International Event Management BSc(Hons)

Course structure

If studied full-time, the course will take either three or four years to complete, depending on whether you opt for a placement year. It is designed to cover everything you need for a career in events management.

The style of teaching will differ according to module, but it will involve lectures, seminars, group exercises, case studies and student presentations. Your contact hours will gradually reduce over three years as you learn to work more independently.

Although you will be assessed by essays and exams, we will also test your ability to work in teams, give presentations and appraise the work of fellow students. These methods of assessment are intended to reflect real-life management practices.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, we will inform you of any improvements or innovations to the curriculum through Student View.

Year 1

In year 1, you will study the dynamics and operational aspects of the event industry as well as the principles of business management. 

Modules

• Principles of Marketing

  This module introduces the role and function of marketing within organisational frameworks. You'll develop an understanding of basic qualitative and quantitative tools available for analysing and interpreting the marketing environment.

• Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management

  This module will introduce you to a range of concepts, principles and theories that have been adopted within the study of organisational behaviour and human resource management.

  This module will provide you with a grounding for understanding how people are managed and organised in the workplace.

• Event Operations and Project Planning

  In this module you will examine the key operational and project issues concerned with planning and managing a range of events. Management tools, operations and project management originated in the manufacturing, construction and IT industries, however, the benefits of a systematic and structured approach have more recently been adopted by organisations within the events industry. The nature of an ‘event’ as a unique product, with an immovable end date lends itself to adopting operations and project management methodologies to its successful organisation.

• The Event Industry

  The rapid growth and development of the events sector in recent years has created a dynamic global industry, which has been built on our need to trade, celebrate, compete, learn, socialize and have fun. In this module you will examine the commercialisation, professionalisation, structure, sectors and legal and risk considerations of the international event industry. You will also discuss the political, socio-cultural, economic and environmental impacts and outcomes of events and identify current trends and issues within the industry.

• Financial Knowledge and Skills for Business

  This module provides you with an introduction to fundamental concepts in the fields of financial accounting, management accounting, and finance. You will develop a basic understanding of an organisation’s financial position and performance through the application of appropriate analytical tools and procedures.

• Managing Event Organisations

  This module develops your knowledge and understanding of the complex nature of events organisations. You will explore the different types of events organisations, their goals and structures, including consumer experience, stakeholders, and a focus on audience development pertinent to the events industry. You will also analyse the challenging business environment in which events organisations operate. You'll enhance your employability skills by gaining insights into management issues specific to events organisations, underpinned by sustainable business practices and organisation theory.

Year 2

In year 2, you will plan and deliver an event using project management skills learned in your first year. You will also gain a fundamental understanding of risk and crisis management and explore the many challenges that event managers face.

You also have the opportunity to focus your studies further and specialise in marketing at this point in your degree by moving to our International Event Management with Marketing BSc(Hons).

Modules

• Cross-cultural Research and Professional Skills
• Event Experience Design and Production
• Event Risk Management Live
• Staging the Event and Managing Risk
• Understanding Event Stakeholders: Competing interests, clashes and conflicts
• International Business Analysis

Placement year 

The option of a year's paid work placement in the events sector is highly valued by employers and a vital part of the course, allowing you to work either domestically or abroad for 48 weeks between your second and final years. It gives you the chance to apply your learning to real-life situations and challenges, to meet and network with potential employers, and gain real work experience in this dynamic and complex sector before you graduate.

Upon finishing your event management or marketing related placement, you will complete an elective project that contributes to your degree. This allows you to critically reflect on the event sector and your experiences in the workplace. Further, it may provide strategic insights for your employer. This replaces the Developing Professional Practice core module in final year.

Our dedicated placements and employability team will support you throughout. Read more about our placement years.

Final year

In your final year at Brighton, you will examine the growth of the international event industry and learn how to take a strategic approach to management.

Modules

• Theorising the International Events Industry
• Strategy for International Business
• Placement Project OR Developing Professional Practice in Business

Options*

• Dissertation – Contemporary Issues in Tourism or Events
• Small Business and Entrepreneurship
• Globalisation and International Markets
• Contemporary Economic Issues
• Current Issues in Finance
• Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Management  
• Researching Contemporary Issues for the Intelligent Enterprise
• Contemporary Issues in Marketing
• Responsible Enterprise
• Researching Contemporary Issues in Supply Chain Management
• Researching Contemporary Issues in Strategic Management
• Festivals and Events
• International Management
• Destination Marketing
• Enterprise and Innovation

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Course leader 

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is £1,410 for UK students and £2,180 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

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