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Events and International Festivals Management (BA, DipHE, CertHE)

Apply VIA UCAS - Full Time

Our Events and International Festivals Management degree provides a challenging academic experience designed to develop your academic skills and provide you with practical event management experience. Working at University-supported events, including Ironman Wales, will provide you with a detailed knowledge of the sector and the management understanding for an exciting career working in international events and festivals.

The Events and International Festivals Management programme aims to provide you with a range of exciting opportunities to develop your academic knowledge, professional talents and industry skills to boost your employability. Focusing on Festivals, Sports Events, Meetings, Conference and Weddings, our course will develop your managerial understanding and the ability to work creatively and innovatively in order to contribute effectively to the events sector.

The programme covers a wide range of topics, including the impacts of Events and Festivals and legacies. In addition, you will critically consider stakeholder engagement, event operations, legacy planning, scoping. funding and marketing in order to be able to effectively manage events. You will develop knowledge and understanding of the dynamic nature of the global events industry, strategies, destinations and issues relating to sustainability.

100% course work with innovative industry and events-based assessments and no exams.

40 Credits icon

Speak Welsh? 40 credits of this course are available through the medium of Welsh.

PATHWAY OPTIONS AND HOW TO APPLY

Events and International Festivals Management (BA)
UCAS Code: IFM1
Apply via UCAS

Events and International Festivals Management (DipHE)
UCAS Code: IFM5
Apply via UCAS

Events and International Festivals Management (CertHE)
UCAS Code: IFM6
Apply via UCAS

Applicants to full-time courses can apply through UCAS. Applicants to part-time courses can apply through the University.


Book an Open Day Request Information
Contact Name: Jacqui Jones


Tuition Fees 2023/24:
Home (Full-time): £9,000 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £13,500 per year

Why choose this course?

  1. The University’s unique Educational Partnership with Ironman Wales event in Tenby provides students with unrivalled volunteering and internship opportunities at the event and to undertake events projects and research.
  2. The course offers a range of educational experiences from a one-year short programme for those returning to study and looking to develop their educational confidence, to a two-year vocationally-based course and a three-year degree linking academic and professional studies. Students can when they have completed each qualification move directly to the appropriate level on the next programme so they would be able to start with a Certificate, move on to the Diploma and then the BA and complete the three programmes within three years.
  3. The opportunity to gain practical events management experience working on events projects from the outset.
  4. The course provides unrivalled opportunities for specialist field trips, behind-the-scenes visits and networking with events professionals.
  5.  A small and friendly teaching team with current events industry experience and research links.
  6. The opportunity to undertake specialist events management placements in the UK or internationally including exciting operational events experiences with Aspen Ski Company.
  7. Employability and professional events management skills embedded across all modules.
  8. A variety of industry-based assessments based relating to Festivals, Sports Events, Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Banquets.

What you will learn

Course Overview

Events and Festivals have become a prevalent force for economic and socio-cultural development strategies for cities and destinations as well as a means to enhance business goals, resulting in a continual need for events graduates who understand the structure and functions of the industry including the importance of hospitality and guest service. This will be supported by a strong focus on management learning and the role of marketing and social media within the events sector.

As the programme develops students will focus on applying academic theories to real-life events case studies. This will include planning and managing live events as well as developing operational management knowledge and understanding both in the classroom and through behind the scenes events visits, paid events management placements and a range of volunteering opportunities. 

Finally, the course will allow students to develop their strategic understanding of the events industry and develop specialisms in Sports Events, Festivals, Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Banquets. In line with the dynamic nature of the events industry, the course embeds creativity, essential skills and an entrepreneurial mindset to produce graduates who are ready for a diverse range of careers opportunities throughout the events sector.

Where possible students will be offered the opportunities to engage in projects, events and UK based educational experiences designed to help support their academic learning and develop their industry appreciation. There may be additional charges.

Students will also be provided with the opportunity to meet virtually with global industry leaders and graduates to discuss topical issues as well as taking part in behind-the-scenes digital or live industry visits.

Through their studies and extra curricula learning students will be enabled to undertake additional opportunities for industry based training and skills qualifications relating to their studies. This may include ABTA training certificates along with Hospitality and Events Award, including Wines and Spirits Training for which there may be an additional charge.

Module Topics

Year One – Level 4 (Cert HE, Dip HE & BA)

  • Contemporary Challenges: Making a Difference (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
  • Events and Festivals in Context (20 credits; compulsory)
  • Hospitality and Guest Service Management (20 credits; compulsory)
  • Learning in the Digital Era (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
  • Managing Tourism, Leisure and Events Organisations (20 credits; compulsory)
  • Niche Marketing and Social Media (20 credits; compulsory).

Year Two – Level 5 (Dip HE & BA)

  • Changemakers: Building your Personal Brand for Sustainable Employment (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
  • Changemakers: Creativity and Value Creation (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
  • International Travel Operations (20 credits; compulsory)
  • Live Events Project (20 credits; compulsory)
  • Operations Management for Tourism, Leisure and Events (20 credits; compulsory)
  • Professional Placement and Enterprise Project for Tourism, Events and Leisure (20 credits; compulsory).

