Events Management

Year 1

You will begin to develop your knowledge and understanding of business and events through general business and specialist event modules. You will learn how to scope and design an event, from event vision through to planning and executing the event itself and start building your Industry Experience Portfolio (IEP).

Year 2

You will develop your management knowledge by studying advertising communication and consumer behaviour modules. In addition, you will learn to think about, debate and critique the role of leisure in society. Specialist events modules will cover key issues including identifying and managing risk and security, as well as exploring fundraising and sponsorship. Throughout Stage 2, you will continue your practical experience within industry and help to plan and deliver a student-led conference.

Year 3

You will consider policy and planning in relation to a range of events from small community-based cultural activities to sporting mega-events. You will study the growing need for events and venues to be sustainable and the role they play in economies and nation states. Management modules will develop your knowledge of entrepreneurship and ethical consumption. Finally, as part of an events team you will plan, deliver, and evaluate a festival event in Aberdeen city centre.

Year 4

You undertake a significant piece of independent research into a specific aspect of the industry, guided and supported by an allocated supervisor. You will test all your practical and theoretical skills by designing and delivering your own large charity event on a city wide stage. This year you will also be challenged to think about the future of the events industry and have the option to choose from modules exploring leisure tourism or consumer psychology.

Learning Methods

This course is taught through varied class sizes, diverse lecturing styles and a range of assessment techniques. Each module involves around three hours of class teaching per week and while this differs from module to module, most include one hour of lectures delivered to the whole class and a further two hour tutorial taught to a smaller group of students. Lectures tend to focus on a formal session, where the lecturer provides and discusses key topics, ideas and authors, while tutorials investigate and discuss the ideas presented in lectures in more interactive and informal ways.

You will also have the opportunity to be involved in field trips, industry conferences, guest lectures and masterclasses. 

Activity Summary

• Lectures - 36 students per group, 3 hours per week
• Tutorial - 18 students per group, 6 hours per week
• Project Supervision - 6 hours per week/term

How long is a BA (Hons) Events Management course?

An Events Management degree can be successfully completed in 4 years, in which the opportunity to receive the necessary skills are obtained.

Independent Study

In addition to lectures and tutorials, you will spend approximately 30 hours per week outside of the class working on your own. This involves undertaking prescribed reading, preparing for tutorial assignments, team meetings and researching and writing course reports.

Staff Delivering on This Course

Academic staff who teach on this course have extensive experience within the creative and cultural industries, most of which have a professional background in the subject area of Events, Tourism and Hospitality.

Our staff have either achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, or are working towards this. This is a professional recognition of lecturer practice, impact and leadership in teaching and learning. In addition, many have featured in the annual Support and Teaching staff with Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) awards voted by the students and organised by RGU:Union.

Other staff members include industry experts, postgraduate research students, media technicians, e-learning advisors and library staff.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 4 portfolios
• 1 oral assessment and/or presentation

Year 2

• 3 written assignments, including essays
• 3 portfolios
• 2 oral assessments and/or presentation

Year 3

• 3 written assignments, including essays
• 3 portfolios
• 2 oral assessments and/or presentation

Year 4

• 6 written assignments, including essays
• 1 portfolio

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Placements

You will have the opportunity to complete an Industry Experience Portfolio (IEP), which allows you to build a portfolio of experience, apply your learning to the practical environment and build your professional network.

You will build up a total of 225 hours of work (four-year programme) or 50 hours (advanced entry students) of work experience. This experience carries credits towards your degree award, with the aim for you to gain experience across the diverse sectors of the events industry.

Previous students have worked with T in the Park, The X Factor, and National Trust, with many being offered the option to return to the employer after graduation.

You are responsible for securing this experience however staff will provide ongoing advice, contacts and opportunities.

Study Abroad

In Years 2 and 3, there may be exciting opportunities for you to study with partner institutions in Europe as part of the Study Abroad programme. This is dependent on similar Event Management programmes being offered by partner institutions. For more information visit:

Job Prospects

Event Management graduate employment prospects are wide-ranging and diverse. You can specialise by event sector, for example, business events (conference/meetings, exhibitions, incentive travel, corporate hospitality); music festivals and cultural events; concerts, theatres and performance arts; sporting and spectator events; charity and fundraising events; party and wedding planning; and community events.

Is Events Management a good career choice?

Previous  BA Events Management graduates of Robert Gordon University have gone on to pursue the following careers:

• COP26 Project Manager, British Council
• Events Coordinator, UCI World Cycling Championships
• Corporate Sales Executive, P&J Live
• Events Management Graduate, 21CC Group
• Fundraising Team Leader, Charlie House
• Event Management Lecturer, RGU

What is needed for a BA (Hons) Events Management degree?

Standard Entry Requirements

• SQA Higher: BBCC
• GCE A Level: CCC 
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H3H3H3H3 
• IB Diploma: 26

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:

• SQA Higher: BCC/CCCC to include English or a written subject requiring the use of English.

Applicants from Partner Colleges

Entry to Year 2 may be possible for students who have completed a relevant Events Management HNC. Entry to Year 3 may be possible for students who have completed a relevant Events Management HND.

Applicants from Foundation Pathway Providers

Entry to year 1 or year 2 may be possible for students who have completed a Foundation Certificate or Foundation Undergraduate Pathway programme, from an approved UK provider, at 60% or above. For courses which require a specific subjects match, such as English or Maths, these would need to provided in addition to the Pathway Programme Certificate or result.

Advanced Entry

All other applicants who are interested in applying for advanced entry will be considered on an individual basis.

International Students 

International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.