Intro

A career in events is dynamic and exciting. From business and sports events to fashion shows, festivals and celebrations; events inspire, entertain and inform people across the globe.

The events industry has a huge impact on the economy. In 2019, business and leisure events in the UK contributed more than £70bn of direct spend, and provided jobs for 700,000 people – and is now considered a key industry to economic growth post COVID-19 (UK Events Report 2020).

Designed with a research-strong academic team and event industry practitioners, recent developments in the event sector are at the heart of this course - giving you the knowledge and skills and for a successful career in this key industry.

You will learn both about the historical and socio-cultural development of events as well as how events are planned, produced and tailored to local, national and international audiences. You will also focus on the strategic issues of event management such as ethics, event sustainability and how to respond to environmental forces impacting on the events sector.

Full-time students also have the option to add work experience to their Masters through a year’s paid placement in industry.

We are founder members of the Association for Events Management Education (AEME).

Find out about postgraduate events

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Full-time 1 year / 2 years with placement

January and September start dates

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

Course content

Course structure

For graduates of any subject with or without work experience. Delivered through a variety of lectures, workshops, tutorials, case studies and field trips there is an emphasis on interactive learning. You will also have the option to take a year’s paid work placement to help prepare you for a career in event management.

Full-time students usually attend workshops two days per week, while part-time students usually only attend them once per week. Some modules may be delivered intensively over several consecutive days.

At the end of the course, you have a choice between a final year project or a work experience-based report. These are completed after teaching finishes in the summer.

For international students, the MSc also offers an extended Masters route with English language study for between two and sixth months before the course begins.

Group of students having a discussion

Syllabus

This course will provide you with key business skills in marketing, project management, event design and strategic management, taught by lecturers and guest speakers with experience spanning arts and cultural events and festivals, business events, marketing, consultancy, sport and tourism.

Course modules examine the dynamic events sector on global, regional, national and local levels – exploring the significance and practice of event management organisations.

You will also develop an in-depth understanding of the relationship between globalisation and the events sector, the immediate event environment and the significance of sustainability as well as its emphasis on the event, tourism and hospitality sectors.

In addition to the final project, which gives you the opportunity to explore your own interests within events theory and practice – the course also offers an optional module and a placement year.

Modules

You will take seven core management modules and one option module from a choice of five.

Core modules

  • Globalisation, Society and Culture
  • Marketing for Tourism, Hospitality and Events
  • Events: Theory and Practice
  • Event Design and Management
  • Sustainable Strategic Management
  • Research Methods for Masters Degrees
  • Final Project or Work Placement Project

One option from:

  • Managing Talent Performance and Reward
  • Entrepreneurship and New Venture Planning
  • Consultancy
  • Visual Culture: Travel, tourism and leisure
  • Contemporary Issues in Cruise Management

The optional placement year, and work placement project, is only available to full-time students beginning their course in September.

Features 

Field trips
Field trip opportunities in the UK and abroad will enhance your studies and enable you to apply your knowledge in an external environment. Trips have included:

  • the Olympic Park in London
  • Denbies Wine Estate, the trip included a talk events as a means to create additional income streams
  • field study in Leros, Greece
  • guided tour and talk at The Brighton Pavilion including an assessment based on the premises
  • P2P International Gambia

Guest speakers
We also invite local industry partners to the university through our guest lecture programme. Recent talks include:

  • Vivid Events, a local arts events organiser
  • South Coast Conferences, which included a guided tour.

Field trips abroad

International perspectives
You will work both individually and in small, multi-national teams to develop international capabilities and build global networks, learning how to adapt your knowledge to a variety of cultural settings. Our MSc students come from across the world from a variety of backgrounds, and you’ll benefit greatly from sharing experiences.

Learning support
The course is taught by experienced and professionally qualified staff. Class sizes are small and an online learning tool will enable you to access materials delivered in class and engage in specific course tasks. You will have access to a campus and an online library.

