Undergraduate Course
Events and Experience Management BA (Hons)
Learn to plan, deliver and market events of any size to any audience. Develop practical, professional skills alongside in depth academic theory, preparing you for a successful career in events management.
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On this course you will work on individual and group projects, to showcase your creativity and organisational skills. By developing these skills this degree will prepare you for a career in Events and Experience management industries.
- Available in Clearing
Please note accreditations may be subject to change, and are dependent on fulfilling the awarding bodies criteria.
York campus
- UCAS code – N801 (N803 with placement year)
- Duration – 3 years full time, 4 years full time with placement year
- Start date – September 2025, September 2026
- School – York Business School
Minimum entry requirements
104 UCAS Tariff points
3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.
Tuition fees
UK 2025 entry £9,535 per year full time
International 2025 entry £12,100 per year full time
Discover Events and Experience Management
Study Events and Experience Management
Dr Rebecca Biggins, Associate Dean at York Business School, introduces us to Events and Experience Management at York St John University.
WREL at York Business School
Work related experiential learning (WREL) is a key part of studying at York St John University and prepares you for success after graduation. Hear from our students about the opportunities it has led to for them and our staff about how it is embedded in our courses.
Course overview
On this degree you will investigate the global events industry along with the marketing and management principles that drive it. Events management requires diverse skills, and you will take a variety of different approaches to the subject. You will learn to handle every step of the event management process, from initial planning to on-the-day delivery. You will learn how to:
- Manage different types of events
- Design events
- Manage people
- Promote events through marketing
- Build your own events business
We also investigate how events can contribute to the growth and regeneration of their host regions, and consider the responsibilities event managers have to the wider community. York is a great place to gain experience of event management. Events like the Ebor Festival, the Tour de Yorkshire, Aesthetica Short Film Festival and The Great Yorkshire Show are right on our doorstep.
We have partnerships with organisations throughout the city and the region, giving you plenty of opportunities to put what you learn into practice and gain real industry experience. Throughout your degree you will interact with the business community in the city and beyond. You will go on site visits, hear from guest lecturers and work on live briefs with clients.
As with all of our Business courses, you have the option to go on a placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree. You can also choose to study abroad for a semester at one of our partner universities.
As a Business School we are passionate about social responsibility and sustainability. These values and this commitment will be embedded throughout this course. We are a Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) signatory for the United Nations. Our mission is to develop your potential so that you can make a difference in society.
Course structure
Year 1
Our academic year is split into 2 semesters.
In your first year, you will study:
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 1
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 2
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
Modules
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will examine the nature of business enterprise and its relationship with wider society, focusing on what it means to be a responsible business. In the ongoing debate about what a business behaving responsibly really means, we will explore ideas including:
- Stakeholder theory
- The triple bottom line
- Corporate social responsibility
- Business ethics
- The role of the state
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
The ability to recognise and meet customer needs is an important factor in the success of all organisations. You will learn how organisations can identify and address the needs of internal and external stakeholders. We will introduce you to specific marketing concepts, like the marketing mix, with a focus on the 4Ps: product, price, place, promotion. You will consider the wider definition of marketing, its role within business and its functions.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module we will introduce you to the key sectors of hospitality and events and their value to the economy. You will develop an understanding of the terminology of hospitality and events and develop an awareness of how demand has changed over time.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
In the age of Big Data, analytics is becoming a necessity in all areas of business. It is an essential tool to drive managerial decisions and sustain competitive advantage. This module will teach you how to business data. We will consider the importance of visualising and understanding data, and representing data in a meaningful way so we can use it for decision making. You will also examine the importance of Big Data in today’s business environment and the increasing significance of Blockchain.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module we will introduce you to event planning. You will have the opportunity to research and plan a hypothetical event to a specified budget. You will explore event planning models and the processes behind planning and staging a successful event, including health, safety and risk implications. You will base the plan on actual venues, artists and organisations, so you will need to complete primary and secondary research to form a definitive plan.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will learn about the financial environment. You will look at key sources of information for decision makers and their needs. You will gain an understanding of the statements in published financial accounts and learn how to analyse and interpret the information presented. You will also look at the information for financial decision makers inside organisations. This will include budgetary control, short term and long-term decision making.
Year 2
In your second year you will study:
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 1
- 2 compulsory modules and 1 optional module in semester 2
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.
