BA (Hons) Events Management
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: Three or Four Years
- Start Date: September 2025
Are you interested in learning to run events? From large scale festivals and arena gigs to conferences, corporate events, luxury product launches, grass roots venues and concert halls, our Events Management programme can prepare you for all.
Taught by established industry professionals and experienced academics, you’ll discover the roles and responsibilities associated with the management and operation of every aspect of the event and entertainment industry and the economics, logistics and information flow that sustain it.
At BNU, our Events Management course combines essential theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical work. You'll engage in real-life production of events of various scales, from festivals and conferences to product launches, and grass roots gigs, ensuring you're well-prepared for the diverse challenges of the industry. Through case studies and live projects, you’ll gain a deep understanding of event planning, execution, and evaluation, setting you up for a successful career in this dynamic field.
From the outset, you'll have the chance to work alongside students from other disciplines, including music, film, and marketing. This interdisciplinary approach fosters creativity and mirrors the collaborative nature of the events industry, enriching your learning experience. You’ll develop a well-rounded skill set and learn to adapt to diverse professional teams, a critical skill in today’s global market.
Our experienced staff are professionals who have decades of combined firsthand experience in the events sector, from managing large live events to artist management. Their insights and real-world knowledge will provide you with a deeper understanding of the industry and its current trends. They’ll also share invaluable tips, mentorship, and career advice, ensuring you’re prepared for life beyond the classroom.
BNU has a large network of industry contacts that, as a student you will have access to. Offering you opportunities to network, gain work experience, and build professional relationships. Guest speakers, live projects, and internships help you learn directly from industry leaders and develop a competitive edge. These connections often lead to exciting career opportunities, giving you a head start in the events world
This degree emphasises crucial business skills such as public relations, risk assessment, and budgeting. These skills are integral to successful event management and will equip you to handle the multifaceted aspects of the profession with confidence. Whether it's managing client relationships or navigating logistical challenges, you’ll graduate with the expertise to thrive in the fast-paced world of events.
The lectures went above and beyond for everyone in order to provide the best support. This was done through many workshops and 1-1 support. I succeeded purely from the support I received over the three years of my degree. I gained all the knowledge that was required, alongside them telling me about their own experiences within the industry. I have now taken everything from my university experience and have used it since leaving university, which has no doubt helped me gain a job in the event industry.Shauna Reid PR and Events Executive
All our music degrees at Buckinghamshire New University come with membership of UK Music’s Music Academic Partnership (MAP). UK Music is the collective voice of the UK’s world-leading music industry. We represent all sectors of our industry – bringing them together to collaborate, campaign, and champion music. The members of UK Music are: AIM, BPI, FAC, The Ivors Academy, MMF, MPA, MPG, MU, PPL, PRS for Music. UK Music also has an informal association with LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment). MAP is a ground-breaking collaboration between educational institutions and UK Music, and is designed to maximise the relationship between the industry and educational institutions in order to inform the next generation of industry professionals.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
BNU actively engages in collaborative opportunities with industry partners via schemes such as the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme, supported by . Industry collaboration enables us to support innovation and R&D projects that support the growth of the creative industry while also feeding new knowledge and expertise into our courses. Read more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at BNU here, or email us.
Our specialisms
Buckinghamshire New University gives you the opportunity to choose your specialism for your future career after your experience of the core curriculum in year one. Rather than having to make your big decision before you join us, we introduce you to various specialisms and offer you the flexibility to choose the specialism which leads to your chosen speciality. You can choose between BA (Hons) Events Management and BA (Hons) Music and Live Events Management.
These specialisms are also offered as four-year programmes, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate programme.
I graduated in 2019 having taken part in both the first Winterland and the first Bucks Live events to be taken onto another site - SubWoofers. Both of these events were highly valuable to the course and I think they give great advantage to students as I don't know anyone else who has been given these opportunities.Lauren Robinson
What will I study?
This programme gives you all the skills to start a career in the events industry, whether you want to join an existing company or set up your own business. Whether you dream of being a wedding planner or organising international corporate events, the BA (Hons) Events Management specialism can give you the skills you need to succeed.
Through our network of alumni, guest lecturers and industry-experts, you’ll gain a real-time insight into the industry and what employers are looking for in graduates. Our visiting professionals often return to give tutorials, workshops, mentoring, advice, placements, internships and even jobs.
In previous years we’ve been able to offer our students a range of different opportunities to work at a range of different events, festivals, exhibitions & projects. Including, but not limited to:
- Reading Festival - Assistant Zone Managers
- Wireless Festival - H&S Inductions, Licensing Office
- Hyde Park British Summertime - H&S Inductions, Licensing Office
- Wembley Arena
- Creamfields - H&S Inductions, Licensing Office
- Download Festival - H&S Inductions, Licensing Office
- Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
- Mind Body & Spirit
- Common & Steelyard - H&S Inductions, Licensing Office
- Ginger Owl Productions - Various Roles and Opportunities across a wide range of events.
- BBC Radio 1 Weekender - H&S Inductions, Licensing Office & Production Office
- ILMC Conference - Assistants roles at the biggest Music Industry Conference in UK, with all major Artists Agents, Promoters, Artists Management companies, Venue and Arena Operators and Festival Organisers
- Plus many more!
It would have been near impossible for me to have already experienced being an event manager for an event that drew in over 3,000 customers if it wasn’t for Bucks Live. It puts the students on this course a step ahead of those on other event courses across the country, and I imagine it must have a significant impact on the immediate employability of graduating students.Jessie Hall
How will I be taught and assessed?
During your time study on this course you will be taught and assessed with a mixture of :
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Workshops
- Event planning tasks
- Individual and group studies
- Practical exams
- Written assignments
- Presentations.
You’ll study in a close-knit tutor group where everyone’s input is recognised and valued. Not only will you make friends for life, but you’ll also make important connections that will last through your career, and you’ll form a network, just like you’d find in the working-world.
Having lecturers who are or have been in the events industry was great, seeing how passionate they were about it was always so encouraging. Before I started my degree, getting a job within the industry seemed so far away. Now to be working in the industry shows all the hard work pay off. I am so exited to now continue my career!Caitlin Barry Sales Event Executive
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.
A minimum of 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
Those with no previous study, work experience, or who do not meet the specified entry requirements, including demonstrating the necessary knowledge and understanding, are welcome to apply for the 3-year BA (Hons) degree, however may be offered the four-year programme which includes a Foundation Year.
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
Home
-
Home Foundation Year, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £9,535 *
-
Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £9,535 per year *
International
-
Overseas/International Foundation Year, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £15,150 *
-
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £15,150 per year *
Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit , on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes.
Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.
Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.
Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.
We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU.
The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.
What are my career prospects?
Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.
Upon graduation, you will be prepared for a range of career possibilities. Using the skills and knowledge learnt on this course, you could find yourself performing the following roles all over the world:
- Event Planner
- Wedding Planner
- Exhibition Planner
- Events Marketing & PR
- Licensing
- Health & Safety
- Concert and Live Music Events Promoter
- Festival Manager
- Venue Manager
- Tour Manager
Previous BNU Events students have gone on to work for companies and events including Glastonbury, the SEE Arena Wembley, Broadwick Live, Coda, Festival Republic, IMG, Eventim Apollo, and Ginger Owl Productions.
Graduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course.
Course leader