There is also English language assistance provided, which includes the following free academic English tutorials during the course, online assignment survival kit, peer proofreading service, and study skills workshops.

For international students, the MSc also offers an extended masters route with English language study for between two and sixth months before the course begins.

Placement year 

To further increase your employability and international experience we offer full-time students starting in September the opportunity to take a placement year. This means that your course will take two years, but you’ll be graduating with work experience.

The year on placement in a role related to your course will allow you to put all that you have learned on your masters into practice, enhancing your career opportunities and giving you practical experience in your area of expertise.

During your placement you will also complete a business project. This project is assessed as part of your masters and, depending on the topic that is agreed between you and your employer, could also provide a valuable piece of insight for your placement employer.

Our placement partners include BMW, Bosch, Deloitte, Disney, Hewlett Packard, HSBC, IBM, Ipsos Mori, L’Oréal, Nike, Panasonic, PwC, Renault and Warner Brothers.

Work placements are optional, and you are responsible for arranging your placement with support from our dedicated Placements and Employability team.

We are now offering a two-year international study visa route to support applications for this course.

Find out more about how we can support you finding a placement.

Placement event

Course leader

Dr Tijana Rakić 

Tijana is an interdisciplinary scholar whose research projects and publications predominantly lie within the themes of visual research methods in tourism and events; world heritage, tourism and national identity; innovative approaches to events and tourism promotion; travel, tourism and art; and representations of places, cultures and identities in promotional materials and popular media.

Her PhD focused on the relationships between world heritage, tourism and national identity at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.

She has written a range of publications, a number of which stem from her PhD, and also co-edited several book length publications including An Introduction to Visual Research Methods in Tourism (Routledge, 2012, with D. Chambers), Narratives of Travel and Tourism (Ashgate, 2012, with J. Tivers), Travel, Tourism and Art (Ashgate, 2013, with J-A. Lester), and Tourism Research Frontiers (Elsevier, 2015, with D. Chambers).

Tijana has also produced two academic documentaries: Visiting the Athenian Acropolis (2008, PhD film) and Of Holidays and Olives (2006, with Y. Karagiannakis), both of which have been shown at film festivals, public screenings and used for teaching in a number of countries.

She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Anthropological Institute.

Find out more about the course leader.

Dr Tijana Rakic

Careers

Career prospects 

The events industry is a dynamic, fast-paced sector offering opportunities to work on anything from small staff events and festivals to weddings and charity-fundraisers.

Designed for graduates who have previously studied tourism, hospitality or events, as well as those who wish to change their careers, this degree will give you the practical skills, experience and qualifications for a multitude of roles within the international events industry.

Studying at a Masters level will also develop transferable skills in research, problem solving, creativity, decision making and leadership, enabling you to stand out in this fast-paced sector.

With the increasing emphasis on consumer experience, progressively diverse leisure event activities and broadening awareness of the social, cultural and political meanings of events, the industry continues to expand and offer new and exciting career paths across a range of skill sets.

Previous graduates have gone on to secure a wide variety of job roles around the world which include working in events in socially oriented fundraising and LGBTQ+ organisations, in marketing and communications departments for multinational corporations, for world-sporting associations, and running their own business in a niche area of events such as party planning or the lucrative wedding industry.

Other graduates have gone on to PhD studies before entering academia.

Recent graduates roles include:

  • Business Development Manager, UAE
  • Conference and Events Organiser, Regional Studies Association
  • Global Learning and Development and Events Specialist, TEDx Speaker
  • Whistling Woods International and Visiting Lecturer, India
  • Senior Manager, Partnerships, Women’s Tennis Association, London
  • Events Manager, Rescue/The Behaviour Change Agency, San Francisco
  • Operations Specialist, World Expo, Milan
  • Events Coordinator, San Francisco LGBT Community Center
  • Event Sales Executive
  • Sofitel Metropole, Hanoi Volunteer
  • Writer and journalist, International Paralympic Committee

Industry links

As members of the Association for Events Management Education (AEME), we have a longstanding association with the events sector. Our staff have worked in corporate, cultural and sporting events, and are involved in applied sociological and industry-related research.

aeme logo

Skills development 

We have collaborated with experienced researchers and industry to develop this course – ensuring that it will help you to develop the skills employers and the industry are looking for. Organisations also work with us on guest lectures, placement opportunities, field trips and live client projects.