Modules
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Whatever industry you go into, you will always find the management of people is a key element in any business structure. On this module you will study the management of people in sports, tourism, hospitality and events businesses. You will appreciate the evolution of HR management and explore the processes of recruitment, selection, training and development. You will also investigate theories of motivation and the factors that influence group dynamics and performance.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
The digital revolution has changed what marketing looks like. Much of marketing is now done online or on mobile and handheld devices. This module provides a broad understanding of digital marketing and will focus on understanding, evaluating and developing digital marketing strategy and tactics. You will study how you can use different digital marketing tools and channels to market products and services. We will cover:
- Website marketing and usability
- Search engine optimisation
- Display and search advertising
- Online PR and blogging
- Introduction to social media
- Content, email marketing and mobile marketing
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will investigate planning, developing and marketing events to attract tourists and promote a destination's image. Event Tourism studies the approaches that cities, regions and destinations of all sizes implement to create a competitive advantage. You will look at tourism strategies associated with new, major, hallmark, regional and local community events. You will also consider what issues can arise when planning, marketing and managing such events.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module we will help you understand the nature of events. You will consider the social, cultural and economic significance of events and the unique challenges involved in managing event activities. This module will help you enhance your employability skills by giving you the opportunity to volunteer at an experience or event.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Organisations need to understand how and why data is acquired, and have the ability to collect, analyse and interpret it. On this module you will learn about quantitative and qualitative research methods and how to use them to your work. We will help you develop skills in data collection, analysis and reporting your findings. You will also develop your project planning and management skills as a way to manage the research process.
Credits: 20
Optional module
Enhance your future employability by experiencing the workplace. We have designed this module to help you develop your skills, knowledge and understanding in different areas related to your career. You will engage with issues such as:
- Career decision making
- The recruitment cycle
- Applying for jobs
- Interviewing
As part of this module you will embark on a work placement or business project in a group, or individually.
Credits: 20
Optional module
This module aims to develop you into a confident, enterprising and creative graduate who will be able to cope with the ever changing business environment, recognise opportunities and to take responsible and measured risks. This is a very practical module. Starting with an initial idea, you will explore and assess a business opportunity and present a feasible business concept. Working alone or in groups, you will develop skills in collecting, analysing and organising ideas and information.
Year 3
In your third year you will study:
- A compulsory dissertation module across semesters 1 and 2
- 2 compulsory modules in semester 1
- 2 compulsory modules in semester 2
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.
Optional Placement Year
As with all of our Business courses, you have the option to go on a placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree. If you choose not to do a full year, you can do a shorter placement module in Year 2. You can also choose to study abroad for a semester at one of our partner universities.
Modules
Credits: 40
Compulsory module
This module is your chance to plan and conduct a piece of independent research. You will be able to choose from the following projects:
- Traditional dissertation: Plan and conduct a piece of independent research. Present your findings in a writing.
- Business Research Project: Complete a small scale piece of individual research work.
- Consultancy Project: Work with industry professionals and investigate a business project and produce a research based report.
- Business creation project: Develop a full business proposal and plan. Use primary and secondary research to support your work
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
The sports and events industries offer many opportunities and challenges for managers. On this module you will develop the skills and theoretical approaches which will help you to overcome these challenges. You will learn to analyse the sector as a whole and use these insights to plan and make decisions strategically. These principles of strategic management are essential to any business, and you will focus on their application in sports and events industries.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Effective leadership is essential in sports and events organisations. On this module you will explore different theories and perspectives relating to sports and events leadership. We will discuss the roles and responsibilities of leaders, including:
- Decision making
- Agreeing strategy
- Providing support and motivating teams
You will consider the skills and capabilities managers need in these sectors, using case studies to evaluate how individuals react to different situations. You will learn about the latest theories of organisational leadership, discovering the strategies managers can use to lead innovation and change.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Events are multidimensional in nature and involve many stakeholders. Different stakeholders perceive the success of an event in different ways. We will learn to evaluate events from the perspective of the business, the customer and both. We will also learn to justify events in wider economic, environmental, socio cultural and political contexts. You will learn to evaluate the positive and negative contributions of events to host regions and to analyse the perspectives of multiple stakeholders.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Sports and events sponsorship is a key marketing communication strategy. On this module you will gain a theoretical understanding of the sport sponsorship management process. Together we will study the principals of brand, communications and relationship building for the sponsoring organisation. You will also consider the financial partnership and image implications for the event organiser.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning
All of your modules will be delivered using a variety of different teaching sessions. This includes:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Guest speakers
- Workshops
- Events
Each module has 3.5 hours of contact time a week. This consists of a 1.5 hour lecture and a 2 hour seminar. 1 to 1 time can be booked through our tutorial booker system.
You will have regular individual tutorial sessions with your academic tutors to support your learning. You will also have opportunities to gain work experience through modules which take your learning beyond the classroom and into the city.
Assessment
We use a wide variety of assessment types, which help you to develop skills relevant to the workplace. This includes:
- Written assignments
- Individual and group presentations
- Practical activities
- Professional skills through collaboration with industry
We encourage you to extend your learning through Continuing Professional Development as you study. The university’s Launchpad services provide extra events, short courses and opportunities to help you make the most of your degree. The academic and professional skills you develop through this will help to boost your employability when you graduate.
