Event, Venue and Experience Management - BA (Hons)

This course has recently been updated. Please download the course specification for the up to date information.

Want to study event management in Birmingham? Our BA (Hons) Event, Venue and Experience Management degree allows you to take a year-long placement in industry.

Over the past decade there has been a surge of careers in the global leisure sector that require best-in-class event, venue and guest experience managers.

This innovative and on-trend course will give you the skills, experience and insights to develop a career in the growing area of event management alongside a qualification from the CMI.

What's covered in the course?

Combining theory and practical application the course will draw heavily from practicing event, venue and experience leaders to cover multiple aspects such as marketing, project management, design, operations, analytics, digitization, experiential and client management. Where appropriate to the individual topics covered during the course, implications for sustainability will be identified that relate to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Building upon the insights and close business connections that Birmingham City Business School has made through its Academy of Multi-Unit Leadership (with over 600 graduate managers from industry-leading event and leisure organisations) this undergraduate course will provide the academic expertise and contacts to help you develop an exciting professional future. President of Genting UK, Paul Willcock, describes the course as ‘an exciting and innovative degree that provides exceptionally strong pathways into our industry'.

Why Choose Us?

• This is the only undergraduate Event Management course in the UK to be CMI accredited with no extra cost to the student.  The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) is the only chartered professional body dedicated to promoting the highest standards in management and leadership excellence.
• The course has the support of external management professionals from the wider West Midlands area. Paul Willcock, President of Genting UK, said "This course is an exciting and innovative course that offers fantastic pathways into the industry".
• On all of our courses you will gain a professional focus and real world experience of event management, ensuring you are equipped to make an immediate impact in the world of events. You have the opportunity to embark on a year-long professional placement as part of your degree course.
• Recognising the global scope of the events industry, our course has a clear international focus. This is embedded throughout the curriculum, giving you the opportunity to transform your experience with us into a global one. There are a variety of exciting possibilities open to you, including our many overseas study exchange programmes.
• You will have the opportunity to be involved in placements, internships, project fieldwork, workshops, and attendance at conferences within the leisure and events industry which will enable you to gain the experience needed to kick start a successful career in the industry. You will get the chance to go behind the scenes at iconic event venues such as the Genting Arena and the International Convention Centre (ICC).
• As a student on one of our undergraduate degrees, you will be able to benefit from our Graduate+ initiative. This three-year award course enables you to gain award levels for all the extra-curricular activities you undertake so that you can stand out from the crowd on graduation.
• We put a heavy emphasis on the hands-on skills needed in modern event management, with practical assessments as well as exams.
• You will study in our state-of-the-art City Centre Campus, ideally located for you to take advantage of our links to Birmingham’s business district, one of the largest in the UK
• The course will prepare you for a variety of roles such as Event Manager, Venue General Manager, and Guest Experience Manager. These would be based in public, private, or voluntary sector, a multinational company, a local organisation or your own business.
  
• You will be able to work on exciting projects for real-life clients through our Business Advice Centre, giving you exposure to the challenges and issues faced by businesses as well as the chance to develop successful solutions. Opportunities are available with local, regional, national and even global businesses such as BMW.
• The Centre also offers expert support for your own entrepreneurial ideas, so you can start planning your own start-up or take your existing business to the next level. Following graduation, you will have the opportunity to apply for STEAMhouse Business Incubator membership.

Find out more

• Our Facilities
• Our Graduates
• Our Placements
• Our Students
• Our Trips

We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.

Essential Requirements

Guidance for UK students

UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

Applying through UCAS

International students

There are three ways to apply:

1) Direct to the University

You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.

2) Through a country representative

Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.

3) Through UCAS

If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.

Our Students - Lillie Hall

This summer I was given the amazing opportunity to work at ‘Leeds Festival’, working for the company ‘Festival Republic’. The role I successfully secured was that of Campsite Zone Manager. I had a campsite full of tents, and an area of camper-vans that I personally managed.

This was an extremely big challenge, which entailed managing multiple different teams including security, volunteers and a car parking team.  The responsibility was extremely high and if anything had gone wrong, for either me or my teams, it was on my shoulders.

I learnt an incredible amount about what goes into the processes behind festivals and events themselves, having a good look behind the scenes at why things happen the way they do and how - an opportunity I am incredibly grateful to have had.  By the end I felt that not only had I learnt an incredible amount, I was excited to begin my journey within the events industry.

You will have opportunities to undertake live projects with real employers, and study contemporary relevant event, venue and experience issues, developing the capability to manage the complexity and uncertainty of the contemporary workplace.

EVE incorporates modules specifically designed to build a professional and independent approach to study which facilitates lifelong learning.

Industry Expertise

At every stage of this course, we have looked to include industry leaders, using their advice to shape our curriculum.

- Paul Wilcock, President of Genting UK

- Dr Sue Waldock, Group HR Director, The Rank Group PLC

- Adrian Fawcett, Chairman of Gala Leisure and Chairman of Park Holidays UK

OpportUNIty

OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.

It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.

Business Advice Centre

The Business Advice Centre (BAC) is the Business School's hub that offers a range of support services to you throughout each stage of your student learning experience.

We have a range of support solutions for students as well as opportunities to enhance your employability and entrepreneurial qualities.

Whether you are considering starting your business, connecting with real companies or enhancing your graduate opportunities, the Business Advice Centre can help you.

Welcome to the Birmingham City Business School, home to students from over 70 countries all around the world!

Birmingham City Business School is one of the UK’s largest, most established and most respected business schools. Our programmes are practice based and many have an international focus, which means your course will be entirely relevant to today’s business world. Almost all of our courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, are open to international students.

We also have links with universities across the world, including Europe, the USA, China, India and Malaysia.

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

• Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here
• Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies
• Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country
• Learn where to find financial support for your studies

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Our Facilities

We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 million on new learning facilities.

The Curzon Building

This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law, Business and English students.

The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.

The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.

The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.

The Curzon Building also features:

• An impressive new library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
• Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
• A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
• Brand new, accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
• Shared facilities with the wider campus including the recently opened Parkside Building and Millennium Point