Alongside traditional lectures you will gain practical experience by working on live client projects, case studies from visiting alumni and industry experts, preparing you for the challenges faced by events professionals.

The optional paid placement year, will also give you the opportunity to put into practice the skills you are learning on your course, graduating with additional experience – as well as a wider professional network.

Business school students working together in computer room

Work-related experience 

Our dedicated Placements and Employability team provide a huge portfolio of employers offering business-related placement opportunities. They support all students find a placement.

They offer several services to improve your employability including CV and cover letter reviews, mock assessment centres, fast-track interviews and interview practice sessions.

They will also support you throughout your placement and act as referees if you are offered a permanent role. The university will assist you in the application to visas if required.

JobTeaser
We are one of the first UK universities to use JobTeaser, a new online placements system presenting placement options in the UK and Europe. It gathers together all the job opportunities, events and resources you need to help you with your professional development.

Placement and recruitment events
Placement fairs are held twice a year involving companies from well-known names such as Enterprise-Rent-a-Car, Nike, BMW and IBM, through to smaller and more local businesses.

Our regular Employability Weeks offer activities designed to enhance your employability, including LinkedIn workshops, sessions on working abroad, advice from the university’s volunteering service and support from the Careers team.

Careers advice 

Careers Service
Our Careers Service provides help and advice from the very start of your studies, on subjects including careers counselling sessions, CV checking, mock interviews and advice on setting up your own business. Find out more on our careers service website.

Mentoring
Momentum is our award-winning mentoring scheme. It pairs students with professionals who wish to share their experience. Students and their mentors meet regularly to exchange ideas. The scheme helps students to develop new skills and enhance their career prospects.

Students at Placement Fair

Starting your own business 

Beepurple is the university’s entrepreneurship support network. They offer free support for any student or graduate with their business ideas, freelance plan or social enterprise project.

Beepurple run events throughout the academic year, designed to equip you with skills that will improve your employability and help you grow a successful business.

By taking part in beepurple activities, you will meet like-minded people, hear how other recent graduates have set up their own businesses and gain key enterprise skills that will help you stand out from the crowd.

For more information visit beepurple.

beepurple logo

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Degree and experience
Honours degree in any subject normally with a minimum 2:2 or equivalent from a UK ENIC-recognised institution, or an HND equivalent plus at least five years of relevant work experience. Other applicants with extensive industry experience will be considered on an individual basis.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out here should consider applying for this course through our Extended Masters programme.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time)9,100 GBP

International (full-time)15,800 GBP

Placement year

Home 1,410 GBP

International 2,180 GBP

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included, while studying a course in the School of Business and Law in the 2022–23 academic year are listed here.

  • Students who choose to take an optional placement will have travel and living expenses. The cost of this depends on where and how long your placement is.
  • Textbooks are available from the university library (many as e-books) but you may wish to budget up to £200 to buy your own copies.
  • For the International Tourism Management BSc, International Tourism Management with Marketing BSc, International Event Management BSc, and International Event Management with Marketing BSc, field trips are an optional activity, but we do strongly advise participation as they contribute to the overall experience of studying this degree. The cost for field trips is not included in the tuition fee and must be paid for by students, however please be assured we do try to keep field trip costs to a minimum and don't anticipate the total cost of a few field trips each year to exceed £30. If you would struggle to meet this cost, there is a hardship fund that you may be able to access.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

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.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Moulsecoomb has been transformed by a recent development of our estate. On campus you'll find new Students' Union, events venue, and sports and fitness facilities, alongside the library and student centre.