Professional skills
We encourage you to extend your learning through Continuing Professional Development as you study. Our Success Lab provides extra events, short courses and opportunities to help you make the most of your degree. The academic and professional skills you develop through this will help to boost your employability when you graduate.
Career outcomes
Your future with a degree in Events and Experience Management
This course will prepare you for a career in events management. The skills you gain could also be applied across many other sectors and roles. These include planning, managing people, problem solving, communication, team work and project management.
This degree could be the first step toward your career in:
- Events management
- Hotel management
- Charity fundraising
- Heritage and tourism
- Public relations
- PR and marketing
Discover more career options on Prospects careers advice pages.
Alumni stories
Visit our YSJ Snapshots blog to see what our past students from across the University have done with their York St John degrees.
Whatever your ambitions, we can help you get there.
Our careers service, LaunchPad provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:
- Employer events
- LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
- Workshops on application writing and interview skills
- Work experience and volunteering opportunities
- Personalised career advice
This support doesn't end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain experience and confidence to succeed.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements
104 UCAS Tariff points
3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.
Calculate your UCAS Tariff points
International students
If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.
Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.
If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.
This course is available with foundation year
If you do not yet meet the minimum requirements for entry straight onto this degree course, or feel you are not quite ready for the transition to Higher Education, this is a great option for you. Passing a foundation year guarantees you a place on this degree course the following academic year.
Mature Learners Entry Scheme
If you have been out of education for 3 years or more and have a grade C GCSE in English Language or equivalent, you are eligible for our entry scheme for mature learners. It's a scheme that recognises non-traditional entry qualifications and experience for entry onto this course. Information on how to apply can be found on our dedicated page.
Advanced entry
Considering transferring to join us in year 2 or 3 of our Business Courses? Please see our Advanced Entry page for information on the courses available and how to apply.
Terms and conditions
Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.
Fees and funding
To study for a degree with us, you will need to pay tuition fees for your course. How much you pay depends on whether you live inside the UK, or internationally (outside the UK).
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may be increased in line with inflation, prior to the start of each academic year, and subject to the fee cap set by the UK government. Such increases to fees will be at the Retail Price Index (RPI) forecast rate, as advised by the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Office for Students. The only exception to this would be where government legislation deems otherwise.
If a rise in the tuition fee becomes necessary, we will endeavour to inform you as soon as possible and we will explain the reason(s) for the increase. Any tuition fee increase will only be applied from the start of the next academic year and will not be applied 'in year'.
UK 2025 entry
The tuition fee for 2025 entry onto this course is £9,535 per year for full time study.
This price applies to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.
You can find out more about funding your degree by visiting our funding opportunities page.
Placement year funding
If you choose to take a placement year, and your course offers it, you can apply for the Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loan for your placement year. How much you are awarded is based on the type of placement being undertaken and whether it is a paid or unpaid placement. The tuition fee for your placement year will be reduced.
Tuition fees
UK 2025 entry £9,535 per year full time
International 2025 entry £12,100 per year full time
International 2025 entry
The tuition fee for 2025 entry to this course is £12,100 per year for full time study.
This price applies to all students living outside the UK.
Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a Student Visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa pages.
Find out more about funding your degree.
Additional costs and financial support
There may also be some additional costs to take into account throughout your studies, including the cost of accommodation.
Course-related costs
While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include a DBS check, purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.
Study Abroad
For more information on tuition fee reductions and additional costs for studying abroad, please visit our study abroad page.
Accommodation and living costs
For detailed information on accommodation and living costs, visit our Accommodation pages.
Financial help and support
Our Funding Advice team are here to help you with your finances throughout your degree. They offer a personal service that can help you with funding your studies and budgeting for living expenses.
For advice on everything from applying for scholarships to finding additional financial support email fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk.
Expert staff
Within the business school you will have access to an additional 30-minutes of support built into our seminar time. This is where you will have the opportunity to have an informal discussion surrounding assessment, university life or just a friendly face to talk to.
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Study in a city with a busy event calendar
Get involved in events like the Tour de Yorkshire, Aesthetica Short Film Festival, The Yorkshire Fringe and The Great Yorkshire Show.
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Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)
York Business School is one of only a few Business Schools to be a signatory of the United National Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME). PRME have identified 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that address some of our most critical economic, social, environmental and governance challenges. All of our courses are aligned to these goals, and we also contribute to the goals through our research.
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Anna Events and Experience Management
Many of our projects are based on real life situations and include the support from local businesses. York St John has some amazing connections within the wider community and encourages using those connections for further networking. With each module you can see how this is setting the foundations for careers in the business world.
More to explore
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Join us in 2025
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Open Days
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