MA Events Management

Start date: September and January for the MA traditional route, May for the MA with integrated work placement.

Course length: Full time: one year, full time with integrated work placement: 20 months, part time: two years and up to six years.

Campus: Buxton Campus

This course is available to international students

During this course you will develop your understanding of events operations, planning, risk management, marketing, finance and strategy in the context of a wide variety of events, including conferences, exhibitions, festivals, product launches, trade shows and sporting events.

By using guest speakers, industry days and having the chance to work on real life problems, you will be able to combine theory with practice and gain the skills and confidence you need to manage your own events.

You will get involved in consultancy work through the Buxton Fringe Festival, the National Student Conference and our own Conference and Events Unit, which promotes the Dome.

We regularly work collaboratively with professionals in the industry, so you'll have opportunities to work on exciting projects. We're currently working with the Llangollen International Eisteddfod (Festival), Capita Symonds and Showsec, and on major events such as Glastonbury.

Our team specialises in events management, not just generic business, so their industry experience will be brought in to their teaching. One member of staff was responsible for risk management when Liverpool became the Capital of Culture and another worked on safety aspects for events such as the London Marathon and the stunts for Top Gear.

You can study this course full time or part time. You'll learn through on campus teaching, e-learning, block study and/or a combination of these options to suit your individual needs.

All the modules you'll study involve experiential learning, so you'll be able to add to your skills base in your individual portfolio.

Applicants will normally be in possession of:

• A UK 2.2 (or above) Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised British or overseas Institutions. All subjects are considered, but possession of degrees or relevant experience in related subjects will be advantageous
• A significant portfolio of work at appropriate level or relevant professional qualifications.

Every applicant is assessed individually on their merits and will need to attend either a face to face or Skype interview. Students applying for the MA with integrated work placement will need to attend an additional interview with a prospective industry organisation.

English language requirements:

• International applicants will also need to be able to show they have a good standard of English
• IELTS minimum overall: 6
• TOEFL: 550-575,

For more information, please visit our Postgraduate applying page.

This is a classroom based course.

UK/EU students

• £695 per module (you usually take 9 of these modules in total)

International students

• Full time: £10,455 (in total)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

All of the Postgraduate MA programmes at UDB are delivered both face to face and through blended learning (mixture of face to face and distance learning).

All of our modules are taught within Academic Calendar (September through to July), but the pattern of delivery is dependent upon cohort, industry and University input. This may include weekends, a block study week, weekly during the academic year or blended learning. The emphasis is on flexible teaching and learning.

Whether you are studying Full-time or Part-time, the MA courses require a great deal of independence of learning and application. Normally 20 Credits modules will take you about 200 hours to complete and 40 or 60 Credits modules will take you 400 or 600 hours to complete.

Learning in each module will be directed through lecturing input, module teaching materials and a variety of supporting learning activities. However, you should keep in mind that at Master’s Level you will spend approximately 60% of your time on independent learning, review, revision and assignment preparation.

Par-time students have the flexibility to study between 2 and 4 modules per year.

The teaching and learning methods used are diverse and may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, practical fieldwork exercises and online learning materials. The assessment methods allow you to further develop professional skills you can use in the workplace. Assessments include briefing reports, pitches, presentations, essays, unseen examinations, and case studies.

Whether you are a recent graduate wanting to enhance your industry knowledge and your management career prospects; or a current industry practitioner wanting to retrain or obtain an advanced, highly specialised qualification, this course will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the Events industry at management level both in the UK and abroad. This course also enables you to access academic and research positions.

Apissara, MA Events Management student (Class of 2010-2011)

"Since the first day I started the MA in Buxton I have received so much help and support in so many things. My tutor, Iride, Buxton gave me great suggestions and support throughout the year. I have learned new many things and got a great experience. Thank you so much for everything. I wish I can meet you again someday in the future and if you ever get an opportunity to visit Thailand, I will be there! You are always welcome! Thank you." 

Charlotte, MA Events Management (Class of 2010-2011)

"Thank you! I appreciate all your help and encouragement throughout my time at Buxton."

Richard Limb, Director of Leisure Safety, Capita Symonds UK

"The students' enthusiasm, professionalism, competence and dedication were obvious and indeed overwhelming. I was so impressed that I nominated them for the National Outdoor Events Association Training Tribute, which they won."