Over 900 students live here in our halls, Moulsecoomb Place and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains and to all the exciting things happening in our home city.

Two people walking past Mithras halls

Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:

  • Mithras Halls are stylish new high-rises in the heart of the student village at our revitalised Moulsecoomb campus with ensuite rooms for more than 800 students.
  • Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Relaxing in halls

Modern accommodation at Moulsecoomb

Mithras halls room with a view

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Student Union social space

Student Union social space at Moulsecoomb

Local area

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

Students talking in a social area

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Students playing frisbee

Student views  

 Olaya Gonzalez 

"It’s been such a stimulating experience – seeing how my critical thinking and views have developed and broadened. It has proven to me that I can face challenges successfully. You get to learn so much about yourself, and have access to tremendous amounts of knowledge and resources. Employers do value the sacrifice and hard work a master’s degree requires. 

"I come from a small town in Spain and for me Eastbourne was the perfect place – not too crowded and along the coast with mild weather. The Students’ Union organises lots of activities which provides a social centre and sense of community.

"The staff are always willing to help and do whatever they can to improve not only the student experience, but also the individual experience of living abroad and dealing with challenging situations. It’s been a thrilling experience, an emotional roller coaster, but would not change it for the world.”

Olaya Gonzalez profile photo

Amelia Hagen

“When researching universities with event management postgraduate courses in the UK and Australia, the University of Brighton’s course curriculum captured my interest the most.

“The course has solidified my passion for event management and empowered me to look for different ways events can be interpreted, valued, and appreciated. At the same time, it urged me to think about how events can influence and be influenced by the political, economic, social, and cultural spheres. Through the course, I discovered I was most enthusiastic about sports mega-events and wanted to pursue working with them as a career path.

“The teaching staff made my experience so incredibly rewarding. They were accessible and accommodating and helped me to learn. The quality of teaching was great, and I consistently felt supported and challenged throughout the learning process. 

“Studying in Eastbourne also added value to my studies, the location enabled me to participate in events locally as well as in Brighton and London. 

“My advice to new students is that you’ll get out of the course what you put into it. You’ll be learn from fellow students with a wide range backgrounds and tutors with experiences that span the spectrum of the events industry. ”

Amelia Hagen profile photo

 Giuseppe di Florio

“I always wanted to work in the events industry. I chose the International Events Management MSc at Brighton as I thought it was the right course for me and I always heard Brighton was great for students. Studying in Eastbourne was nice and the staff were very supportive.  

“The case studies were what I most enjoyed about the course, from the Olympics to World Cups. I could get into the sports events I am passionate about. The course gave me a solid knowledge of the industry and it showed my interest in working in the event industry when I apply for jobs.

“Since I graduated in 2010 I have always been working in and out of the events industry. Among the best experiences was when I worked at London 2012 within the hospitality staff of Sportsmark (now GMR Marketing). I have also just worked at Expo Milano 2015 - I was part of the operations division and I worked both in the accreditation department and in the operations centre.

“I would recommend the course to anyone.”

Giuseppe di Florio profile photo

 Jarmila Truckova

"I decided to study International Event Management MSc after having many inspiring lectures on event management during my undergraduate degree, where I studied tourism.

"During my studies I learned how to think outside of the box and to be critical as well as analytical. I also liked that the course had many group-based projects, which are very important for gaining soft skills.

"I liked how we were supported in terms of facilities and academic guidance from the tutors. I am happy to say that the University of Brighton has given me the necessary confidence, knowledge and inspiration for me to be a success in my professional life."

Jarmila Truckova profile photo

Stay in touch

Find out about postgraduate events

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

Read the latest course news on our postgraduate course blog. You can also get in touch with postgraduate students, graduates and staff by joining our postgraduate Facebook group.

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