in their preparation for the placement itself.

    • Event Strategies, Planning and Design (THE5001)

      In this module you will investigate strategies for event delivery, taking into consideration internal and external market forces. You will explore the skills, attributes, processes and resources required to run conferences and events and gain an overview of the event planning sequence, including the feasibility of a project, the setting of objectives, budgeting, organising and marketing the event.

    • Crowd Behaviour and Managing Event Safety (THE5002)

      This module will advance your understanding of audience behaviour in the context of crowds, developing your ability to plan for and manage crowd safety at events. You will receive training on legislation, exploring underpinning theory as well as practical examples linked to event safety and risk planning, and managing crowd safety.

    • Marketing, Delivering and Evaluating Event Projects (THE5009)

      In this module you will demonstrate your accumulation of knowledge and expertise by marketing, delivering and evaluating event related projects. This will be underpinned by approaches, principles and methods of investigation in events research and evaluation. Students will learn research methods and be introduced to the use of appropriate methods of analysis.

    Optional modules

    • The Challenge Module: Sustainable Business (PBS5001C)

      Through this module you can select from a choice of topics related to the big challenges business and society are facing today. These might be drawn from the UN Sustainable Development Goals or a country’s industrial strategy.

    • The Challenge Module: Sustainable Supply Chains for Global Trade (PBS5002C)

      In this module, you will be challenged to evaluate the sustainability of the globalised business world. You will assess conflicting viewpoints and present balanced arguments for the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the supply chains that support global trade.

    • The Challenge Module: Responsible Entrepreneurship in Action (PBS5003C)

      Through this module you can develop an understanding of the big challenges business and society are facing today, in the context of entrepreneurship. These might be drawn from the UN Sustainable Development Goals or a country’s industrial strategy and will be informed by established business theories. You will develop and reflect on a business idea which has sustainability at its core.

  • Optional placement year

  • This year you’ll get the opportunity to undertake a paid industry placement. You’ll spend 48 weeks working with an organisation in the UK or abroad, across a wide range of sectors. You’ll apply the skills and knowledge you’ve gained over the past two years in the real world. You’ll immerse yourself in a professional environment enabling you to make a range of contacts – all invaluable when it comes to securing a job.Our students have completed placements with Hilton Worldwide, Celebrity Cruises, Best Parties Ever, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Accomplished Events, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Newquay Hotels Group, Global Infusion Group and many more.

    Core modules

    • Placement Year (PBS600PLC)

      The placement year consists of an extended period of appropriate professional experience in a business or organisation. It allows the student to gain relevant experience to consolidate their studies and prepare for final stage study and employment after graduation. Students on BA International Business may also or alternatively undertake a study placement at an approved partner institution.

  • Final year

  • In your final year you’ll undertake the honours project, which allows you to pursue a specific interest that you’re passionate about, through a significant research-based exercise. You’ll gain a strategic understanding of the industry and its future perspectives.

    Core modules

    • Honours Project (PBS6000)

      The module gives you the opportunity to investigate in-depth a specialist academic or practice-based topic for which you have a passion for knowing more within your field of study.

    • Continued Careers and Professional Development (PBS600CPD)

      The Continued Career and Professional Development module is a development scheme designed to enhance students’ employability and builds on the stage 2 module. The stage 3 module focuses on providing students with information on graduate options and equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary for articulating and recording achievement and applying for graduate positions. The module also includes a number of workshops and events designed to develop students’ skills and knowledge, with the purpose of filling gaps in their CV’s and enhancing their employability.

    • Management Issues for the Events Industry (THE6001)

      This module develops student knowledge of the various approaches to event management when dealing with current global issues, concepts, and trends. The aim is to help learners appreciate the complexities of future scenario planning and how to best apply the findings to the events industry through reflection and application to different scenarios.

