Events Management BA (Hons)

This module will inspire you to think about entering the workplace once you have completed your studies. The module is delivered as an interactive learning experience which will enable you to develop an enterprising mind-set and help to identify some of the skills and attributes you already possess. The module content will encourage you to begin to think about your personal career aspirations, whilst addressing potential gaps linked to your knowledge, skills and experience. You will be encouraged to think in an enterprising fashion; learn new approaches to adapt and enhance your individual style. You will have the opportunity to work independently and as a member of a group by participating in personal challenges and group projects, and will learn to understand the importance of networking. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to hear from and to question experienced external practitioners.

You gain an understanding of the way in which accounting is used in the external evaluation of organisations and develops the ability to use accounting and finance techniques in decision making, control, management and adding value to performance.

The events management industry is experiencing a surge in popularity due to almost any venue being used to host events. The industry is varied and diverse covering areas such as festivals, meetings, music and sporting events to name a few. You examine the feasibility of hosting a successful event taking in to consideration a number of planning factors using an actual venue and a live event.

You undertake investigative research to develop your appreciation of the role and processes for compiling a consultancy project in the events sector. This module will introduce the concept of project and logistics management in the events industry and will identify those techniques and tools available to the events manager

You are introduced to basic economic theories of markets and competition along with aspects of the wider business environment, including government policy and the macro-economy. These ideas are then applied to the practical analysis of markets using segmentation, targeting, and positioning framework.

You become more aware of your own personal and professional development through reflection and interaction with peers. Drawing on related theories, you understand the importance of personal development and develop skills to enhance your future employability.

You study some of the general principles of business management, particularly in the context of structure, culture, leadership, organisational behaviour, the business environment and the impact of these areas operationally. You are also introduced to the concept of strategic management with an emphasis on organisational resource and competency. And you consider the impact of organisational behaviour on overall business effectiveness, examining the role of the individual within the organisation and exploring motivation, perception and personal impact.

In a world of relentless and fast paced change the most important question for any company is ‘are we agile?’ In other words are we able to deal with new situations and changes quickly and successfully. For many the answer is no. In this module you will learn how to get to yes through the greatest resource available: people. You will develop knowledge and understanding of why much of management is no longer fit for purpose (management 1.0), and how a new alternative is emerging (management 2.0) is an alternative fit for the 21st century.

You gain an understanding of the necessity of preparing, planning and implementing a crisis communication plan. It is essential for students interested in industry to appreciate the lifecycle of a crisis and the importance of a correct situational response. The levels of command and the systems in place for any situation-requiring emergency, crisis/disaster management will be investigated. You explore the immediate impacts on reputation management and response to organisational crises.

This applied module allows you to demonstrate your practical skills and knowledge within a work environment. You explore the theoretical and practical world of business and will explore entrepreneurial and wider managerial approaches to the development of business within enterprise. Through your work within an enterprise, you will develop valuable professional skills and first-hand knowledge of an enterprise. If you already work you will be guided to recognise and reflect on this practice and use your own organisation as a case study. You are supported by academic staff and business contacts from across and outside the University.

Bidding for events is now an everyday part of the events landscape and a key element in the bidding process is pitching to a client. This module will seek to identify and apply themes associated with personal selling, consumer experiences and the sales process. It will also focus on the differentiation between good and great event sales presentations, communication styles and will look specifically at how these can then be applied to structure a successful pitch presentation and proposal document. You review key theories in relation to the event screening process and event production, focusing specifically on the creation of an event concept, researching potential target audiences, brand marketing, market communication, logistic planning and coordinating the technical aspects that may be required.

You develop an understanding of the main issues affecting international business in the global economy and explore topics including globalisation, trade, economic growth and development. You focus specifically on examining these topics across different cultures. As the module progresses you become able to differentiate cultural variations and the impact of cultural difference on individuals and key organisations. You also have the opportunity to study a culture of your choice in-depth.

Building on prior learning within various stage 1 modules, this module develops your understanding and awareness of the principles and practicalities underpinning ethical and rigorous research. Through interactive seminar sessions with research-active academic staff, the module develops the practical skills you require for conducting a rigorous and ethical research study. The skills developed and knowledge gained will link to the stage 3 Dissertation module.

You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking.

You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.

Many employers view a placement as a year-long interview, therefore placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process. Benefits include:

· improved job prospects
· enhanced employment skills and improved career progression opportunities
· a higher starting salary than your full-time counterparts
· a better degree classification
· a richer CV
· a year's salary before completing your degree
· experience of workplace culture
· the opportunity to design and base your final-year project within a working environment.

If you are unable to secure a work placement with an employer, then you simply continue on a course without the work placement.

You develop an understanding of the challenges faced by organisations and explores the controversies and dilemmas of contemporary management thinking and practice. You study three key interrelated contemporary issues facing businesses - internationalisation; technological innovation and sustainability.

You gain a greater understanding of customer needs and expectation in the events industry. This will be achieved by evaluation of current practice and implementation of strategies for improvement, with the aim of enhancing customer service experience in an organisation. You also develop an understanding of the strategic role and nature of service excellence. Taking an operations viewpoint you examine best practices in service management, and the success factors of world-class service delivery in for-profit, public sector and business-to-business organisations. You are introduced to frameworks and tools to support the delivery of service excellence. Effective service recovery (dealing with and recovering from service failures), is seen as a key characteristic of excellent services and this module provides guidelines for best practice in this important area.

Your final year dissertation is an opportunity to do an independent piece of research, demonstrating that you know how to take a systematic approach to research, analysis and evaluation within a structured business-orientated framework. It also encourages you to reflect and critically evaluate your personal development.

Gain academic credit for participating in work experience related to criminology, criminal justice and sociology. You may find your own work experience (subject to approval from your module tutor) or you can take advantage of work experience opportunities offered as part of the module.

Work experience must be performed to an agreed job description and person specification for a minimum of 60 working hours. To take part you must complete a DBS check, along with any other security checks required by your work experience provider. You must also agree to and sign a legal agreement outlining the obligations of yourself, the University and the work experience provider. Alongside your work experience you explore employability issues and skills through a number of interactive workshops led by professionals from within and outside the University.

This module has limited places and participation is subject to a selection process involving an application, shortlisting and interview.

You gain knowledge and skills in effective strategic management and responsible leadership in the wider context of business and enterprise. The current context of the macro environment will be explored and contemporary issues will be considered, specifically relating to leading change along with leading and implementing strategy. You identify personal leadership qualities and skills and improvement strategies which will promote change and organisational development.