The UK events industry is a world leader in staging events, worth almost £40billion to the UK economy.
To work in this sector you’ll need to be organised and able to respond quickly to changing events and demands, as well as having excellent interpersonal skills.
Job opportunities for events management graduates include: managing events, conferences, and exhibitions in a variety of sectors like trade, business, arts, music and politics; managing hotels, pubs and other venues; working in outdoors events or education.
You could work your way up to senior management and/or being in charge of larger, high-profile events or set up your own events management business.
The impact you could make
Be part of the team that brings the next Taylor Swift concert to the UK.
Work with a client on style, budget, and venue for their dream exhibition.
Travel the world designing and delivering trade events for a global marketing company.
What you could study
The events industry
Risk and safety management
Event budgeting and resources
Event marketing and communications
The experience economy
Developing, planning, and delivering tourism, hospitality, and events
Hi I’m Leona! I have completed my undergraduate studies in Creative Advertising and now I am onto a new postgraduate - MA Advertising! Feel free to ask any questions or talk about anything you wish to know 😊
Charlotte
University of Surrey
Business Management BSc (Hons)
I am a 2nd year Business undergraduate student at the University of Surrey. Alongside my studies, I also work as a part-time student ambassador which have been a great addition to my social life.
As a widening participation student myself, I took part in the Summer School and AIM4University programmes at Surrey during my A-levels which aided in my decision about choosing the right course and university for me.
Although I am still discovering and immersing myself in every opportunity that my course offers, if you have any further questions about the university, any degree courses at Surrey or just want to have a chat, feel free to message me on UniBuddy. If I do not have an answer to your question, I will be happy to ask students currently studying on your course to help me with providing you with as much information.
Kenzie-Jayne
University of Plymouth
BSc (Hons) Business Management
I’m hoping to study a Business Master’s programme in the future and I’m not sure where I would I like my career to go yet! I’m from Cornwall and have a love for both spending my free time in the outdoors exploring the moors or shops and indoors reading or watching a film.
Rosi
Coventry University
Business Management BA (Hons)
Hello! I am a second year student studying Global Business Management at Coventry University London (CULC. I am available to support you with any modules as well as assist you with any questions you may have regarding your course. I would be interested to hear about your experience at university.
Priyanjana
Nottingham Trent University
Business and Management
Hi, Priyanjana Kumar here, a BA (Hons) International Business student. Raised in Singapore and Dubai, I've embraced diverse cultures. My career aspirations revolve around utilizing my international upbringing to engage in global market research, facilitate cross-border collaborations, and ultimately contribute to enhancing the international business landscape.
Malika
Nottingham Trent University
Marketing
Hello my name is Malika I am a final year marketing student. I enjoy listening to old school rnb music and in my free time, spending time with my friends and family. I am always happy to help others whether that be advise or even keep company.
Petya
City, University of London
Business Management (with Professional Placement) BSc (Hons)
My name is Petya and I am from Sofia, Bulgaria. This is my second year in London studying Business Management. I am passionate about expanding my knowledge in marketing, economics, and entrepreneurship. Next year I will be pursuing an Industrial Placement in London with one of the leading professional services firms. Throughout my journey at Bayes Business School, I have gained business acumen and met with wonderful people from all around the world. Because of City's available resources for students, I managed to network with professionals and learn a lot regarding future careers. In addition, I have engaged with my university in many ways. I have been Student Representative for my course and also Resident Life-Coordinator for one of City's accommodations in which I lived. I have also been part of the Student Engagement Advisor team where I worked to enhance Bayes' Welcome Week for new students. I am more than happy to share my knowledge and experience with prospective students.
Belle
Nottingham Trent University
Marketing
Hi Everyone, I am currently studying Marketing and Management with a placement year. I am in my second year and I would love to help answer any questions or queries you may have. I am in the Dance, Cocktail and Snowsports society.
Naomi
Nottingham Trent University
Business and Management
My favorite part of my degree is the opportunity to learn different languages and travel the world. I plan to use my degree to travel the world and learn about the beautiful cultures of the world.
Shashank
Nottingham Trent University
Business and Management
Hey there! I'm Shashank, though my buddies often just calls me Shanky or Shashy, but yeah, I've got quite the collection of nicknames going on! I'm all about capturing life's beautiful moments through the lens as a photographer and videographer - it's my passion, my way of freezing time.
I'm not only just a visual storyteller, I'm also a culinary enthusiast, whipping up delicious dishes when I'm not immersed in photography and video editing. Lately, I've been taking detour into the world of music. I'm learning to create tunes from scratch, and it's a thrilling journey of self-expression and creativity.
As for my future plans, they're refreshingly simple. I dream of being a nomad, wandering this globe and capturing moments from the process what we call "Life" ;))
Sophia
Nottingham Trent University
Business and Management
Hi! I'm Sophia, currently studying at Nottingham Trent University for Business Management & Entrepreneurship. I am in my 3rd year, and I am really enjoying Uni so far. I have lived internationally all my life, in Spain and Singapore, and believe Nottingham has been the perfect choice for me.
Please ask me any questions you may have on the Uni, City, or anything else!
Sophie
Nottingham Trent University
Marketing
Hello! I am a Ba Marketing student going into my third year after spending last academic year on a year in industry placement. I enjoy playing hockey, spending time with my friends and exploring new places to eat and drink in Nottingham. I’m happy to help and answer any questions you have about NTU, the business school or life in Nottingham 😃
Evie
University of Lincoln
International Tourism Management - BA (Hons)
My future plans after university consist of travelling and looking at post graduate schemes as well as jobs in the aviation industry, I would love to work in the aviation field after graduating. Including working land side and airside for airports as well as airline companies.