    • Business Strategy and Consultancy (THE6002)

      In this module, you will focus on exploring and understanding a range of theoretical approaches to developing strategies for businesses in the tourism, hospitality and events (THE) sectors and applying these principles to a live consultancy project. You can gain experience of working with a business in THE industries on a consultancy basis, either in a research or strategic development setting – you will engage with a client business to mutually identify a suitable project and develop findings and guidelines to inform a new strategic direction.

    • Creativity and Innovation in Events (THE6007)

      You will explore the developing event business world and its value in profit and non-profit sectors, helping you to develop the creativity and innovation skills required by event managers. You will cover three related themes: the event business world; innovation; and creating an event business.

    Optional modules

    • Academic Skills for International Direct Entry Final Year Students (DEAS300)

      This module focuses on the study skills required for the study of business in UK HE for international direct entry final year students, it provides generic skills for students who are new to UK HE, such as information literacy, criticality, different types of assessment, assignment briefs, preparation and planning, and marking rubrics.

    • Experiential Practice (HRL6010)

      This module provides you with the opportunity both to reflect upon practical experience as well as develop your capabilities and profile so you are on course for life after graduation.

    • The Psychology of Events (THE6010)

      The module will give you an understanding of why things happen and the importance of cognitive behaviour on events management. You will analyse where in an events’ operations event managers might want to influence/change the behaviour of key stakeholders and assess how they might do so. You will reflect on how you make decisions and how you might change the behaviour of others.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Events Management Prog Spec 7061

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

104 - 120

A level:104-120 points from a minimum of 2 A levels. This course considers general studies.
BTEC:18 Unit BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM in any subject.
BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.
Access:Pass a named Access to HE Diploma in any subject with at least 33 credits at merit/distinction.
T level:Merit in any subject.
IB:26 - 30 overall to include 4 at any subject at Higher Level.
English and Maths accepted within: Higher Level = 4 Standard Level = 5
All applicants must have GCSE (or equivalent) mathematics and English at grade 4/C or above.
Short of the entry requirements for this course? Don’t worry you may be eligible for a foundation year to prepare you for possible entry onto this course for the following year.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary. 

Fees, costs and funding

Student 2023-2024 2024-2025
Home £9,250 £9,250
International £16,300 £17,100
Part time (Home) £770 £770
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

Undergraduate scholarships for international students

To reward outstanding achievement the University of Plymouth offers scholarship schemes to help towards funding your studies.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page: Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business additional costs.

Tuition fees for optional placement years

The fee for all undergraduate students completing any part of their placement year in the UK in 2023/2024 is £1,850.
The fee for all undergraduate students completing their whole placement year outside the UK in 2023/2024 is £1,385.
Learn more about placement year tuition fees

How to apply

All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). 
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code. 
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Progression routes

International progression routes

The University of Plymouth International College (UPIC) offers foundation, first-year and pre-masters programmes that lead to University of Plymouth degrees. Courses are specially designed for EU and international students who are missing the grades for direct entry to the University, and include full duration visa sponsorship. You can start in January, May or September, benefitting from small class sizes, top-quality tuition and 24/7 student support.
Find out more at plymouth.ac.uk/upic or contact our team at info@upic.plymouth.ac.uk

Meet our experts

  • Lecturer in Enterprise
    Programme Leader with expertise in enterprise
  • Lecturer in Events Management (Education)
    Extensive experience in events management
  • Associate Professor (Reader) in Persuasion and Communication
    Over 15 years of experience in public relations, former Head of Communications
  • Lecturer in Events Management (Education)
    10 years experience as a socioeconomic consultant and project manager
  • Head of Division - Business Management
    Extensive industry experience with specialist knowledge in health and safety

Plymouth Business School

Fitzroy Building

The University of Plymouth is creating an exciting new space for the Plymouth Business School in which current and future students can foster the knowledge and enthusiasm that they will need to achieve their ambitions. Work is underway at the heart of our city centre campus. 
Watch our video visualising what the new building will look like.