Year Three – Level 6 (BA)

  • Crisis Management for Responsible Tourism and Events (20 credits; compulsory)
  • Festivals, Conventions and Events (20 credits; compulsory)
  • Global Sport and Tourism Events Management (20 credits; compulsory)
  • Independent Project (40 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
  • Strategic Tourism, Events and Leisure Management (20 credits; compulsory).
Assessment

The programme will be assessed through a structured mix of practical assessments, events, placements, case studies, audits, training exercises, management reports, presentations, essays, event reviews, DVD/videos, vlogs/ blogs, feasibility studies, projects, bid pitches and the opportunity to plan, organise and assess event tours and experiences.

Assessments will wherever possible be designed to develop professional skills as well as developing critical thinking, leadership, events management, guest service and teamwork in preparation for careers in the events . There will be NO examinations on this course.

Graduate Attributes Framework

This Framework aims to develop your professional skills and competence alongside your academic subject knowledge. You’ll study up to 40 credits per level throughout your programme from the Graduate Attributes Framework.

The Graduate Attribute modules are designed to enable you to develop, and evidence, a range of career-focused skills related to your subject area. These skills include digital competency, research and project management, as well as such personal competencies as communication, creativity, self-reflection, resilience and problem-solving. 

Related Links

#TourismOnTour Malaysia & Singapore

Going Places Together with Qatar Airways, Cardiff Airport & the University of Malaya Wales.

At UWTSD Tourism in Swansea, we make the World your lecture theatre. To discover more watch this short video taster of the International Tourism Educational Tour which brings the student’s learning alive & see the world like never before.


Swansea Business Campus

Key Information

Staff
Entry Criteria

88 UCAS Points (BA) | 44 UCAS Points (DipHE) | 36 UCAS Points (CertHE)

Other equivalent qualifications are accepted and the admissions panel will consider each application on an individual basis.  Please note also that our offers are not based solely on your academic achievements; we take into account your full range of skills, experience and attainments when considering your application.

The degree welcomes applicants who have previously studied business for a natural progression. Those who have studied other subject areas will transfer well. Those with work experience, but few formal qualifications, may also join the programme. A-Level and Edexcel awards, as well as a range of other certificates at this level from UK, EU and International bodies, are respected.

Grades are important; however, our offers are not solely based on academic results. We are interested in creative people that demonstrate a strong commitment to their chosen subject area, and therefore we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. To assess student suitability for their chosen course we normally arrange interviews for all applicants at which your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered as well as your qualifications.

Career Opportunities
  • Event Manager
  • Event Director
  • Festival Manager
  • Event Safety
  • Marketing Manager
  • PR Manager
  • Sports event and venue manager
  • Project manager
  • Weddings co-ordinator
Additional Costs

Optional additional costs for Field Trips

These are made available for students which are either subsidised, optional or part of an optional module of study. All compulsory field trips are paid for.
Costs for UK trips that are optional vary from £5 to up to £100 for a residential trip. 

The optional European Field Study Tour (Level 4) which is subsidised and part of an optional module is £500 and includes train travel across Europe, accommodation in the destinations normally in Paris and Switzerland, entry to attractions and some meals. Payment can be made in instalments equating to about £10 per week, £50 per month or block payments over a one year period.

The costs for the Faculty Educational Tour which is optional and part of an optional module is up to £1,000 for a 10 day trip to Malaysia normally via Doha and flying back from Singapore staying in 5 star hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Penang and including flights, bed and breakfast, main excursions and travel. This trip can be paid for over a 1 to 2 year period with monthly or block payments equating to about £10 per week. 

Added value of field trips

Field Trips with behind the scenes tours, guest speakers and research opportunities bring the students learning alive and allow them to network with industry and develop career opportunities as well as giving them the opportunity to experience the venues and tourism industry.

Taith Funding

Taith Funding may be available to support field study trips which are linked to academic studies and cultural learning and may include Aspen, Colorado or Florida as well as other possible destinations including Slovenia and Malta.

Optional additional costs for Placement

Students electing to go on certain placements to the USA or other destinations will be required to pay for their flights and visas. These are paid placements but the visa costs are paid by the students in advance. Current fees advertised for Summer Work and Travel Programme Visas in USA are £630 which includes insurance cover. Visa costs for a J1 visa for twelve months in US are currently advertised as £1425 and include Insurance. These prices are not controlled by the University and are subject to change by the Visa Sponsors and US Govt. Students working for certain organisations in destinations in the US and other locations will also be required to pay their own travel costs for some placements however these costs are again optional as there are other placements available where travel costs are paid. 

Please note that going to the USA on placement is optional and therefore these are optional costs.

Added Value

International placements in USA offer the students opportunity to work for some of the worlds leading organisations. This provides them with excellent opportunities for learning and developing their professional guest service skills to prepare them for future management careers. During their placements they will be earning monies to cover the visa costs and travel costs, however, it must be noted that these placements are optional and the students can select paid placements in other destinations where there are no up front costs.

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Bursary / Scholarship Information

Career development bursaries of up to £1,000 are available for students to support placements, internships and events volunteering. Students may also be eligible to apply for the Discover Project to support International Mobility to support short International Placement Experiences

Visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section to find out more.