Abi
Leeds Beckett University
Events Management | BA (Hons)
Hi! I'm Abi, Events Management student.
I am currently on my placement year in industry and loving the experience ive been getting.
I lived in halls first year and a student house second year, lived back at home during my placement and moving back into a student house for final year.
I am a very active, 'outdoorsy' person who likes to be on the go, currently bodybuilding and I have come from a farming/equestrian background, adjusting to city life, using public transport to get around! I have enjoyed nights out in the city of Leeds and days finding activities to do.
Loving Leeds Beckett and the city :)
Bianca
Buckinghamshire New University
Business Management (BA (Hons))
Hi , I’m a second year business student. A few things about me is that I love to read and write. I always look at the beauty of life through different eyes ; to you is just a tree to me that’s my next picture point , growth, knowledge and stories to write about. All takes part on what inspired on what’s next. I am always down to learn new things and answer as many questions there is .
Amira
Nottingham Trent University
Business and Management
I'm a second-year BA International Business student at NTU. I'm loving my time at NTU so far and I'm so happy that I decided to do International Business as I was torn between a couple of other majors while applying to uni. I know how hard it can be to make a decision about your future, so please, don't think your question isn't worth asking.
Iamah
City, University of London
Business Management, Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship BSc (Hons)
I was born and bred in London but my background is Pakistani. I am an outgoing person who likes to explore and I try to keep myself busy with university and always trying something new. In the future, I see myself settling down with my family and fulfilling my dreams. I really like fashion and styling clothes together and just shopping in general . Also I try to get closer to my religion a lot by praying and reading books and try to encourage my Muslim friends around me.
Elisabeth
Solent University
BSc (Hons) International Business Management
Hiya, I'm Lizzie! I'm currently in my third year studying International Business Management, and my dream is to own and run a hostel abroad. I love studying languages and different cultures, and had the opportunity to study abroad during my second year which was life-changing! Ask me about my experience with the business school, studying abroad, and other international opportunities :)
Ellie
Solent University
BSc (Hons) Business Management
Hello I'm Ellie and I'm in my second year studying BSc (Hons) Business Management. I believe that my degree will help me achieve my goals of becoming a successful business owner in the future. I love living in Southampton and the life I’ve built for myself here is amazing!
Chong Tin
Nottingham Trent University
Business and Management
Hello, This is King/TinTin(depends which one you prefer). I'm currently in my Final Year of the course Business management and marketing. I'm also a member of the NTU K-POP Society 🩷. Remember, no question is stupid, so feel free to send me a message when you need help, even just to vent about your life 💖.
"The Event Experience, which was planning the event through a real venue and hosting it to the public. And I enjoyed Destination Entertainment, which showed the importance of location of the event, as well as the legal side of things."
Second year festival and events management student, Sheffield Hallam University
Example projects
"Live event project with a partner charity. Debate/panel discussion on the impacts of Eurovision. And a research report to analyse fatalities within event spaces; I chose to focus on the failings leading to the Manchester Arena bombing."
Second year events management and tourism student, University of Hertfordshire
Subjects it's useful to have studied first
Some events management courses or apprenticeships will have requirements for previous qualifications in certain subjects. Entry requirements vary, so always check with the provider.
English
Maths
Business
Media studies
Hard skills you'll develop
Events management
Finance
Marketing
Safety standards
Soft skills you'll develop
Customer service
Communication
Leadership
Operations
Sales
Careers: Where it can take you
Find out more about your career prospects from studying events management. The following information is based on a typical events manager and organiser role.
You may never have heard of a delegate manager but they play a key role in events, usually being the first point of contact for event attendees. They work closely with the event manager, and liaise with attendees over the phone, email, and social media. They’ll be on site during the event, helping people to register and find where they need to go, as well as organising things like welcome packs, name badges, and any ticketing or other instructions in advance.
Take our careers quiz to find your ideal job matched to your personality type.
Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study events management at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from events management applicants.
A levels
BCC
Scottish Highers
BBBBB
Vocational
BTEC DMM
Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or SQCF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative
Check out our industry guide to help you decide if an apprenticeship might be the right choice for you.
The expert view
Joseph Charlton, founder of event sourcing and planning company, Planit
Festivals, brand experiences, sports events, massive conferences, cosy meetings, or those exclusive travel adventures... A career in events offers such variety, creativity, and excitement, no two days are ever the same. We craft memorable experiences that have the remarkable power to move and connect people, creating lasting impact.
Have a look at the resources section of the AEO website to understand more about the impact of things like Brexit, inclusion and Martyn’s Law (put into place following the Manchester Arena bomb) on the events industry.
Application advice
Whether it's personal statement tips or what to write in a cover letter for an apprenticeship application, our application advice will help you get ahead in your events management journey.
Skills, experiences, and interests to mention
What attracted you to this subject? Have you had experience organising an event at school or for a charity? What did you learn about yourself and potential careers in this industry?
Events managers need to be leaders – give examples of when you’ve successfully led a group of people, whether that’s directing a play, being a team captain or leading a Duke of Edinburgh award expedition.
Can you critique an event you watched or attended that was well organised? Why did it work so well? What qualities do you think the events manager or company had?
You’ll also need to be resilient and adaptable. What jobs or hobbies have you done that required these skills, like working in a busy bar or factory, or volunteering with people with additional needs.
Finally, think about time management and planning. Your A levels will be good examples of this. Maybe you’ve also had to plan for something outside of school, like a music exam, driving test, or even booking an extended travel trip? How do those skills translate to a career in events management?